In-depth review
Nitecore NU25 UL Review (2027)
In-depth review of the Nitecore NU25 UL: 45-gram ultralight design, triple output, and thru-hiking suitability.
Nitecore NU25 UL
The thru-hiker's lamp: 400 lumens at 45 grams with a cord band.
Our verdict
The NU25 UL is the rare product that ends a category debate. At 45 g with 400 lumens, a real red mode, USB-C charging, and a lockable interface, it gives ultralight hikers no reason to carry more and budget buyers no reason to accept less. Its runtime at high output is short, as physics demands of a 650 mAh cell, but its medium modes are honestly rated and entirely sufficient.
What we like
- Just 45 g including the ultralight cord headband
- 400 lumens with triple outputs including red
- USB-C rechargeable with honest ANSI figures
- Dual-button interface is glove-learnable and lockable
What to watch out for
- Small battery means modest high-mode runtime
- Cord band is less plush than wide elastic straps
- Not the most durable shell for worksite abuse
What owners report: Nitecore NU25 UL
Synthesized from recurring themes in long-term owner feedback.
Most praised
- At 45 grams it is easy to forget it is on your head until the light is needed
- The lockable dual-button layout can be worked out by feel with gloves on
- USB-C charging matches the rest of a modern ultralight kit
Common complaints
- The small battery keeps high-mode runtime modest on long nights
- The cord band is less cushioned than wide elastic straps over hours
- The light shell is not built for worksite knocks
Who it is for
Ultralight backpackers, thru-hikers, and fastpackers who count grams and recharge in towns.
Weight engineering
Nitecore shaved the band as well as the lamp: the UL version's bungee-cord headband replaces elastic webbing and most of its weight, landing the complete lamp at 45 g, lighter than two AA batteries. On the head it disappears in a way even 80 g lamps do not. The cord adjusts with a single toggle and plays well with hats and hoods.
Output and beam
Three white LEDs deliver a blended flood-spot beam to 400 lumens, with a separate red LED that preserves night vision properly instead of filtering white light. Dual switches, power and mode, with a lockout, avoid the tap-dance interfaces of rivals. The 64 m throw is honest: this is a trail and camp beam, not a searchlight, and it never pretends otherwise.
Runtime honesty
The 650 mAh cell gives roughly an hour-class experience at maximum and long evenings at the 60-lumen-class medium modes where thru-hikers actually live. USB-C charging from a shared power bank is the ecosystem the lamp assumes. If your trips run a week between outlets and you night-hike for hours, step up to the Actik Core's hybrid battery instead.
Key specifications
- Max output
- 400 lumens
- Beam distance (max)
- 64 m
- Battery
- 650 mAh Li-ion built-in, USB-C
- Weight
- 1.6 oz (45 g)
- Water resistance
- IP66
Also consider
Petzl Actik Core
Petzl's 600-lumen hybrid: rechargeable CORE pack or AAAs.
Why consider it: More output and AAA backup for longer off-grid stretches.
- Max output: 600 lumens
- Beam distance (max): 115 m
Black Diamond Spot 400
The classic do-everything lamp, now in dual-fuel form.
Why consider it: IPX8 sealing and dual-fuel power in a still-light package.
- Max output: 400 lumens
- Beam distance (max): 100 m
Research-based assessment. TrueGear has not hands-on tested this product; this evaluation synthesizes manufacturer specifications, retailer documentation, and published expert reviews.
Questions, answered
Is the cord headband comfortable?
For most users, surprisingly yes; it distributes pressure without the sweat-soaked feel of webbing. Runners doing long descents may prefer the standard NU25's elastic band version.
How long does it take to charge?
About 1.5 hours by USB-C for the small cell, fast enough for a town lunch stop to restore most of a charge.
Can it handle rain?
IP66 means strong water jets and downpours are fine. It is not rated for submersion like the Storm 500-R, but trail rain is a non-issue.