Top Camping Lanterns
Most traditions celebrate illumination at this time of year. Active Junky’s found four camping lanterns that double as great holiday and party mood lighting; pick one, light up the night and keep the celebration going.
Evrgrn Lowboy Lantern: Twist and smile
This variable-output, soft silicon lantern captured testers’ attention at the first turn. While a challenge to keep from activating in pack or luggage, Lowboy owns the night when placed on table, stump or hung from above. Thirty-lumen output for 10hrs is enough for navigation and celebration (versus broader area lighting). A trio of AAA batteries powers the 6.4oz LED companion.
Tester Quote: “Lowboy makes it easy to move from candles to LED lighting around the holidays. Looking forward to taking it camping in 2016, paired with my headlamp, for reliable in-tent lighting.”
Best For: Light to moderate use, in-home and patio gatherings – three are infinitely better than a single Lowboy
BioLite PowerLight: Unfair competition
Sorry, but this one deserves a new category. Charging forward with BioLite stove’s sustainability DNA, PowerLight is the engine to turn wondrous wheels of utility both for outdoor enthusiasts, homeowners and emerging nations. Power the 7.0oz core that features useful edge-lit lighting while prepared to give other devices a boost or connect with BioLite String Lights (another amazing story itself). Active Junky gravitated to this system simply for the innovative use of materials, easy operation and flexibility.
Tester Quote: “PowerLight makes you want to use it. The backstory – and future vision – of the company is compelling, without a doubt. While less durable than others and somewhat heavier, I like it for hut trips, paddling journeys and campground outings where extra ounces don’t matter; get the String Lights as a must-have accessory.”
Best For: Group outings and emergency home use
Fenix CL20 Camping Lantern: Be the beacon
Weather-resistant and stable even in brisk winds, CL20’s neutral white 9-LED output is great when colors matter (as in, on topo maps you’re studying). The hanging loop and magnet give the 165-lumen max output lantern (red and SOS modes) plenty of places to land. Powered by two AA batteries or a single CR123A, Active Junky valued the two-LED red light option to protect night vision. The 3.64oz dynamo outlasted many other lights with over 50hrs runtime at a comforting 8 lumens.
Tester Quote: “Wide-angle lighting was ideal for camp use and at backcountry huts. Knowing the CL20 has an SOS mode justified taking an extra light beyond headlamps. This one’s terrific if you’re likely to get weathered in for an extra night.”
Best For: combination of campground and backcountry use in bad weather
Olympia Wilderness WD180 Lantern: Glowing performance
At max output, this one is nearly overpowering. Micro USB rechargeable, this tiny titan draws its strength from an 2000mAh built-in Lithium cell; many phone charging packs don’t offer much more. Four settings let Active Junky control the action with a reliable battery monitor as a needed reminder. While Olympia’s flashlights haven’t electrified testers, their headlamps and this lantern get us enthused about venturing out beyond the city lights.
Tester Quote: “Apart from a rechargeable-only platform which could limit use on longer or international trips, Wilderness represented real ounce-saving performance and superior features. Like others, it features a hanging mechanism and magnetic base, but uses adjustable feet to vary the beam direction.”
Best For: All-around use, superior for weekend trek
Check out the Olympia Wilderness WD180 Lantern >
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