Heads-up: the long-standing NEO10R, once Ledlenser's go-to trail headlamp, has been pulled from the brand's official catalogue (its product page now reads "no longer available"). So RunMorph tested the NEO5R instead, the lamp Ledlenser now pitches as its best pick for urban runners, alongside the NEO9R we already reviewed for trail. Here's the verdict, built on a French field test cross-checked against the manufacturer's data.
© Ledlenser, official photo used for editorial purposes
The Ledlenser NEO5R is a 104 g rechargeable headlamp selling for €62.90, pitched by the brand as its best option for urban and suburban runners. The French field test we reviewed confirms a light, comfortable, well-thought-out lamp for night runs in town and on easy trails, with a measured runtime slightly below the claimed figure in the mid-power mode. Sitting below the beefier NEO9R built for technical trail, it targets runners who want to see and be seen without giving up comfort or blowing their budget.
The NEO10R, long billed as Ledlenser's flagship trail headlamp, no longer appears in the brand's current catalogue: its official product page is explicitly marked "this product is no longer available". The current NEO range now has four models: the NEO1R (everyday flashlight), the NEO3 (compact, entry level), the NEO5R (urban runners) and the NEO9R (trail runners, already reviewed on RunMorph). That's why RunMorph picked the NEO5R to round out its Ledlenser coverage, mirroring the NEO9R on the technical trail side.
RunMorph's advice: for hours of technical trail running at night, the Ledlenser NEO9R is still the brand's benchmark. The NEO5R is built for lighter use, in town or on easy trails.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Weight | 104 g (battery included) |
| Boost output | 600 lumens, 100 m beam distance, a few seconds only |
| Power output | 300 lumens, 70 m beam distance, 4 h claimed |
| Mid output | 100 lumens, 40 m beam distance, 8 h claimed |
| Low output | 20 lumens, 5 m beam distance, 35 h claimed |
| Battery | 1800 mAh rechargeable Li-ion, 3.7 V, magnetic USB charging in 4 h |
| Water resistance | IP54 (protected against dust and splashing water) |
| Drop resistance | 2 metres |
| Operating temperature | -20 °C to 40 °C |
| Included accessories | Chest strap, silicone forehead pad |
| Price | €62.90 |
© Ledlenser, official photo used for editorial purposes
Ledlenser claims 4 hours of runtime in Power mode (300 lumens) and 35 hours in Low mode (20 lumens). In the Foulées field test, the lamp lasted about 3 hours on high output, roughly 25 % short of the manufacturer's claim for that mode. On the other hand, the eco mode runtime measured in the same test matches the claimed 35 hours exactly. So the shortfall is concentrated in the hungrier mid-power mode, while the low-power mode delivers on its promise.
| Data | Claimed (Ledlenser) | Measured (Foulées) |
|---|---|---|
| Power mode runtime (300 lm) | 4 h | ≈ 3 h (-25 %) |
| Low mode runtime (20 lm) | 35 h | ≈ 35 h (as claimed) |
| Weight | 104 g | 104 g (confirmed) |
© Ledlenser, official photo used for editorial purposes
The test we reviewed puts the NEO5R's lightness front and centre: 104 g battery included, a lamp that "you quickly forget once it's on". The adjustable headband and the rear attachment spread the weight well, and the supplied silicone pad adds comfort against your forehead. The tilting head (45° according to the test, up to 60° according to the Hardloop retailer's spec sheet, a small discrepancy between the two sources) lets you adjust the beam angle without taking the lamp off.
The wide beam gets good marks for lighting the area right in front of you, backed up by a red rear light for visibility in traffic, a point the test flags as especially useful for running in town at night. The IP54 rating protects against dust and splashing water, but it's a modest level of protection: the NEO5R isn't built for prolonged heavy rain or immersion, unlike some more premium models in Ledlenser's outdoor range.
3 hours measured versus 4 hours claimed in Power mode (300 lumens), about 25 % less. For a long run at that intensity, build in a margin or switch to a less demanding mode towards the end.
IP54 covers dust and occasional splashes, not prolonged exposure to heavy rain or immersion. If you regularly train in very wet conditions, look at models rated IPX7 or higher.
© Ledlenser, official photo used for editorial purposes
Urban and suburban night runs: exactly what Ledlenser designed the NEO5R for, with the rear light and reflective headband backing it up.
Easy or moderately technical trails: 600 lumens in Boost and a 100 m beam distance are more than enough on non-technical terrain.
Hours of technical trail running at night: the NEO9R, more powerful and longer-lasting at sustained output, remains the pick recommended by both Ledlenser and RunMorph.
Runs in heavy rain: IP54 handles splashes but not prolonged exposure; don't rely on it as your main lamp in sustained bad weather.
Long sessions at full power: build in a margin, since measured runtime in Power mode is about 25 % below the claim.
© Ledlenser, official photo used for editorial purposes
Against its big sister, the Ledlenser NEO9R, it comes down to use: the NEO9R for technical trail and all-night ultras, the NEO5R for lighter urban use on a tighter budget.
Against the Black Diamond Sprinter 500, which sits in a similar price bracket and targets the same urban runner, the battle is fought on headband ergonomics and real-world runtime.
Against the Petzl Actik Core, a more versatile outdoor lamp, the NEO5R bets harder on pure lightness and a running-specific design.
Find the training plan that fits your runs on RunMorph →
The Ledlenser NEO5R delivers on its promise of a light, comfortable headlamp for urban and suburban runners, with a rear light and reflective headband designed for visibility in night-time traffic. The measured runtime gap in Power mode means you should keep a margin on long runs at full output, and the IP54 rating stays modest against sustained rain. For regular runs in town or on easy trails, the equation works in its favour; for hours of technical trail, the NEO9R from the same brand is still the more complete choice.
The Ledlenser NEO5R is a 104 g rechargeable headlamp at €62.90, positioned by the brand as its go-to lamp for urban runners and the de facto replacement for the NEO10R, now pulled from the catalogue. The French field test we reviewed confirms the claimed weight and the eco mode runtime (35 h), but measures a runtime about 25 % below the claim in the mid-power mode. IP54 water resistance, a red rear light and a reflective headband round out a spec sheet built for visibility in town rather than intensive technical trail running.
Is the Ledlenser NEO10R still on sale?
No, Ledlenser's official product page says the model is no longer available. The current NEO range consists of the NEO1R, NEO3, NEO5R and NEO9R.
What is the real runtime of the Ledlenser NEO5R?
The field test we reviewed measured about 3 hours in Power mode (300 lumens), versus 4 hours claimed by Ledlenser, and confirmed the claimed 35 hours in eco mode (20 lumens).
Is the Ledlenser NEO5R waterproof?
It's IP54 rated, which protects against dust and occasional splashes, but it isn't suited to prolonged exposure to pouring rain or immersion.
What's the difference between the Ledlenser NEO5R and NEO9R?
The brand positions the NEO9R for technical trail and long outings, with more power and runtime. The NEO5R, lighter and cheaper, targets urban and suburban use.
Is the Ledlenser NEO5R good for trail running?
It works on easy or moderately technical trails. For hours of technical trail at night, the NEO9R, more powerful and longer-lasting, remains the pick recommended by Ledlenser.