Which Headlamp Do Ultra-Runners Wear? Find Out!

I follow the ultra-running scene some and I pay attention to what they’re wearing on their feet, body, and heads.

I frequently see headlamps I recognize. During an ultra-run which goes through the night, which most of them do because it’s cooler then, headlamps are a crucial bit of technology that must be taken seriously. No ultra-runner wants to be caught in the middle of the forest or the Great Outback with a faulty light, so runners tend to spend whatever they need to in order to get a reliable and very bright headlamp.

Which Headlamps Do Ultra Runners Wear?

Petzl Headlamps

The following athletes have been known to wear, or are still wearing Petzl brand headlamps during their ultra runs. It isn’t just the pros that wear Petzl, if you take a look at the start of any ultra-run which begins at night – you’ll see hundreds of Petzl headlamps lighting up the starting line. They are known worldwide since the 1980’s for making great climbing and lighting technology.

Kilian Jornet

Kilian’s portrait at Petzl.com – wearing the new Nao from 2016 with 700 lumens. This headlamp is not available in the USA and many other countries. You can purchase the NAO+ Plus instead.

One of the best ever trail runners in the world has worn Petzl headlamps since at least 2010. Kilian still wears Petzl today – and so does his girlfriend, and female ultra-running legend, Emily Forsberg.

Emily Forsberg

Still trying to catch Emily wearing a headlamp. If you have a photo, let us know!

Anton Krupicka

Anton is not doing very much ultra running anymore, being plagued by chronic injuries. Instead, he has switched over to cycling and is having a blast. I’ll have a look to see which headlamp he is wearing for cycling now.

Anton (Tony) Krupicka wearing a Petzl Nao headlamp during an ultra race. — Anton is wearing one of the Nao series headlamps, quite possibly the Nao+ Plus.

Jason Schlarb

Pictured above with Kilian Jornet as they came across the finish of the Hardrock 100 tied for first place. Jason wearing the Petzl Reactik+ Plus headlamp I believe.

Dakota Jones

Dakota wearing some model of Petzl headlamp that looks like the old Myo headlamp, while running the Transvulcania ultramarathon race at night.

Adam Campbell

Sondre Amdahl

Sophie Grant

Various Ultra-runners Wearing Petzl Headlamps

Ultra runner wearing a Petzl Co. running headlamp during a night race.

Ultra runner wearing Petzl headlamp at night.

It will be interesting in 2019 to see who is wearing what. Really, the Petzl Nao+ Plus with 750 lumens on Reactive Lighting mode, is pretty perfect for running at night in ultramarathons. Sure you’ll need two batteries if running all night on the manual high setting, but the 18650 batteries are light and powerful. If you don’t mind the fluctuations of the Reactive Lighting Technology – dimming and brightening constantly, you can use 1 battery for the entire race.

As far as running goes, the Petzl Nao+ is probably the ULTIMATE trail running headlamp, and most people have found that out recently and are getting rid of their Nathan and Black Diamond, and Fenix headlamps. You should too!

Which Headlamp Do Ultra-Runners Use? Find Out!