The Storm is a rugged, 550-lumen, USB-C rechargeable headlamp with waterproof durability, intuitive glove-friendly buttons, and performance optics design that creates versatile lighting for technical adventures.
featuring robust waterproof/dustproof housing and 550 lumens of bright light. The compact body is ergonomic, with large, easy-to-use buttons. One button turns the lamp on and off and adjusts the brightness of the light, while the other swaps easily between three set modes (low, medium, and high). The Storm also has red, green, and blue colored night vision modes and peripheral white lighting for close-range activities like rigging rappels on drawn-out descents. The headlamp has our Mode Memory feature, allowing you to turn the light on and off at a chosen brightness. The Storm rechargeable battery is powered via USB-C.
Patented digital lock feature safeguards against accidental use when stored in a pack or pocket.
Powered with integrated Li-ion battery ... Powered with integrated Li-ion battery with micro-USB or USB-C charge port. (See product details for USB port type) Learn More
We trust what we make because we use what we make. We trust what we make because we use what we make. All Black Diamond lighting products are covered by a three year warranty policy. Learn More
From clean climbing, to conservation, Black Diamond is committed to protecting the people and places we love.
The Storm is rugged, ergonomically designed headlamp built for all-mountain conditions. Featuring waterproof durability, intuitive glove-friendly buttons, and performance optics design that creates versatile lighting for technical adventures.
Curious about the modes on your BD headlamp? Red, green, and blue: each color mode is a tool to maximize your night vision in different ways.
Reviewers praise the Storm for its brightness range, long battery life, simple glove-friendly buttons and red light mode, using it for hiking, backpacking, camping, climbing and alpine starts, plus night dog walks, hunting and search and rescue. Most call it light and comfortable, though two found it heavy or bouncy for running. Other critiques came from one to three reviewers each: slow charging, a hard-to-read battery indicator, confusing modes and concern about the exposed USB-C port.
AI-generated summary of verified customer reviews.
Overall rating: 4.8125 / 5 from 16 reviews.
Review topics: ["size","feel","looks","set","conditions","model","color","headlamp","battery","light","button","brightness","features","storm","hiking","terrain","house","system","adjustment","change","lamp","controls","issues","works","intensity","leds","level"].
"I used this product on a few hikes and at camp in the High Sierra including a 2:30am start time for Half Dome. In addition I climbed SoCal’s infamous Mt San Antonio / Mt Baldy with an early start of 4am. Both times using the headlamp, I was impressed with the brightness and long lasting battery. I got through both hikes and was able to use the light at camp without a need for recharge. When I did recharge the battery, it charged very quickly. I liked the 3 color mode for camp, each person can have their own color for identifying who’s who in the dark! I used the brighter setting for the earlier start of the hike and then lowered it as the sun started coming up. It didn’t rain on my hikes but I feel like this headlamp would be excellent in wet and snowy conditions."
"I had the opportunity to try out the Black Diamond Storm headlamp. I used it during early morning or late evening hikes and walks. It was great to use at work when the light in the office was out. Pros I'm very pleased with the performance of the headlamp. I used it in the early mornings and evenings for walking and hiking the pup. It was great for making sure we didn't come across any obstacles on our route and made us visible to vehicles. It's easy to use and switch between modes. The varying light intensity and colors was nice depending on where I was walking or hiking. Having a rechargeable battery is a great plus and I haven't run out of charge yet! It even came in handy at work when the light was out! I suspended it from the shelf and illuminated my workspace. I'm excited to use it for when I camp out next to my friend's horse to keep an eye on him. Cons I have no complaints about it at the moment. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review."
"I have used several different brands of headlamps in both tactical and recreational settings, and I always find myself coming back to Black Diamond. The new rechargeable Storm headlamp is brighter and lighter than past models with similar features, making this a no brainer on backpacking trips. The different color and brightness settings are simple to use, and you won’t find yourself scrambling to remember the secret code of taps and clicks while your light is having a mini rave on your forehead. The battery life has endured through 30-40 degree weather over 5 days in misty to dry climates. I’m curious to see how well it proves in heavy rain and snow as it says it is waterproof; however, my only concern would be the lack of cover over the charging port. There is no protection for dirt, debris or water so if there isn’t a cover that BD has that is compatible, I’ll likely go out and just buy one for my own peace of mind. If the waterproof feature doesn’t meet its standard, I’ll update this review. I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review."
