GEAR REVIEW
NEBO
TRANSCEND 1500 HEADLAMP
Dazzlingly bright.
W
AY, WAY BACK IN THE OLDEN DAYS (yes, it was the 1990s), I got my first ever headlamp.
It was a Petzl Zoom, and it was wondrous. I no longer had to walk around holding a torch in my mouth when
NEED TO KNOW Weight (as tested): 156g (incl. battery) Battery: Rechargeable 18650, 3.7V, 3200mAh Burn times (claimed): Turbo (1,500L): 30sec High (750L): 4hrs Med (300L): 5hrs30min Low (30L): 28hrs Strobe (1,500L): 4hrs Distances in metres (claimed): Turbo (1,500L): 129m High (750L): 91m Med (300L): 58m Low (30L): 18m Strobe (1,500L): 91m
I needed both hands free to do stuff around camp, and
Of course, you don’t always need 750 lumens,
I could even wear it (on my head, that is) if I was caught
either. A quick rotation of the mode selector (which,
out backcountry skiing and had to make my way home
incidentally, is super easy to operate), lets you dial it
in the darkness. The thing was, though, it was—so I’ve
down to either 300 lumens or to 30, the latter being
been told—about 25 lumens; wouldn’t it be awesome, I
perfect for around camp.
thought at the time, if it was just a bit brighter? I’ve since owned headlamps that were 80 lumens, 100
With its housing made of aircraft-grade aluminium, the Transcend 1500 feels incredibly solidly built. Yes,
lumens, 200 lumens, 350 lumens and 400 lumens, and
that does increase the weight, to the extent that it
every time, I’ve rejoiced in the increased brightness. But
won’t be perfect for everyone, nor for fast and light
I’ve also every time still had that exact same thought:
trips where you’re counting every gram. I wouldn’t
Wouldn’t it be awesome if it was just a bit brighter?
take it trail running, either; it’d bob around too much.
Recently, however, I got myself a Nebo Transcend 1500 headlamp. For the first time, I’m not asking that ques-
But it’s still light enough that I’ve worn it for hours at a stretch and simply forgotten I was wearing it.
tion. Wow, how bright is 1,500 lumens! It’s like walking
A few other things about the Transcend 1500: It’s
around with car headlights attached to your forehead.
waterproof (IPX7); the battery is not only recharge-
Honestly, I quickly realised I won’t often need 1,500
able, but replaceable, meaning you can carry spares
lumens. Perhaps that’s just as well, because to avoid
if you need longer burn time on a trip; and with the
overheating, the Transcend (in what Nebo calls Turbo
headlamp strap being easily removable, plus with
mode) offers 1,500 lumens only in short bursts of 30
its magnetised base, it doubles as a mini work lamp.
seconds before it reverts to just—just!—750 lumens. But
Honestly, it’s really handy in this respect.
RRP: $158.95
750 still feels incredibly bright, and it still turns, pardon
So will headlamps get any brighter from here?
More info: nebotools.com.au
the cliché, day into night. I’d honestly be excited to go
Knowing the outdoor industry, they likely will. But
backcountry skiing after dark if only for the sheer joy of
if so, it’ll be a progression that’s likely unnecessary.
experiencing the Transcend 1500’s output on snow.
JAMES MCCORMACK
LAUNCH
OSPREY
EXTENDED FIT SERIES
Making the outdoors more inclusive.
W
E LIKE TO THINK THAT THE OUTDOORS are for everyone. But if you’re larger-bod-
ied, getting gear that both fits and is comfortable is sometimes far from easy. In fact,
it’s often impossible. To counter that, Osprey has been working with a diverse range of product testers to redesign four of its core range of backpacks, with the result being its Extended Fit Program, which is coming this winter to Australia. The Aether/Ariel 65, Volt/Viva 65, the Talon 22/Tempest 20 and the Sportlite 25 packs will all be part of the EF Series, with all packs having redesigned elements that help make the outdoors more inclusive. Features include hip belts that are not just longer (accommodating up to 177cm/70-inch hips) but which also have substantially more padding; extended shoulder and sternum straps; and hip-belt pockets repositioned further to the front to allow wearers to access them more easily. The new packs will have the same torso ranges and prices as standard-fit packs, and they will have women’s-specific options, too. For more info, go to osprey.com. But you can also, if you head here, read an interesting blog by size-inclusion advocate and consultant Marley Blonsky (pictured left), who partnered with Osprey to develop the range: osprey.com/stories/osprey-extended-fit-behind-the-scenes-with-marley-blonsky JAMES MCCORMACK
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