OS Test The Best Lightweight Head Torch – Silva Smini & Smini Fly

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OS Test The Best Lightweight Head Torch – Silva Smini & Smini Fly

By Hilary Pullen

Published on October 30, 2024 24 min read

We asked our OS Champions to test out the NEW Lightweight Silva Smini and Smini Fly

Smini is Silva’s lightest headtorch series, with the Smini Fly weighing only 38.5 grams. The Silva Smini fits the palm of your hand but don’t be put off by the size. In this OS Test The Best Lightweight Headtorch review we have asked our OS Champions to share a review of the new Silva Smini.

What’s the difference between the Smini and the Smini Fly?

The Silva Smini Fly has all the great features of the Smini but it’s even more lightweight. The key differences are the weight and the headband. The Smini also has a rear red light included although this can be added to the Smini Fly as an additional extra.

Silva Smini | Silva Smini Fly

Key features:
– Silva Intelligent Light – combines long reach spot light and close flood light
– Alternative headband (3mm) available but not included
– One buckle for smooth adjustment of the headband
– Super-low mode (10 lumen) – perfect for reading
– Water resistant – meets the IPX5 standard
– Rear light red safety light and blink mode
– Integrated USB-C rechargeable battery
– Red light to preserves your night vision
– 15 mm adjustable head band
– 4 Step battery level indicator
– Lightweight and comfortable
– Charge cable included
Tech specs:
– 250 lumen light output
– Powered: Li-Po 700 mAh rechargeable
– Max mode: 250 lm  / 1,5-2 h burn time
– Med Mode: 100 lm / 3 h burn time
– Min Mode: 10 lm / 20 h burn time
– Weight: 51,5g including head band and rear light

Key features:
– Silva Intelligent Light – combines long reach spot light and close flood light
– Alternative headband (15mm) available but not included
– One buckle for smooth adjustment of the headband
– Super-low mode (10 lumen) – perfect for reading
– Water resistant – meets the IPX5 standard
– Integrated USB-C rechargeable battery
– Red light to preserves your night vision
– Rear light available but not included
– 3 mm adjustable head band
– 4 Step battery level indicator
– Lightweight and comfortable
– Charge cable included
Tech specs:
– 250 lumen light output
– Powered: Li-Po 700 mAh rechargeable
– Max mode: 250 lm  / 1,5-2 h burn time
– Med Mode: 100 lm / 3 h burn time
– Min Mode: 10 lm / 20 h burn time
– Weight: 37.5g including head band

Smini is Silva’s lightest headlamp series, weighing only 38.5 grams (Smini Fly) in a size that fits the palm of your hand. With its 250 lumens and functional design, Smini is a reliable and lightweight companion for everyday runs, and the perfect backup light during races and adventures.

Meet Our Panel of OS Champion Reviewers!

Niazmine Mcguirk – Outdoor Instructor, hiker, runner and paddler – “With the red light, I was able to see my path in front of me and also stargaze”

Lisa Wells – Mountain Leader and wild swimmer based in North Wales “I need to tell you a bit more about the rear light because it’s brilliant!”

Natasha Sones – Paddle Boarder, Adventure Blogger and Stargazer –“I thought that being so small it might not be very bright but I was definitely wrong”

Tom Troughton – physio determined to help more people get outside – “Weighing in at just 53g, I had almost forgotten I had it on”

Isaac Kenyon – Outdoor Adventurer, and Sustainability Leader – “an exceptional choice for anyone looking for a reliable and lightweight head torch”

Liz Asad –  a hiker with a passion for cold water swimming – “I thought the beam distance was impressive”

Samantha Taylor – GBR Triathlete, animal lover and earl grey drinker. – “Silva have cut down the weight, but not the light”

Phillipa Cherryson – Outdoor enthusiast, horse and dog lover “The big push button is easy to use in gloved or mittened hands“

Samantha Meekin – Hiker, runner, biker, wild swimmer and happy camper!- “I’ve been using this headlamp all week and I still haven’t had to charge it yet.”

Alex Jackson – Hiker and wild camper!- “It’s super easy to charge “

Emma Harrison – Nature lover, hiker and runner- “it is ideal for long races when every gram in your pack counts”

Shilpa Rasaiah – Paddle Boarder, hiker and cyclist. “The makers have really thought carefully about this and created an exquisite little torch”

Read Our OS Champions In Depth Reviews of the Lightweight Smini Headtorch

OS Champion Lisa Wells’ Smini Headtorch Review

I was recently gifted a Silva Smini to review and I’ve been using it this week to walk Billy. Because of its incredibly low weight of just 53 grams and a perfect size to pop in your pocket, the Smini has been aimed at runners. However; this headtorch would be a really useful addition for anyone who spends time outdoors. A big bonus for me is that it’s rechargeable (cable included) and depending on the mode that you use, it can last up to 20 hours on a single charge.

