Streamlight Sidewinder Boot: Versatile Red and White Light

Have you heard of the Streamlight Sidewinder Boot flashlight? Truth be told, it’s a funny-looking little light that reminds me a bit of E.T. It’s not very bright and the batteries are not the easiest to change. I bet you’re sold on getting one now, aren’t you? Okay, before you run off to hide under the bed because you were scared of ET growing up, give this little guy a chance.

I said it was funny-looking and not very bright. But I didn’t say it was a bad light. It’s made by Streamlight, and if anyone knows flashlights, it’s them. So, before you write it off as a gimmick or useless tool, let’s take a look.

When we measure the quality of a flashlight we tend to focus on the lumens (brightness) as an overall gauge of how good the product is. A small light with high lumen output is considered an A+ product, right? But what about durability, versatility, and reliability?

There are times when we need the brightest light possible, especially during a self-defense situation. If we are about to fire our weapon, a burst of light allows us to see everything that’s going on before we pull the trigger. It can also blind an attacker and keep them from seeing you.

However, not every situation requires a bright light. There are times when a dim light is preferred. And this is where the Sidewinder Boot shines (pun intended).

The Sidewinder Boot Light

Even when you see pictures of the Sidewinder Boot, it’s a little surprising how small it is when it arrives. The overall length of the light is 4.25 inches tall and 1.75 inches wide. For a light with a head that pivots 185 degrees, that’s pretty small. It’s sold in Coyote Tan and has a metal belt clip on one side.

The AAA batteries are loaded through a door on the bottom. A small metal screw holds it closed and a flathead screwdriver is needed to open and close it. This is one complaint I have as I don’t like to use tools to replace batteries in any type of light. If you need to swap out batteries in the field, locating and using a screwdriver is not ideal.

But if there is an upside, the Streamlight Sidewinder will run for more than 90 hours on the low setting. That’s a long run time, even for a low-powered light. On the high setting of 55 lumens, the estimated run time is roughly 8 hours. In addition to the adjustable brightness, there is also a sliding red filter that allows you to switch from white light to red when light discipline is paramount.

The light is programmed to turn on in the low mode. You can switch to the high mode during use, but it will reset once turned off, faithfully preserving battery life. Another reason it turns on in the low setting is because low light is the point of this light: not to light up the room, but to provide a small amount of light in front of your eyes.

The battery compartment is sealed with a rubber gasket to keep it safe from water and the overall weight is only 2.8 ounces.

Plus, thanks to the integrated metal clip, the Sidewinder Boot can easily attach to a MOLLE plate carrier or chest rig, which makes it perfect for reading or viewing items up close. The activation button is on the side of the rotating head. To switch from low to high, simply hold down the button for three seconds. It’s pretty simple to operate, which is important while in the field. Too many buttons or complicated operating instructions are less than helpful when speed is the key.

What’s the purpose of the Sidewinder?

Again, not all lights need to be blindingly bright. It’s good to have a low-powered light for seeing items up close without blinding yourself or giving away your position to others. The Sidewinder is perfect for this, and the red filter provides a soft red glow for reading.

I had only been a police officer for a few weeks when I responded to a burglary call. A man was walking away from the business in question, so I stopped him to see who he was. He handed me his ID, but it was too dark to read it. Without thinking, I pulled out my handy patrol light and clicked it on.

The ID lit up so brightly that I looked away and suddenly realized I couldn’t see a thing. I learned my lesson and purchased a small, low-powered light just for that purpose. The use of a red light keeps your ability to see in low-light conditions. White light will cause you to lose it momentarily and the brighter the light, the worse it is.

A red light is perfect for use in vehicles and reduces the visibility for others outside of the car. The base of the light is big enough to stand up on a flat surface. This comes in handy if you need to set the light on a table or dashboard. The rotating head allows you to adjust where the light is facing.

Do you have a low-power red filter light?

Streamlight makes a great product, and the Sidewinder Boot is no different. It’s compact, lightweight, and durable. With a price tag in the $30 range, it’s also affordable. If you have never used a red filter light, try one out. Once you do, it’s hard to go without one. The Streamlight Sidewinder Boot is a must-have for any defensive or doomsday rig. Remember that while bright lights are a must, a dim, red filter light is just as important. Give the Sidewinder Boot a shot; it might be just the tool you need.