LED Lenser NEO10R & NEO6R headtorch review

To meet race kit requirements I needed a headtorch for long overnight runs off-road in winter. It had to be a minimum of 100 lumens, waterproof in the worst weather, and I needed to know it would last up to 12 hours in potentially very cold conditions. As partners of Sheffield Adventure Film Festival, LED Lenser very kindly gifted both the NEO10R headtorch, and the NEO6R as a back up. After six months of use, here’s my review:

NEO10R (RRP £98)

I used the NEO10R overnight for the Spine Sprint race, where it proved to be both powerful and very reliable. With a maximum brightness of 600 lumens (and an output of 10 hours), that’s more than adequate to give good visibility over technical terrain. Personally I prefer to run with the lowest light I need, which also extends the battery life, and there are options for 250 lumens (15 hours) and 10 lumens (120 hours). Operated by a simple push-button on the top of the lamp, it’s easy to turn off and on or adjust the level of light, even with thick gloves on. The lamp can be angled up and down, which I do frequently depending how steep the ground is. I did notice that the LED creates a strange strobing effect that I haven’t experienced in a headtorch before. It doesn’t really matter, but it did create a surreal feeling in the midst of snowstorms and gales, which were already quite disorienting!

This is a rechargeable headtorch, and my biggest headtorch-related fear is losing power/dimming between charges, since I’ve previously been caught out in the Utah desert with no light (with a different brand). LED Lenser are specifically designed to provide a constant light output until the end of the run time, and that has definitely been my experience, and there’s a travel lock so it can’t turn on accidentally. The NEO10R has an IP54 rating, which means it’s officially ‘spray proof from any direction’ rather than fully waterproof. I can confirm that conditions couldn’t have been any wetter for some of the running I’ve done and it’s been absolutely water resistant over many hours. At 180g it’s a relatively chunky set-up, with a plastic back plate and large battery so it doesn’t stash as easily in a pocket as smaller headtorches, but none of that is noticeable when I wear it. It stays firmly in place, and is totally stable while running. I do find the size adjustment a bit tricky to use on the move, but in normal circumstances it wouldn’t need adjusting - my partner loves to use it for mountain biking so it’s often left at helmet size.

Also in the box are charging leads and a chest strap. I don’t choose to run with a chest torch myself, but in cloud or fog it can be useful to avoid being blinded by your own light, and some group runners prefer it so it’s a useful addition to have. Overall I would use the NEO10R when you need a seriously reliable, bright, waterproof headtorch. It’s ideal for multisport use, MTB, long/multiday trail running and races (as long you’re able to plan to recharge), harsh winter conditions and overnight running.

NEO6R (RRP £28)

At first I used the NEO6R as a back up for the NEO10R. At 95g and 240 lumens for 6 hours, or 20 lumens for 40 hours, it’s relatively powerful and very lightweight and it fits easily in a pocket or bag, so it’s perfect to stash away just in case. It’s worth noting that this headtorch has an IP57 rating, which means it can survive temporary immersion, which makes it highly robust and versatile. The beam can be angled, which is useful for technical trail running and it also comes with a chest strap. There’s a small red light on the back, which is reassuring for evening running with occassional road sections.

If you’re using it on full power, 6 hours isn’t a long run time, but the battery is rechargeable and again it provides a constant light output until the end of the run time. Do remember to use the travel lock, as I’ve found that the NEO6R easily turns on in my bag (press and hold the ‘on’ button for 19 seconds - press and hold again for 5 seconds to release the lock).

Overall, the NEO6R is lightweight, versatile and relatively good value. It has become my go-to headtorch for evening dog walks, casual night runs, wild camping, and of course as the all-important back-up for a more powerful headtorch when racing.