It has an impressive 250 lumens with a red light for night vision and comes with a rear rechargeable safety light. I need to tell you a bit more about the rear light because it’s brilliant! It’s detachable with a strong paperclip style fastening, it’s the perfect size for a dogs collar, Billy hasn’t been bothered by it and I’ve easily been able to see where he is now the darker nights are here.

The headtorch is water resistant and has a battery level indicator. Something I wasn’t aware of when I went walking is the safety mode. The headtorch will go into power reserve mode when there’s 10% battery left which will give you approximately 2 hours of light – such a great safety feature.

You can swap the 15mm headband for a slimmer 3mm one if you wanted and you can also buy extra rear lights (if you wanted one for you as well as one for your dog 😉)

OS Champion Naz Maguire’s Smini Headtorch Review

I have been lucky enough to be given an opportunity to review the SMINI Black headlamp and I have to say I’m very pleasantly surprised. I have several head torches but this one is definitely my go-to going forward. It is very lightweight at only 51.5 g.

The headlamp is well made, durable and yet compact, perfect for a variety of outdoor activities which I take part in such as hiking, trail running, camping, paddlesports etc.

The SMINI is simple and easy to use. You can use it on min mode for up to 20 hours, med mode for 3 hours or max mode for 1.5 hours. There are two colours to choose from, white and red. The red light helps you to retain night vision and works very well for me, especially since my first usage was whilst I was walking along a very dark trail in search for the northern lights, which meant I wanted as little light pollution as possible. With the red light, I was able to see my path in front of me and also stargaze, search for aurora, which I found a spectacular sight of!

I really love the fact that it is so easy to put on charge, no messing about pulling rubber covers out of charging ports, just flip and go! The rear rechargeable red light is also great to have as a safety feature, helping you become visible from the back on the road/trail/water. None of my other headlamps have the rear light!

I have found it very helpful using the SMINI during a hike, a run, canoeing and whilst camping in my roof tent. As an outdoor instructor I use torches frequently. I highly recommend the SMINI for all other outdoor enthusiasts for a variety of outdoor sports. It is retailed at only £49.99 which is great value for money.

OS Champion Natasha Sones’ Smini Headtorch Review

Outdoors adventures are even more fun in the dark. I tested out the Smini headtorch from Swedish outdoor brand Silva on a night swim. It is great for swimming or paddling as it is water resistant and meets the IPX5 stan2dard. Most headlamps I have tried in the past have been heavy and black. The Smini is totally different as it only weighs 53 grams and fits in the palm of your hand! I also love the rose colour.

My first impressions when I received the product were how small and light it was, and pretty. It is very comfortable when wearing it and fit well. The quality of the materials used in the product is great. I found it durable and well-made.

The design and style of the product are very appealing to me. Most headlamps I have tried in the past have been heavy and black. The Smini is totally different as it only weighs 53 grams and fits in the palm of your hand! I also chose the colour rose (it is available in black, rose, and green) so it totally fits with my girly gear! I like that the headtorch is made with recycled material too.

I tested the lamp on a night swim. Swimming at night is very different from usual and is really enjoyable. But it does mean you have to be safer as it is harder to see in the water. I like to wear a headtorch if it is really dark, as well as having lights in a towfloat. I also don’t swim alone at night.

It is very easy to use the product. Smini comes with a slim and comfortable 15 mm headband, but the lamp head can also be used with the 3 mm headband, sold separately.

The rechargeable battery is placed behind the lamp, ensuring it stays tight against your forehead and has optimal weight balance. The torch is also tiltable at 90 degrees to avoid dazzling people you meet when moving. This was a very handy feature when I tested it at a swim. Walking across the stones I could adjust it to focus on the ground in the dark when needed.

I thought that being so small it might not be very bright but I was definitely wrong. It boasts 250 lumens, has a red light for night vision it also has a rear safety light with red light and blink mode to keep you visible at night. The double light beam Silva Intelligent Light combines long-reach spotlight and close flood light prevents tunnel vision. It has the perfect balance of weight and brightness.

Both front and rear light are rechargeable with USB-C rechargeable batteries. It is particularly good for camping as the super-low mode on the lamp (10 lumen) saves battery and is perfect for reading in a tent.

The torch features a helpful 4-step battery level indicator. It indicates for 5 seconds at power on and power off. It flashes before entering reserve mode and the indicator lights helps the user understand if it is locked/unlocked. The lock function it has is important when the headlamp is in a pocket or bag to save the battery.

