A headlamp on a pilgrimage

In short: We recommend one mainly in autumn and winter and for anyone setting off before sunrise. In high summer your phone light is often enough, but a headlamp leaves both hands free.

People often underestimate the distances on a pilgrimage. If you have booked accommodation and underestimated the kilometres ahead of you, it may be dark before you arrive. On an unpaved path you need to see where you are stepping. That is why a headlamp is a good idea on a pilgrimage!

To see well in the dark, we recommend a headlamp. It should be an LED lamp. These give a very bright light and use very little energy, so they last a long time and don't need charging often. The advantages of a headlamp are obvious:

• Light in the dark

• Both hands free, as you wear it on your forehead

• Light and small in your luggage

• Doesn't need charging often

• Cars can see you

An LED headlamp makes a big difference to safety. I consider it an important part of your pilgrim luggage. It takes up very little room in your backpack, so it is certainly a good investment.

What to look for when buying

Around 200 lumens is enough for the path and the dormitory. Red light is handy: with it you can pack in the albergue early in the morning without waking everyone else. The model should be rechargeable by USB, so you don't need spare batteries, and it shouldn't weigh much more than 100 grams.