With the annual end of daylight savings, morning outings become profiles of determination to clamber out of a snuggly bed. Evening runs or rides may jibe with drivers heading home from work or school activities. Both times are dark, cold and potentially unsafe, which is why wearing good safety reflective gear should be a top consideration.
It’s bad enough for cyclists and runners when drivers don’t pay attention, are distracted, or closely speed by during daylight hours. Add the element of darkness, and maybe a runner or rider wearing dark clothing, and the potential risks are magnified.
Many cyclists today use lights on the front and rear of their bikes. These tiny LED lights, usually red or bright white, offer some illumination for the rider. But they’re possibly most valuable to alert others to your presence. These little powerhouse lights stand out quite well in dim or dark conditions. A static light is noticeable, but the blinking really gets the attention. Most use a white light on front — it illuminates — and red on the rear, usually the seat post. This also mimics a vehicle’s light setup.
Runners don’t necessarily need white on front, red on rear when they’re toodling along. A white headlamp or waistlamp usually is enough since it’s bouncing around a bit. That gets attention. As well, the reflective vests, either lighted or with some kind of shiny, reflective design, also are good to wear. Combine both, and maybe a shirt, cap or jacket with reflective strips, and you should be quite visible.
Here are some top illuminators and other reflective gear to consider for nocturnal outings:
Garmin Varia RCT715
Illumination? Check. Camera with wide-angle lens to see vehicles behind you? Um, yes, please, because if you’re riding and can get video of some jackleg going full stupid, that’s good for you.
The Varia RCT715 comes with a rearview radar, camera and light that helps drivers see you as you’re riding. The camera and radar continuously records and automatically saves footage if it detects an incident. It works with the easy-to-use smartphone app, so video is saved no matter what. You can make adjustments via the app, too, and the light is bright enough to be visible in myriad conditions.
The kit comes with the RCT715, mounting kit and charging cable. A full charge provides about four hours of solid or night flash and six hours of day flash (all with 1080p recording). See it here
Giant Recon Lights
Small but powerful, the Recon HL100 and Recon TL100 combo from Giant are super, multi-function lights for day or night use with solid output.
These lights are about the size of a cube of cheese, maybe a smidge bigger. They easily attach to your handlebars or seat post with an adjustable rubber notch-strap. They’re waterproof, too, so cloudy or rainy-drizzly days aren’t a problem.
Light output is max 100 lumens, and each has side-light design for more than 180 degrees of visibility. They come with a power status indicator and alert, are compatible with several different helmets, and at just $65 are a solid investment. Might as well buy two sets and have a backup in the rack bag or at home. See them here
Brooks Run Visible
This lineup has changed a bit in the last year, going from vivid chartreuse coloring to “Fluro Flash” orange (as seen in the main photo above). No big deal, though, because the Run Visible line is easy to spot. Reflective strips in the apparel and shoes make you stand out even more.
Brooks offers several shoes in the Run Visible line, including the fantastic Ghost 16 and Glyceryn 21 everyday models. Other items include tights, jackets, vests, insulated and uninsulated items, shirts, headwear and gloves.
There’s just enough reflective striping in these, along with the lab-tested Fluro Flash orange, to help you stand out. See them here.
Noxgear Vests
It’s fairly impossible to miss a runner or rider wearing a Noxgear vest, which stands out like a classic neon sign of the olden days. Who imagined that reflective gear like this could be fun?
The rechargable battery-powered vests have 360-degree visibility up to a quarter-mile and are waterproof. Need to get your run or ride in the rain or snow? You’ll be seen. The vests are adjustable, comfortable, lightweight and fit a range of body sizes, including us Clydesdales and Athenas.
At a Huntsville Pub Run last February at Back Forty Brewing, several runners had the Noxgear vests on. They were easily visible in the dim-dark evening toodle, and that’s a good thing. See them here.
Amphipod Optic Beam
If you’re not into vests, take a look at the Amphipod Optic Beam belt that can be worn around the waist or like a sling bag.
With 360-degree visibility, the Optic Beam comes in four colors: Neon White, Neon Hi-Viz, Neon Orange and Neon Pink. I’ve seen these at The Running Event trade show and elsewhere, and they really stand out. Like, “Wow!” standing out.
The Xinglet Optic technology weighs less than 3 ounces. It’s not going to be in the way. The 360-degree LED has color mode options along with quick flash, slow flash and solid modes. A charging cable is included for the teeny battery. Run time is about six hours on flash and three on solid. See them here.
Sprints Caps
If you want something simple yet reflective and don’t want to wear or carry a light, the fun Sprints caps will make your bouncing melon stand out.
Sprints has grown to now offer a variety of products, from car seat covers (very nice!) to caps and other apparel. One to consider for nighttime outings is the Neon Flash Reflective OG cap.
It comes in chartreuse, white, azure, orange and pink, along with some other designs. Reflective gear couldn’t be much more simple. They’re fun and comfortable, too.
The reflective design stands out just enough at night, and the bright colors also are quite visible during daytime. See them here.
UltrAspire Vest
Yes, another vest, but this Neon Reflective Vest from UltrAspire is so well-designed that you might think, “Dang! Too much!” but you’d be wrong. It’s jammed with features that can help during a run or ride, should you need them.
For starters, the vest has 360-degree reflectivity and is designed on UltrAspire’s Ergo X Harness model. This over-the-head system puts the load on your shoulders. You’ll be fine; it weighs less than 3 ounces. The vest includes a front pocket large enough for a phone or water bottle, inside pocket with key clip and soft perimeter binding for comfort. It also has an attachment for UltrAspire’s Lumen Clip 180 light.
Should you want a waistlamp, either solo or to combine with a headlamp, consider the UltrAspire line. It includes models from $60 with 200 lumens to $200 for a blinding 800 lumens. See the lights here and the vest here.
Nathan Reflective Slap Bands
If you’re Mike or Melissa Minimalist and want something simple, the Nathan Reflective Slap Bands are just right up your alley.
Those of a certain age may remember these from grade school. They roll up to almost nothing but when stretched and flexed, can then wrap around a wrist, arm, ankle, bike handlebars, pants loop or other item. Maybe the snap strip in the back of a cap. Lot of options.
They come in Hi-Viz Yellow and Orange Watch and cost just $10 (2 per pack). This easy-to-use reflective gear fit everyone from kids to Great-Granny Myrtle joining you for the holiday walk. They’re reflective to 400 feet. See them here.
