Phoenix HL32 RT Review: A Lightweight Rechargeable Head Torch for Trail and Ultra Running

Introduction

Phoenix has added a new option to its trail running head torch range: the HL32 RT. Positioned as the lighter, more compact sibling of the well-established HM65 RT, it packs a bright 800-lumen main beam, a fully rechargeable battery, and some genuinely useful features into a unit that weighs just 107 grams with the battery and strap included.

After roughly a month of testing across training and trail miles, it has proven to be a well-engineered, thoughtfully designed head torch with only a couple of notable compromises. Here is the full breakdown.

Who the Phoenix HL32 RT Is For

This torch sits in a sweet spot for trail and ultra runners who need reliable nighttime lighting without carrying unnecessary weight. It is bright enough to handle most running situations, with a claimed 132-meter beam length on maximum output and around three hours of burn time at that setting. Drop to the 200-lumen mid mode and you get roughly eight hours, which covers a full night section in most ultra events.

It also makes sense for anyone tired of disposable batteries. The HL32 RT is fully rechargeable via USB-C, using the supplied Phoenix ARB-LP 1900 mAh battery, and the box includes the head unit, the battery, a user guide, and the charging cable. As a backup, it can even run on standard AAA batteries in an emergency, which is a reassuring option to have in a race vest.

Main Strengths

The headline feature is the weight. At 107 grams total, it comes in nearly 40 grams lighter than the HM65 RT, and that difference is genuinely noticeable over long nights on the trails. Much of the saving comes from the magnesium alloy head casing, which still feels solid and well finished rather than flimsy.

The dual light source design is another plus. Alongside the powerful main beam, there is a wide flood for close-proximity lighting, which helps with footing on technical ground and reading waymarkers or course signs at night. All modes are controlled by two large, well-placed buttons on top of the unit, each with a small set of printed instructions beside it, though in practice cycling through the functions is intuitive enough that you likely will not need them.

The head strap uses Phoenix’s Boa-style dial system. A turn of the wheel tightens the cord system to your desired fit, and pulling up on the dial slackens it off. It is simple, secure, and makes micro adjustments on the fly easy, even mid-run. The wide, breathable strap is perforated for airflow and includes high-vis detailing for safer nighttime running, and unlike the HM65 RT, the strap can be unclipped from the case for proper cleaning, a welcome improvement that shows the brand is listening to feedback.

Other practical touches include a four-LED battery charge indicator on the front, a lock-off mode (hold both buttons for three seconds) so the torch cannot drain itself in a race vest, an IP66 weatherproof rating, a two-meter impact rating, adjustable bezel angle, and the ability to use the low modes while the unit is charging. Charging from empty takes just under three hours over USB-C.

The newest bit of tech is a frequency sensor, reportedly the first in the Phoenix lineup, that reacts to your cadence. As you increase your pace, the torch automatically lights the trail further ahead. It only works below the 800-lumen maximum output, but it is an intriguing feature that no other running head torch in the range offers.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The main compromise is that the main beam and the flood cannot run simultaneously. You have to choose one or the other, whereas the HM65 RT allows both at once. For runners who like combined close-range and long-range lighting in a single setup, this may be the deciding factor.

It is also worth noting that the mid setting of the main beam tops out at 200 lumens, which can feel marginal when moving quickly over technical terrain. A step closer to 300 lumens would light the trail noticeably more clearly, even at some cost to burn time. Finally, the lowest flood mode at 5 lumens is of limited running use, though it is handy for campsite reading or emergencies, and the flood includes an SOS flash mode should you ever need to signal for help.

Buying Advice

Retailing in the UK for £79.95, the HL32 RT offers a strong feature set for the money. It is a compelling long-term investment for runners who want a light, bright, rechargeable torch without stepping up to the flagship.

For very long winter events, such as a race where you might be out for 13 hours or ultras that involve running through two nights, the proven HM65 RT remains the safer pick thanks to its greater output and battery life. But for a summer 100-miler with a shorter night section, the HL32 RT has more than enough output and burn time, and the 40-gram weight saving genuinely counts when you are wearing it for hours.

How It Compares in the Phoenix Lineup

The Phoenix trail running range now spans three torches: the flagship HM65 RT, the new HL32 RT, and the smaller HL18 RT. With the HL32 RT in the picture, the HL18 RT is arguably squeezed out. The HL32 RT is far brighter at 800 lumens, the battery burn time is nearly identical, and there is only around £15 or £16 between them, which makes the newer unit the better long-term buy.

Against the HM65 RT, the choice comes down to the type of event. Both deliver good output and burn time, but for the harshest multi-night conditions the flagship remains the tried-and-tested option, while the HL32 RT is the lighter, more affordable torch for everything else.

Conclusion

The Phoenix HL32 RT is a confident addition to the brand’s trail running lineup: lightweight, well built, rechargeable, and packed with practical features like the dial-adjusted strap, lock-off mode, and cadence-responsive lighting. The inability to run both light sources together and the modest mid-setting output are the only real trade-offs, and for most runners they are easy to live with. If you are looking for a single dependable head torch for training nights and summer ultra racing, it deserves a place on your shortlist.