"I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review: I really enjoyed using this headlamp; I have used many others, most prominently the Petzl Bindi, so this was a big step up! It's great how low you can go (35 lumens) while it still being super usable while hiking or approaches. But then when I wanted to find a boulder in the dark I could turn it up to medium or high (200 and 550 lumens) and easily see boulders in the alpine 300+ feet away. The red, green, and blue lights are also really nice; I used red on the dimmest setting for night hikes near Mt. BlueSky and, funnily enough, at 430 when I'm trying to pack for a day of climbing and I don't want to wake my roommate up! I found the buttons super easy to navigate and never in 4+ climbing / backpacking trips have I had to recharge it. Lastly, I appreciate how well balanced and light the headlamp feels when on the head, which is something I've come to expect from headlamps like the Petzl Bindi since they're so aren't super bright, but not usually on a headlamp as powerful as this one. My only complaint is the piece of foam on the back of the headlamp, it sometimes would make my forehead itchy after extended use."
"I've really enjoyed using the Black Diamond Storm headlamp, especially for walking my dog at night and taking evening walks before dark. The brightness is excellent and provides plenty of light for walking safely and seeing what's ahead. I also really like having different lighting modes, which makes it versatile for different situations. Another big plus is its compact size. It's easy to slip into my pocket and bring along on walks without feeling like I'm carrying extra gear. My biggest complaint is that the controls can be confusing and aren't always intuitive. With so many different lighting options, it can take some figuring out to switch between modes. I'd love to see a simpler, more user-friendly control system. Overall, I think the Black Diamond Storm is a great, versatile headlamp with excellent brightness and convenient portability. It's especially useful for everyday outdoor activities, and despite the learning curve with the controls, it's a product I've found genuinely useful."
"The Storm Headlamp has proven to be quite the useful and comfortable lamp. Using it for hikes as well as working at night I have greatly enjoyed its brightness settings/memory as well as the easy switch from white light to red/green/blue. The beam throws far enough for me to even easily see top rope anchors before climbing. As many good bright lamps do, the lens gets pretty warm when on so just watch out for that. All in all a great rechargeable lamp! I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review."
"With the days getting shorter, climbing after work has meant more and more time in the dark. I’ve owned quite a few headlamps, and I always keep one somewhere close, but I have yet to own one of this quality. It is incredibly bright when needed, and easy to use. This headlamp is fantastic. Incredibly bright, and it charges fast. The different light modes work exactly as I expected, but it does much better than I expected at illuminating a broad cone around it. At first I was nervous about having a headlamp without replaceable batteries, but the battery life seems to be superb and it’s nice to not worry about the waste. The controls are intuitive and easy to use, even with numb fingers or through gloves."
"I received this product for free in exchange for my honest review. I'm a mountaineer and backcountry trip leader in the Seattle area, so my headlamp earns its keep on evening exits and night miles, not just around camp. I've tested the Storm on a range of outings: an evening exit off Mailbox Peak, a night loop of West Tiger, close up usage at night, and plenty of walks and runs around my neighborhood. Ease of use: Really easy. There are only two buttons, so it's simple to operate in the dark without thinking about it, and the buttons are easy to use with gloves on, which I appreciate. My favorite detail: the brightness stays at the same setting when you turn it off and back on, so it's never blasting you in the face or coming up dimmer than you left it. Beam performance and brightness adjustment: The medium setting (200 lumens) is totally fine for general hiking — I used it for most of my trail miles. High mode (550 lumens) was really nice to have when I needed to see further ahead, and low mode (35 lumens) was great for close-up tasks around camp. The charge lasted plenty long on medium without any concern. Color modes: I really liked that it has multiple colors besides just red — red, green, and blue — useful for preserving night vision without everything going monochrome. Power indicators and Digital Lock: The lockout worked well, and this matters to me — I've had headlamps in the past turn on in my pack and be dead when I needed them, so knowing this one can't accidentally turn on is a real relief. Locking and unlocking is pretty straightforward. I liked the three small LEDs that show how much power is left, though I did find the color/blinking codes for reading the exact level (per the instructions) a bit confusing. It tries to tell you in more detail how much power is left but I find it hard to fully get at a glance. One tip: the indicator reads best looking straight down over the top of it. Rechargeability: USB-C recharging is a big plus. The charging port sits uncovered, which looks wrong, but that's how it's sealed — the lamp is fully waterproof (IP67). I now always carry a small power bank on overnight or longer trips, and I love not having to carry lots of spare batteries — one power bank plugs into everything. Weight and comfort: The Storm is light enough to carry as a spare and strong enough to use as a primary, which gives it really good flexibility. I've also run in it around the neighborhood and never had it tip down or bounce around on me. Weather performance: I haven't worn it in the rain yet, but I love that it's weatherproofed — the rain starts tomorrow and will probably last the next six months here in Washington, so I know I'll appreciate it :). Overall, this is the headlamp I'll reach for: simple controls, dependable battery, and no spare-battery clutter. Amazing battery life at a useful brightness - which isn't always the case - and light enough that I never think twice."
