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15 Reflective Gear & Visibility Essentials To Stay Safe Running At Night

by Sportitude

After your 9am-5pm workday is done and dusted, you may be among the runners that love to lace up. Running after work can be the perfect time to ‘run off’ the day’s stress as part of your self-care routine, to reconnect to your body after sitting stationary at an office desk or to train for your next marathon or triathlon. 

If you aren’t an early riser, running in the evening or night may be your only opportunity to set aside time to do what you love – running – during the week.

With daylight savings having ended in the first week of April and stealing a precious hour of daylight as the clocks turned back an hour, you may be wondering how you can stay on track of your running routine when natural light isn’t in your favour.

The solution? Be your own light.

Advancements in reflective gear and visibility accessories have been a game-changer for runners. It’s liberating to be able to sweat under the stars without hesitation – and that power comes with preparation.

To kick-off your love of night running, we’ve put together a list of the best reflective gear and visibility accessories from head-to-toe to wear when running at night. Firstly, we’ll dive into the difference between passive visibility and active visibility to work out which is the most effective for you.

Passive Visibility: Reflective gear

Reflective (also called retro-reflective) is a type of passive light source. It refers to the ability of gear or clothing to shine a light source back to where it originated – essentially acting as a mirror for light. Reflective fabric relies on an external light source such as vehicle headlights. Specialised glass beads in the fabric capture this light and bounce it back.

Reflective materials are designed to produce a focused light rather than a scattered light – meaning the light of a runner wearing reflective gear will appear bright and direct to a driver at night with their headlights on, ensuring you’re more easily seen compared to a spread out but lower intensity source of light.

Reflective logos, stripes or patterns are often features of running clothing designed for running at night – and even better when they’re paired with hi-vis, fluorescent or neon colours like vivid yellows, greens and pinks. They may be either hand washable or machine washable, although the reflective qualities can diminish over time with regular use, and a cold, delicate wash is usually recommended.

Reflective gear is very effective at night when in an external light source like headlights, streetlights or a torch. Keep in mind that reflective gear is not glow-in-the-dark. Without an external light source to activate reflectivity, reflective materials have nothing to shine back – they do not create light on their own.

This generally isn’t a problem when road running at night, as the goal primarily is to stand out to vehicles which naturally will have their headlights on. Alternatively, imagine if you were trail running at night – without an external light source, you could be wearing reflective gear but still be ‘invisible’ until a fellow trail runner passed by with a headlamp to activate the reflective properties. That's why a combination of reflective details and bright coloured clothing is key.

Active Visibility: Battery-powered lights

Other running visibility accessories may have an in-built or internal light source, offering active visibility. These portable light sources like LED lights or headlamps run off a battery. Unlike reflective materials, they’re able to create their own light rather than relying on external light sources to shine.

When road running, it’s just as important that pedestrians, cyclists and drivers can see you, as it is that you can see the road in front of your feet – it’s purely a matter of safety.

Think about vehicle headlights – they allow you as the driver to see further in front of you with a consistent, reliable source of light, while making your presence known to other road users. The idea behind a running headlamp is much the same. This makes headlamps valuable for any situation when light levels are low from dawn till dusk and road to trail – allowing you to see and be seen.

Contrast and movement are key factors in determining your ease of visibility to those around you. In terms of contrast, the brighter or higher the lumens, the easier you’re able to be seen from a distance.

Battery-powered accessories that offer the option of both a constant or flashing light can be beneficial to make you easily spotted by other road users. A flashing light typically catches the eye more immediately – providing contrast against the night and a sense of movement from the flashing action. We’ll put the spotlight on Glimmer Gear visibility accessories that have this feature later in this blog.

Now to dive into visibility accessories and reflective gear you can wear on your night runs from head-to-toe to boost your safety, confidence and to keep you inspired to move. 

What to wear running at night from head-to-toe

Headwear

1. Halo V Illuminator – Reflective SweatBlock Headband

High reflectivity and moisture-wicking power rolled into one, the Halo V Illuminator Reflective SweatBlock headband keeps you safe, seen and sweat free during your night runs.

Microscopic glass bead technology comes to life when reflecting vehicle headlights. It illuminates with vibrant white light to make your presence known to drivers so they can react safely.

Quick-drying Dryline fabric and SweatBlock technology work in harmony to capture sweat on your forehead and transfer it away for fast evaporation, so your vision stays clear and your skin stays dry.

2.  1000 Mile UP Reflective Running Beanie

The 1000 Mile UP Reflective running beanie tops off your night running wardrobe with cosy vibes. This buttery-soft beanie transforms in vehicle headlights and external light sources. The monochrome print comes alive with multi-colour, vibrant light to increase your visibility through reflectivity.

A moisture-wicking design keeps you dry and comfortable from dusk till dawn. The performance fabric helps regulate your body temperature when sunny days give way to chilly nights.

3. Proviz Reflect 360 Running Cap

By day, the Proviz Reflect 360 running cap is grey in colour and offers on-the-go shade to run safely under the sun. By night, the light-capturing fabric reflects vehicle headlights back like a mirror, turning the running cap bright white so you’re easily seen by traffic.

