Essential Nighttime Running Gear
Essential Nighttime Running Gear to Help You Be Seen and Heard
With the summer heat beating down, some runners may find the best time to run is when the sun sets and the light is somewhere between a dusky blue and a midnight black. It's at this time that hopefully some of the summer heat and humidity has diminished, allowing for better performance. However, being able to run at peak isn't the only thing to consider for those that prefer running during nighttime. Another key element to running at night is to ensure that you're safe by being visible to drivers and other athletes alike. That means wearing neon colored or other visibility enhancing fabrics as well as carrying identification with you. From shoes to clothing to accessories, our list of gear will light your way and help to keep you safe from dusk to dawn. You may want to consider several pieces of gear to maximize your visibility.Nathan Strobe Light
Price: $9.99 - Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 with 383 reviews
The Nathan Strobe Light is a small, lightweight solution that will ensure that you're seen while logging those nighttime miles. The LED bulbs cast even, white light and can be set in two modes - constant on and strobe mode which is bright and fast - in either case you won't be missed.
Because it's equipped with LED light bulbs, you can expect a long battery life to the tune of over 100 hours of illumination.
The Nathan Strobe Light also comes with a secure clip so that you can attach it easily to your clothing, belt, or just about anything that you'd want to clip it to.
It's also water-resistant making it perfect for any weather condition.
Nathan Light Spur
Price: $17.36 - Amazon Rating: 4/5 with 73 reviews
The Light Spur clips easily to the heel of your shoes. Just like the Nathan Strobe Light, it has two modes; solid, streaming light or flashing, strobe-like light. In either case you'll be clearly visible while training in low-level light.
The one complaint that some people have is that for some reviewers, the spur doesn't stay on most likely due to the shoe type. It would appear that this would work best with shoes that have a solid heel for the spur to grab onto which means most minimalist shoes probably won't be a good fit for this product.
ASICS FujiTrail Hoodie
Price: $41.00 - Amazon women/Amazon men Rating: 4.5/5 with 2 reviews
For runs when there isn't much sunlight and it's a bit chilly, the FujiTrail Hoodie is perfect to keep you visible with its 360 degree reflectivity as well as warm.
The fit is slim but not body hugging and the hoodie will cover your forehead if you want it to. Additionally, it comes with a zippered chest pocked and two envelope side pockets, making it perfect to stash your keys, ID and any other small items.
Nike Men's Dri-Fit Reflective Running Shorts
Price: $30.00+ - Amazon Rating: 4.0/5 with 12 reviews
Whether you're running day or night, these shorts are great for runners. They have mesh inserts and are made of Dri-FIT fabric to help sweat evaporate and keep you dry. The shorts also have a fitted-media player pocket and have reflective stripes at the side.
ASICS Women's Everysport II Short
Price: $15.00+ - Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 with 52 reviews
The fabric is thin and made with stretch microfiber fabric so that they fit your legs close without feeling like they're being bearhugged.
They have 100% moisture transfer liner to help keep you dry as well as mesh panels to ensure breathability and comfort. Reflective elements on the sides for added visibility.
Tuvizo Reflective Vest
Price: $15.99 - Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 with 371 reviews
The Tuvizo Reflective Vest is easy to slip onto any top, it's fully adjustable, lightweight and offers reflectiveness for the torso area, making it a great gift for any runner that likes nighttime runs.
Nightlife Mesh Cap
Price: $24.00, on sale now for $15.00 - Brooks Running Rating: 4.5/5 with 14 reviews
Great stitching on this hat and well constructed, this hat is great for both day and night. During the day, wear this hat to block the sun. At night, the silver lining on this mesh hat will shine when hit with light coming from a car's headlight, making it safer for you during a run at night.
Another great thing about this hat is because it's made of mesh, it's quite breathable and the material wicks away sweat quite well so it'll dry out quickly for your next run.
Merrell Mix Master Move 2
Price: $75.00+ - Amazon women/Amazon men Rating: 4.5/5 with 7 reviews
Great for both the road and trail running, the Merrell Mix Master has a breathable mesh, is lightweight and provides very good support and shock absorption for your feet. Not only that, but it's vegan friendly footwear!
The shoes comes with reflective details for increased visibility in low light. The Mix Master Move truly is a perfect shoe for anyone looking to transition from a beefy supportive shoe to something that's more minimalist.
ASICS Gel-Excite 2
Price: $40.00+ - Amazon women/Amazon men Rating: 4.5/5 with 923 reviews
The ASICS Gel-Excite 2 have upper mesh for breathability and the Rearfoot GEL® Cushioning System to help with shock absorption upon impact.
These sneakers are affordable, durable, comfortable and have reflective materials help keep you visible in low-light conditions.
Lock Laces Reflective Elastic No Tie Shoelaces
Price: $9.99 - Amazon Rating: 4.5/5 with 327 reviews
Don't you just hate when your shoe laces come undone during a run? Thankfully, with Lock Laces, you no longer have to double knot your laces or make a pit stop to tie them again.
The Lock Laces are basically an upgrade for your shoe laces. They use a bungee-style chord design that you custom fit to your sneaker and then lock into place with a patented locking system so that you never have to tie your sneakers again.
They're water resistant, fit any style and size of sneaker, and most importantly are reflective, making them a perfect addition for the night.
Road ID
Price: $19.99 and up - RoadID Rating: not available
Don't feel like bring your license with you? Wear a Road ID which has your contact information in case anything happens to you while on a run.
The Road ID 's main band consists of a nylon material that's comfortable against your skin and washable in case you smell it up with your sweat. Additionally, two strips of 3M Scotchlite reflective material are stitched into band to help reflect oncoming light and provide additional visibility in low light situations.
If you carry your phone with you while running, then you can additionally, or instead, download the free Road ID app which will display your emergency contact info even in a situation where your phone is locked. The app also comes with a feature called eCrumb (iTunes/Android) that allows your family or friends to track you during a run.
Runbell
Price: $25.00 - Amazon Rating: 5/5 with 9 reviews
The latest must-have fitness accessory for urban runners as written by Outside. The Runbell is lightweight, adjustable to fit all hand sizes and stylish. It features a higher quality brass bell to create a loud, but pleasant ring that will alert any runners along the way at night.
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Evan
February 11, 2016
Thanks for the advice. I needed some help finding good things to wear at night while I run. I was wondering if there was anything that would work to clip onto a baseball cap because that seems practical and turns with the movement of your head.