Moonlight Bright as Day 800 Review: A Trail-Ready Running Head Torch

Introduction

The clocks going back in the UK means darker evenings arrive early, and for many trail runners that means digging out a dependable head torch. The Moonlight Bright as Day 800 comes from a Norwegian brand that is relatively new to the running head torch scene but is quickly making waves, with athletes such as Kilian Jornet and Zach Miller using its headlamps. After several weeks of testing on the trails, here is how this 800-lumen performance head torch held up.

Who This Head Torch Is For

If you run trails at night, especially longer or more demanding routes, this is a torch built with you in mind. In the box you get the lamp unit, an adjustable head strap, a rechargeable battery, a USB-C charging cable, a one-metre extension cable, and a protective zip case. The extension cable lets you detach the battery from the head strap and stow it in a hydration pack or race vest, cutting the weight on your head and keeping the battery warm in cold conditions, which helps prolong burn time.

The unit retails in the UK for £145, with the torch, head strap, and battery weighing in at 248g. Use the extension cable and the front unit alone drops to just 54g thanks to its lightweight aluminium construction.

Main Strengths

The build quality is genuinely impressive. There are no gimmicks here, just a simple, purposeful design that feels like it could hold up to anything you throw at it. The battery is a fully rechargeable 4,600mAh unit with a USB-C port, and Moonlight has redesigned the casing with a screw lock system while increasing run time by 25 percent. On the maximum 800-lumen setting you now get around 2 hours of burn time.

The four lighting modes give 40 lumens for 40 hours, 200 lumens for 8 hours, 400 lumens for 4 hours, and 800 lumens for 2 hours. The key detail is that all of these figures are for constant power: the torch delivers its stated output for the duration of your run rather than dipping down to cool itself like many other head torches. An aluminium bladed system on the light prevents overheating.

Beyond the four modes, a quick double click on the top button activates Beacon mode, and another double click gives you SOS mode, useful to have in an emergency. The torch carries an IP67 waterproof rating, so it stands up to splashes, heavy rain, and very moist conditions, which is ideal for wet UK winters. There is also a battery indicator: a constant blue LED means 80 to 100 percent, flashing blue means 50 to 80 percent, and flashing red means 30 percent down to zero. At 10 percent the torch flashes three times, then drops to 5 percent constant power.

The GoPro-style mount is another highlight. You can tilt the lamp exactly where you want it and lock it in place with a side screw, and because it is a GoPro mount you can unclip the whole front unit and use it on a cycling helmet or a climbing helmet, making the torch very versatile.

Things to Consider Before Buying

At 248g it is a fairly heavy running head torch, though a big battery is the price of constant-power output. Using the extension cable and stowing the battery in a race vest makes a massive difference to the weight on your head for longer outings.

There are a couple of other trade-offs. There is no red light mode for close-proximity tasks, which is a handy feature many runners like. The battery indicator is also a little awkward: you need to disconnect and reconnect the battery to see the remaining charge, which is not practical mid-run. Spare batteries are expensive too, with the 4,600mAh unit retailing for €79 and the more powerful 9,600mAh version at €100.

Buying Advice

The strap system is one of the strongest parts of the package. The side strap has a wide profile with internal rubber grippers all the way around to keep the torch stable while running, and the top strap adds security, which feels necessary at 248g. All the straps are easy to remove, which helps with cleaning and washing, and the battery and lamp plates curve comfortably to the shape of your head with a soft rubberized pad up front for long-wear comfort.

If you run night trails regularly or take on challenging trail or mountain ultras through the night, the Bright as Day 800 is a robust, bright, and dependable choice. It is not the cheapest head torch on the market, but you definitely get what you pay for. Moonlight also offers a 1,300-lumen option if you want more output, and headlamps going up to 4,000 lumens for extreme use.

Conclusion

After several weeks of testing, the Moonlight Bright as Day 800 impressed with fantastic build quality, super bright output, plenty of adjustability, and real simplicity of use. The constant-power output on every setting, the versatile GoPro mount, and the thoughtful included accessories make it easy to recommend for serious night runners and ultra athletes, provided you can accept the weight and the slightly fiddly battery indicator.