sofirn st1 flashlight: my hands-on review of the flat EDC light that surprises you when it turns on

I carry a lot of gear for my overlanding, camping, and hiking videos, and I like compact tools that work hard. The sofirn st1 flashlight looked simple at first glance, but after several weeks of testing I can confidently say this flat everyday carry light punches way above its weight. In this review I cover design, controls, performance, runtimes, real-world use, durability, and the few things I wish were different.

Table of Contents

• What the sofirn st1 flashlight ships with
• Design and ergonomics: flat, futuristic, and minimalist
• Controls and user interface
• Brightness, runtimes, and real-world performance
• Thermal behavior and the "hot" warning
• Durability, water resistance, and drop testing
• Battery and charging
• Everyday carry and mounting options
• What I liked
• What could be improved
• How I use the ST1 in the field
• Quick specs summary
• Is the ST1 suitable for overlanding and camping?
• How long does the battery last on each mode?
• Does the ST1 get hot?
• Does the ST1 have a pocket clip?
• How do I lock the light to prevent accidental activation?
• Final thoughts

What the sofirn st1 flashlight ships with

The ST1 arrives in a compact package with the essentials: a detachable lanyard, a USB-C charging cable, and a short manual. No frills, but everything you need to get started. The build feels solid in hand and the whole unit weighs 102 grams, so it is light enough for daily carry while still feeling durable.

Design and ergonomics: flat, futuristic, and minimalist

SoFirn calls the styling the cyber design. It is a flat, minimalist body with just one multifunction button to handle all modes. The USB-C port sits at the tail end of the light and right below the port is an opening to attach the included lanyard. The body is made from aerospace grade aluminum alloy, and the machining and finish give it a premium feel despite the modest price point.

When I first picked it up I thought a light this smooth would be slippery, but after weeks of use I have not dropped it. The flattened profile makes it comfortable in the hand and easy to slip into a pocket.

Controls and user interface

The ST1 uses a simple single-button interface that is intuitive once you get used to it:

• Press once to turn the light on or off.
• Press and hold to step through brightness levels (moon, low, medium, high).
• Double tap for turbo mode.
• Double tap the button to lock or unlock the light to prevent accidental activation while in your pocket or bag.

There is also a battery status ring around the on/off switch that changes color: green when above 50 percent, orange between 20 and 50 percent, and red below 20 percent. It is a small but useful visual cue when you are planning long outings.

Brightness, runtimes, and real-world performance

The ST1 packs five white LEDs and five brightness levels. Here is how they stack up and what I experienced in the field:

• Moon: 1 lumen, up to 450 hours runtime. Great for reading maps or inside the tent without killing night vision.
• Low: 10 lumens, about 100 hours runtime. Useful for close tasks and general low-light carry.
• Medium: 350 lumens, roughly 3 hours and 30 minutes runtime. Solid general-purpose setting for trails or campsite chores.
• High: 800 lumens initially for thermal management, with a 10 minute period at full output before the light steps down to 600 lumens. Effective throw for short bursts and near-distance tasks. Total runtime in this mode is about 100 minutes after thermal step-down.
• Turbo: 1500 lumens for the first two minutes, then steps down to 600 lumens to protect the electronics and battery. The light claims the same roughly 100 minutes runtime when factoring in the cooling step.

What surprised me the most was the throw. The ST1 can reach out to about 226 meters with the focused output. That is impressive for a flat EDC light with five LEDs. I did real-world checks at night and was able to highlight features across a field well beyond what I expected for its size.

Thermal behavior and the "hot" warning

On the top of the light the word hot is molded into the body, and they are not exaggerating. The ST1 heats up noticeably when you run it above medium. On medium it gets warm, and in high and turbo the body becomes hot quite quickly. That is the trade-off for cramming 1500 lumens and a compact battery into a small chassis. For short bursts of turbo or high output this is fine, but prolonged high-output use will force the light to throttle and become uncomfortable to hold unless you let it cool or use a glove.

Durability, water resistance, and drop testing

The ST1 carries an IPX7 rating. That means it should survive submersion to 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. For most outdoor uses — rain, splashes, muddy conditions — that is a reliable rating. Sofirn claims impact resistance to drops from 1.5 meters or roughly five feet. I put that to the test in the field and it held up to normal bumps and a drop from waist height without any functional issues. The aluminum body absorbs shock well and the LEDs remained aligned and bright after the test.

