Night Runners

DawnVanSlim
DawnVanSlim Posts: 10,468 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
What is your "must have" gear for nighttime running?

I ran last night from 7pm-8pm. I did wear my long-sleeved running shirt which has 2 reflective strips on the back. Other than that, the only thing that made me visible was my iPhone strapped on my arm with my armband. I kept the display lit the entire time. I still didn't feel very visible to traffic.

Daylight savings time will be here soon, and it will be dark by 4:30pm. This means a lot of dark/night running. So share with me your favorite night time running gear, and where to get it.

Thanks!

Replies

  • omma_to_3
    omma_to_3 Posts: 3,265 Member
    I'd like to know too. I run in a park, so being visible isn't my issue...but that means there aren't any street lights. I think I need a head lamp!
  • jojo98mu
    jojo98mu Posts: 20 Member
    I wear a headlamp, they are very inexpensive, about $15. I turn on the red light at dusk and once it gets darker I switch to the white light and point it at the ground in front of me. I got my headlamnp at Kohls last year around Christmas but I saw one at AutoZone the other day, it was also $15. You won't even feel it on your head if you wear it with a hat.
  • madworld1
    madworld1 Posts: 524
    I'm a day runner myself. But, I have to chime in on this thread because we just moved to an area with a buttload of night runners. I go to school twice a week and don't get home until dark. It never fails, I see runner shadows in the nick of time. Many of them wear ALL black. Wtf? If you run at night wear something visible-- please. Academy has some great reflective clothing.
  • PurpleTina
    PurpleTina Posts: 390 Member
    My Brooks hi-viz running jacket, bought from Sports Shoes dot com a couple of weeks ago. Very visible, breathable and comfortable to boot. Oh, and a group of other people whenever possible; a load of ladies in luminous pink and yellow stand out more than a lone bod.
  • scottb81
    scottb81 Posts: 2,538 Member
    For night running on roads I personally believe a small blinking LED light that's clipped to your body is a must to be sure that cars see you from a long way off. If you want to be able to see the road in front of you then a hat with a bill to block car headlights and a headlamp work well.
  • robpett2001
    robpett2001 Posts: 320 Member
    ...a hat with a bill to block car headlights...

    Oh cool, that's a great suggestion.

    Here's a runners headlamp I'm contemplating (the guy on leadfeet.com recommended it in an interview):
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003DQZ7WY/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_6?ie=UTF8&smid=A2Y00PJ965TIMN

    Anyone have experience to comment on whether it's worth the $40-60 to get a runner's headlamp like this, or is the $15 camper's headlamp mentioned earlier just as easy-on-the-head?
  • jojo98mu
    jojo98mu Posts: 20 Member
    @robpett2001, I've been using the a regular head lamp for years, if you are wearing at hat you dont even feel it, so I wouldn't spend the extra money.

    The one I use looks almost exactly like this...http://www.amazon.com/Energizer®-7-LED-Industrial-Headlight/dp/B00352O79U/ref=sr_1_22?s=outdoor-recreation&ie=UTF8&qid=1351024942&sr=1-22.

    I have used this headlamp, with a hat, through two Ragnar Relays, it worked great, save your money.
  • iplayoutside19
    iplayoutside19 Posts: 2,304 Member
    I do the majority of my running in the dark, even in the summer. For $5 at most big box stores you can get what I call a "City Worker Guy" Vest, and while you're at said big box store you can get a decent headlamp for $15. I wear this stuff when I'm running on the road with traffic. Most of the time I run on a paved trail and just wear something light in color, and ditch headlamp if I'm familiar with the trail. If on an unpaved trail I absolutly use the headlamp.
  • MostlyWater
    MostlyWater Posts: 4,294 Member
    I would like something reflective; I run in the morning when it's still dark. I don't want a whole vest though, but if it were weighted, that'd be good ...
  • phillieschic
    phillieschic Posts: 615
    Unfortunately, the darkness, for me, means hitting my treadmill for the season...gotta do what ya gotta do! Good luck! :drinker:
  • Im_NotPerfect
    Im_NotPerfect Posts: 2,181 Member
    I run at 5 AM when it's pitch black. I have a reflective vest that I wear over a light colored shirt. I also have a finger flash light (4 pack at Sears) that I wear just for visibility. I also have a blinker, but haven't found a decent place to clip it yet where it doesn't fall off.
  • healthynotthin
    healthynotthin Posts: 223 Member
    I generally rely on my glowy white stomach between my sports bra and my shorts to make me visible ;)

    In all seriousness... usually I make sure my shirt is white and I'm wearing my bright blue running shorts. As long as I'm not wearing any black, I've had no trouble being seen. Good luck!
  • josh0403
    josh0403 Posts: 15 Member
    I've got a pair of Knuckle Lights that I use which work great.
    http://www.knucklelights.com/

    Also I usally clip a small flashing LED to the back waistband (I think it's Nathan brand).
  • amberlykay1014
    amberlykay1014 Posts: 608 Member
    Headlamp (I like Black Diamond and Petzl)
    Reflective Clothing
    Pepper Spray

    Look for a local running store and I'm sure they'd love to show you what gear works best for what you need. Enjoy!
  • bsix3
    bsix3 Posts: 291
    What is your "must have" gear for nighttime running?

