Camping & Hiking Lanterns

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Camping & Hiking Lanterns

A high-quality, bright lantern is a necessity for all outdoor enthusiasts, whether you are backpacking, camping, or going on a late-night hike. Camping lanterns are more reliable, portable, and brighter than ever because of the developments in lighting regarding LEDs. Camping lanterns are available in multiple sizes, styles, and with multiple LED-light settings.

What is the difference between fuel-burning and electric?
  • Fuel-burning: These camping lanterns can get their power from various fuel sources, including white gas, propane, and butane. These often give off a lot of light over a large area, making them great for camping. These lights also give off heat, so they cannot be used in a tent when camping, and they are often heavy and require you to carry extra fuel.
  • Electric: Electric camping lanterns are often battery powered or rechargeable. These lights often use LEDs, providing an efficient and bright lantern. LED lanterns have long battery life, are more portable, and can be used in any space, including the tent. Rechargeable LED models can get power from solar cells or can plug into an outlet with a USB attachment. Rechargeable lights can be handy as they reduce battery waste, and solar panels can provide a viable option on long camping trips.
What is a lumen?

A lumen is a unit of measurement for brightness, and it is used with LEDs to measure how much light a lantern gives off. The more lumens an LED lantern has, the brighter and farther the light shines. Generally an LED lantern with 200 lumens to 300 lumens should be sufficient for most camping needs, but some LED lights have up to 1,000 lumens, so it is important to think about what you are going to be using your camping lantern for and how much light you need it to provide.

What are important features to consider when choosing between lanterns?
  • Hours of use: For both gas and LED outdoor lights, it is important that the product has a long run or burn time. Some products are only able to run for a couple of hours on one tank of fuel or on a set of batteries, whereas others are able to run for nearly two weeks straight before dying. Fuel-using lanterns generally have a much shorter runtime than LED models that are battery powered.
  • Weight: Having a lightweight LED lantern is especially important if you are camping and plan to hike into a campsite. Some LED models are designed to be very light, allowing for high portability, but others can be well over three pounds, making them difficult to carry over distances.
  • Design: When camping, it can be difficult to find a flat place to put your light, so finding one with a non-slip base or a tripod design can be handy. Many smaller LED lanterns have a hook attachment, allowing you to hang your light easily overhead in the campsite or in the tent. Companies, such as Coleman and Black Diamond, produce great lanterns that are designed specifically for outdoor use.

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