BioLite 800 Pro Headlamp Review
An in-depth review of a superior headlamp that provides high visibility and high comfort
September 11th, 2025
Home > Gear Reviews > Hiking
Our verdict
Providing 800 lumens with a maximum of 135 meters of visibility, the BioLite 800 Pro headlamp is one of the brightest rechargeable headlamps we’ve tested. It’s ideal for activities like hiking or running in the dark, mountaineering, big wall rock climbs, alpine starts, all-night ultramarathons, or off-trail adventures.
We tested the BioLite 800 Pro running on trails and roads in a variety of conditions, mostly in the evening hours into nighttime. We’ve also used it while climbing and mountaineering in the Cascades and Pacific Northwest.
We love the BioLite 800 Pro’s comfort and non-bounce system, as well as the far illumination and controllable dimness. A downfall to the 800 Pro is its heavier weight, mostly due to the back light and battery. Overall, we think it is an excellent choice for nighttime recreators, especially hikers and climbers.
While this light isn’t for every situation, the BioLite 800 is a well-thought-out light for outdoors people who need a lot of lumens for long duration outdoor adventures on technical terrain.
Check out more of our favorite headlamps in our Best (and Brightest) Headlamps and Best Running Lights guides.
BioLite 800 Pro
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BioLite 800 Pro Specifications
Price: $120
Weight (including batteries): 5.3 ounces
Bulb type: LED
Light Output: 800 lumens
Maximum Beam Distance: 135 meters
Power Source: Rechargeable Li-ion via Micro-USB
Run Time (High): 7 hours
Run Time (Low): 150 hours
Waterproof Rating: IPX4
Best for
Recreating for extended periods at nighttime
Night running or hiking, mountaineering, rock climbing, bike riding
Visibility during inclement weather, like rain or snow
Being seen by others from front and rear
Comparison table
| HEADLAMP | MAX OUTPUT (LUMENS) | WEIGHT W/ BATTERY (OZ) | RUN TIME ON HIGH / LOW (HOURS) | MAX BEAM | FLOOD LIGHT | MSRP* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BioLite 800 Pro | 800 | 5.3 | 7/150 | 135 m | Yes | $100 |
| BioLite Dash 450 | 450 | 2.75 | 3/60 | 90 m | Yes | $70 |
| Black Diamond Spot 400 | 400 | 2.7 | 2.5/200 | 100 m | Yes | $55 |
| Black Diamond Distance LT 1100 | 1100 | 3.8 | 4.25/120 | 125 m | Yes | $120 |
| Black Diamond Spot 400 R-Rechargeable | 400 | 2.58 | 4/225 | 100 m | Yes | $65 |
What we liked
Comfortable
Fits snuggly and doesn’t bounce
Brightness
Rear light
What could be better
Price
Weight
How we tested
We tested the BioLite 800 Pro on evening and nighttime runs, on trails and roads, in rain and snowy weather. We also tested while climbing and mountaineering in the Cascades and Pacific Northwest, including Mt. Shasta.
We’ve tested the BioLite 800 Pro against other headlamps, considering lights for different types of running, weather, heat and cold, and terrain. We narrowed down our list for our Best Running Lights guide, among which was the BioLite 800 Pro.
We even did jumping jacks with wearable lights to see if they would fall off or bounce around.
Performance in the Field
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Using the BioLite 800 Pro on trails and road runs in the dark, we found its illumination allowed us to feel safe and seen. At full power, it reminds us more of a car headlight than a typical headlamp. Its longest beam is 135 meters (426.5 feet).
Aside from the car headlight-like brightness, we loved the constant run mode feature, which allowed us to set our desired brightness level and keep it there, meaning we didn’t have to fiddle with adjusting the brightness during our run.
We appreciate the generous brightness of the rear lights for visibility on the road and trails. The rear light is controlled with a separate button so you can turn it on and off as needed to save battery. Having both front and rear lights is a plus, since that is less gear to remember out the door.
