It’s everyone’s favorite time of year to honor those big loveable lugs in our lives who we call Dad, Daddio, Papa, Poppi, or Pops. The point being, let’s make sure that this Father’s Day brings out “fun-dad,” because everyone loves when dad is being “fun-dad” – especially dad! As a starting point, let’s assume that dad might be in the current mindset of “bored-dad." So, let’s get him out of the house. There’s a very good chance the dad in your life doesn’t need too much “stuff”– what he’d probably most like is to get out and do something memorable with his kids. If the dad in your life also now goes by “granddad,” pick an activity that can include all the generations. Grandpas really love to teach their grandkids new skills. And even better, a lot of dads really like activities that don’t involve big crowds. Without further ado, here are our suggestions for showing dad a great time on his day:

Hit The Links

Sure, it’s stereotypical, but a lot of dads really do love golf. If the sport has never tickled your fancy, maybe give it a shot and let him teach you the ins and outs. Or you can look up some of your local courses and book a tee time for him, then meet up for a picnic or BBQ when he wraps up.

*Step Up His Game With Nite Ize Gear*

Amp up his day with a couple S-Biners for his golf bag – they are great for clipping a towel, cleaning brush, or variety of other useful items for quick access on the course. If he likes to enjoy a cold drink on the course, give him a SlapLit Drink Wrap to light up his beverage and keep it cool.

Feel Groovy On A Night Ride

Who doesn’t love a bike ride? Make it extra memorable by lighting up his bike with SpokeLit Wheel Lights, and a Radiant Head and Tail Light, then you could all cruise out for an evening ride to pick up ice cream and dine al fresco at your favorite creamery.

Get Out And Catch The Big One

If the dad in your life loves to fish, then that’s probably exactly what he’d love to be doing this Father’s Day weekend. Temps are warming up and the fish are hungry. This is definitely one where bringing all the generations will make it an extra special day, a perfect time to learn about dad/grandpa’s favorite sport.

*Help Him Net The Big One With Nite Ize Gear*

If you want to give dad a little something extra for his fishing day, our SlideLock 360° makes a versatile locking net release, and our RunOff Waterproof Bags mean no one soaks a phone, wallet, or car keys – keeping it a truly happy Father’s Day for all.

Knock Out A Project Together

Have you been watching all these overly-productive people cranking out project after project in their homes, but you just haven’t quite found your motivation? Let dad help you do it. Pick a project and work on it together. If your dad is handy, great! But even if he isn’t it can be a fun experience figuring out a problem together, and hopefully at the end of the day or weekend, you’ll have finished project to celebrate.

*Some Nite Ize Gear To Help Projects Run Smoothly*

If your dad is a handy guy, he’ll love the Clip Pock-Its XL utility holster to keep tools readily at hand, and you can’t go wrong with a mixed pack of Gear Ties to organize, maneuver, and MacGuyver any problems that come up as you work together.

Have other great ideas for unforgettable Father’s Day activities that Nite Ize can help with? Share your suggestions in the comments section below. Have a happy and safe Father’s Day everyone!

After a few months stuck inside, the great outdoors has never looked more inviting. And with summer appearing before our very eyes, taking a good ole’ fashioned camping trip sounds like just the ticket. But if you’re a camping newbie like I once was, there are a few things you could learn (and use) to make sure you’re not lost in the dark. Keep reading to learn from my camping blunders and make the most of your night under the stars.

Step 1: Select your site wisely

Setting off on a spontaneous camping trip is virtually impossible in 2020 – especially if you’re planning to set up camp in a particularly stunning area (ahem, all of Colorado). Basically, if you think you’ve found the perfect camping spot, chances are, other people are thinking the same thing. Save yourself the disappointment of a day-long campground tour around the state scouring for an open spot and plan ahead. After learning this lesson the hard way and wasting a few gallons of gas in the process, I won’t hit the road until we either (1) Have a spot reserved in advance, or (2) Have read enough reviews/forums to know that our first-come, first-serve spot in question isn’t too popular. If you opt for route 2, keep in mind that you’re always taking a gamble and prepare a backup plan. And don’t forget to check weather forecasts and know the route to the closest hospital before you hit the road!

