[hikr]

Hello - What kind of flashlight do you carry in your bag? I haven't been in the flashlight market for a long time. Maglites used to be considered the best general flashlight 15 years ago but for hiking I imagine you want something more compact and lighter weight. And I'm guessing that in 2013 hikers have a favorite flashlight for this?

[markh752]

One of the recent discussions.

[huron]

plus

[Daryl]

For day hiking I keep a few tiny princeton tec lights in my pack, one is a scout headlamp. All the ones i have now are discontinued, I stocked up when they closed them out! For planned overnights I also throw in a surefire. can't recall the model but it's LED and the batteries last a LONG time. I've always liked princeton tec. Surefire is great but they are $$$.

[Lono]

You mostly can't go wrong with LED, for reliability and durability I carry a ~$30 Fenix 1xAA in my pocket on hikes and also have PrincetonTec headlamps in my pack, and extra batteries in case, although I can't recall ever swapping batteries on a hike. The most useful light though is a 4xAA LED lantern, which is bulky for ultralighters and old in that it doesn't have multiple light settings, but ideal when spreading light inside a tent or during food prep or sitting around in the dark before bed. Light is important, so carry a few - one or more of mine are ready to hand out to a Scout who didn't pack his essentials, or who watches his oldish incadescent flashlight dim within 5 minutes of switching on. The only beef I'll have is with the occasional ultralighter who feels even one flashlight is too many for them, I beg to differ, but I tend towards being prepared and believing the one is none stuff. If you haven't needed a flashlight, that's ok for you - but wait for it. Those who go for maximum durability will swear by Surefires etc, and I know they are good in extreme temperatures and conditions, my kit so far has survived PNW snow camp temps and downpours.

[Hulksmash]

Any LED head lamp will infinitely more useful than that stone age Mag light.

[Schenk]

Agreed, my favorite flashlight is a good headlamp.

[Dante]

Jetbeam RRT-01 http://www.amazon.com/JETBeam-RRT01-Lumen-CREE-Flashlight/dp/B007QYV8OU I'm kind of an LED flashlight gear freak, and this is the best one I've owned by far. Not cheap, though.

[goinbigg17]

Fenix makes some bright and cheap lights. Seem to be good quality too. I was given this light for Christmas, and it's super bright and pretty light too. Streamlight

[BC22]

Yes Fenix makes some great lights. I have he LD20 and I love it. It even has some cool accessories available to turn it into a lantern style light which is great for tents.

[DigitalJanitor]

Ditto the Fenix LD20. Mounted with a lock block to a helmet, been using them for years for dog mushing at night, bike riding, random stuff around the place. I always keep one in my pack loaded w/ lithiums and an extra set of batts. The new Fenix headlamps look really nice though. I like that they've got a 3 lumen setting on them, which is nice for doing little things close up. My older Fenix lights are higher than that on their lowest setting which is somewhat annoying.

[Dante]

I also own lights from Fenix 4Sevens and Zebralight. They are all good. Zebralight makes some very nice headlamps.

[HundsSolo]

A very small Fenix E11 flashlight, 115 lumes or 38 lumes on low. Takes one AA battery.

[captain jack]

Some things you just get comfortable with, like Bic lighters and Maglite flashlights. I still use a AA Maglite, because it allows some level of redundancy with batteries, which I also use in my camera. So I know I could steal the batteries from one to use in the other if I run through my spares. I use the more efficient newer bulbs, and having a backup on board, along with the battery redundancy, means I should never have to go without light. Plus I like the ability to focus the beam. The little anti roll rubber collar add on is also very handy when camping.