Visibility in the Dark – See and Be Seen

As the days start to get shorter, runners are more likely to be training in the dark. One of the biggest safety issues is visibility. This means both visibility OF you and FOR you. 

Be Seen

Many runners overestimate how visible they are when out dark. Cars are generally the biggest concern; however, visibility can also be important so that other walkers, runners, and even cyclists see you.

Brightly colored clothing – This is not the best answer and should only be used as a complement to other options. Bright clothing is only useful at a very close distance when light shines directly on the clothes. It generally will not provide enough time for a reaction from a car and it has limited utility for other encounters.

Reflective vests – Designed to catch and reflect light, these have a slightly longer useful range. BUT these only work when a light source is available. So this is predicated on a car with headlights catching the reflectiveness and having time to react. This also will not help with other runners, walkers, etc. unless they have a light.

Light up vests/belts – This is your best option. You want something that actively gives off light and can be seen from multiple angles (e.g. from the front and from behind). The lights increase the distance of visibility so someone will notice you from much farther away and will also ensure you are visible even when there are no other light sources present. 

So You can See

The other aspect of visibility is your ability to see where you are going. It’s possible your route is entirely lighted, but most people need an additional light source, particularly as we go into the winter when there may be snow and ice on the ground. Options include a headlight, chest mounted light, or a hand held.

Your visibility gear is one of the most essential pieces of gear to add to your running arsenal. 

What do I use? I love my Noxgear Tracer vest with the clip in lamp. My erstwhile running partner has her own set of visibility gear to keep us both safe out on our run. I actually became a brand ambassador because I loved my gear so much so feel free to use my link https://www.noxgear.com/ref/mileaftermile/ (I do get a small commission if you click through).