Semi-pro tip: If you’re looking for a true camping experience, don’t bother with a “family” campground chock-full of pools, small sites, and Wi-Fi. Check out some dispersed camping sites for unbelievable views that are easier to come by, but be prepared for zero access to plumbing and a rough ride to get there. But first, check your local and state regulations for dispersed camping policies, and if/where it is allowed.

Step 2: Pack accordingly (and then some)

Once you put that first stake in the ground, there’s no turning back, so make sure you’ve got all your essentials packed tight. If your site is near water or sand, be prepared for everything (and I mean everything) to end up muddy and sandy. Sidestep some of the mess with a few RunOff® Waterproof Bags in tow. I personally love the RunOff® Waterproof Phone Pouch, as well as the Large Packing Cube, to keep my clothes, gear, and phone dry. And if you’re planning to have a wilderness shower (or showers are available on the grounds), the RunOff® Waterproof Toiletry Bag is a must.

On top of staying dry, keeping your things organized is crucial. Bundle up your camping cutlery, tent poles, lighters, bottle openers, and other must-haves with a few Gear Ties. And don’t forget toilet paper, bug spray, firewood, adequate lighting, warm socks, a first-aid kit, and a deck of cards. You’ll thank me later.

Semi-pro tip: Running out of room in your car? Take your larger duffels and gear to the roof, securing with the Dual CamJam® Tie Down System.

Step 3: Make the most of your daylight

If your spot is near water and the sun is out, aim to set up camp earlier in the day to enjoy a dip or two. You can set up a GearLine Organization System to hang your wet clothes, swimsuits or towels out to dry (as well as clip and hang your water bottles and other essentials).

Once you’ve arrived at your dream spot, pitching a tent is usually the biggest struggle. There’s no shame in bringing along a tent manual and brushing up on a tutorial or two before setting off on your trip—but remember, once you’re there, data service is bound to be limited, so don’t expect the internet to help you. Once the sun sets, you’ll surely have some difficulty navigating around your tent. Avoid tripping over your virtually invisible tent line (like I have in the past) with the high-tension, knot-free, and light-reflective Figure 9 Tent Line Kit.

Semi-pro tip: If you’re not up for sleeping on hard ground, buying an air mattress is worth its value and then some. And it may sound obvious, but if you bring an air mattress, don’t forget the air pump and extra batteries too. Again, learn from my mistakes.

Step 4: Get your lights ready to shine

On your first night out in the backcountry, you’ll be shocked by how truly pitch-black it gets in the later hours. Protect yourself from a night of frustration and mishaps with plenty of portable illumination. I love the lightweight, hat-friendly Radiant® 170 Rechargeable Clip Light for prepping and cooking our dinner by the fire and when walking around the site. And the SlapLit™ LED Drink Wrap will solve all of your drink mix-ups and spills, while some NiteGems will allow you to easily dig through your cooler and spot your favorite snacks and drinks.

While the pure peace of sitting around a campfire can’t be overstated, that doesn’t you mean you can’t enjoy the rest of your site, too. When you get an itch for entertainment, gather 'round for a game of cards – a BugLit® Rechargeable Micro Lantern is a camp table lighting solution the kids will love. Bring along a Flashflight®  to toss around under the stars for some nighttime fun (bonus points if you snap some color-changing long-exposure shots).

Semi-pro tip: Camping is better with dogs, plain and simple. Keep your furry best friends protected and visible with a NiteDog™ Rechargeable LED Collar or Rechargeable NiteHowl®.

Semi-pro tip 2: While the whole point of camping is to unplug, keeping your phone charged is always advantageous for photos, music, or safety reasons. Pick up the Radiant® 314 Rechargeable Lantern for campsite or in-tent illumination with built-in USB charging.

