Review: Silva Trail Runner Free H head torch

I have been testing the `Silva Trail Runner Free H Head Torch. I also lent the headlamp to a friend to give it a try.

In my experience, there is a balance to be sought in light output (lumens), weight of the headtorch and ease of use. I have tested many head lamps over the years and I know I need a bright light. I am short-sighted and night-time is when I most struggle to see.

If I am running on technical trails after dark, I need a head torch that will allow me to run with accuracy and freedom.

This Silva headtorch has a maximum output of 400 lumens and while this is okay, it’s not brilliant. I find I need a higher lumen brightness when running on dark trails, especially as my eyes get weaker with age. I do know many people who find 400lm to be fine but I would like bit more brightness.

Note that the battery will fade quite quickly on 400lms, so you’ll need to switch to a dimmer light for a longer battery life.

Features of Silva Trail Runner Free H head torch

Maximum mode: 400 lumem (lm) / 1.5 – 2.5 hours burn time / 70m (230ft) light distance
Medium Mode: 200 lm / 3-5 hours burn time / 50m (164ft) light distance
Minimum mode: 50 lm / 7-12 hours burn time / 20m (89 ft) light distance
Silva Intelligent Light – combining long reach spot light and a close flood light
Comfortable fit thanks to low weight and anti-slip headband
Red rear safety light built into hybrid battery case
Flat, soft textile extension cord
Technology headband and connection system
Water resistant – both headlamp and battery meet IPX5 standard
Max mode indication
Hybrid battery case (AAA batteries, not included)
Hybrid battery, rechargeable, AAA sized, 1.25 Ah (4.6 Wh)
Charge time: 2.5h
Intelligent Light, Max, Med, Min // Blink
Weight 108g including battery
Price: £99.99
Buy: Silva and I have spotted the headlamp on Amazon and SportShoes.com. (I receive a small commission for sales through Amazon and SportShoes.)

My thoughts: Silva Trail Runner Free H head torch

In an ideal world, I’d have a headtorch with the ability to shine up up to 1500 lumens and a lightweight battery pack to go with that. Technology advances have been good in the last few years, but, still, to produce a high lumens output the battery needs to be larger.

Silva do make some really good headtorches with high lumen output but I find the battery pack for these is still quite large and heavy. I prefer, for convenience, to have the battery pack sitting on the headlamp strap and not inside my running rucksack so this means I use a headtorch with a lower lumen output.

I was worried the 400 lumen output would not be sufficient for night running – this is my main use of a head torch. It is fine for many situations but on dark woodland trails I found I needed a brighter beam.

Many other people I know find 400lms to be fine, so it might just be my eyesight but, really, I’d prefer a bright beam if it also came with a small battery pack.

The battery charge lasts about two hours on the 400lm setting. To make the charge last longer, I’d need to reduce the beam brightness.

I’ve mostly used the head torch for shorter outings so after each run, I recharge the battery pack.

To charge the battery pack you need to open up the battery case and simply plug in with a USB cable. It’s very simple. It recharges quickly, too.

In addition, the battery pack can be replaced with 3 AAA batteries. This is very useful if you are heading off for a long distance or multi-day adventure. Being able to use both a rechargeable battery pack and replacement AAA batteries makes it a versatile and highly useful headtorch.

The battery pack is small and I hardly notice it when attached to the head strap. This is a major bonus of this head torch.

The headstrap is wide and comfortable. It is also easy to adjust to fit different head sizes. The power cord is neatly integrated into the headband. This is what Silva call “Free Technology” because it frees the user from distracting cords or tangled wires.

In use, there are different lumen settings of 50, 200 and 400. You press the button on the headlamp to move through the light settings. The button is a good size and easy to locate with your hand/finger while wearing the heard torch.

Silva has created what it calls “customised light distribution”. This means there is a long reach spotlight and a close flood-light incorporated into the light beam. The aim is to give you better vision in the dark, with a longer and closer light distribution. As a user of the lamp, you don’t really know this is happening, except that you do enjoy great night vision.

There is also an extension cord should you wish to carry the battery pack in your hand, pocket or pack.

Cath, who also tested the head torch, reports that the beam is great, plus the weight and size of the headtorch is really good. She also likes the red light at the rear, which is useful for being seen when running or could be used a as a back-up rear light when cycling.

She likes the ability to swap in AAA batteries because this means the head torch can be used for longer adventures through the night.