It’s not just a strip of reflective material either – the running cap is 100% reflective.

This reflective performance fabric has a light and breathable design that prevents heat and humidity from becoming trapped beneath your running cap. It offers an adjustable and stay-put fit for any pace or distance.

Upper Body

4. Proviz Reflect 360 Running X-Vest

Functioning on the same principle as the Proviz Reflect 360 running cap above, the Proviz Reflect 360 running x-vest is embedded with millions of reflective beads that illuminate with bright white light when captured in the light of streetlights or vehicle headlights.

Ideal for both cyclists and runners, this technical fabric with eye-catching reflective technology allows you to be easily seen from both the front and back. It features a non-restrictive fit and feather-light mesh for breathability.

5. Proviz Reflect 360 Women's Running Jacket & Proviz Reflect 360 Men's Running Jacket

Windproof coverage meets eye-catching reflectivity in the Proviz Reflect 360 jacket. This lightweight and reflective shell is your confidence-inspiring layer for night running.

Stay seen from all angles while staying comfortable. A mesh back and underarms provide breathability in these sweat-prone zones without compromise to coverage.

Full zip closure helps keep the chill out while offering customised ventilation, and an elastic waist hugs snugly to your body for a stay-put fit.

6. Proviz Reflect 360 Women's Short Sleeve Running T-Shirt

Wearing visibility accessories doesn’t have to be a big deal or a burden. It doesn’t even have to take any more thought than throwing on a t-shirt before heading outside!

Day or night, the Proviz Reflect 360 women's short sleeve running t-shirt keeps you ready to run. It combines a soft and luxurious feel against your skin with eye-catching elements that turn bright white when reflecting vehicle headlights.

Performance polyester offers sweat-wicking power to keep you dry, fresh and focused on your run.

When the chill weather calls for extra coverage, check out the Proviz Reflect360 women's long sleeve running top.

For a hi-vis style, check out the Proviz Active Hi-Vis women's running t-shirt.

7. Ronhill Nightrunner Reflective Men’s Long Sleeve Running Top

The 360-degree reflectivity of the Ronhill Life Nightrunner shines brightly in vehicle headlights and streetlights to keep you noticed by other road users, so you can run strong and confidently in low light conditions.

It provides long sleeve coverage for extra warmth during your chiller night runs. Breathable and moisture-wicking performance fabric prevents sweat from weighing you down when your run heats up. The fabric is made of recycled polyester, making it a win-win for eco-conscious runners that want their carbon footprint to be lighter on the environment.

Lower Body

8. CEP Reflective Compression Calf Sleeves & CEP Reflective Mid Cut Running Socks

Day or night, the CEP Reflective Compression calf sleeves empower you to run stronger for longer. Packing powerful compression into a sleek, second-skin fit, these calf sleeves help stabilise your muscles to run more efficiently while warding off fatigue.

Like the CEP Reflective Mid Cut running socks, they offer 360-degree reflectivity that ignites into life when exposed to external light sources - helping you run confidently at night. Whether you're marathon training or working towards a parkrun PB - you don't have to hesitate when you next lace up.

These CEP calf sleeves and anti-blister running socks keep you primed to perform with moisture and heat management properties, while helping you shine on your night runs. The combination of advanced compression and reflective technology put them on the radar for serious runners or anyone seeking to light up their road sessions.

9. 2XU MCS Light Speed Run Women's Compression Tights & 2XU MCS Light Speed Run Men's Compression Tights

Eye-catching reflective logos make the 2XU MCS Light Speed running tights stand out from the pack. They increase your visibility in low light conditions when the reflective elements are captured in vehicle headlights or streetlamps, mirroring the light back to stay safe and seen.

Alongside wearable reflectivity, these compression tights support your goals with Muscle Containment Stamping helping reduce the load of stress acting on your key muscle groups during your runs. Graduated compression supports performance and recovery by increasing the transport of oxygen-rich blood to your muscles.

Moisture-wicking yarns and functional pockets ensure they tick off all the criteria for your go-to running tights that can go the distance – day or night.

Reflective & Visibility Accessories

10. Glimmer Gear LED High Visibility Slap Band

Slap on and go! The Glimmer Gear LED High Visibility slap band injects the fun, light and colour into your runs to stay visible in low light conditions or in cloudy weather.

The LED slap band can be seen up to 500 metres away and the fabric is water-resistant – making it a must-have to increase your safety during night runs and in less-than-ideal conditions like running in the cold and rain.

The one-size-fits-all design curls easily around your wrist, ankle or upper arm to wear it your way. This means when your arms pump or your legs move while running, the combination of movement and bright light will catch the eyes of drivers, pedestrians and cyclists even more effectively than bright light alone. You can even strap it to your running waistpack or hydration pack.

It’s easy to toggle between Solid, Flash or Off settings with a push of a button. With multiple colours to choose from you can stand out while showing off a flash of personality. 