Step 5: Rest easy (and critter-free)

After a night of making memories (and s’mores), all that’s left to do is hit the hay. Bear in mind, you’re not the only creatures out there. Avoid any encounters with bears, raccoons, and other scavengers by cleaning up your site and stowing away any trash in sealable bear-proof containers. We like to put our trash, cooler, and extra food in the car to be safe, but some opt to hang theirs up in a tree — just make sure to never leave it with you in the tent. Once your site is cleaned up, make sure to put out your fire completely by dousing it with water and spreading out the embers to prevent any reigniting.

Semi-pro tip: You’ll likely wake up colder than you expected, so make sure to wear extra layers and thick socks. My secret weapon to a warm night in the tent is cuddling up to my dog.

Stay safe, happy campers!

At this point, congrats! You’ve weathered through your first camping night. You might wake up early with a few backaches, but as they say, "No pain, no gain." Bask in the beauty of pure, natural views with the smell of sweet campfire as you enjoy a fresh breakfast and coffee à la French Press. Enjoy your trip, happy campers!

Note: As the world continues to adapt during the COVID-19 pandemic, many campgrounds and National Parks may be closed or operating with strict guidelines. Refer to your local resources for the latest updates and camping practices, and stay safe out there!

When it comes to packaging and marketing jargon, the terms “water resistant” and “waterproof” may seem like they mean the same thing at first glance. However, dig just a little deeper and you’ll quickly learn that the distinction in these terms can mean a difference in your gear becoming waterlogged and useless, or staying safe and dry. Many products – particularly when it comes to outdoor gear – are eager to tout themselves as “water-resistant” or “waterproof.” But when making a decision on what to buy, it’s important to know that you’re getting the right product for what you need.

The term “water resistant” means that the material or object in question is able to withstand a certain amount of moisture and wetness for a certain amount of time, before being completely soaked through. In a similar vein, “water repellent” usually means that the item is not easily penetrated by water and has been treated with some sort of hydrophobic coating to fend off liquids.

To put these terms into a very basic perspective, you can figure that “water resistant,” “weather resistant” or “water repellent” products can withstand a bit of light rain, snow or splashes without taking on damage.

Now, products designed to protect electronics and other gear (as well as electronics themselves) that are officially labeled as “waterproof” have a much more concrete interpretation, and even have a rating to make things clearer. “Waterproof” technically means that it’s impermeable to water or can be submerged completely for a period of time and certain depth indicated by its IP rating. Note that fabrics such as rain coats or camping tents have a different waterproof rating system of their own, but for the sake of this article, we're just going to focus on IP ratings.

So, what’s an IP rating?

IP stands for Ingress Protection, and is followed by a number that indicates how deep the item can be submerged, and for how long.  IP ratings can also indicate how impenetrable the item is to solids, like dust or sand. IP ratings with an X followed by a number signify that it was not tested for protection against solids. This rating system was originally designed for electronic and mechanical devices to specifically indicate what degree of liquids and solids it can withstand and still function properly. The rating also applies to products that protect gear against these conditions. Here’s what the different IP rating numbers mean:

For example, Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof Bags are tested to IP67 (6 Solid Rating + 7 Liquid Rating = IP67). The “6” indicates it is impervious to dust, and “7” indicates that it can be immersed in water 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes without risking any damage from water penetration.

Another example, the INOVA T11R Tactical Flashlight, is rated to IPX7, meaning it is not tested for dust or solids protection, but can be submersed in water 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes. Other waterproof Nite Ize products include several other flashlights and headlamps in the INOVA line, the Radiant Rechargeable LED Glow Stick, GlowStreak LED Ball, and NiteGem LED Luminary.

Other products labeled as “water resistant” or “weather resistant” cannot be submerged without damage, but can withstand small amounts of water drops or splashes. 

Trust The IP

For waterproof protection you can trust, you must not only know your product’s IP rating, but abide by its rules. Don’t expect that a product marked as “waterproof” with a rating of only IPX4 to be able to be submerged without incurring damage. Also note that a product with a rating of IPX7 shouldn’t be left underwater for more than 30 minutes or you risk liquid seeping in and damaging what’s inside.