Battery and charging

The ST1 uses an internal rechargeable battery rated at 2100 milliamp hours. Charging via the USB-C port takes about an hour and a half to reach a full charge. The USB-C port at the tail is convenient and compatible with common cables, so topping up before a trip is fast and easy.

Everyday carry and mounting options

For me, a notable omission is the lack of a pocket clip. At this size I would prefer a clip so I can attach the light to a shirt pocket, jacket, or strap for quick access. The included lanyard helps a bit, and you can stash the ST1 in a pocket or pack, but a clip would make it much easier to reach when you need instant light while hiking or rigging camp.

What I liked

• Impressive peak output and throw for a compact flat light.
• Slim, well-machined aerospace aluminum body with a modern look.
• Intuitive single-button interface with lock feature to prevent accidental activation.
• Good battery life on lower modes and quick USB-C charging.
• IPX7 water resistance and real-world durability under light impact.

What could be improved

• Add a pocket or shirt clip for faster access and versatile carry.
• Thermal management could be better — the light gets hot quickly at higher outputs.
• Some users might prefer a colored LED mode or strobe option, which this EDC model does not include.

How I use the ST1 in the field

In practice the ST1 has become my go-to backup light for short hikes and overland camp tasks. I use moon mode for map reading or inside a tent, low or medium for camp setup and equipment checks, and high for short bursts when I need to light up a distant object or animal on the trail. Turbo is great for a quick signal or scanning a field, but I avoid leaving it on turbo more than a minute or two because of the heat and throttling.

Because the ST1 is flat, it also sits nicely on a table or dash as an improvised worklight. The five LEDs produce a broad enough beam when close to illuminate a large area, and the body can be set down without rolling.

Quick specs summary

• Weight: 102 grams
• Battery: 2100 mAh internal rechargeable
• Charging: USB-C, ~1.5 hours full charge
• LEDs: Five white LEDs
• Max output: 1500 lumens (turbo burst)
• Throw: Up to approximately 226 meters
• Modes: Moon, Low, Medium, High, Turbo
• Water resistance: IPX7
• Drop rating: 1.5 meters claimed

Is the ST1 suitable for overlanding and camping?

The sofirn st1 flashlight is a good companion for overlanding and camping when used as an EDC or secondary light. It covers most campsite tasks, close work, and scouting with its medium and high modes. For extended or continuous high-output needs you will notice heat and throttling, so for prolonged work consider alternating with another dedicated worklight.

How long does the battery last on each mode?

Runtimes vary by mode: moon delivers up to 450 hours at 1 lumen; low is about 100 hours at 10 lumens; medium is about 3 hours 30 minutes at 350 lumens; high gives 800 lumens for about 10 minutes then steps down to 600 lumens with roughly 100 minutes total runtime; turbo gives 1500 lumens for two minutes then steps down to 600 lumens with an overall runtime comparable to high when factoring thermal step-down.

Does the ST1 get hot?

Yes. The ST1 heats up quickly in high and turbo modes. The body even has a molded 'hot' indicator to warn users. For short bursts it is fine, but avoid holding the light for long periods at turbo without letting it cool.

Does the ST1 have a pocket clip?

No. The ST1 does not include a pocket or belt clip. It ships with a lanyard and has a tail lanyard hole instead. If you prefer clip carry, you will need a third-party adapter or a different model that includes a clip.

How do I lock the light to prevent accidental activation?

Double tap the on-off button quickly to lock or unlock the ST1. It ships locked by default, so you need to double tap to unlock it when you first start using it. Locking prevents accidental turn-on in pockets or bags.

Final thoughts

The sofirn st1 flashlight is a cleverly designed flat EDC light that delivers surprising performance for its size. It balances thoughtful daily carry features, simple controls, and strong output with the expected trade-offs of heat at higher outputs and the lack of an integrated clip. For anyone who wants a compact, rechargeable flashlight with excellent throw and flexible runtimes, the ST1 is worth considering.

If you want a compact light to keep in your bag, glovebox, or pocket that can still reach out to identify objects at distance, the sofirn st1 flashlight is a solid option. Just be mindful of thermal limits and clip preferences depending on how you carry gear out in the field.