Camp lights lift the darkness for late-night camping fun and activities. (Shutterstock photo)
April 09, 2025
By Adam Heggenstaller
When you’re camping overnight, it’s going to get dark. That’s stating the obvious, but it’s surprising how many campers are unprepared for the dark by skimping on lights that are essential when night falls. Plan on navigating around tent stakes and guy lines by fire light? Better have the first-aid kit handy. Light from the flames only goes so far, and when you leave the campsite to get more wood or attend to nature’s call, you’re in the dark.
Sources of illumination—whether they be flashlights, headlamps or lanterns—are items that must be dependable. When you need light, you need it immediately. Quality construction and components are well worth the price they demand in exchange for confidence in your light working every time. Forget about the $5.99 lights in the bin by the big-box retailer checkout, unless you want to give one to your 7-year-old as a toy. Pay the extra cost for lights from reputable manufacturers—Streamlight , for example, makes lights that first responders as well as outdoor adventure-seekers count on—and you’ll avoid the feelings of disappointment, frustration and uneasiness that come when a light doesn’t turn on when you need it most.
Before we get into why it’s wise to take three sources of lighting on a camping trip, let’s discuss output, the amount of illumination produced by the light. Brighter is better, right? Well, not always. Maybe not even half the time, depending on how you plan to use the light. It is possible to have a light that is too bright when performing tasks at arm’s length and closer, such as splitting kindling or cooking. Too much light “blows out” nearby objects and reflects off them, straining the eyes and making it difficult to discern details. This is one reason why packing multiple lights makes sense.
Lanterns throw light across all directions for campers to see all around during the night. (Photo courtesy of Streamlight) Case in point: a high-output flashlight with a long reach is great for navigating through the woods, but its beam is simply too bright and focused for attending to camp chores at night.
Output is measured in two primary units: lumens and candela. Each is a different type of measurement, and they are not interchangeable. One cannot be accurately converted into the other, either. There are highly technical testing methods to measure lumens and candela (as well as beam distance, impact resistance, water resistance and run time) described by the American National Standards Institute/Portable Lights American Trade Organization in the FL 1 Flashlight Basic Performance Standard . The standard provides an accurate and objective way to rate and compare lighting performance, though not all light manufacturers use it. To get the best idea of a light’s output, make sure it’s measured by the F1 Standard, which will include both lumens and candela when applicable.
Without getting too far into the weeds, lumens are a measurement of the total quantity of emitted light. Lumens are measured by a spectrophotometer and describe how bright the light is at the source. Lumens do not take into account beam pattern or reach. Candela, on the other hand, is measured by a sensor 100 feet from the front of the light. The sensor measures the brightest part of the beam, which is influenced by the light’s reflector size and shape, as well as lens materials and design. Candela describes the intensity of the strongest area of the beam at 100 feet. When looking for a general-purpose light to handle a variety of tasks while camping, consider both lumens and candela. Campers may also want to consider beam distance, which in general terms, measures the greatest distance at which the device produces a usable amount of light.
A camper uses a handheld flashlight to lead the way. (Photo courtesy of Streamlight) FLASHLIGHTS: ALL-PURPOSE LIGHT SOURCES Handheld flashlights are what most campers reach for when needing light. Thanks to advancements in LEDs and lithium-ion batteries, flashlights have greatly shrunk in size while boosting output. Look for a flashlight size that’s comfortable to carry in a pocket so it will be on your person and within easy reach all the time. A rechargeable model eliminates the need for carrying extra disposable batteries, but be sure there is some way to charge the light’s internal battery at camp if you’re going on an extended trip. This could be a vehicle for car campers or a portable power bank for backpackers. Some flashlights have two or more levels of output, which not only prolongs battery life but also makes the light usable for close-range tasks as well as illuminating a greater area or objects at a farther distance. The following two models from Streamlight are excellent examples of flashlights that serve campers well for a wide range of activities.
Streamlight Wedge The slim, flattened design of the Wedge is easy to carry in a front or back pant pocket. Located toward the front of the light, the ergonomic, two-mode, rotating switch naturally falls under the thumb, making it quick to find and power on in the dark. Pushing the switch forward to the first position puts the Wedge in constant-on mode, which produces 300 lumens and a 69-meter beam length for up to 3 hours. Rolling the switch to the second position activates the Temporarily Heightened Regulated Output (THRO) mode, which provides 1,000 lumens, 3,000 candela and a 110-meter beam for a 35-second burst—perfect for checking out what made that branch snap behind the tent.
Perfect for pocket carry, the Wedge EDC flashlight is rechargeable and features a tactical push-button tail switch for one-handed use. (Photo courtesy of Streamlight) The rotating switch also serves as a battery indicator and the lithium-polymer battery charges via a USB-C cord in 3 hours. The Wedge is about 5.5 inches long and weighs less than 3.5 ounces. It’s IPX7 waterproof-rated and tested for impact resistance at 1 meter. The anodized aluminum body is available in black, coyote tan, red, blue, purple, orange and green.
Streamlight MegaStream Think of the MegaStream as a mini hand torch. On high mode, it delivers 1,800 lumens and 26,000 candela while casting a far-reaching, 322-meter beam for up to 2 hours. Thanks to the low and medium modes, however, the MegaStream is adept at illuminating the night for just about any duty. On medium, the light produces 500 lumens, 7,200 candela and a 170-meter beam for 3.5 hours. At the low setting, campers get up to 13 hours of runtime with 150 lumens, 2,100 candela and a 92-meter beam. Modes are controlled by a push-button tail switch with momentary or constant-on operation.