When considering products that protect against water, keep in mind that “waterproof” isn’t necessarily an all-or-nothing term, but rather encompasses varying levels of protection. It’s important to know how you’re planning to use the product and shop accordingly. If there is no indication on the product’s packaging, instructions, or manufacturer’s website regarding the level of protection against water, it’s safe to assume that the item won’t be able to hold up in any sort of wet condition.

Although many products claim to be waterproof (or water resistant), the truth always lies in the IP rating. Now that you know the value of those ratings, you can be prepared to shop for the gear that's best suited to wherever your next adventure will take you.

May is National Bike Month, and we'd like to take this time to introduce you to the Petunia Mafia women's cycling club, based in our home town of Boulder, CO. We chatted with Laura, the president of Petunia Mafia about all things cycling  – from ride essentials to the greater meaning of being a part of this growing community.

Q: Tell us a bit about Petunia Mafia and its mission.

Petunia Mafia is an all-inclusive women's cycling team based in Boulder, Colorado. We welcome all skill levels of road, mountain, gravel, and cyclocross riders. The team was established on fashion - our founder is a professional athletic apparel designer - and we've grown to be a community of over 250 women with the common passion of cycling. 

Q: What is your favorite thing about being a part of Petunia Mafia?

Every year a member tells me how this team changed her life. We've brought together people who  probably never would've met but then ended up being best friends. Some women have accomplished things they never thought they'd do, whether that's race, take a gnarly singletrack line, or log huge miles in one ride. We make a concerted effort to be friendly, encouraging, and offer tools so that women can elevate their life experiences. My favorite thing is bringing this vast array women of together because I see the value of this connection and receive an enormous amount of gratification.

Q: Where is your favorite place to ride?

Mountain bike: Moab, UT. 

Road bike: Tuscany.

Gravel bike: Boulder County's northeast roads.

Q: Do you prefer road or mountain biking?

That's the beauty of living in Boulder. You choose your 2-wheeled weapon on any given day according to weather or mood.

Q: What is your go-to energy snack during long rides?

I love the Skratch Labs recipe for savory bacon rice cakes – I just need to be better at making them in advance. Post-rides I love a "banana sundae": peanut butter spread on a banana, drizzled with agave, sprinkled lightly with vanilla protein powder with a few chocolate chips shoved into the top.

Q: What are other essentials you always bring on long rides?

I keep a Nite Ize RunOff Waterproof Pocket filled with the essentials so I just have to stuff it in my jersey pocket and go. It holds a copy of my insurance card and driver's license, a sample of sunscreen, tiny lip balm, face wipe (swiped from the local BBQ restaurant), and $10 for an apres coffee or beer. I always have my Radiant 750 and Radiant 125 bike lights mounted too.

Q: What are the most important things people should know about bike safety?

Front and rear lights should be lit every time you ride, even on a bright sunny day. Being seen by a driver is greatly increased when lights are on, and exponentially more if they're flashing. Get in a habit of charging them as soon as you return so they're ready to go.

Q: What are your favorite Nite Ize bike products and why?

I love the Disc-O Select SpokeLit lights that I put on my cruiser wheels. They're like a party in motion.  It's an added bonus that they increase visibility.

Q: What about your favorite non-bike product?

I'm an organization freak so I love the Gear Ties; I think I have them in every length and color. I use every size of the RunOff bags for travel packing and camping.

Q: How can people find out about groups like Petunia Mafia in their area?

Local bike shops are a great resource. Most shops are affiliated with a bike club or team.

The days may feel like they are dragging, but look on the bright side, they are actually getting longer – as in more daylight and warmer! So, if you’re running out of ways to keep your family entertained indoors, then it’s a great time to move outside. A backyard campout kills a lot of birds with one stone. You get the kids out of the house and entertained (and no screens!), you can test out your camping gear and make sure it’s ready for the season, and you can test your skills and teach your kids new ones in the privacy of your backyard – judgment free from other campers if you don’t quite remember how to set up that tent. 

Here in Colorado we’ve had a nice sustained temperature spike, so it seemed like the perfect time to dust off the tent and spend a night of “practice camping” outside with our one and three-year-old. Here are a few tips based on how our adventure went.

