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Outdoors

Snow Peak Lapel Torch headlamp alternative

By C.C. Weiss
August 04, 2012
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A small, magnetic clip on the back of the lamp lets you attach the Lapel Torch to your shirt.
The Lapel Torch puts out up to 60 lumens, according to Snow Peak.
A small, magnetic clip on the back of the lamp lets you attach the Lapel Torch to your shirt.
The integrated cradle on the body lets you create a tiny flashlight.
The Lapel Torch will hit the market next year.
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Look quickly at the Snow Peak Lapel Torch and you could easily mistake it for an iPod Shuffle with an earbud hanging off. The "Shuffle" is actually a battery pack and the earbud is an LED light. A sort of headlamp alternative, the Lapel Torch is a hands-free lighting solution.

The Lapel Torch packs up to 60 lumens of light output into a 1.4-ounce (39.7-gram) package. Sort of a multi-functional utility light for campers and outdoor users, it uses a magnetic clip that can be attached to your shirt, hat, tent pocket, etc. to offer a little more flexibility than a headlamp. Snow Peak mentions attaching the light to a jacket in its catalog, but it's not clear how strong the magnet is – it may have trouble staying attached to a thicker winter coat, fleece or shell. Its versatile, hands-free design could also be useful in other situations, like doing work in dark spaces.

You can tilt and reposition the light to change the direction of the beam and the battery pack can be stored in a pocket or clipped to your clothes. The Lapel Torch also doubles as a mini flashlight when you wrap the wire around the battery pack body and attach the light to it.

The Lapel Torch will hit the market next year.

The battery pack measures 2.75 inches (7 cm) by 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) by 7/8 inch (2.2 cm) thick, while the light head is 3/4 of an inch (1.9 cm) in diameter. The Lapel Torch runs on three AAA batteries and Snow Peak lists run times at 55 hours on high, 90 hours on medium and 140 hours on low. The new light will hit the market next year for US$59.95.

Source: Snow Peak

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OutdoorsLightingHands-freeSnow Peak
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C.C. Weiss
Chris joined the New Atlas team in 2011 and now serves as the automotive and campers editor, traveling extensively to gather the latest news on cars, outdoor sports gear and other innovations designed to help people experience and enjoy the greater world around them.
7 comments
Gadgeteer
Seems like a senseless introduction of a vulnerable wire into a flashlight design, especially for such low light output. Just get one of those small LED flashlights with a head mounted on a flexible gooseneck. They can be had for about 1/4 of the price.
Bill Bennett
60 lumens? Baa, my smallest led is 200, on my keychain made by Illumina outta Titanium, my big boy is a LED conversion to a rechargeable Maglite, 3 hours at 1000 lumens,, 60 lumens? DOFL, sissy light C.C. and yes I have several different pocket lights check out 4 sevens, I can give you more links to decent LED light, which this IS NOT, that is a TOY
Slowburn
It is very expensive for what it does.
professore
Yes, but the most interesting point is that according to the writer this company has succeeded in developing a magnet that will stick to non-magnetic materials such as a typical jacket or coat. This is a major breakthrough which will have a vast range of applications. Well done Snow Peak!
wle
silly dim expensive clip seems doubtful for that much $$ it should have a lighter and more powerful, lithium ion rechargeable 3 AAAs weigh a ton hanging off your clothes - if the clip works
wle
Arf
I'm a little dubious myself, but not about the AAAs, wie. A wilderness backpacker would prefer those so they can replace with fresh. You could save some weight with lithium AAAs.
TogetherinParis
60 lumens is fine for walking the AT through the forest when late getting in to the shelter. Kids swallow those button batteries used in the Photons everybody uses now. Quality stuff costs more than junk that breaks after a week or so on the trail. While photon leds are very reliable and can last for years, if you have children you'd want to dispense with the little shiny buttons that can cause so much trouble down a tiny throat.
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