Petzl NAO RL Headtorch Review

Petzl NAO RL Headlamp Review

As any UK runner knows, February is that tricky time of year where training plans ramp up for the spring season but the daylight hours haven’t quite caught up yet. Thankfully, Petzl recently sent over the NAO RL headtorch for me to try out, so I’ve spent the last two weeks testing it in anger during my dark winter morning and evening runs here in the UK.

Petzl NAO RL Specs

First Impressions & Design

The Petzl NAO RL feels like it was designed with trail runners in mind, though honestly, it’s suitable for much more than that, I could see this being a solid piece of kit for any hiker or mountain walker too.

One of the first things I noticed when picking it up was the weight. It comes in at only 144g, and for a headtorch that can kick out that many lumens (max 1,500), it’s genuinely impressive.

The design philosophy here is clearly about balance. With the battery pack sitting at the back and the light unit at the front, the weight distribution is spot on. This makes it one of the most comfortable headlamps I’ve worn, which is a huge factor when you think about the duration we wear these things, especially during those long winter UK ultramarathons.

The cradle at the back feels like it’s drawn inspiration from the Petzl Iko series which helps distribute the pressure evenly and provides an extremely secure fit without squeezing your head. This is a big win compared to other headlamps that rely on a single headband strap, which can start to feel a bit uncomfortable and noticeable after a few hours on the move.

Petzl Nao Reactive Lighting

Beside the comfort, the headline feature of the NAO RL is the Reactive Lighting. I’ll admit, this is a technology I hadn’t used in a headtorch before, so I was intrigued to try it out.

The concept is pretty simple: a sensor analyses the ambient light. If you look out into the distance, the beam automatically brightens and broadens. If you look down at your watch or your feet, the lamp reacts by dimming the brightness and narrowing the beam.

During my first run, it took me a minute to get used to it. I had to keep reminding myself that when the beam dimmed, it wasn’t the battery running low, it was just the reactive tech doing its job! It didn’t take long to get used to though, and as soon as I did, I became a big fan!

I found what works best for me is if I angle the headlamp down slightly, it dims a bit but still kicks out more than enough light to illuminate the trail immediately in front of me. Then, if I need to look further ahead, I just tilt my head up ever so slightly; the reactive light kicks in, the beam broadens, and the brightness ramps up.

The real benefit here is battery efficiency. Those micro power savings of only increasing the brightness when needed really add up, helping you squeeze more juice out of the battery without needing to swap packs mid-run.

How Bright Is The Petzl Nao RL?

If you decide the reactive lighting isn’t for you, you can switch it off and use the standard settings, which maintain a consistent brightness like a typical head torch. However, with the reactive mode, it’s hard to give a completely static "light score," but here is how the three main settings felt on the run:

• 250 Lumens: A solid mode for all-round use, specifically on flat terrain or slogging up a hill.
• 550 Lumens: Takes it up a notch. This was my go-to for downhill sections where I needed to spot potential trip hazards early.
• 1,500 Lumens: The top setting is a whopping amount of light. It’s brilliant for looking up the trail to spot landmarks or waypoints in the distance.

What Is Battery Life Like On The Petzl Nao RL?

The NAO RL comes equipped with a sizeable 3,200 mAh R1 rechargeable battery, which also includes a handy five-level gauge to give you a rough indication of how much juice is left at any given time.

A modern touch that I really appreciate is that the battery charges via USB-C rather a proprietary connection. Not only does this make charging faster and more convenient, but it also has a clever dual function. In a pinch you can actually use the battery pack as a power bank to charge other devices, like your phone or watch. You will need to carry the appropriate USB-C cable to do this, but for long ultras where a dead phone could be a safety issue, having that emergency backup power on your head is a brilliant feature.

Unfortunately, due to the fluctuating nature of the reactive lighting, calculating precise burn times can be tricky. However, I’ve included the official figures from Petzl below, which are the minimum you should expect:

One key thing to note is that the battery packs are swappable. You can buy spare units separately, which might be a wise investment for those extra-long multi-day ultras like the Winter Spine Race where charging mid-run may not be an easy option.

Safety & Waterproof Rating

Another nice feature that I really like, and one I think other ultra runners will appreciate, is the red light on the rear battery pack. You can set it to flashing, always-on, or off. With more ultramarathons in the UK now requiring a red safety light on the back as part of the mandatory kit list, having this integrated is one less thing to worry about clipping onto your pack.

Regarding weather, the headtorch has an IPX4 rating. This means it’s water-resistant rather than fully waterproof. That said, during my testing, I took it on several wet runs, including one particularly grim session and I had absolutely no issues.

Any Negatives?

I’ve tried hard to think of improvements, and to be honest, it’s not been easy as there is so much to like. However, if I were to change one thing, it would be the on/off button.

It’s located underneath the headlamp unit and is recessed slightly. It can be a bit tricky to find while you’re still getting used to it, especially with gloves on. It would be nice to either move it to the top or have it protrude a little more to make it easier to locate. Again, this is a minor niggle in an otherwise excellent package.

Verdict: Is The Petzl NAO RL Good For Running?

Petzl already has a solid reputation amongst ultra runners, and it’s easy to see why with the NAO RL. It’s light, very comfortable and incredibly bright. If you are looking for a reliable companion to get you through the long UK winter nights, the Petzl NAO RL headtorch is definitely one to consider!

Petzl NAO RL Headtorch

Petzl NAO RL Headtorch - £134.99  ̶£̶1̶6̶0̶