This product is useful whenever outdoors in the dark. It is particularly useful for  water-based activities such as swimming or paddling as it is water resistant and meets the IPX5 standard.

Overall, the compact and lightweight design makes Smini a perfect headlamp that easily fits in the pocket of your changing robe or swim bag. Ideal for hiking and camping, as well as night water activities. I would recommend this product to others for similar activities. It is good value in my opinion too, similar to other products on the market. A really useful bit of kit.

OS Champion Emma Harrison’s Smini Headtorch Review

I’ve tried various head torches over the years and it’s hard to find one that is comfortable, lights up the terrain sufficiently and has the battery life for training, this Silva Smini is just the job.

To turn the torch on it’s a simple push button on the top- easy to find for tired or gloved fingers.  You push three times for the three levels of light, 10 lumens, 100 lumens and 250 lumens.

The three levels of light have you covered for varying light levels and terrain.  The lowest light is not really for running but ideal for map reading, checking phone/gps routes as it prevents glare from screens.

According to the torch spec the 250 lumens should give you 80m light distance, 100 lumens giving you 50m and the 10 lumens 17m. It also says that it combines long reach spot light and close flood light- I wasn’t sure how that would work in practice, but it’s excellent. You can see both right in front and what is coming ahead to be able to keep stretching those legs.

If you press and hold the on button it turns on the red front light for night vision.

The torch can easily be angled down according to how far in front you want to see.  With the light having both long and close light I actually use it at its most vertical when running. I really like that the angle adjustments click nicely in place and are very static, as other head torches I have had don’t stay in place and are forever dropping down when running.

The headband is not as wide as previous torches I have had, which I actually find more comfortable.  The 15mm width keeps a snug fit and I haven’t felt any movement.  You can also purchase as an accessory a 3mm headband which it can easily be changed over to. On the back of the torch casing is a soft foam ring which means it is comfortable against your head if you don’t have it over a buff or hat.  It does fit neatly over a buff or hat which is great for winter running.  The strap isn’t too stretchy which is clever so as to not let the torch move at all, nothing worse than having it slipping when you are running!  The strap is easily adjustable with only one buckle so no faffing required if in a race, also handy if your husband wants to borrow your head torch!

A brilliant feature is the clip on flashing red light for the rear, it can be flashing or a static red light and is easily turned on by simply pressing the light.  The light easily clips over the strap on the back so no worrying about needing a separate rear light.  You can also easily attach to a pack too.

Both the main bulb and the rear red light are easily chargeable using the included cable and USC connection, no heavy batteries in the torch and having to be replaced frequently!

You can easily just pop the torch on to charge after a couple of good runs. The charging connection is hidden behind the bulb and can be found when you angle the light.  The battery life is a couple of hours on the full beam, to maximise life I have used on 100 lumens and just increased to the max level when needing extra visibility on rough tricky terrain.  Once the battery life drops it automatically drops to the lower lumens to prolong life. This head torch is fine for a few hours but battery life isn’t long enough for a full night race unless you carry a battery pack to recharge.

Next to the on/off button is a very helpful battery indicator with four levels of battery indication.  When charging the battery level lights are red to indicate charging and all four turn green when full.  The spec is 3 hours charge from empty which I have found to be accurate, I normally pop it on after each run as depending on terrain I can be on 250 lumens which reduces the battery life.

The torch is water resistant to IPX5 standard so no worries about being out in the wild winter weather.

This torch is incredibly light (53g, I did check!) holding it in the box you don’t even know there’s a torch in there!  I haven’t used such a light torch and it’s a revelation. Being lightweight means it is comfortable for winter evening running and I haven’t even noticed it when I have been out.  Also it is ideal for long races when every gram in your pack counts.

The torch comes is available in three colours black, mint and rose. This is the mint colour, which I chose so it can easily be seen on race days amongst a pack and not get lost in the dark. They’re such a light neat torch, you don’t know you are wearing it, everything you need for running and races in the dark.

OS Champion Samantha Meekin’s Smini Headtorch Review

As an OS Champion I was recently gifted a Silva Smini headlamp in black to review and I’ve been testing it out this week on my evening trail and street runs.

My first impression when I received the Smini was the super lightweight compact design of the headlamp, it fits in the palm of your hand so it can easily fit into the pocket of your running tights or vest.

I much prefer to run with a headlamp rather than a chest light but sometimes the weight of a headlamp can become uncomfortable on longer runs but the Smini only weighs 53 grams.  It has an impressive 250 lumens with a red light for night vision and it comes with a rear rechargeable safety light that keeps you visible.  Both lights have soft padding on the back of them making the 15mm headband really comfortable to wear.

