Petzl Zipka Headlamp

Active Junky Badass Gear Winner

A retractable headband adds versatility to this model’s reliable, useful light output.

Active Junky-style adventure travel is the ideal pairing for this 68g headlamp.  Shedding a band in favor of a retractable wire, Zipka adapts instantly to nearly any hat, cap or helmet thanks to the self-tensioning system.  Concerns about excessive pressure or sloppy fit disappeared into the night in the 100-lumen bubble of even lighting.  Two settings manage brightness against runtime for up to 180hrs at a useful 20 lumens.  As Zipka’s lighting head doesn’t tilt, some practice is needed to get the beam angle right both up-close in camp and on the trail.  Three standard AAA batteries do the heavy lifting as the water resistant headlamp glows in the dark to get found fast when needed.