Exposure is no new player within the lighting game. They have been specialising in high end lighting products for years, with head torches, bike lights and everything in between.
Lightweight and compact, the Exposure HT Lite headtorch punches well above its weight. The light impressed me from the start, offering a beam pattern that’s surprisingly broad and consistent for its small size. It’s perfect for runners, hikers, or anyone needing a lightweight and compact head torch with superior build quality.
Key Features:
- US-c recharging meaning no proprietary cables needed in your bags or travel kit.
- Reflective strips around the headband for increased urban visibility
- 3 power modes
- 520 lumens (3hrs)
- 140 lumens (12 hrs)
- 45 lumens (36 hrs)
- 137g
- A simple and easy to use single button leaving no confusion when out on the trail.
- Elastic headband really gives an easy fit and forget feeling.
- Premium CNC alloy construction.
- Great after sales support from Exposure themselves.
Design and Build
The CNC-machined casing gives it a premium, solid feel, and you can tell that this is a product designed with care and precision. Despite its robust construction, the Exposure HT Lite headtorch remains light, adding little to no extra weight, even during extended wear.
One of the standout features is the minimalistic design of the band and battery. Both elements contribute to a sleek, snug fit that adapts comfortably to a variety of head sizes. The adjustable elastic and velcro straps ensure a secure fit, so there’s no need to constantly adjust or worry about slippage, even during more intense movement. This is something that I greatly value as a runner with a small head. Many bulky head torches give me grief when wearing any longer than one hour with odd weight distributions. The HT Lite is a true wear and forget headtorch and sits barely noticeable during activity.
Performance and Battery Life
In terms of performance, most runners focus on the outright lumen production and the burn time, however what is often overlooked is the effectiveness of the beam and how the torch utilises these “lumens”. The Exposure HT Lite delivers a fantastic beam pattern. It provides excellent visibility, covering a wide area. When switched to its highest beam setting of 520 lumens (3 hrs burn time) I believe you could navigate even the toughest trails and is more than enough for most people on most outings. Bearing in mind this headtorch is aimed at everyday use rather than their brighter, bigger and more powerful HT1000, I found myself never needing any more for my trail runs, night hikes and urban running excursions.
Overall, the Exposure HT Lite Headtorch is a top-tier product that blends impressive quality, sleek design, and excellent performance. It’s a must-have for anyone in need of a reliable, comfortable head-torch for their outdoor activities.
Exposure HT1000 Headtorch
The Exposure HT1000 Head Torch is a high-performance headtorch “engineered for trail running” making it a great option for ultra runners who require reliable illumination during extended periods in diverse conditions.
Key Features
- IP Rating: IP65
- Battery: 3100mAh
- Runtime: 1.5 – 48 hours
- 1000 Measured Lumens
- 3 Hours charge time
- Material: Anodised 6063 Aluminium
- Dimensions: L49mm/ Head 20mm
- Weight: 145g
Design and Build
Weighing 145 grams, the HT1000 comprises a lightweight anodised 6063 aluminium construction housing the single LED which ensures durability while maintaining comfort. The headband is crafted from a 32mm wide, sweat-wicking, reflective material, providing stability and enhanced visibility. I found it easy to adjust to my head, but with a small head, it would have helped me to have a central band over the top to help prevent it slipping down. I was able to mitigate this using a buff or hat to help keep it in place. The battery pack on the back evened weight distribution which was helpful.
Performance and Battery Life
Using a single Cree XPL2 LED, the HT1000 delivers a maximum output of 1000 lumens, illuminating trails up to 125 meters ahead. The Optimised Mode Selector (OMS) offers various programs to balance brightness and runtime, catering to different running scenarios.
- Program 1 – 1.5 hours on high, 6 hours on medium, 12 hours on low, 30 hours on flash, and 9 hours on SOS.
- Program 2 – 3 hours on high, 18 hours on medium, 36 hours on low, 30 hours on flash, and 9 hours on SOS.
- Program 3 – 1.5 hours on high, 12 hours on medium, 30 hours on low, 30 hours on flash, and 9 hours on SOS.
- Program 4 – 12 hours on high, 48 hours on medium, 30 hours on low, 30 hours on flash, and 9 hours on SOS.
You change the program by holding down the single button and letting go after a set number of flashes
The 3100mAh lithium-ion battery is rechargeable via USB, reaching full charge in approximately 3.5 hours.
The HT1000’s Intelligent Thermal Management system prevents overheating by adjusting the light output when necessary, ensuring consistent performance. The head’s pivoting design allows for angle adjustments, though I would prefer a greater degree of downward tilt so I can see a bit closer to my feet. The headband is reflective, enhancing visibility to others for night-time ultra running.
While the HT1000 offers impressive features, it’s important to note that lithium-ion batteries can experience reduced performance in cold temperatures. Exposure Lights recommends keeping the battery warm when not in use to mitigate this issue. Ultra runners should plan accordingly for cold-weather events to ensure optimal functionality.
When comparing the two headtorches, several key differences and similarities emerge:
Brightness and Battery Life:
• HT Lite Runners Head Torch: Offers a maximum output of 520 lumens with a battery life extending up to 36 hours on a single charge.
• HT1000 Head Torch: Delivers a higher maximum output of 1000 lumens. At full power, it provides a burn time of approximately 1.5 hours; however, it features multiple programs allowing users to adjust brightness and extend battery life up to 48 hours on lower settings.
Both headtorches use different size recharging cables, what cables you use will guide your decision on which headtorch you choose.
Design and Comfort:
• HT Lite: Constructed with a lightweight aluminium body and a carbon battery housing, it ensures durability. The 50/50 weight distribution enhances stability and comfort during prolonged use. Additionally, it includes a GoPro mount for versatile attachment options.
• HT1000: Features a lightweight aluminium head and a rear battery unit that evenly distributes weight, ensuring balance during trail running. The sweat-wicking, reflective headband is designed for stability and comfort.
Surprisingly, there is only 8g difference between the headtorches.
Additional Features:
• HT Lite: Comes with a reflective headband, USB-C charging cable, GoPro mount with a reduced-size Velcro battery strap, and a quick start guide.
• HT1000: Includes a reflective headband, overhead strap, USB charge cable, and a quick start guide. It also offers an ‘optimised mode selector’ with four different programs to balance power and burn time according to user needs.
Warranty and Support:
Both models come with a standard 2-year warranty, extendable to 3 years for purchases made through the official website. Exposure Lights also offers servicing and repairs beyond the warranty period, emphasizing product longevity.
Conclusion
We reviewed the Exposure HT1000 back in 2019 and it remains an excellent headtorch choice. It stands out as a robust and versatile lighting tool for ultra runners, offering powerful illumination, thoughtful design, and user-friendly features. Its combination of high lumen output, adjustable settings, single button and durable construction, still makes it a worthy investment for those seeking reliable lighting during extended trail runs.
However, the HT Lite is a great alternative to consider. Costing £70 less than the HT1000, the HT Lite would be our choice to have on hand for evening training, and the HT1000 would come into play for the longer, through the night, races.
Have you tried the Exposure HT Lite or HT1000? Don’t agree with this review? What’s your opinion? Add your own comment to this review and share your experience and passion for running with others.
Not a member yet? Sign up here to be part of the RunUltra community and share tips and stories with thousands of fellow runners around the world.
We are a professional review site and our reviewers receive free products for testing from the companies whose products we review. Each product is tested thoroughly and give high marks to only the very best. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are by the reviewer’s name shown. Some links in this review are affiliate links. If you buy through them, we might earn a small commission, but it won’t cost you anything extra. Thanks for your support!