You can tilt the front light 90 degrees to avoid dazzling people you meet when running and the double light beam Silva Intelligent Light combines long-reach spotlight and close flood light to prevent double vision.  The beam distance was impressive, providing enough light when I was running on different types of terrain.

The Smini is super easy to charge with a USB – C rechargeable battery on the main headlamp.  The headlamp has a 4 step battery level indicator, it’s really quick to charge and the data says the front lights will last for 1.5 hours in max mode and 20 hours in min mode.  I’ve been using this headlamp all week and I still haven’t had to charge it yet.

The headlamp is water resistant and meets the IPX5 standard, this is perfect for me as I don’t need to worry about it getting wet whilst out running.

Overall, I absolutely love the Smini headlamp and I think it’s a great addition to anyone’s kit for all different types of adventures.  It retails at £49.99 and I feel this is good value and I would definitely recommend it to others.

Now the dark nights are rolling in, the Smini can make sure you can still get outside!!

OS Champion Samantha Taylor’s Smini Headtorch Review

I’ve used many headtorches in the past and the first thing that struck me as I got it out the box is how light it is, weighing in at only 53 grams.

Silva have cut down the weight, but not the light, with 250 lumens offering three brightness settings. It also comes with a rear safety light that you can set to be solid or flashing. This slots on and off the headband so you can choose if you want to use it or not. Together these two lights are perfect for my early morning runs as seeing where I am going as well as being visible front and back to the cars is essential.

You can tilt the front light if you want a different angle and the double light beam makes it easy to see clearly, thanks to the combination of the long-reach spotlight and close flood light preventing the tunnel vision I’ve experienced with other brands. Giving you around 80m of light distance.

Both lights have soft padding on the back of them and the 15mm headband has grippers to make it stay in place. For comfort I always like to wear a headband under a headtorch, but with this one I only needed a thin headband compared to the thick ones I would normally have to use.

The performance data says the front light lasts for 1.5 hours in max mode and 20 hours in min mode. I’ve used this for several hours of runs so far in its middle light setting and the battery indicator is still showing me its got two out of four dots left. The back light does run out of power quicker, but at it’s tiny size I think it did well to keep going for several hours.

At £49.99, I think this is a great fantastic quality lightweight head torch.

OS Champion Isaac Kenyon’s Smini Headtorch Review

The Silva Smini Fly head torch is an impressive and versatile piece of kit, perfect for ultralight hikers and runners. Weighing just 38.5g, it offers modularity, allowing users to switch between a 15mm or very light, comfortable and reflective bungee headband, depending on their activity.

Despite its small size, the Smini Fly delivers excellent performance with a bright beam that combines both long-reach and close-range lighting, making it easy to navigate challenging terrain. The detachable backlight adds safety, especially for night runs on roads. With durable, weather-resistant construction and impressive battery life, the Smini Fly is an exceptional choice for anyone looking for a reliable and lightweight head torch. More angles to tilt to would improve it.

OS Champion Phillipa Cherryson’s Smini Headtorch Review

This is teeny-weeny and super-light. So much so, when I first looked at this I assumed it would only ever be a backup head torch. I’m not a runner, which is the Smini’s target audience, but a hiker and mountain leader trainee and after spending years wearing big, heavy head torches, I’ll admit I was sceptical.

But the Smini is a great little pocket rocket. It’s got a maximum light distance of 80 metres in max mode, but also a close flood light that really shows any obstacles that could trip you up.

I used it for night walks and map reading and it didn’t let me down. I loved the red light to preserve your night vision and the indicator showing just how much battery power is left. It’s rechargeable so if you carry a portable power bank (an essential for me on the hill) then it’s simple to charge as long as you remember the cable.

The big push button is easy to use in gloved or mittened hands and the headband didn’t loosen as I wore it. I loved the colour and its eco-credentials too. Its downside is that it is water-resistant rather than waterproof. I have yet to try it in torrential rain to see how it gets on. However, for dry or drizzly winter evening walks and night navigation it’s been perfect.

Would I trust it as my only head torch on a big night out. No, but then again I wouldn’t trust any head torch, however big, heavy or expensive, I’ll always carry a backup. A great little head torch, for a great price.

OS Champion Tom Troughton’s Smini Headtorch Review

The Silva SMINI is undoubtedly the best pocket rocket head torch I have used. Weighing in at just 53g, I had almost forgotten I had it on, safe for the strong light beam which illuminated the path up to 80m ahead of me. The band was very comfortable and easy to adjust, even with the extra rear flashing red light that I attached onto the rear. This rear light was a welcome safety net when running on country lanes, knowing that I was visible from behind.

