Silva Head Torches - Our Range Explained
Posted by Mark Richardson on Jan 27, 2026
Silva's Intelligent Light Technology
The one thing all our Silva Head Torches have in common is Silva's Intelligent Light functionality. The unique combination of a long reach spotlight and a close floodlight results in less head movement, better control, improved balance and minimised risk of missing important details. We've been trying it out recently, and we like it, one of those things that you don't realise is a feature, but you just feel you're using a good quality light.
Smini Models
The Smini headlamp strikes the perfect balance between weight and brightness. Weighing only 45 grams and fitting in the palm of your hand, Smini is truly a light experience. The headlamp boasts 250 lumens and features a red light that preserves your night vision and the double light beam Silva Intelligent Light. Combining long-reach spotlight and close floodlight prevents tunnel vision and helps you maximize speed and performance.
The compact and lightweight design makes Smini a perfect backup headlamp that easily fits in your pocket och running vest. Use the lock function to save the battery and check battery levels on the 4-step indication. Smini comes with a rear safety light in red with blink mode. Both front and rear light are rechargeable with USB-C and a charge cable is included.
Seek 450
The Silva Seek 450 Recharge weighs 71g and delivers up to 450 lumens, featuring three brightness levels and a 10-lumen mode that extends battery life to approximately 90 hours. The USB-C charging port is convenient, and the integrated 1,350 mAh battery makes daily use straightforward. Runtime on full power is short, but the battery life on medium and low settings is much better.
The slim headband is comfortable and easy to adjust, and the detachable lamp unit can be clipped to other gear when not worn on the head. Light quality is strong thanks to the dual beam pattern, which combines reach and flood. The build is solid, and the IPX5 rating ensures it withstands wet conditions.
Discover Hybrid
Discover Hybrid is a 500 lumen headlamp for all your outdoor adventures. This durable headlamp has a comfortable wide headband with an included helmet mount. The design is dust-tight and water-resistant according to IP65. The headlamp’s red light mode preserves your night vision, and the orange light enables better map reading. Discover headlamps feature Hybrid technology, meaning they are compatible with rechargeable Silva Hybrid Battery (included in Discovery Hybrid) and AAA batteries.
Discover Hybrid is a durable headlamp with a dust-tight and water-resistant design that meets the IP65 standard. The wide headband provides a comfortable fit with smooth buckles for easy adjustment of the headband.
Discover Hybrid is a 500-lumen headlamp with COB-LED for fewer shadows and wider light for close distance. It also has a red light mode that preserves your night vision and an orange light that enables better map reading. The lamp has a lock fun and can be used on a super-low mode of 15 lumens with a burn time of 25 hours to save battery.
Explore Models
Silva's Explore Models build on the functionality of the Scout Models, they do everything the Scout Head Torches do but at a higher lumens (brightness) and a greater level of waterproofness (IPX7 rated). The Explore 4RC model has a built-in rechargeable battery, whereas the standard Explore 4 model uses standard AAA batteries only. It's a more rugged design, and we like the additional 'Map Reading' Mode. All the Scout, Terra Scout, and Explore Models (except Scout 3) have a Red LED as well as White for night vision, but Red is not ideal for Map Reading. So, the Explore Models feature a third Orange LED that can be used to preserve night vision while ensuring contour lines remain visible on an OS map. The Explore Models also have an SOS Blink Mode and a very low setting to preserve battery life.
Trail Runner Models
The Trail Runner Models feature a battery pack that sits at the back of the head while the light sits at the front, creating a more balanced Head Torch for stability during intense activity. The word FREE in the title indicates that the wire connecting the front and back units is built into the headband, creating a clean, fuss free product. Of course, all the models feature Silva's Intelligent Light functionality, the unique combination of a long reach spotlight and a close floodlight results in less head movement, better control, improved balance and minimised risk of missing important details. All the Trail Runner Models also feature a battery level indicator and are waterproof to IPX5. The Trail Runner Free Ultra also includes a long life battery providing greatly extended battery life for longer runs.
Free Models
Silva Free Series gives you more light in a smaller, smoother, and more versatile headlamp - all thanks to several innovative features. It’s got all the cables integrated in the headband for a better experience and optimal cooling for higher performance. All packed into the world’s first true modular headlamp series. The Free 1200 XS (1200 lumen headlamp + 14.4 Wh battery) is the ultimate lamp and battery combination for runners who want to optimize every gram.
Silva Free is a headlamp series with mix and match availability. Choose between three different lamp units, four batteries and three mount options. All parts are interchangeable, so you don’t need to buy a new headlamp for your different activities. Simply just add another lamp unit, battery or mount option to your setup. All parts can be bought separately.
Go for 3000 lumens when you want to go full speed and need lots of light. Choose 2000 lumen for high-speed activities in demanding terrain like ski mountaineering and mountain biking. 1200 lumens is the ultimate choice for ski-touring, XC-skiing and trail running. Likewise, pick the optimal battery for your activity. The smaller the battery, the lighter and smoother feeling on the back of your head. The bigger the battery, the longer it will keep you going.
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Mark Richardson |
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Mark was the founder of Ultralight Outdoor Gear back in 2006 and has completed long distance backpacking routes in some of the remotest parts of the world. His favourite hikes have been Torres del Paine (full circuit), the John Muir trail and the Markha Valley trail (Ladakh, India). Although semi-retired Mark has not lost any enthusiasm for minimalist backpacking and is tackling Scotland’s Munros choosing multi-day backpacking routes over the more usual guide book excursions. |
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Silva Head Torches are a bit different, using two beams instead of one, and with a full range of battery and feature options we explain the different models on this page. The one thing all our Silva Head Torches have in common is Silva's Intelligent Light functionality, the unique combination of a long reach spot light and a close flood light results in less head movement, better control, improved balance and minimised risk of missing important details. We've been trying it out recently and we like it, one of those things that you don't realise is a feature but you just feel you're using a good quality light.