1. Set up the tent in the morning.

The novelty of having a tent set up in the backyard was exceptional entertainment. The kids played in it ALL day. Get your bedding and camp gear set up and organized from the start – the kids enjoyed clipping items to the Gear Line throughout the day, and we used it to hang up our wet clothes after a run through the sprinkler. We had snacks in the tent, we read books, we set up our air mattresses, we jumped around on the air mattresses (yes, that’s plural…see tip #2).

2. There are no limits on comfort.

With backpacking, you’re limited by weight, with car camping, you’re limited by trunk space, but with backyard camping it’s no holds barred – load that tent up with all the good cushy stuff. Especially if your kids are new to camping or haven’t done much, you want to give them the best shot at a good/warm/fun night’s sleep. We have a behemoth car camping tent, so I loaded in two large air mattresses, a Pack N Play, and let the kids drag out all their favorite blankets and big stuffed animals to make it cozy. I was also hoping for a half-decent night’s sleep. 

3. Take this opportunity to show them the ropes.

Have your kids help set up and take down the tent and teach them how to properly and safely build a fire (I grew up building fires log-cabin style, but now more often go for the teepee – to each their own). Also, include some of the basic camp rules like washing dishes right away and no shoes or food in the tent (the latter rule we broke of course, but that’s the nice thing about backyard camping – it’s a lot less likely a bear is going to come sniffing for snacks). You can plan a little “nature walk” around the house too. We managed to find two garter snakes and a baby bunny. You never know what you’ll find when you slow down and look a little closer!

4. Light up the night for added fun.

If your kids are younger, sleeping in new places can be unsettling, even if it’s just the backyard. Having lots of lights can make it feel safer and more fun. In true Nite Ize style, each of the kids had their own BugLit  Micro Flashlights, and everyone’s drinks had SlapLit LED Drink Wraps (which turned out to be the perfect night light and an easy way to track down water bottles in the middle of the night too)!

We kept a Radiant 100 Lantern hanging in the tent, and just after dark, the kids were mesmerized by the color-changing Flashflight.

Just before bed, we loaded them up with chocolate and marshmallows by the fire (because it’s not really camping if there aren’t s’mores), climbed into the tent, and read books by headlamp, hoping that everyone would go right to sleep.

5. Don’t set your expectations too high.

Maybe don’t go into this expecting beautiful Instagram-worthy family camping photos and the greatest night of sleep ever. If your kids are anything like mine, by the end of the night it may resemble something more like Lord of the Flies, and it could be that no one actually sleeps the whole night outside. I knew that the chance of all four of us waking up in the tent the next morning were slim. I was pleasantly surprised however, when I woke up around 7AM to my three-year-old grinning ear-to-ear and so proud of himself for sleeping outside the whole night. That was easily the best morning news I’ve gotten in months.

The last few months have left us all adapting to new norms. We hope you are all staying safe and healthy and are finding your silver linings in the current situation. If you have tips for our community on staying sane at home, please leave them in the comments section below – added bonus if they include Nite Ize products!

When it comes to fishing, you might say I was hooked at a young age. My mom taught me how to break a worm in half and bait a hook early on. Her dad, my grandpa, who I can still remember teaching me the fisherman’s knot, referred to me as his “little fishing buddy” till the day he passed. When I migrated out West for college, I learned to fly fish and joined the CU Fly Fishing club. It was there that I met my husband and life-long fishing partner, Drew.

We spent the next decade fishing as much as we could on our home waters and beyond. Then, after welcoming two children to the family, we learned to adapt our hobby and expectations from hard-hitting fishing days to “let’s make this fun for the kids”. Truthfully, we were still able to fish a fair amount, but it was much harder for the two of us to get out together. So, when Nite Ize approached to ask if we’d be interested in shooting a fishing film with them, I thought “Great! We get a fishing date weekend together!” When they asked about including the whole family, I thought, “Great! They have no idea what fishing with kids is like – I hope the filmmaker is patient.”

