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These are the 6 best flashlights for outdoorsmen right now.
Need a flashlight? You're in luck. Today's flashlights boast long battery life, powerful LEDs, and well-built cases. Sure, we love our headlamps and our spotlights, but when it comes right down to it, we're just as happy to have a good flashlight in our hands.
If you just happen to prefer a good flashlight to all the other possibilities, or just want to include one or two in your gear bag, then you've come to the right place. If you're like us, then you just can't help yourself but to carry a couple of these handy gadgets in the truck, the car, or the gear bag. Because one simply never knows when they may need one in a roadside emergency or an unexpected power outage. As with many of our favorite electronic gear items, they come in both battery-operated and rechargeable styles, which wasn't even an option back in the day. In fact, they've come so far as to be offered in sizes that can fit in your shirt pocket and still light up the night.
There are several qualities to look for in a good flashlight. These include size, weight, illumination, (lumens) battery life, waterproof capability, and durability. Put all of these into a torch, and chances are that you just purchased a good one. Since the days of the disposable alkaline battery aren't quite behind us yet, they still have a place in our many items of gear that need some kind of power to operate them. The fact remains that the word "disposable" is something that outdoorsmen and women are a bit tired of hearing.
The best part is that most of the well-made rechargeable options can be charged in either your home or your vehicle making them easy to use on the go. As a bonus, the spent batteries can be recycled. Anything that keeps additional junk out of the landfills in a plus in our book. As far as lumens go, anything from 800 to 1,000 lumens should be plenty for the average camper or outdoor enthusiast. Sure, you can get spotlights that are so powerful that you can see the bark on the tree across the lake at midnight, but that's another story. In most cases, you aren't going to need that much power and beam distance. In any case, quality modern flashlights only use LED lights since incandescent bulbs are virtually a thing of the past at this point.
You sure don't want to drop your light source, but we all do and it still needs to be working afterward. In fact, it should still shed water in wet conditions, or retain its waterproof abilities even after a drop. One last thing to consider is flashlights with multiple, adjustable brightness settings and types. Many flashlights now have a strobe mode for self-defense that will blind the eyes of an attacker, or they have an automatic "SOS" mode to signal you need help to rescuers or law enforcement. These are handy features for a little extra peace of mind if you spend a lot of time in the backcountry or on the water.
1. Our Top Pick
NEBO 1000-Lumen Pocket Size - Amazon, $29.99
This is a good choice for a pocket-sized EDC light that is rechargeable, made of aircraft-grade aluminum, and is water- and impact-resistant. There are five light modes, which is pretty generous. You'll come across lots of flashlights with up to three modes, but with high, medium, low, strobe, and turbo, you'll have plenty of options for camping, fishing, or for just in case. Using it in all these scenarios is easy, thanks to the magnetic base. Use it hands-free anytime. Plus, you can also use the removable clip for attaching it to your hat or belt.
The flashlight can be recharged via USB cable or with the included battery.
2. Another Great Pick
Streamlight 66608 250 Lumen - Amazon, $31.99
This diminutive flashlight is great for EDC and can clip onto your hat for hands-free use. The ultra-light flashlight is durable and abrasion-resistant, perfect for taking outdoors (or sitting in the garage for emergency use). There are low and high modes — great for indoor and outdoor use. On high mode, there's a 68m beam distance and a 31m beam distance on low mode. The aluminum flashlight is water and impact-resistant, so no worries if it takes a fall — especially into a small puddle of water.
Many customers are calling it their favorite EDC flashlight. They're happy with the battery life and find it super convenient to charge via USB cable.
3. Best Hunting Flashlight
DiKoMo Ultra-High Lumen Hunting Flashlight - Amazon, $25.99
Since it is advertised as having a 90,000 lumen output, you're not going to want to shine it towards your friends, but this flashlight will certainly light up the darkest night. This is the flashlight you'll want for pitch-dark evenings or even to light up an entire room without the extra use of emergency candles. The powerful flashlight is water-resistant, so it can be used in the rain. However, don't submerge it in water! It's made of aero-grade aluminum and can handle a drop with no damage. It's impact resistant to two meters. One customer said it feels indestructible. Nice!
When it needs charging, use the USB charging cable. It's convenient, and you'll never think of carrying batteries for a flashlight again.
4. Best Two-Pack
Vont LED Tactical Flashlight 2-Pack - Amazon, $15.99
The Vont series of flashlights are the highest-rated and best-selling flashlight on Amazon. They are heavy-duty, have a long battery life, come with a zoom feature, and are waterproof. They even have tactical emergency settings like an SOS strobe. You'll get two flashlights for under $20, which is a steal. Consider buying this 2-pack so household members can have a flashlight to keep in their vehicles. It'll come in handy for navigating dark roads or mountains.
Not only can this flashlight withstand freezing and underwater submersion, but it's been tested to survive abuse. Testing includes getting run over by a full-sized truck!
5. Best for Using With Gloves
Fenix PD36R 1600 Lumen - Amazon, $100.45
This highly-rated model comes with a carrying case, and its own rechargeable battery to be recycled and replaced when the time is necessary. It pumps out 1,600 lumens of bright light and will last over 100 hours. There are several modes, including turbo mode, strobe function, and intelligent mode memory. Don't let the size fool you, it weighs about 3 ounces and is only 5-inches long, but the flashlight packs a punch. A customer said he's able to use it for camping, animal rescue, and more! We highly recommend this flashlight for any activity that may require gloves — the dual switch design is easy to operate with gloves.
Take this flashlight anywhere — you can attach it to your backpack, or belt, or use the included holster or lanyard.
6. Best Splurge for EDC & Self-Defense
Ledlenser, MT10 Rechargeable Handheld Flashlight - Amazon, $99.95
This flashlight provides 144 hours of light on a single charge, and three programmable light functions (power, low power, and defense strobe). For a quick recharge to 80%, just charge it for 4 hours and you're good to go. Be sure to take a look at the battery indicator so you'll always know how much battery life you have left. Head outdoors, no matter how late it is. With a rapid focus and crystal clear light transmission, you'll have a clear view. Take it anywhere, even if you need to throw it in your pocket. The transportation lock prevents the light from being turned on accidentally. You'll want to use the lock since customers say it's very bright (and blinding). Just know that if you need to use this for self-defense, you'll definitely surprise the attacker and blind them for a moment.
What a Flashlight Doesn't Have To Be
You may have noticed that many of the included models are mini-sized versions of the typical flashlights that we all grew up with. It is nice to know that we can have a good EDC flashlight that will seriously light up the night without having to be so uncomfortably large. Now a flashlight can be a part of your everyday carry kit.
It is quite amazing to know that the many manufacturers of outdoor electronics have embraced today's technology and made it available to the everyday outdoorsman. In other words, having a flashlight that can be carried via pocket clip or attached to a hat, while still lighting up the night sky with such ease certainly makes it easier to carry extra gear without using one entire hand to hold the torch.
It's not that we no longer care for the flashlight that our fathers and grandfathers used, it's just that we've learned to downsize without giving up style or function. Some of these new designs are the most powerful flashlights on Earth, and you can bet your grandfather would have appreciated the extra versatility.
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NEXT: 5 BEST FLIES FOR STEELHEAD FISHING IN THE GREAT LAKES, PNW, AND MORE
