Our reviews are 100% organic. We do not accept payment for reviews or bundle with advertising budgets. In most cases, the brand is providing the product to our reviewers free of charge. BioLite has established itself as a formidable player in the lighting category. They also have a loyal following among trail runners in part to their humanitarian mission to provide innovative power, lighting and cooking solutions to off-grid rural communities in impoverished areas around the world. Their headlamp range consists of a max-brightness 800 Pro model at the top end and a minimalist 325 model. BioLite’s latest model, the Dash 450, occupies the versatile and multi-functional sweet spot right in the middle.
The Dash 450 replaces the previous HeadLamp 425, and (as the name implies) has a bit more max brightness but more importantly, has optimized lens technology that provides increased brightness at extended distances. The headlamp maintains the super slim construction profile, light weight and great overall comfort of the previous version. Weight is distributed well across the front and rear casing units, while the front lamp housing is only 10mm thick and seamlessly integrates into the elastic, moisture-wicking headband so there is virtually no bouncing when running.
Dash 450 Rear Casing
In front, the casing consists of two separate lamps plus one multi-function button on top that is used to switch modes and adjust brightness in a press-and-hold scroll method so you can customize the level of brightness anywhere between minimum and maximum levels. The spot lens provides up to 325 lumens up to 90 meters, and the flood provides 125 lumens in a wide, uniform distribution. These lamps can each be used separately or combined to provide both proximity and distance lighting simultaneously, which is a clear advantage if you are trying to move efficiently through the dark.
An articulating bezel allows you to direct the beam where you need it, and once it’s in position it’ll stay firmly in place. On the backside, a red lens can activate in flood or strobe mode — or stay off entirely — and a 4-level LED display indicates remaining battery life at a glance.
Standard run times for the Dash 450 are 3 hours at maximum brightness and 60 hours on the lowest setting of 5 lumens. There is also an automatic 1-hour reserve of the 5-lumen setting if you are burning the lamp at a brighter setting until it’s depleted. Five lumens doesn’t provide nearly enough light to run safely in the dark, but it’s enough to light your way to the next aid station or back to the car if needed. However, you shouldn’t ever have to drain the battery down if you plan properly, thanks to pass-through charging capability which allows you to charge the lamp while it is still in use. This is ideal for all-night efforts when you’re likely to carry a small charging pack (BioLite makes a couple of good options) and is convenient because the USB-C charging port is functional with any compatible cable.
Dash 450 Front
Positioned in the expansive middle ground between BioLite’s minimalist and maximum brightness headlamp models, the Dash 450 also offers an expansive array of uses and a high comfort level that makes it easy to wear for long durations. It’s a solid update for a model that is built for everyday training, as well as a capable accompaniment to a waist-mounted lamp for all-nighters.
The BioLite Dash 450 headlamp is available at www.bioliteenergy.com.
Features and Specs
- Weight: 78g/2.75 oz
- Brightness: 450 max lumens
- Burn time: 3 hours at max brightness, 60 hours at low setting
- One hour reserve mode with 5 lumen brightness
- Lighting modes:
- Front: white spot/strobe/flood, spot+flood, red flood
- Rear: red flood or strobe
- Beam distance: 15m flood, 90m spot
- Pass-through charging for indefinite run time
- Energy and charging
- 1000 mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable battery
- Charging time 2 hours with USB-C port
- Water resistance: IPX4
- Three color options
- MSRP: $60