HeadLamp 330 is a high performance, rechargeable head light designed with the outdoor adventurer in mind. Using BioLite's proprietary 3D SlimFit Construction, this HeadLamp achieves unprecedented levels of comfort while also meeting the demands of trail-runners, climbers, thru-hikers, ultra-marathoners, farmers, alpinists, mountain guides, cyclists, and anyone looking to illuminate low light scenarios.

Using advanced LED electronics, HeadLamp puts out 330 lumens and offers 5 lighting modes: full brightness control, spot/flood, strobe, and red night vision. The 900 mAh battery enables 3.5 hours of runtime on high and up to 40 hours of usage on low.Thanks to the HeadLamp's rechargeability, users never have to remember to bring alkaline batteries along with them and can instead fill up the battery using power banks, solar panels, or any other micro-USB source. With a front profile of only 9mm and weighing in at 69 g, the HeadLamp sits flush on the forehead without worry of bounce or slippage. At the same time, the moisture-wicking fabric keeps athletes and adventurers cool and dry during physical activity. The articulating front bezel allows users to direct the front light panel using one hand to get the light just where they'd like it. It's a headlamp that simply feels great on and stays put so users can get the job done.

Design Challenge: How do we make a wearable that's actually wearable?

We've gone from phonographs to wireless earbuds, pilgrim shoes to fly knits, pocket watches to fitness trackers; so why have headlamps stayed so bulky, uncomfortable, and noticeable for such a long time?

By looking at the wearables we turn to on a daily basis, we quickly identified that the current state of headlamps was lacking in meaningful innovation when it came to materials, manufacturing, and assembly – something that the sneakers on our feet seemed to be crushing. Using footwear as our north star, we created hundreds of prototypes that studied the interaction of fabric with technology and the processes that bring those things together.

The 3 Dimensions of Fit

We set out to improve the overall experience of wearing a headlamp by trying to create one that was comfortable from the moment you slipped it without sacrificing top performance. During the design process, we identified three core components that inform a good fit:

Better Balance: By relocating the power source (one of the heaviest components of a head lamp) to the back of the BioLite HeadLamp unit, we solved for the classic slippage problem. Headlamps are generally worn at a slight angle, with the light in the upper position. If you put all the weight where the light is, it's going to seek equilibrium which means a slow and constant slip downward. By keeping the front light and minimal and moving those grams to the back of your head, BioLite HeadLamp embraces a gravity-friendly design that feels nearly weightless when you put it on.

Flush Front: Stripping most of the volume from the front light housing meant we had a lot of room to play with when it came to redesigning the headlamp. With the battery in the back, we now primarily only needed to house the lens and LEDs on the front. Ultimately, we landed on an ultra thin, fully unified head strap that integrated electronics and fabrics into a single molded unit that sits flush on your forehead. By integrating our electronics into the fabric with a custom molded housing, we pack all your lighting into an ultra-thin facing that is designed to fit as seamlessly as a contact lens: moves with you as a single unit and you soon forget it's even there.

Smart Fabrics: Merging the fabrics seamlessly with our electronics required finding the right fabric for the job. We knew we needed a fabric that could hold up during all sorts of outdoor activity and remain comfortable on your head for a long time. It needed to be stretchy but still keep its shape after hours of use. Wick moisture as often times outdoor sports that require a headlamp involve sweating. At the same time it couldn't be prone to pilling or tearing. We tested a lot of fabrics out and after countless iterations, the team ended up going with a high-quality moisture-wicking band that keeps your forehead comfortable and dry during activity with easy-adjust clips that take the guesswork out of right-sizing your band.

Impact in Every Purchase

A portion of every purchase of the BioLite HeadLamp 330 gets re-invested into our work bringing safe, reliable energy across sub-Saharan Africa. Through BioLite's unique business model of Parallel Innovation, our team headquartered in Kenya is able to focus on on delivering sustainable solutions for modern energy access. For more info on BioLite's mission, refer to the 2017 Impact Report.