Amber vs. Clear Lights: Which Color is Best for Off-Roading?

Are you planning on doing a little off-roading? If so, and you don't just plan on going on your average clear and sunny day, you need to worry about more than your offroad tires or truck suspension. In fact, choosing between amber and clear lights can be the difference between ending up at the bottom of a ditch or a triumphant off-roading adventure. Even if you have one of the best lift kits, that won't save you if you can't see the terrain. So, what's the difference between amber and clear lights? The short answer is that amber lights tend to be the best option for off-roading, but like anything with trucks, it's more complicated than that. Read on to explore the differences between amber and clear lights for off-roading.

What's the Deal with Light Colors?

Before we cover which off-road lighting is the best option, it's important to understand the difference between light colors. While it may seem simple on the surface, that amber lights are, well, amber or yellow, there's more to it than that. For example, amber lights refer to a range of off-road lights that are a different shade than clear, so there's not just one amber color out there.

The main difference comes down to science, so stick with us for a second as we talk about our friend Kelvin. The Kelvin Scale is what the industry uses to describe the range of color differences that lights have. You may also see this referred to as the K Scale.

Most lights for automotive applications fall between 1,000 and 6,000 on this scale, with the lower range including more warm-colored lights, while the higher range includes blue, white, and violet. Once you get under 5,000, for example, you'll find most shades of amber-colored lights, and once you climb over 5,000 lights start getting closer to white. It's important to note that some OEM lights, typically HID and LED bulbs, can end up being closer to 7,000 or 8,000.

Amber Lights for Off-Roading

When it comes to off-roading, it's hard to beat amber lights. Whether you’re driving in the fog, snow, or thick dust, amber lights pave the way without causing an unnecessary amount of contrast. This is huge because the light won't bounce off things like snow, which can cause a massive glare.

We love amber lights for off-roading, but you have to use them properly to reap the benefits. You'll need to make sure they're below your headlights and have the appropriate lens or else they won't be very useful. For example, with the right setup and downward-facing beams, amber fog lights can compensate for water’s tendency to soak up the light on the road from clear headlights. So, while it may look cool to have an amber light bar on the roof rack of your Jeep Wrangler, stick to keeping them lower than your white lights.

The main drawback to amber fog lights is that you can't see very far with them. To combat this, make sure you slow it down out there on the trails. We know it's a ton of fun to hit the gas and get loose out there, but driving too fast can negate the benefits of amber lighting and it can even make your off-roading adventure more dangerous.

At the end of the day, make sure you aim your amber fog lights properly and turn them off when you don't need them. This will help you maximize their benefits without dealing with the drawbacks.

Clear Lights for Off-Roading

A set of amber LED lights is great for off-roading, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't have clear lights with you as well. Thankfully, most offroad vehicles have clear headlights, so it tends to come down to when you need to use them.

Headlights, obviously, should be used in the dark, but avoid using clear light in snowy conditions or situations with poor visibility. This is due to the fact that clear lights will cause more glare in these conditions, which makes it hard to see when you’re off-roading.

On the other hand, when it's dark outside, it's tough to beat clear offroad lights. LED light bars can light up the night like a Christmas tree, which is great if you’re driving on dark dirt roads that don't have any street lights.

Get the Right Lights for Your Off-Road Build

At the end of the day, clear and amber lights have their applications for off-roading. For your average off-roading adventure amber fog lights tends to be the best option as they're better at providing contrast in bad weather, but an LED light bar is also useful if you just need to see further at night as you make your way down from your favorite camping spot. Thankfully, most trucks have room to house both amber fog lights and LED headlights, light bars, or spotlights.

Whether you're driving at night and need bright LED headlights, or you need amber LED lights to help you cut through fog, you’re in the right place. Plenty of premium brands, like Raxiom, offer lighting solutions for all your off-roading needs regardless of the application. Shop online and get your truck ready to brave the trails.