Are you planning a camping trip? Make sure to pack a lantern to bring with you. Headlights or tactical flashlight are great for lighting up trails in the early morning or at dusk. However, you will be glad you brought a lantern with you when you’re cooking or sitting around the camp at night. Read on for what to look for when shopping for lanterns for your next camping adventure.
Power Source
The first thing you should consider when looking at a lantern is what type of power source you want to use. Although gas powered lanterns can put off a strong light, you will have to also pack a propane tank and matches. The gas powered lantern itself is also heavier than other types of lanterns which is why it is not ideal for backpacking trips or any trip where you are low on space. You can also only use gas powered lanterns in a well ventilated area. An electric lantern can be used both outdoors, as well as inside your tent. When looking at an electric lantern, consider if you want one with a rechargeable battery or one that takes batteries. What you want will depend on if there will be an electric source with you or whether you have room to take extra batteries or not.
Size and Weight
Once you have decided what type of power source will work best for you, you should decide what size and weight of lantern you want. If you are backpacking, you will want to find as small and lightweight of a lantern as possible that will still do its job. If you are car camping, the size and weight will matter less to you and you will want to focus more on the light output.
Lumens
The next thing you will want to consider is how many lumens you will need. Lumens are the level of light output from the lantern. If you are planning on using the lantern to light up a large space you will want one with higher lumens. If you plan on using the lantern in a smaller space, you can probably get by with one that has less lumens.
Weatherproof
The last thing on our list you will want to look for is if the lantern is waterproof. You never know when an evening or early morning storm could roll into your camp. Sometimes, you may find yourself having to cook dinner in the rain or trying to navigate around your camp in poor weather. The last thing you want during this time is your lantern going out due to it not being waterproof. Some lanterns also have hooks or other things that allow it to attach to trees or tents so it stays in place even in windy conditions.
While there are many different types of lanterns out there, we hope this list helps you find the right one for you. Having a reliable lantern on your camping trip will give you one less thing to worry about and allow you to better enjoy your adventure.