By THOMAS HAYES

I was out for an early morning run before light and the headlamp that was wrapped around my head was a little loose. I started to adjust it while I was running and it was taking FOREVER to get it right.

The adjustment band was pretty much impossible to do on the move so I stopped and fixed it. When I got going again it felt too tight but I decided to deal with it. I was spending way too much of my mental energy on this headlamp during what should have been a relaxed run. 

The Petzl BINDI is a headlamp I’ve passed over multiple times for reasons I now cannot understand but several months ago I finally got my hands on one and it has quickly become my go-to light for running. It is amazingly minimal, lightweight and so easy to adjust!   

Here is why I think it is exactly what you have been looking for.  

THE GET TO THE POINT PROS:

• Extremely light weight of 1.24 ounces. The best quality of this lamp!
• Super comfortable elastic cord that adjusts with a single pull- The simplest adjusting system on a headlamp!
• 200 lumen max brightness is adequate in most situations
• Rechargeable internal battery means no wondering if you batteries will die mid run.
• Single button operation
• $45 MSRP is a bargain for a quality light 

GIVIN’ IT TO YOU STRAIGHT CONS: 

• Run time on max brightness is only 2hrs. This lamp is not for your long runs at night. 
• Internal battery means once it is dead you have to stop and recharge it.

THE TEST: I tested the BINDI on a variety of road and trail runs the last few months. In the days of 800-1,000 lumen headlamps 200 might not sound like much but I found it to be more than adequate. What you loose in lumens you more than make up for with the reduced weight. The BINDI is one of the only headlamps I don’t find uncomfortable to wear after a few miles. The lightweight lamp means you don’t have to keep it insanely tight to keep it from flopping around. The elastic shock cords band is easy to adjust and doesn’t put any undue pressure on your head. The single button on/off and brightness adjustment means you don’t need and electrical engineering degree to use it. The 2 hour run time doesn’t sound like a lot but I have yet to have it die on me while on a run.

DO YOU REALLY NEED THIS? The short answer is YES.

Unless you just really like big headlamps or spend multiple hours a week running in the dark then the BINDI is everything you need and nothing you don’t. In the time I’ve had it I haven’t touched another one of the multiple lights I’ve accumulated over time. I used it running, camping, dog walking, you name it. The BINDI is up for the task. At $45 the BINDI is no brainier as a main running light or a backup to keep in your car. 

It’s light enough to bring on every run so that the next time you bonk on your 8 mile tempo run after work, the 4 mile walk back to car doesn’t have to be in the dark. 

LIGHTING SPECS:

Lighting Color	Lighting Levels	Brightness	Distance	Burn Time	Reserve Lighting
White	Max Burn Time	6 lm	6m	50 h	-
White	Standard	100 lm	23 m	3 h	1.5 h
White	Max Power	200 lm	36 m	2 h	1.5 h
Red	Continuous	1 lm	2.5 m	33 h	-
Red	Strobe	Visible at 400m for 200 h			-