11. Glimmer Gear LED High Visibility Arm Sleeves

Compression sleeves that are made to be seen, the Glimmer Gear LED High Visibility arm sleeves feature an interior pocket with removable and flexible red LED strip to catch the eyes of road users as your arms pump on your runs. It offers 3 settings - Constant, Fast Flash or Slow Flash – to stand out from the night.

Alongside the visibility features, they give you everything you want out of an arm sleeve. Moisture-wicking and quick-drying Coolmax polyester keeps your skin dry and fresh. Anti-bacterial properties ensure your arms stay in a healthy environment.

A lightweight design with a stretchy, non-restrictive fit ensures you can maintain proper running form and move naturally during your day and night runs.

12. 1000 Mile UP Reflective Running Gloves

The 1000 Mile UP Reflective running gloves double up in benefits - keeping your hands toasty warm during autumn or winter runs while boosting your visibility with an ultra-reflective print.

They have a stylish monochrome look by day, and by night the print illuminates into vibrant colour when reflecting headlights – making you easily spotted by other road users.

Stay connected on the run with a touchscreen-friendly pad on the index fingers. When the intensity rises, the soft-wipe thumb back panels let you wipe away sweat from sensitive skin for zero distractions.

13. 1000 Mile UP Fitness Running Waistpack

Now in a reflective colourway, the 1000 Mile UP Fitness running waistpack is your secret to wearing your essentials on-the-run while staying safe and seen.

The stretchy performance fabric hugs smoothly to your body for a chafe-free and bounce-free fit. A sweat-wicking design ensures you can focus on crushing your personal best without feeling weighed down.

Multiple compartments lock in your essentials like running nutrition and makes them easily accessible. It even includes a convenient key clip in the pocket to prevent your keys from running off without you.

14. Proviz Y-Fumble Reflective Arm Pocket & 1000 Mile UP Ridgeway Smartphone Armband

The Proviz Y-Fumble Reflective arm pocket provides a safe home for your phone and personal accessories while helping you to shine on your night runs. This lightweight running armband packs in an unmissable light-reflecting Proviz logo and details to elevate your safety when running in the dark.

The smooth, irritation-free fabric and stretchy fit makes it a phone armband you can slide on and forget about with its barely there feel. You can pump your arms freely during your runs without risk of chafing thanks to the strap-free design.

If you want to add a vibrant pop of colour to your running wardrobe to help stay noticed, the 1000 Mile UP Ridgeway Smartphone armband is another eye-catching option - complete with reflective trim for peace of mind during your night runs.

The water-resistant design creates a safe home for your smartphone even during rainy training sessions. Made of flexible performance fabric, it offers a contoured fit and smooth touch. A small key pocket and discreet credit card holder provides added convenience.

15. Safety Skin Reflective Silver Spread - 42.5g Stick

Reflectivity that glides on like a deodorant stick! The Safety Skin Reflective Silver spread allows you to be the master of staying safe and seen during your night runs. It can be applied to exposed skin - like your arms or legs or even your running clothing smoothly and easily.

This rain and sweat-resistant formula illuminates with vivid silver light when capturing the light of vehicle headlights or streetlights. When your running adventure is done and dusted for the night, you can remove it easily with a wet wipe or soap and water.

It's an easy way to brighten up your workout wardrobe to turn night running into your healthy habit.

16. Ultimate Performance Reflective Elastic Running/Triathlon Shoe Laces

We snuck in a #16 in our top reflective gear list, because the little essentials can make a world of difference.

The UP Reflective Elastic running/triathlon shoe laces turn any running shoes into reflective footwear. They give you peace of mind from heel-to-toe knowing that in low light conditions, this reflective technology will keep you more easily spotted in the headlights of vehicles.

Not only do they inject the fun into your night runs and boost your visibility with the high-vis fleck, but they make lacing up quick and easy - giving you everything you want out of your shoe laces.

The tie-free, elastic bungee cord system features a spring-loaded lock for a secure, hassle-free fit. From road to triathlon to trail, these speed laces maintain tension throughout action-packed days and prevent your shoe laces from becoming a trip hazard.

With vibrant or discreet colours to choose from, you can find the ideal match for every running shoe in your shoe rotation.

The Wrap Up

Your safety comes first and foremost every time you lace up. It's important to put realistic and practical strategies in place to stay safe while running, but this doesn't need to slow you down.

When it comes to road running, your ability to see and be seen is a critical aspect of your safety – both when you’re running from dusk to dawn or in daylight. Whether you choose reflective clothing for passive visibility, battery-powered accessories for active visibility or a combination of the two, wearing visibility gear is a vital part of preparing to run in low light conditions.

Even when there is plenty of natural light, wearing bright, vivid colours is beneficial to stand out from road surfaces. Make it a healthy habit to strap on a high-visibility wristband and headlamp or to throw on a reflective running cap, running t-shirt and running socks when running in the low light hours of the early morning and night.

With so many ways to stand out, wearing visibility accessories isn’t an inconvenience, but a means of empowerment to stay motivated to run even when the sun goes to sleep. The more visible you are, the safer you are – not to mention that wearing visibility gear from head-to-toe is fun and it feels invigorating to run in the cool night air and have no limits to your training. 

Shine on, stay safe and happy running!


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