Fishing with kids is all about planning, patience, hope and luck. Anyone with toddlers knows if you’re planning a full day out to do anything, you’ll probably need a big bag of stuff to keep everyone happy and entertained – especially snacks, you need to pack SO many snacks. Add sun, water, unpredictable mountain weather, flying hooks, and wiggling fish, and the packing list gets longer: sunglasses, sunscreen, extra outfits and layers, water safety gear, some toys that can get muddy, and waterproof bags to hold it all. And hey, guess what? Nite Ize just happens to make the best waterproof bags out there: RunOff Waterproof Bags. So, if you plan just right, shift your expectations to a kid-paced mentality, hope for the best, and get a little luck on the river, you just might have one of those days your kids will never forget.

Lucky for us, the filmmaker was extremely patient, and all the other pieces fell into place for a few days of unforgettable family fishing. It was a blast to share our experience as a fishing family and see it come together in a film. The truth is, as much fun as we had traveling to far-flung destinations and fishing from dawn to dusk all through our 20s, now there is something so deeply rewarding about passing on a love of the sport and of the outdoors to our little people. It just can’t be beat. If we go all day without catching a fish, or we spend more time eating snacks and splashing rocks than holding a rod, that’s ok. It’s still a great day on the river. Sharing that time and doing something we love together feels like a much more important story to tell than any exotic-destination, bro-ed out fishing film full of drone shots (full disclosure, we still got some pretty cool drone shots too). Everyone learns to fish from someone else, and often that’s a parent or grandparent, looking to share a passion, hoping to build lasting memories, and wanting to impart an understanding and respect for the great outdoors. Or if we’re being honest, maybe that person just wanted to fish, so you got to tag along! But it’s a story all anglers can relate to – that first time you got to go along, your first bite, your first miss, your first fish, and the genuine joy of it all.

So, a little PSA on behalf of all the fishing moms out there: if you learned to fish from your mom, this might be the perfect year to thank her with a little Mother’s Day fishing outing – an ideal “socially distant” activity. And if that’s not possible, dig back in those old photos, frame a good one of you fishing together and write her a heartfelt thank you – we moms really dig those. (This is your friendly reminder that Mother’s Day is May 10^th.)

P.S. Sign up for the Nite Ize Newsletter for updates on when our full film will be released.

Buying a flashlight can be tricky, and often people tend to settle for the least expensive light with the biggest numbers on the packaging only to be disappointed later when the light stops working after a small drop onto the floor. Fear not! I am here to help you sort through all the marketing jargon like “Turbo Mode” and to better understand what really matters; like, what’s a lumen? And, what type of flashlight should I buy for…(insert activity here)?

The first thing to know when shopping for a high-quality flashlight is that all reputable flashlight manufacturers test their flashlights according to the FL1 Standard, and clearly include these specifications on the product packaging. The FL1 Standard, sometimes called ANSI/NEMA FL1 or ANSI/PLATO FL1, specifies the testing criteria that manufacturers must follow when calculating light output (Lumens), beam distance, impact resistance, runtime, and water resistance.

Ultimately, the FL1 Standard allows consumers to directly compare flashlights. I won’t go into the details of each specification as there are plenty of good resources online that define each specification (like this one from LED-Resource.com), however, I do want to talk about lumens, as I haven’t found a resource that clearly breaks down what a lumen is in a way that's easy to digest.

So, What's a Lumen?

If you look up "lumen," you’ll quickly learn that a lumen is defined as a unit of luminous flux that equates to the perceived power of light. In basic terms, lumens equal brightness. The larger the number of lumens, the brighter the light. It seems simple, but how bright is 300 lumens? Or, how bright is the flashlight on my phone?

To help deconstruct lumens, we have created this handy-dandy chart with things that most people are familiar with and some of our best-selling flashlights and headlamps to help make buying your next flashlight a little easier. Knowing that the full moon on a clear night is 1 lumen, your phone’s flashlight is 50 lumens, or that a low beam car headlight is around 800 lumens makes it much easier to understand how bright a flashlight is.

Other than lumens, there are some other factors that should be considered when finding the high-performance flashlight that is right for you. Here you will find some decision-making criteria to consider along with my personal suggestions for flashlights that fit a variety of uses.

