I run about 500 km a month and my marathon best is under 2:30, and I chose these with care. This is my conclusion as of Oct 21, 2026. For a night-run light, choose by whether it stays on for the whole run, not by its maximum brightness. I lined up 5 on weight, run time and price. No. 1 is the Ledlenser HF4R (92g, JPY 7,480), No. 2 the HF4R Core from the same HF series (72g, JPY 6,600) and No. 3 the Petzl Bindi (35g).
The Shoe Nerd's top pick
For a night-run light, start with the HF4R. At 92g, it stays on at 100 lumens for 10 hours. That's 10 one-hour runs, or 5 two-hour runs, without recharging. A weight you don't notice on your head and day-to-day ease of use are in the same numbers.
Key points
- For night runs, choose on three things: under 100g, around 100 lumens, and a run time that covers your run. The HF4R is 92g and 10 hours at 100 lumens
- Per 1 lumen of maximum brightness, the HF4R is about JPY 11.5, the cheapest of the 4 whose prices can be compared
- The Petzl Bindi is 35g, the lightest of the 5. With a maximum of 200 lumens, it suits short night runs
Don't choose a night-run light by its maximum brightness
A headlamp's box prints its maximum brightness in large type. But that brightness lasts from a few minutes to a few hours. It's rare that you light your whole run at that level.
This article lines up 5 headlamps for night runs on three points: weight, how many hours they last at running brightness, and price. For lights for a long night in the mountains, see what a trail running beginner needs.
How to choose a night-run headlamp: the criteria I used
| Criteria | Reason |
|---|---|
| 1. Under 100g | The lighter the thing on your head, the less you notice it |
| 2. Around 100 lumens, lasting the length of your run | Maximum brightness lasts only a short time. Judge by running brightness |
| 3. Rechargeable and waterproof | For daily use: no battery swaps, and it works in the rain |
The 5 night-run headlamps compared
Scroll the table sideways →
| Light | Weight | Maximum brightness | Run time | Official price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ledlenser HF4R | 92g | 650lm | 10 hours at 100 lm | JPY 7,480 |
| Ledlenser HF4R Core | 72g | 500lm | 5 hours at 120 lm | JPY 6,600 |
| Petzl Bindi | 35g | 200lm | — | — |
| Ledlenser HF4 | 102g | 450lm | Up to 40 hours (Low) | JPY 5,500 |
| Ledlenser HF6R | 130g | 900lm | Up to 60 hours (Low) | JPY 12,100 |
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Ledlenser HF4R (2026 model)
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 5,936 (as of 10/20), ranging up to JPY 7,359 depending on the shop. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaDividing to see whether it lasts the whole run
For running brightness, I aim for around 100 to 120 lumens. Divide the official run time by the length of your run and you get how many runs one charge covers.
| Light | Running brightness and time | On a 1-hour run | On a 2-hour run |
|---|---|---|---|
| HF4R | 10 hours at 100 lm | 10 runs | 5 runs |
| HF4R Core | 5 hours at 120 lm | 5 runs | 2.5 runs |
| HF4R (bright setting) | 3 hours at 400 lm | 3 runs | 1.5 runs |
If you run for 1 hour three times a week with the HF4R, 10 hours ÷ 3 hours means a recharge about every 3.3 weeks. The HF4R Core, at 5 hours ÷ 3 hours, needs one about every 1.7 weeks.
Divide the price by maximum brightness: the HF4R is about JPY 11.5 per lumen (7,480 ÷ 650), the HF4 about JPY 12.2 (5,500 ÷ 450), the HF4R Core JPY 13.2 (6,600 ÷ 500) and the HF6R about JPY 13.4 (12,100 ÷ 900).
#1 Ledlenser HF4R: 92g, and 10 hours
Why it wins: at 92g, it stays on at 100 lumens for 10 hours. Maximum 650 lumens, maximum throw 130 m. It's rated IP67 for dust and water resistance, and its dedicated battery charges over USB-C. It also runs on three AAA alkaline batteries.
The catch: it's 20g heavier than the HF4R Core (92 − 72). If weight comes first, the No. 2 pick suits you better. I covered the details in the HF4R review.
#2 Ledlenser HF4R Core: just 72g
Why it wins: at 72g, it's light for the HF series, at JPY 6,600. Maximum 500 lumens, and 5 hours at 120 lumens. It's 20g lighter than the HF4R.
The catch: the battery is built in. Run time at running brightness is 5 hours, half the HF4R's (10 hours versus 5).