"After putting the Black Diamond Storm through its paces on several cold-weather hunting trips, I came away really impressed with how easy it was to use, the range of brightness settings, and the overall battery life. One of the first things I noticed was how intuitive the controls were. I was able to pick it up and start using it without even looking at the quickstart guide. The buttons are easy to operate in the dark, even with gloves on, which is a big plus when you're hunting in colder weather. The range of brightness settings is probably one of my favorite features. On the lower settings, the light is nice and soft, making it perfect for working around camp or digging through gear in my pack without blinding myself. When I needed more light to navigate rough terrain in the early mornings or evenings, the higher settings provided plenty of visibility. Switching between brightness levels is simple, and I really liked being able to hold down the power button to fine-tune the brightness to exactly where I wanted it. The red light mode was another feature I used quite a bit. It was great for those early mornings when I was just waking up and didn't want a bright white light in my face. I also found it useful when hunting predators at night, allowing me to preserve my night vision. Battery life was excellent for my needs. I'm usually pretty conservative with how much I use my headlamp, but I was able to get multiple nights of use without needing to recharge. Most of my usage was on low to medium brightness for a couple of hours before sunrise and a few hours after sunset. Recharging is also really convenient with the universal USB-C port. There are a couple of small things I would change. First, I'm a little concerned about the exposed charging port eventually collecting dirt or moisture. I didn't experience any issues during testing, but it's something I'll be keeping an eye on. The battery indicator also takes a little getting used to. You really need to look directly over the top of it to get an accurate reading, since looking at it from the side can make it appear like only one LED is illuminated. I also wish it had four indicator LEDs instead of three to give a slightly more precise reading of the remaining battery life. One feature I really appreciated was the locking function. I usually keep my headlamp stuffed in my pack alongside plenty of other loose gear, so having the ability to lock the buttons gives me peace of mind that it won't accidentally turn on and drain the battery. As far as size and weight go, the Storm feels pretty comparable to most standard headlamps I've used. Nothing about it felt noticeably heavier or bulkier, and it was comfortable to wear during extended use. For reference, my testing took place in temperatures ranging from around 30°F to 57°F. I didn't encounter any rain or snow, so I can't speak to how it performs in those conditions just yet. Overall, the Black Diamond Storm has been an excellent headlamp for my needs as a backcountry hunter. It's easy to operate, has an impressive range of brightness settings, and provides plenty of battery life for multiple days in the field. Aside from a few minor concerns with the charging port and battery indicator, I really don't have much to complain about. It's a solid, dependable light that I'll continue using on future hunts."
"This Storm headlamp is my 4th Black Diamond one and as the largest one I have owned now, I was worried it would be too heavy and bulky on my head. I’m a smaller framed person and I get headaches easily from heavy headlamps and accessories. During the last few weeks of using it, I fond myself pleasantly surprised to have a way brighter and more powerful headlamp without it being too heavy for me and no headaches during use. It’s comfortable, stays on well even while crawling through brush and moving around a lot, and SUPER bright! I tried to use all the settings before reading the quick start guide and couldn’t quite figure it all out the first night, but after reading the guide, it’s been easy to go through the settings. I especially love that the buttons are bulkier and way easier to press through winter gloves than my other headlamps. That’s probably my favorite feature. Also love the red and green light options since my eyes are sensitive. I’ve been using this headlamp in the San Juan Mnts between 7-11,500 ft on a night SAR mission, splitting and gathering firewood in a rain/hailstorm, multiple nights camping, sunset bike rides that we returned from in the dark, and evening adventures on our acreage with the dogs through canyons and dense brush. Our roof also started leaking in the heavy rain and I had to go do a wet tar patch after dark, and it was easy to change the settings on the headlamp to make the lighting just right through my gloves. I usually use it in a moderate setting but have used the ultra bright modes a few times which are truly like a floodlight in the night. With this use, I’ve still only had to fully recharge it once in this time of testing it. It has only been in the mid to low 30s so far this fall though, so it’ll be interesting to see how well the battery does once it gets a lot colder. I also was surprised to see that the charging port appears to have no cover, yet it’s certified waterproof. Curious how it’ll do in heavy snow but it handled rain no problem. I’ll probably get a second Storm for my SAR pack for the longer missions that really need to extra lumens and power and keep one for around the cabin since I have been reaching for it nightly this fall."
