What To Look For
LED headlamps allow people to play outside long after the sun goes down. Runners, hikers, mountain bikers and anyone who wants to extend his time outdoors knows the value of a bright, long-lasting headlamp. When shopping for LED headlamps, look for one that is lightweight with a long battery life and a variety of lighting settings, such as the Princeton Tec Aurora, which Backpackinglight.com hailed for its brightness and called an "excellent all-around trail headlamp that weighs less than 3 ounces."
Common Pitfalls
Some LED headlamps have mounting straps that can't secure it on a user's head during vigorous activity. If you're going to be using a headlamp for activities like trail running, you may want to go with a headlamp that has a second strap that runs over the top of your head to help prevent slippage.
Where To Buy
LED headlamps can be found in just about any sporting goods store like Sports Authority or Mel Cotton's, but you may want to look online for the best prices. REI.com and Backcountry.com have a wide selection and fairly low pricing, as well as excellent return/exchange policies if the headlamp isn't exactly what you wanted.
Cost
LED headlamps can cost as little as $20 for an entry-level lamp or well into the hundreds of dollars for the highest-end headlamps. For most activities, a $20 to $30 lamp like the Energizer 4 will work just fine, but if you're looking for a brighter offering, expect to shell out between $60 and $100 for a mid-range lamp.
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