The Silva SMINI is the perfect companion for sub-hour trail runs at max power in less technical terrain. I found I was able to navigate rutted and uneven trail running paths in the pitch black with ease when there was no accompanying light around me.

The button at the top of the SMINI is easy to use even with gloves on and I was soon able to navigate my way around the different lightmodes.

Would I use this for more technical fell running terrain for longer runs? No, however I was impressed with the power it punched in such a small and affordable unit. I wouldn’t hesitate to use the SMINI on hikes or shorter, less technical running terrain, in areas with accompanying light or as a backup to my more powerful 580 lumen light.

OS Champion Elizabeth Asad’s Smini Headtorch Review

The Silva Smini headlamp in rose is a compact and very stylish headlamp that worked brilliantly on my recent sunset hike in Llangollen. I found its lightweight design comfortable for extended wear. As the sun dipped I could adjust the brightness levels allowing for the change from the fading natural light to the dark.

I thought the beam distance was impressive, providing enough illumination to spot rocks and roots on the path while the wide beam ensured peripheral visibility. I appreciated the headlamp’s ability to switch between various modes, including a red light feature that helped preserve night vision when navigating. What I loved the most is its size and weight.

It’s small enough to tuck into your pocket or clip onto your backpack. Battery life held up well throughout the hike, and the rechargeable feature is a plus. Overall, the Siva Smini headlamp performed exceptionally, I’d definitely recommend it to any outdoor enthusiast.

OS Champion Shilpah Rasaiah’s Smini Headtorch Review

I was absolutely delighted to be invited to test the Silva Smini headlamp by Ordance Survey, especially as my current Alpkit headtorch hinge wasn’t staying upright and I was looking for a replacement. First impressions about the Silva Smini is it is so beautifully crafted, incredibly light weight, but yet manages to have tons of practical features. The makers have really thought carefully about this and created an exquisite little torch that I never want to leave behind on my SUP camping and mountain hiking adventures ever again.

You might say it’s just a head torch so what’s the big deal? When I first got into SUP camping, I bought fairly cheap kit as I wasn’t sure if I’d like it, but now I know I love camping and outdoor adventures and appreciate the importance of quality, light weight kit, I would definitely buy the Silva Smini headlamp because I have had the opportunity to test it and know the difference between this high quality product and the cheaper one I’ve had before. It’s a super lightweight, but yet incredibly powerful when you need it but has the option to dim to a very low light, so for instance when reading in the YHA dorm and I don’t want to disturb anyone it’s a great feature. It’s also got a very handy rear red light feature, which as a paddle boarder is a fab practical feature. When I did my long distance Grand Union Canal adventure, I had to go through lots of tunnels and the canal rule is you have to have a red light on your rear and white on your front, so this feature will be perfect for paddling through tunnels.

Comfort and fit

There is an amazing soft molded padding material that rests on your forehead, making this headlamp very comfortable to use, the headband too has a built in non-slip feature all around it which is great to prevent the torch from slipping around on your hair. The light weight makes it incredibly comfortable to wear too. In fact I’d taken it off at one point and searched all over my tent for it, only to find it was around my neck, but it’s so light, that you really don’t notice you’ve got it on.

Functionality

The key features that stood out for me whilst testing outdoors are the on off button has a nice rubber grippy touch so easy to find and use, there’s really good adjustment to different angles and the torch stays put, there’s 3 light settings so you can go from a very powerful light to a gentle low light, and there’s a power reserve feature so you are not second guessing if there is sufficient power left to get you through your hike, it’s so easy to charge and the USB charge cable is also tiny and light weight to carry with you on your adventures.

Price

The Silva Smini with the additional red light feature costs about £49.99, which initially I might’ve thought expensive for a headtorch (my previous one was about £20). However, having used the Silva Smini outdoors and compared it with the one I have been using for the last two years, this is actually a really good investment in a quality piece of kit, that is incredibly comfortable to wear and very practical to use. I shall definitely be buying one as a gift for a special loved one for Christmas.

Suggestions for improvement

I shall be keeping my Silva Smini with my emergency kit that I carry in my rucksack whilst out hiking, and a tiny waterproof protective pouch to carry the headlamp in when not being used might be useful, but it’s not a big deal as I had a little pouch to store it in or I could use a clear zip lock bag.

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By Hilary Pullen

Meet Hilary, Editor of OS Maps Discover. Hilary is based in North Wales and loves hiking with her dogs in the mountains of Eryri and Bryniau Clwyd, you can find her on Instagram @nearlyuphill and read her guides to walking in North Wales.

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