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Ledlenser HF4R Core
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 5,140 (as of 10/21), ranging up to JPY 8,459 depending on the shop. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichiba#3 Petzl Bindi: a 35g little night-run light
Why it wins: at 35g it's the lightest of the five. It goes from 6 lumens up to 200 lumens, with a wide 36-degree beam. It charges over USB, so there are no batteries to swap. It fits in a pocket or a waist pouch too.
The catch: it's rated IPX4, an all-weather rating built for rain, but it isn't as water-resistant as the IP67 HF4R. Its maximum 200 lumens is about 30% of the HF4R's 650 lumens (200 ÷ 650).
#4 Ledlenser HF4: battery-powered, JPY 5,500
Why it wins: it runs on AAA (size 4) alkaline batteries, and at JPY 5,500 it's the cheapest of the 5. Maximum 450 lumens, maximum throw 110 m, IP67. It also works as part of a disaster kit.
The catch: at 102g it's 10g heavier than the HF4R (102 − 92). You also have to buy batteries.
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Ledlenser HF4 (battery-powered)
Lowest price on Rakuten Ichiba: JPY 4,424 (as of 10/21). Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten Ichiba#5 Ledlenser HF6R: adjusts its brightness automatically
Why it wins: it has a maximum of 900 lumens, a maximum throw of 180 m, and ALB, which adjusts the brightness automatically. It's for people who want automatic dimming.
The catch: at 130g and JPY 12,100, it's the heaviest and the most expensive of the 5. The gap to the HF4R is 38g (130 − 92) and JPY 4,620 (12,100 − 7,480).
Image: Rakuten Ichiba
Ledlenser HF6R
Lowest price on Rakuten is JPY 8,495 (as of 10/21), ranging up to JPY 10,890 depending on the shop. Prices change daily.
RecommendedSee it on Rakuten IchibaThrow distance: how many seconds ahead at your running speed?
Maximum throw is how far the light reaches at boost. Divide it by your running speed and you get an upper limit on how many seconds ahead you can see.
| Light | Max throw | Running 1 km in 6 minutes | Running 1 km in 5 minutes |
|---|---|---|---|
| HF4 | 110m | about 40 seconds ahead | about 33 seconds ahead |
| HF4R | 130m | about 47 seconds ahead | about 39 seconds ahead |
| HF6R | 180m | about 65 seconds ahead | about 54 seconds ahead |
A light isn't only for lighting the way ahead. It also lets cars and cyclists see you. Beyond the light that shows the road, you can add reflective gear or a small blinking light.
The 5 lights at a glance: which one for whom
| If you are | This light |
|---|---|
| Daily night runs, with no fuss about charging | Ledlenser HF4R |
| You want to cut the most weight from your head | Petzl Bindi |
| Light, and a lower price too | Ledlenser HF4R Core |
| Battery-powered, as cheaply as possible | Ledlenser HF4 |
| Dark or hilly roads, where brightness comes first | Ledlenser HF6R |
Who is it for?
- Good fit: people who run in the dark, morning or evening. People who sometimes run on roads with few streetlights. People who want both hands free instead of holding a light.
If you only run on well-lit streets, a small blinking light is enough. If you run in the mountains, each race sets a required brightness and run time, so read the mandatory gear guide first.
Price and where to buy
| Light | Official price | Rakuten price range |
|---|---|---|
| HF4R | JPY 7,480 | JPY 5,936–7,359 |
| HF4R Core | JPY 6,600 | JPY 5,140–8,459 |
| Petzl Bindi | — | — |
| HF4 | JPY 5,500 | JPY 4,424 |
| HF6R | JPY 12,100 | JPY 8,495–10,890 |
With Ledlenser, models ending in R are the rechargeable ones. The HF4 and HF4R differ by one letter, so check the product name before you buy.
FAQ
How many lumens do you need in a headlamp for night runs?
For running brightness, I aim for around 100 lumens. The HF4R runs 10 hours at 100 lumens, and the HF4R Core 5 hours at 120 lumens. The maximum brightness is a figure for boost, which lasts only a short time.
How light is a light headlamp for running?
Among these 5, the Petzl Bindi is 35g, the HF4R Core 72g and the HF4R 92g. My guide is under 100g.
Can you use a headlamp in the rain?
The HF4R and HF4 are rated IP67 for dust and water resistance. The Bindi is rated IPX4, an all-weather rating, so it works in the rain too.
Rechargeable or battery-powered for night runs?
If you run every day, rechargeable. The HF4R runs on its rechargeable battery or on AAA alkaline batteries. The HF4 is battery-powered only.