This makes the BioLite 800 ideal for situations when you want to see far out, being aware of your surroundings, or having others be aware of your presence.
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The BioLite band is the softest and most comfortable of all the headlamps we’ve tested. We love how it feels next to our skin—there was no need to add a layer underneath it. The band also reacts well with sweat, increasing in stickiness a bit so we didn’t have to make as many adjustments to it while running and sweating.
The BioLite 800 has a four-point tilt. We found this tilt useful for angling the headlamp, but some reviewers experienced difficulty with the tilt because the power cord that is connected to the front light from behind, creating a tension and snap-back effect when trying to tilt it forward. (Although our testers did not experience this, there are enough reviews online mentioning it.)
Another runner-friendly feature of the BioLite 800 is the flat, sleek design. Like Biolite's hiking headlamps, it is designed to be flat to the head to minimize headaches and bouncing while running. The 800’s battery is larger than many hiking headlamps, but it’s in the back of the head. As a result, the weight between the front and back is more balanced than other headlamps.
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Unlike many other headlamps (especially in the “high lumen” category), the Biolite 800 Pro can also be charged via an external battery while in use. The robust, back-oriented battery makes it heavier than other headlamps we’ve tested, but it’s still relatively lightweight for a headlamp.
The BioLite 800 has pass-through charging. So in the unlikely event that your headlamp stops running in the middle of your ultramarathon or climbing trip, you can charge it while still letting it light the way (it’s nice to have the option).
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The BioLite 800 performed well even in light rain and snow. After continuous use in inclement weather, the 800 Pro is still going strong. As far as waterproof ratings go, the BioLite 800 Pro is only an IPX4, which isn’t as high as other headlamps, but we didn't have any issues.
If you know you will be recreating in super wet conditions, you might want to look into headlamps with higher water resistance ratings, like Black Diamond Distance LT.
Features
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The BioLite 800 has a total of 8 modes between the front and back lights. The 6 modes of the front light are red vision, white spot, white flood, white combo, strobe, and burst mode.
The two modes for the rear visibility light are red solid and strobe modes.
Similar to other BioLite headlamps, the 800 Pro features a lock mode, which prevents the light from accidentally turning on in your backpack or running belt. When you hold the control button down for 8 seconds, it will flash a few times to indicate that it is locked.
The BioLite 800 Pro features a constant mode, which allows users to set their preferred brightness without the light dimming the longer the headlamp is on. This sets it apart from other headlamps that have an auto-regulate system, which automatically starts to dim brightness the longer the headlight is on.
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The BioLite 800’s 3000mAh li-ion battery lasts 150 hours on low and 7 hours on high—among the longest of any headlamp we’ve tested.
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The BioLite 800 weighs 5.3 ounces with batteries, which is on the heavier side. This is largely due to the rear light/rechargeable battery.
The headband uses BioLite’s proprietary 3D SlimFit Construction, which integrates the electronics into the band, making for a no-slip light. BioLite also uses moisture-wicking fabric and contains recycled materials from a Climate Neutral Certified brand.
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The BioLite Pro 800 has a control button for the front and rear lights. The control button in the front turns on/off or locks the headlamp, sets it into constant mode, scrolls through the six different light modes, and controls the dimmer. Our one complaint about the Pro 800 is that the button is small and difficult to use while wearing gloves.
Similar Products
Black Diamond Distance LT
Lumens: 600 max, 1100 Power Tap
Weight: 3.8 oz
Battery source: Rechargeable Li-ion battery
Waterproof: IP67
Rechargeable: USB-C
What we liked: Power Tap 1100 Lumens, longer battery life, multiple color modes, highest waterproof rating of the lamps we tested, great balance of weight vs. lumens
What we didn’t like: Price, battery cannot be charged separately from lamp
The Black Diamond Distance LT was our Best Overall Winner in our Best Running Headlamps guide. It has four color options: warm white, red, green and blue light. The Black Diamond Distance LT excels running on road, trail, highly technical terrain and overnight racing. With multiple light colors, red is great for preserving night vision, the green for reading topo maps and the blue for foggy situations.