The MegaStream uses a rechargeable Streamlight SL-B34 protected lithium-ion battery pack, which is chargeable inside or outside the light via a USB-C cord. A sliding metal sleeve protects the charging port, and the self-keying battery ensures its proper alignment with the port. The MegaStream is about 5.25 inches long and weighs less than 5.5 ounces. It is IPX7 waterproof-rated and tested for impact resistance at 2 meters. The MegaStream comes with a holster and a removable pocket clip for several methods of carry.
A camper wears a headlamp to keep hands free for other activities. (Photo courtesy of Streamlight) HEADLAMPS: HANDS-FREE CONVENIENCE Many tasks around camp require two hands, making headlamps go-to lights for numerous activities from gathering wood to reading. Even when simply taking a short stroll after dark, it’s nice to have both hands free and a light that automatically shines wherever you look. Typically, headlamps are designed to cast a wider beam, so while they may not provide as much reach as a flashlight, they do a great job of illuminating a large, nearby area. Here is where the lumens measurement matters, and again, more lumens may not always be what you need in a headlamp. Another aspect of headlamps to consider is comfort. Look for a headlamp that is small and light enough to be worn for an extended amount of time without becoming a burden, and make sure the strap holds the light in place without being overly constrictive. Streamlight offers two compact headlamps that fit the bill.
Streamlight Bandit The low-profile Bandit is less than 2.75 inches long and weighs little more than an ounce. It’s easy to forget you’re wearing this compact headlamp—until you turn it on. Despite its small size, the Bandit produces 180 lumens on high for 2 hours. On the low setting, you get 35 lumens for 9.5 hours. The headlamp also has an emergency mode, which flashes on high. Its power source is a USB-rechargeable lithium-polymer batter that charges in about 2.5 hours. When power is low, an indicator light blinks to signal about 5 minutes of remaining runtime.
The Streamlight Bandit headlamp provides 180 lumens of widespread white light. (Photo courtesy of Streamlight) Available in three colors—yellow, black or coyote—the Bandit’s frame is made of polycarbonate, tested for impact resistance at 2 meters and IPX4 weather-resistant. Note the yellow and black versions offer white light only, while the coyote version offers white and red, or white and green, light. The white-red and white-green options, with low outputs of 10 lumens and 25 lumens, respectively, are great for using inside a tent to see the immediate area without waking sleeping occupants. Along with an elastic head strap, the Bandit comes with a clip for attaching the light to a hat brim.
Streamlight Enduro Pro USB Offering two settings with three levels of output for each, the Enduro Pro USB is a multifunction headlamp for lighting up areas both near and far. On the spot setting and high mode, the Enduro Pro USB delivers 200 lumens, 2,080 candela and a 91-meter beam for 6.25 hours. The spot-medium mode provides 90 lumens for 19 hours, and the spot-low produces 25 lumens for 48 hours. For softer illumination over a broader area, the flood setting provides 145 lumens on high, 50 lumens on medium and 15 lumens on low. Beams and runtimes are 30 meters and 7 hours, 18 meters and 21 hours, and 11 meters and 48 hours, respectively. A 45-degree tilting head allows campers to direct the light exactly where they need it and eases neck strain.
The headlamp’s USB-rechargeable, lithium-polymer battery charges in 4 hours. IPX4 water-resistant, the Enduro Pro USB is also tested for impact resistance at 2 meters. Despite all its functions, the Enduro Pro USB is still a small headlamp, measuring a bit more than 2 inches long and weighing about 3.5 ounces.
LANTERNS: TRADITION MEETS TECHNOLOGY The lantern has become a camping icon for good reason. It floods an area with light in all directions (or in one direction should a cover be deployed) and can be set or hung in a spot to provide illumination for a group. Unlike a flashlight or headlamp, which is usually actively controlled for the benefit of the individual holding or wearing it, a lantern passively lights up camp for everyone. While gas-powered lanterns have been replaced with more convenient battery-powered options, this type of light still evokes a sense of tradition while doing a nice job of making things around camp easy to see after dark.
Streamlight Super Siege A 1,100-lumen lantern and auxiliary USB power source combined in a waterproof unit that floats is deserving of the “Super” in its name. The Super Siege provides not only light but also enough power to charge most smartphones at least four times and tablets at least two times. The lantern also has white and red modes. On the highest white setting, the Super Siege has a runtime of 5.75 hours. It runs for 11.5 hours on medium (550 lumens) and 36.25 hours on low (125 lumens). In the red-light mode, the Super Siege runs for 140 hours on high (2.7 lumens) and 348 hours on low (1 lumen). It also has a flash-SOS mode that signals an emergency for 320 hours at 2.7 lumens.
A lantern is easy to transport along with you on your nightly business. (Photo courtesy of Streamlight) The Super Siege includes a D-ring for hanging overhead and a removable Glare Guard that allows for directional task lighting. Its rubber base prevents the lantern from slipping and tipping, and a watertight compartment in the base provides a place to store small items such as keys. The lithium-ion battery charges via an AC cord, and an optional DC cord is available. A battery indicator changes from green to yellow to red to show power status, and it flashes red when the battery needs to be charged. The Super Siege is 7.5 inches high and weighs 1 pound, 14 ounces.
