How to Run Safely at Night
This post was written by Coach Chris Knighton.
Run Safely at Night
As I write this, it is the winter-solstice and here in New England, the days are short. At this time of year, many of us find ourselves stuck inside during the fleeting daylight hours performing our work, school, and family obligations. Running in the dark becomes the norm for those who head out either before or after work, and we start to wonder how to run safely at night.
Running in the dark poses unique safety challenges, but can be a wonderful experience once you become comfortable with it. A run at night can be very peaceful, quiet, and make us feel fast and free.
The routes we run at night may be very different than those we run during the day, but if we can see and be seen, we will be much more confident whenever running at night.
In this article, I will share my insight and experience with lights and reflective gear we can use to make running safer and more enjoyable at night.
Don’t be a nighttime ninja! Be bright!
Lights for Running Safely at Night
When it’s dark outside, bringing your own light opens up a world of possibilities for running at night. With the right light, you can fully illuminate any trail, path, or road. And while you hopefully will never need it, a blindingly-strong light can also be a powerful tool for self-defense.
The three main choices runners have to light up their way are headlamps, flashlights, and hip belts.
Running Headlamps
Benefits: Hands-free. This is a big one.
Drawbacks: Headlamps can be uncomfortably tight on the head. Headlamps may bob up and down when running. You can accidentally blind other runners or drivers when you look at them while wearing a headlamp.
Coach Chris’s Recommendations: Headlamps are great for not just running but also hiking, camping, and working outside. Their hands-free nature and easy aiming (just look where you want to light up) makes them worthwhile. They are inexpensive and handy in many ways. I recommended well-known hiking brand headlamps like Petzl and Black Diamond.
The Petzl, here, is a great option!
Running Flashlights
Benefits: Flashlights offer the most control over aiming your light.
Drawbacks: Carrying items in your hands affects arm-swing and running form. Holding a flashlight can be tiring on longer runs or for those with less arm strength. Flashlights require more effort to aim than other options.
Coach Chris’s Recommendations: Flashlights have become my “go-to” light of choice for both running and hiking. I personally find headlamps and belts to be tight and uncomfortable and having to hold the flashlight all run long does not bother me. While more effort is required to aim it, I like that flashlights offer the most control compared to other lighting options.
While a running-specific flashlight is not necessary, I love the Nathan Zephyr Fire 100, which has both a front and rear light for visibility and a siren alarm for added safety.
Running Waist Lights
Benefits: Hands-free. Can be combined with a belt you already may wear.
Drawbacks: Waist lights lack aiming control. Waist Lights require wearing a running belt which may be uncomfortable.
Coach Chris’s Recommendations: While I do not personally have much experience with waist lights, several of my trail-running friends swear by them. Their hands-free nature appeals to me, but their lack of control concerns me for use as a primary light. I think the best use of a waist light is as a secondary light in complement to a headlamp or flashlight, or to serve as a “to be seen by traffic” light. If you are already running with a waist belt anyway, clipping on a light or buying a waist light belt like the Ultraspire Waist Light Belt may be a great option for you.
Reflective Vests and Ankle Bands for Running Safely at Night
It is essential to be seen when running at night by other road and trail users. Anyone who has driven a car or ridden a bike at night knows how hard it can be to see a pedestrian on a dark street.
Protect yourself and others by being bright!
There are many cool looking hi-viz jackets and running clothes these days, but often these do not come with reflectors. While white and other light-colored clothing are helpful at night, reflective material is what is most visible to others.
For visibility, you just can’t beat a reflective vest and ankle bands. I personally wear these whenever I’m running on a dark bike path to make sure cyclists can see me. When running on roads, sidewalks, and crossing streets, wearing reflectors is a smart move to notify car-drivers that you are a badass nighttime runner.
Below are great and low-cost options for vests and ankle bands.
