Best Gear for Running In the Dark
I recently became a morning person, which means I do a lot of miles in the dark. The last time I ran this many hours in the dark was when I had morning practice twice a week in college. We ran through campus and well-lit sidewalks, so I’ve never owned reflective gear.
Through my extensive research, I decided to stick to one brand, Nathan Sports. Nathan is a leader in running gear, providing the best hydration packs, storage belts, and reflective gear. My first two purchases were a vest and headlamp so that I could see and be seen.
The most important thing about running in the dark is being seen by cars. I don’t own a lot of bright gear, so adding a reflective vest was my first step. Nathan offers a few options for vests and you can’t go wrong with any of them!
Nathan offers a few headlamps, but I chose the Fire Runners Headlamp. I chose this one because it was the smallest and the cheapest. It’s lightweight, has three brightness modes, and has a red light function for more chances to be seen.
As my morning runs started to get colder, I purchased a headband and gloves to add to my collection of reflective gear. They are both soft and warm, yet breathable.
I’m obsessed with this headband. Not only is it cute, but it’s also thick and warm, and super soft on the inside. The pattern and logo are reflective, making it a functional headband! And a bonus, my Airpods fit perfectly underneath, which I find is not the case for most of my winter headgear.
I just got these and am already in love. Just like the headband, the pattern is cute and reflective. I like convertible gloves because my hands get so hot and instead of taking them off, I can just pop off the mitten! I really like that these are compatible with smart screens and has a soft wipe guard on the thumb (especially important on those extra cold days when my nose won’t stop running).
I was nervous to start running in the mornings, but after a few months, I am confident that I will be seen by cars and will see all cracks and bumps in the road.