The best light for running at night

By Henry Howard

As I write this, the warm, sunny days of summer are increasingly giving way to cooler temperatures in fall and inevitably even darker days in winter.

For runners like me who do early morning training runs, not only does the change in seasons mean adding layers but also using a light source more frequently. I’ve previously used headlamps and love the UltrAspire Lumen 800 Multisport but recently tried out the Lumen 800 Solstice.

Simply put the Lumen 800 Solstice is the best solution for early morning training runs, all-night adventures or ultra races that require light sources. Thanks to my friends at UltrAspire for providing the Solstice for testing in exchange for this review.

Why I love the UltrAspire Lumen 800 Solstice

Here are some reasons why I believe the Lumen 800 Solstice is the best light for running at night:

• The patented light features UltrAspire 3D Lighting which casts shadows across uneven surfaces giving you a better understanding of your terrain. The Solstice projects light wider than the Multisport, and I thought the former was already best in class.

• The lightweight belt, built with an ErgoFit Waist design, adjusts easily and sits comfortably even when bounding down the trails. The belt’s materials are so lightweight it’s easy to forget you are actually wearing a belt.

• There are many options for the lighting. The Solstice comes with three regular modes — high, medium and low — and also features a blinking and red solid light. Designed for a long burn time and utilizing a 21700 battery, this light outputs at a range of eight hours on high, 16 hours on medium and 24 hours on low.

• You can also easily change the lighting option on the go. The large power button makes toggling through the setting intuitive. The battery indicator light is easy to follow.

Making the case

It’s also worth noting that I really like what UltrAspire did with the EVA Foam carrying case.

The case protects the light when traveling or storing it. Additionally, the case can also hold the special USB Type-C charging port and the UltrAspire rechargeable 21700 batteries, which allows you to charge the battery while in the unit.

Do note this is a common-sized battery and can be found at battery stores, online and some Walmarts. However, some Amazon retailers make the 21700 differently. Look for the version that is a flat top battery. The ones with the button don't work.

Conclusion

The innovative Lumen 800 Solstice is like bringing daylight with you down the trail, thanks to its wide beam that allows you to let your eyes roam freely. You can also easily adjust the angle as needed without pausing.

The light also has heat-dispersing fins mounted in and around the light that passively dissipate heat, keeping the light cool and efficient during heavy use.

And, last but not least, the waist list is durable. It is made with aircraft grade aluminum, which provides better durability and improved hot and cold tolerance while reducing overall weight.

Check out the video from UltrAspire for more details about how it works.