Hands Free Flashlight for Dog Walking
Walking your dog at night is great. There are fewer people around, so you can have a calmer walk. It also lets your furry friend burn off some energy before they go to bed. But if you’re planning a night walk, you’ll need to see where they are going. But what’s the best flashlight for walking a dog at night?
There are plenty of hands-free flashlights for you to choose from. For example, you can use headlamps, flexible lights, pocket lights, dome lights, or leash lights. Generally, a headlamp will be the best choice. Though the best option for you will depend on how you intend to use it.
There are dozens of dog walking lights for you to choose from. The right one will depend on a few variables related to your scenario. Here’s what you need to know to pick the right hands-free dog walking light.
What Types of Hands-Free Flashlights are Available?
There are plenty of varieties of hands-free flashlights that you can use. The right one for you will often depend on the circumstances that you plan on using it in. Let’s look at some of the most popular options.
Headlamps
One of the best choices is a headlamp. As the name suggests, these are attached to a band that fits around your head. They also provide a strong light source, with enough power to illuminate the path. If you are interested in this light source, you should try the FLEXIT Headlamps.
These are designed to be tough and resilient. They both come with a rear light, this is ideal if you are walking on a road, letting the cars know that you are there. The PRO comes packed with features. For example, it has a 360° hazard light that can be seen from all angles while also illuminating your path. The wearer never notices the blinking hazard, but you can bet traffic will keeping you and your dog safe..
Mini Lanterns
These are small lanterns with multiple attachment points. There will often be a clip or Velcro on the top. This ensures that you’ll be able to attach them to almost anything. The ILLUMiDOME comes with a range of settings. It can be on high, medium, low, or a blinking hazard.
There are plenty of ways that you can use these on your nightly dog walks. For example, you might want to keep one in the car, using them when you are putting on the dog’s harness. You can also attach one to your backpack. This will let cars know that you are there. As the ILLUMiDOME is built to be waterproof, you don’t need to worry about how it will hold up in rough weather.
Tactical Flashlight
Another good innovation to use is a tactical flashlight. This is ideal if you need just a little security on your walk. Hopefully never necessary, but nice to know it is there if you need it, most tactical style flashlights are made of robust aluminum and the light bezel is designed to cause damage if struck by it. For walking the dog with the added protection of a tactical flashlight you might want a flashlight like the B.A.M.F.F..
Designed to easily fit in your hand or pocket, yet still be substantial enough to use for self defense if necessary. The BAMFF line of Tactical Flashlights come in a variety of power levels and even feature a strobe mode that can be used to disorient would-be attackers if shined directly in their eyes. You and your dog may be a little safer walking at night with a BAMFF flashlight.
Pocket Flashlight - 90° Right-Angle Lights
Another option is to get a pocket flashlight. Pocket flashlights are named because they are designed to fit in the breast pocket of a shirt and the light emits from the side of the flashlight. When placed in your pocket, or clipped to your chest, it lights up the area in front of the user. There are several on the market but the most versatile has to be the FLEXIT Pocket Light 4.0 and 6.5. Unlike a traditional pocket light that is usually shaped like a deck of cards and only shines light from the side, the FLEXIT Pocket Lights have a flexible head that allows 180° of rotation.
Use it in your pocket, or bend the head and hold it like a traditional hand-held flashlight. It also has a dual hinge clip on the back and a hang hook on the bottom. This gives you more attachment options. For example, you can put it on a backpack or even directly onto the leash of your dog. The FLEXIT Pocket Lights even come with red lights which are great if you want to preserve your night vision but want to give a beacon of light letting traffic know you are out there. Ideal for night walks when you don’t need a powerful light, but still want to be seen.
Leash Light
Finally, you might want to think about getting a light that you can put on the leash of your dog. This is good if you like to give them lots of space to run ahead. You’ll be able to judge where they are and call them back if they venture too far.
How Do You Choose a Hands Free Flashlight for Dog Walking?
One of the most difficult parts of finding the right lighting choice is the sheer number of dog walking lights available. The good news is that there are a few things that you can look for. This will make it easier for you to narrow your search.
One of the first things to consider is how powerful the light will be. The best way to judge this is by looking at the number of lumens it is producing. The more lumens, the brighter the light will be. This article goes into more depth about what lumens are and why they are so important.
Next, you’ll need to think about how you are planning on using it. For example, you might want a headlight so to see where your dog is going. At other times, you might prefer something that you can use in the car to put the harness on or a smaller light to look inside your backpack when you stop for a snack. To fill each of these needs, you might need a few different lights.
It’s important to get something that has a long battery life. The last thing you want is for the battery to die in the middle of your walk, leaving you to fumble your way back home.
Finally, you want to think about how heavy the light is. You don’t want to be carrying around a bulky flashlight. It isn’t practical and it will weigh you down on your walks. Whatever you choose, it needs to be something that you are comfortable wearing.
What Else Do You Need to Walk a Dog at Night?
While a flashlight is important, it isn’t the only thing that you need to safely walk your dog at night. The most important thing is to make sure that cars and people can see you coming. Because of this, you’ll need to make sure that you are wearing reflective clothing. It’s also a good idea to get a reflective vest for your dog.
Some dogs might get scared about walking at night. This will be more likely if they have had a bad night walking experience in the past. If this is the case, it’s best to stick to a familiar route. This reassures your furry friend, as they will have familiar scents to draw on. It’s also best to try to stick to well-lit areas. As they get more confident walking in the dark, you can encourage your friend to explore more unfamiliar routes.
It’s a good idea to keep your dog on a leash. The last thing you want is for them to get spooked. When they happen, they will run off. At night, it can be very difficult to find them again.
You need to be prepared for an emergency. It’s important to make sure that you are carrying a phone. Before you leave home, make sure that it is fully charged. If you are traveling into a more remote area, you should check that you will have cell phone coverage. If not, you’ll need to come up with a backup plan, like a satellite phone.
Lastly, have fun. Remember, going for a walk is a chance to spend some quality time with your dog. If you are enjoying yourself, your furry friend will also be having a great time. After the first few nights, they’ll be eager to put on their harness and go exploring under the moonlight.
Final Thoughts
Walking your dog at night is the ideal way to relax after a busy day. It also gives you a great opportunity to form a strong bond. But before you head out you need to make sure that you are getting a small flashlight for dog walking. This will light up the path and ensure that cars see you coming.