    I ran last night from 7pm-8pm. I did wear my long-sleeved running shirt which has 2 reflective strips on the back. Other than that, the only thing that made me visible was my iPhone strapped on my arm with my armband. I kept the display lit the entire time. I still didn't feel very visible to traffic.

    Daylight savings time will be here soon, and it will be dark by 4:30pm. This means a lot of dark/night running. So share with me your favorite night time running gear, and where to get it.

    Thanks!

    a good mosquito repellent always helps here in TX.
  • dani731
    dani731 Posts: 9 Member
    Reflective laces http://www.roadid.com/Common/LearnMore.aspx?PID=8

    They have a few other visibility items that would work http://www.roadid.com/Common/Catalog.aspx?C=Firefly#8
  • zombiesama
    zombiesama Posts: 755 Member
    Ipod connected by an arm band, and my asp.
  • penrbrown
    penrbrown Posts: 2,685 Member
    I never used to give this any thought at all until I was driving home one night and a runner on the side of the road SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF ME!

    I didn't hit her or even come close but good grief...

    Now I try to wear some kind of reflective material. If nothing else then to save drivers from having heart attacks.
  • LesleeBeAlive
    LesleeBeAlive Posts: 504
    We have street light every where so, it't not too dark. Shorts and a hoodie for clothing :)
  • KLo924
    KLo924 Posts: 379 Member
    bump :drinker:
  • Eric53066
    Eric53066 Posts: 46 Member
    I've been casually looking at lightweight running jackets that have reflective stripes on them as well as zippers for venting.

    You'd think where you are you'd be more concerned with running in the snow. :p
  • DawnVanSlim
    DawnVanSlim Posts: 10,468 Member
    Thanks for all the info. Now it's time to go shopping :drinker:
  • suzibanshee
    suzibanshee Posts: 62 Member
    reflective (arm or ankle) bands - purchased mine on ebay, cheap.
  • Karrie262
    Karrie262 Posts: 152 Member
    Must haves are pepper spray and a knife! lol! I was at the running store a bit ago and they have reflective jackets where the sleeves come off and the jacket turns into a vest if you get too hot (sleeves are attached with magnets so they just come right off!!) Here, I found the link. The jacket has a pocket in the back so you can just stuff the sleeves in there. Presto, vesto!

    http://www.sugoi.com/usa/run/men/outerwear/versa-jacket-2.html
  • biobreak
    biobreak Posts: 33 Member
    Before I did Ragnar last year, I used to groan when my husband encouraged me to wear a reflective vest and headlamp. After Ragnar (where such gear, plus a blinking taillight, was required), I wouldn't consider running in the dark without them. I'm also coveting the crazy cool highly visible/reflective gear from here: http://www.relaxreflect.com/store/competitors/women.aspx.
  • DawnVanSlim
    DawnVanSlim Posts: 10,468 Member
    Before I did Ragnar last year, I used to groan when my husband encouraged me to wear a reflective vest and headlamp. After Ragnar (where such gear, plus a blinking taillight, was required), I wouldn't consider running in the dark without them. I'm also coveting the crazy cool highly visible/reflective gear from here: http://www.relaxreflect.com/store/competitors/women.aspx.

    Thanks for that website, that reflective gear looks awesome!
  • waldo56
    waldo56 Posts: 1,861 Member
    Nothing special.

    I feel it is far safer to run at night. Cars are easy to spot from a long distance. The best was to not get hit by cars is to get completely out of their way and expect that they don't see you. This is far easier to do when you can see them coming from a long way off. You also don't have to look back near as often, headlights broadcast the position of cars behind you from afar.
  • 4flamingoz
    4flamingoz Posts: 214 Member
    Head lamp and blinking lights that pin onto my jacket-front and back
  • penrbrown
    penrbrown Posts: 2,685 Member
    Nothing special.

    I feel it is far safer to run at night. Cars are easy to spot from a long distance. The best was to not get hit by cars is to get completely out of their way and expect that they don't see you. This is far easier to do when you can see them coming from a long way off. You also don't have to look back near as often, headlights broadcast the position of cars behind you from afar.

    That's actually a really good point. Smart running is aware running. Know your surroundings. Be proactive not reactive.

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