The Distance LT has a much higher waterproof rating than the 800 Pro, making it more desirable for folks who recreate in rain or snow storms. It’s also lighter than the BioLite 800, which is why we like it for running.
Black Diamond Distance LT
Lumens: 400 max
Weight: 1.6 ounces
Waterproof: IP66
Rechargeable: USB Rechargeable Lithium-Ion battery (micro USB)
What we liked: Lightweight, affordable, doesn’t bounce
What we didn’t like: Have to charge more consistently
The Nitecore NU25 MCT UL has been a favorite headlamp of thru-hikers, alpine climbers, and ultralight backpackers due to its nearly-1-oz weight and reliability. After Treeline writers spent a year testing the Nitecore NU25 on the PCT, camping trips, and guiding ultralight backpacking trips in the Sierra, we voted the Nitecore NU25 as the Best Ultralight Headlamp. This lightweight, rechargeable headlamp has all the features we want at an impressive 1.6-oz weight and more affordable price than the Pro 800.
Nitecore NU25 MCT UL
Lumens: 800 max, 1500 PowerTap
Weight: 7.5 oz
Battery source: removable battery
Waterproof: IP67
Rechargeable: Battery comes off for charging and extras can be purchased
What we liked: Power Tap to 1500 lumens lights up the whole trail in a second
What we didn’t like: Price, too many complicated/unnecessary features
This headlamp is a beast; it has the most features and brightest lumens of all the lights we’ve tested, which is why it won our Best Overnight Racing Running Light. At 7.5 oz it is the heaviest of all the headlamps we’ve tested, but it is shockingly comfortable to wear and it comes with a removable top strap for extra support. If you’re looking for even more features and lumens than the Pro 800, the Distance 1500 might be for you.
Black Diamond Distance 1500 Headlamp
Who should buy this
Buy if you’re a nighttime runner or recreator who is looking to invest in a high quality headlamp that provides excellent lighting and comfort.
Skip if you don’t recreate very often at night, or want a more affordable, basic headlamp for nighttime at camp, or if waterproofness or light weight are main priorities.
Where to buy
The BioLite 800 Pro is a popular headlamp, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Amazon
Pros: Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime membership
Why you should trust us / About the Author
Sara Kruglinski
Sara Kruglinski discovered running in high school and never really stopped. What started as a way to spend time with her dad before school in the mornings morphed into a lifelong love for the sport. She loves running marathons and half marathons both on road and trail and has a wall full of finisher medals. A self proclaimed night owl, she won’t be found running before sunrise unless she has paid for a race entry. Sara has spent many hours running at night, she loves the solitude on the trails and the cooler weather in the summer. In addition to running she can be found skiing, snowboarding in winter and backpacking or thru hiking with her dog in summer. As a former member of SAR, she believes that safety should always be a priority in any outdoor adventure and having lights for running, especially in winter when the days are so short, is essential.
To see all of Sara Kruglinski stories, check her author page.
Kate Hoch
Kate Hoch is a mechanical engineer by day and a thru-hiker, alpine climber, ski and snowshoe tourer by weekend. She designs and builds machines to test fitness equipment, but uses an engineer’s mindset to refine gear choices.
Kate has thru-hiked 8,000+ miles including the Pacific Crest Trail and Continental Divide Trail and routes including the Hayduke Trail, Oregon Desert Trail and Sierra High Route. She also has alpine ascents of numerous Cascade Volcanoes, including Mt. Hood and Rainier.
Kate is formerly President of the ALDHA-West (American Long Distance Hiking Association - West) for 4 years. She regularly runs educational events and clinics, teaching new backpackers how to get outdoors safely.
Learn more about Kate on her author page, or at her website, drop-n-roll.com.
