This week I joined a new group for an early-morning run and showed up underdressed; not for the chilly 34 degrees, but rather the darkness. As we took off down the trail, my running partners were lit up like Christmas trees (in the reflective sense, of course). While I was fortunate to be surrounded by their light, I knew I had some shopping to do. I contacted a few running stores around the country to ask what they recommended to see and be seen in the dark:

Jason from Boulder Running Company in Colorado recommends the Nike Vapor Flash Jacket ($349.95). “It has about 60 percent more reflective material on it than other jackets of its kind, and truly stands out in the dark,” he says. “I’ve used it around my house in the early morning and it really is bright!”

In Eden Prairie, Minnesota, at Twin Cities Running Company, Adam likes the Saucony Ulti-Mitt II ViZiPro ($35.95) that keep hands warm with DryLete material inside and a pull-over mitt with a rechargeable USB_LED for a show of hands in the dark. The Brooks Nightlife II Jacket ($100) offers 360-degree reflection, and the Petzl Tikka XP Headlamp (about $55) can light the way up to 60 meters in maximum mode and for 160 hours in economic mode.

Becca and Dana from Jack Rabbit Sports in New York City like the Saucony ViziPro Drylete Sportop ($70), which not only catches your eye with its pretty colors, the color itself includes reflection. They say two accessories that sell well at the store are the Amphipod Micro-Light Flashing LED Arm/Ankle Band ($15.95) that’s easy to get on and off, and the Nathan Wrist Runner (about $10), which in addition to offering reflection has a double-fold pocket and a hidden key pocket.

Travis from Salt Lake Running Company in Utah says their most popular item is the Amphipod Xinglet Pocket Reflective Vest ($30). “The way it straps over the body it creates a natural-looking silhouette that drivers recognize immediately as a person,” he says. Travis also recommends the small, simple, and inexpensive Nathan LED Clip-on Safety Strobe ($7). “When driving, red lights indicate the rear and white lights indicate the front of a car. Since it is a red LED we recommend putting it on the back of the runners to allow cars coming up behind them to know that the runner is facing away from them.” 

—Kara Thom, Runner’s World Reporter

Photo of Nike Vapor Flash Jacket courtesy of Jason Halberstadt; Photo of Amphipod Xinglet Pocket Reflective Vest and Saucony ViziPro Drylete Sportop Courtesy of Manufacturers