Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp vs Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket (2026)

✍️ By the 247Verdict Editorial Team📅 Updated 05 October 2026

Which is better? We compared both on score, owner ratings, pros and cons.

Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp

9.1/10 Excellent

4.6★ (12,400 owners)

400 lumens, IPX8 waterproof, red night vision, PowerTap, 200m beam. Trail running and hiking standard.

Full Review

Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket

9.2/10 Excellent

4.7★ (4,800 owners)

700FP hydrophobic down, DWR, lightweight 330g, pack small, Pertex. Rab's packable down jacket.

Full Review

At a Glance

	Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp	Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket
247Verdict Score	9.1/10	9.2/10
Owner Rating	4.6★ (12,400)	4.7★ (4,800)
Verdict	Excellent	Excellent

Quick Verdict

This is a genuine draw — both score within 0.15 points of each other. Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp: 400 lumens, IPX8 waterproof, red night vision, PowerTap, 200m beam. Trail running and hiking standard. Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket: 700FP hydrophobic down, DWR, lightweight 330g, pack small, Pertex. Rab's packable down jacket. Choose based on your specific needs. Check the current price on Amazon →

Pros & Cons Side by Side

Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp

400 lumens on full power illuminates trail running and technical hiking paths clearly
IPX8 waterproof to 1 metre — survives rain, sweat and stream crossings
Red night vision mode preserves dark adaptation without blind-sighting partners
PowerTap brightness adjustment switches between full and dimmed power with temple press — no menu
12,400 Amazon reviews at 4.6★ — the most validated trail running headlamp available

AAA batteries rather than USB rechargeable — requires carrying spares on long trips
400 lumens maximum trails Petzl Actik Core's 450 lumens
White flood beam less focused than Petzl's narrow spot alternatives

Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket

700FP Hydrophobic Down treated to repel moisture — performs in damp UK mountain conditions
Pertex Quantum shell is lightweight while preventing down from escaping
330g packs into its own pocket — the weight and volume of a water bottle
Full front zip, helmet-compatible hood and cuffs seal out cold effectively
Rab's Peak District heritage — the Sheffield brand built for UK mountain conditions specifically

Down insulation performs less well when fully saturated — synthetic alternatives better in extreme wet

FAQ

Which is better, Black Diamond Spot 400 or Rab Microlight Alpine?

Is the Black Diamond Spot 400 worth the extra cost?

The Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket matches or exceeds it at a potentially lower price point.

Who is the Black Diamond Spot 400 best suited to?

400 lumens, IPX8 waterproof, red night vision, PowerTap, 200m beam. Trail running and hiking standard.

Who is the Rab Microlight Alpine best suited to?

700FP hydrophobic down, DWR, lightweight 330g, pack small, Pertex. Rab's packable down jacket.

What are the main downsides of each?

Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp: AAA batteries rather than USB rechargeable — requires carrying spares on long trips; 400 lumens maximum trails Petzl Actik Core's 450 lumens. Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket: Down insulation performs less well when fully saturated — synthetic alternatives better in extreme wet.

Do owner ratings agree with our verdict?

Largely, yes — Black Diamond Spot 400 Headlamp sits at 4.6★ from 12,400 verified Amazon owners, and Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket at 4.7★ from 4,800.

As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Links below are affiliate links.