Why Amber Light Color is so Great for Camping (and Almost Nobody Talks About It)

Warum die Lichtfarbe Amber beim Camping so genial ist (und kaum jemand darüber spricht)

Anyone who spends time outdoors quickly realizes: not all light is created equal. Especially when camping, van-dwelling, or on a balcony, the wrong light color can quickly become annoying – for the eyes, for sleep, and unfortunately, also for everything that buzzes.

Perhaps you've already noticed: more and more SUNNYSIDE products are coming onto the market with the light colors Afterglow and Amber. This wonderful orange light tone not only creates ultra-cozy, warm light but also offers several advantages.

The so-called Amber light is so popular with outdoor fans precisely for this reason. And yet, hardly anyone is consciously aware of it. Time to change that. But it's best to read on for yourself.

What's with the "Afterglow" addition?

Some of our products carry the "Afterglow" addition in their name, which means nothing other than "evening glow" and refers to the special light color that these products emit. For example, our LEUCHTTAUE, FLOPPY, and CAMPLIGHT are available in the Afterglow light color. This is a very warm orange-red light, also known as Amber light.

What is Amber Light?

Amber light is color-wise between warm white and red light. It appears amber or orange and to many, a little darker than cool white light. Physically, Amber light contains hardly any short-wave blue components. That's precisely what makes it so special.

What is special about your orange light?

1. Amber Light is easy on the eyes

Our eyes slowly adapt in the dark. This process is called dark adaptation. Bright, white or cool white light immediately interrupts this process. You also encounter this when you look at your phone screen at night.

Afterglow light, on the other hand, is significantly less dazzling, maintains dark adaptation, feels much more relaxing for the eyes, and makes you less awake. For years, it has therefore been used for night hiking or outdoor expeditions.

So it's the ideal night light when camping if you need to see something briefly without waking up immediately, for example, if you need to go to the toilet at night.

2. Better for the organism & sleep rhythm

Blue light demonstrably affects our biorhythm because it inhibits melatonin production. Light from the blue spectrum can, for example, make it difficult to fall asleep.

Amber light contains hardly any blue light and is therefore particularly suitable for use in the evening at camp, in the van before bedtime, or as orientation light at night.

3. Fewer insects

A huge advantage outdoors, especially in summer, is that the Afterglow or Amber light color attracts fewer insects.

Many insect species are particularly sensitive to short-wave light components, especially in the ultraviolet and blue regions of the spectrum. These wavelengths are highly attractive because they are well perceived by insects and often play a role in nocturnal orientation. White light also contains many of these short-wave components and therefore attracts comparatively many insects.

Red light, on the other hand, has a significantly longer wavelength and is at the other end of the visible spectrum. Many insects can only perceive red light to a limited extent or react significantly less to it. There are also indications that some insect species cannot see red wavelengths at all, as their eyes are not sensitive to these frequencies.

Of course, no light is 100% "mosquito-proof," but our red-emitting products significantly reduce attraction compared to white or cool white light.

4. Less light pollution

Amber light is one of the long-wavelength light colors and scatters significantly less in the atmosphere than blue or cool white light.

This specifically means less disruption of natural darkness, and you have a better view of stars and night landscapes.

5. Better visibility in traffic

Finally, a fun fact for you: Longer wavelengths are scattered less by fog, dust, or rain and remain more visible in poor visibility conditions. So this light also makes sense for your headlights.