Best Flashlight for DIY + Mechanics

Mechanics can be hard on their tools and a flashlight is no exception. Look for flashlights with impact resistance of at least 1 meter and solid aluminum construction to ensure that the light holds up to rigorous daily use (Pro Tip: make sure the manufacturer has a good warranty policy). Rechargeability is also a preference for many mechanics along with higher lumen outputs, as they are often using a flashlight during the daytime when there is more ambient light to compete with. Flashlights above the 700 lumen mark are great for this type of daily use, and my pick for best DIY + Mechanic flashlight is the INOVA T4R Rechargeable Tactical Flashlight.

Best Flashlight for Camping or Hunting

Brighter is not necessarily better when it comes to playing in the outdoors at night when your eyes have adjusted to the darker surroundings. Being able to cast soft lighting around your campsite or to illuminate that noise in the bushes with a spotlight are equally important at times. As is having a light that is more compact and that will not weigh you down if you are backpacking or hunting (Pro Tip: look for weather/water resistance in case you’re caught in a downpour). For campers and hunters, flashlights in the 250-700 lumen range are a great option and I like the INOVA T7R PowerSwitch Focusing Flashlight as my top pick. This compact flashlight offers a focusing beam that allows you to transition between a bright spotlight or broad flood beam. It’s like having two lights in one.

Best Flashlight for Emergencies

When it comes to emergencies, any light is better than no light. So rather than thinking about the lumens, I like to consider the power source of the flashlight. Rechargeable lights can be a great option during an emergency, especially when your power is out for an extended period. Then again, if you do not have a way to recharge the flashlight once it has drained the battery then you’ll be back in the dark in no time. My suggestion: seek out a dual power source light that can operate off of a rechargeable battery or disposable battery like the INOVA T8R PowerSwitch Flashlight, which uses a rechargeable lithium ion battery or two CR123 lithium batteries, allowing you to keep extra batteries at the ready in the event that you cannot recharge the flashlight. This brings me to my last point: Lithium batteries are superior to alkaline batteries when it comes to emergency situations. Lithium batteries have a longer shelf life, can stand up to more extreme temperatures, and are lighter than alkaline batteries. Oh, I forgot one important detail. The INOVA T8R also has an SOS mode!

Best Flashlight for Everyday Carry (EDC)

Compact, bright, and durable are the name of the game here. Whether you have a flashlight clipped to your key chain or in your pocket next to your pocket knife, you'll want a flashlight that is conveniently accessible at a moment’s notice that also packs a nice punch. For this, I like flashlights up to 200 lumens and my current favorite is the Radiant 100 Keychain Flashlight. Not much larger than a house key, the Radiant 100 packs 100 lumens – that's twice as bright as your phone's  flashlight, and unlike your phone, can easily be held with your mouth for those times you need hands-free lighting.

Best Tactical Flashlight for Search and Rescue

Unbeatable performance, high impact resistance, far reaching beam distance, a long runtime and water resistance are the hallmarks of the best tactical flashlights for search and rescue teams around the world. To that extent, they come with a higher price tag and in this case, you get what you pay for. At minimum, search and rescue teams require a light that’s brighter than your standard car’s high beams at about 1200 lumens each (2400 lumens for both headlights). At 5800 lumens, with a runtime up to 110 hours and the ability to cast a spotlight over a quarter mile (400m), the INOVA T11R Rechargeable Tactical Flashlight + Power Bank is our top of the line flashlight. To put it lightly, the T11R is a beast! Trusted and tested by some of the hardest working frontline workers around the world.

When it comes to flashlights, there is no “one size fits all” solution and the suggestions above are recommendations based on my personal experiences. As you prepare to purchase your next hand torch, I encourage you to take a few minutes to think about the primary use for your new flashlight and the features that are the most important to you. By doing so, you’ll make a much more informed decision and not be blinded by big numbers or sneaky marketing.

Thank you for taking the time to read this blog, and please let me know what is most important to you when buying a light or why you agree/disagree with any of my points above in the comments below.