Anyone have any recommendations for a reflective vest for running now that sunset is so early?
I was looking at this one or maybe this one with a pocket. I’ll be getting a flashing light for the back, and I use my headlamp for the front.
Any other hints/suggestions for night running are welcome.
The second one with the pocket looks good. Pair it with these mini light leg bands.
You can never be too visible.
I used to carry a MiniMagLight, helps you see the road, the movement helps you be seen and you can direct the beam at any driver who looks like he’s drifting too close or might not see you while pulling out of a driveway.
I bought a Brooks reflective vest for about $10; there’s a couple of similar models on your website, dayglo yellow mesh with reflective patches.
Big reflective strips on parts of your body that move around a lot are good - you can get reflective wristbands and ankle bands for a few dollars (some of them double as key holders). Alternately, get some runners gloves that have lots of reflective surface, and Nathan makes arm sleeves that have a long reflective stripe going the length of the arm.
Frankly, you want the most garish stuff possible - if drivers are thinking “Look at all the reflective crap on that idiot!” then they’ve seen you and are much less likely to run you over.
Definitely use the flashing red light on your back and get a small LED headlamp. For night trail running I often carry an additional small LED flashlight but on streets a regular headlamp seems to be plenty.
If you have to run in the street (as opposed to the sidewalk) then nighttime is when you may be better off running against traffic, because you can see oncoming cars and get out of their way. I try and stick to sidewalks, myself.
I’ll be mostly on sidewalks or the path around the Charles River, but I will have to cross streets from time to time. I haven’t run through the winter so I’m not sure if the sidewalks near work are cleared well enough to run on, but if they’re not I’ll find somewhere else to run.
I was able to pick up a headlamp on the cheap in the automotive section of Target if you don’t already have one.
I haven’t priced them out, but my instincts tell me they usually charge you out the ass for stuff like that at a running specialty store, but it was maybe $10 at target.
I have several headlamps from hiking, that’s not a problem. I have some flashing lights from biking, but I think I’ll get a few for the vest and just leave them on there permanently. I haven’t decided on the light bands yet, but I’ll get a hat with illuminite.
Tip to avoid minor annoyance - clip your flashing red light to your waistband, not your vest. Unless your vest fits close and tight the light will bounce around and hit you, it’s a small thing that gets annoying pretty fast.
Here’s the wrist/ankle bands I have:
The first time I wore them out on a night run a car came cruising by and the passenger yelled out the window “Good safety gear!” so they definitely stick out.
I have some biking reflective ankle bands that would work just fine.
Illuminite is not as effective at the angles typical of a car in the road and a runner on the sidewalk/shoulder.