14 Hiking & Backpacking
Essentials (Best Gear of 2025)

My biggest gripe with my old headlamps was the constant need to change batteries.

Whether my light was randomly fading in the backcountry due to a depleted battery or I found myself rummaging around my drawers searching for AAAs hours before my trip, I always arrived at the same conclusion: Headlamps that use external batteries are a pain in the ass. Thankfully, USB-rechargeable headlamps exist, and neither you nor I has to fumble around with outdated disposable batteries ever again.

My top recommendation is the Nitecore NU25.

It’s lightweight, reliable, and powerful, with a battery that lasts forever, making it my go-to headlamp and a favorite among ultralight hikers and backpackers worldwide. Its internal 610mAh lithium-ion battery holds as much power as three AAA batteries and can recharge with ease from a portable battery bank or solar panel.

On its lowest setting, the NU25’s battery can run for up to 160 hours, which confirms what you may have been suspecting: This little headlamp is an absolute monster.

Whether I’m lighting up the trail, my tent, or the landscape around me, every time I put on my NU25, I’m overcome with a silly excitement that only gear nerds will understand.