Both those early and late night runs can be some of the most tranquil experiences out there, but unfortunately, they also present a significant risk. During these dark hours vision is especially limited, putting you at risk if you aren’t easily visible.
As runners ourselves, we understand that many of you need to run in the dark—either because you enjoy it or because it’s the only time in the day for you to squeeze your workout in.
When it comes to reflective running gear, there are tons of options available—making it almost impossible to efficiently narrow down the best of the best quickly. So, we have taken the time to research and review the best products out there—so you can pick from the best of the best.
It’s important all runners ensure their own safety to the best of their ability—especially during low visibility hours. And if you work on a high-risk work site then it is also essential to have safety gear that help you be seen at all times. The products on our list were selected because they do just this! So check them out today and find the gear that is best for you!
This shirt comes in both a tank and short sleeve option and provides you with maximum reflectivity--not just a small log or reflective trim. It's comfortable, breathable, and will help keep you safe when others wouldn't be able to see you.
Both the tank and the short-sleeved options are comfortable, and loosely fitted. They are both breathable, comfortable, and moisture-wicking.
This tank/shirt has reflective fabric--so it will clearly shine when a headlight makes contact with it. It also comes in some neon colored options to make your more visible.
This product is pricey for a shirt, but keep in mind that few shirts offer this much reflectivity.
This reflective felt will ensure you are extra visible during your runs. It's easy to use and a great option for both men and women! This belt comes in several color options that will make you even more visible while you're out.
This belt will fit almost everyone! It is easily adjustable and comes with extensions that allow it to fit between 29-80 inches. You can put it over layers or wrap it up differently if you'd like as well.
This belt provides 360 degrees of visibility and comes with additional features to make you extra visible. It has a reflective elastic strap and a LED mode with several flash options. It also comes in neon color option for even more visibility.
This one is really affordable and comes with a 100% money back guarantee.
These reflective laces are a great option for triathletes and runners who want to be more visible as well as have a shoe that are slip on.
These laces allow your shoes to be no-tie and can be adjusted to your preferred fit. They are super comfortable and easy to use.
These lock laces come in black as well as neon blue, green, and red. They provide reflective features when a car is coming towards you.
Inexpensive and they come with a 100% money back guarantee.
These compression tights are designed to fit comfortably and support the major muscle groups of the legs. In addition, large reflective stripes are present in multiple places to promote safety and reflectivity.
The 2XU Hyoptik tights are designed with comfort and compression in mind. They are composed of nylon and elastane fabric which provide moisture wicking and antibacterial properties. They support the major muscles of the legs and promote good circulation during exercise. In addition, you don't have to worry about chafing with these tights.
The tights themselves are black, but large, white, HYOPTIK reflective X's are strategically placed at different sections of each leg to create a larger area of visibility.
These compression tights are on the expensive end of the price spectrum, but their comfortable fit, moisture wicking abilities, and anti-bacterial properties make them well worth the investment.
It's good to carry reflection on socks, the movement of your foot attracts the attention of car vehicle drivers.
This can make all the difference for a safe run or an unpleasant outcome.
Rockay Organic Merino Wool socks are packed full of creative and innovative functional design features and this includes reflection to ensure you are seen when it most matters. read on and reflect on why these are superb socks.
This sock does not hold back on top comfort because it is made from very high-quality Organic Merino Wool, comfort is exceeded along with performance, protection and very long durability. The heel and toe area carry extra protective padding. Throughout the sock ventilative zones have been designed in, the sock gives optimal temperature performance and so it works in all types of seasons. Protection against friction and blistering is designed in along with compression support for the foot arch. The upper top of the sock is fitted with elastic to ensure dirt and grit are kept out. For color, the sock comes in a very broad range of options.
The reflective tech is designed to sit on the upper outer area of the sock so that it can be seen directly on a side view or from an angled approach from the front or rear. The sock comes in a nice choice of colors and whatever color you choose, the reflection performance will not be swamped out.
The price is set as very standard in return for an investment which reflects high value for your money.
At the top of our list is the Tracer 360 illuminated running vest which is applicable to all of the metrics we've based our research on.This vest offers 360° illumination, reflectivity, and fluorescence. In addition, it can be switched between 6 different color options as desired. It is designed to be highly comfortable and adjustable to make for an enjoyable run.
The vest is composed of lightweight(6.5 oz) and breathable mesh that allows for easy movement of the upper body. In addition, it is designed to be sweat resistant, water resistant, and chafe-free. In terms of adjustability, the vest features adjustable straps that can be adapted to fit over layers of clothing or on a varying range of body sizes.
This vest knows color well. You can switch between 6 high-visibility solid colors including red, orange, green, pink, purple and blue. On top of that, 5 flashing modes are available to really grab the attention of the potential passerby. Composed of flexible fiber optic cables and a 3M reflector built that wraps around your upper body, the vest offers 360° visibility, reflectivity, and fluorescence. The components of the vest are laid out in an "x" shape to create a visibility area that can be seen from a quarter mile away.
While this product is more on the medium to expensive end of the price spectrum, it offers numerous visibility features and comfortability making it worth every penny.
The straps of this vest are composed of chafe-free material to promote comfortability. A combination of 360° reflectivity and flashing ultra-bright LED lights promote visibility.
It's composed of soft material and allows for a full range of motion in the upper body. It can be different for different waist and height measurements.
This snazzy vest is neon yellow with bright red flashing LEDs in the center of the torso and back. Reflective strips are strategically placed around the waste and across the shoulder/arm straps.
This vest lands on the more expensive end of the price spectrum but it has mulitple visibility features!
This chafe-free running vest is designed with comfort and mobility in mind. In addition, it has 360° reflectivity and 40% more of a reflective area than other vests available on the market.
It's composed of soft and chafe-free fabric. It's adjustable to fit different folks or to fit over clothing. On top of that, it allows for a full range of motion while you run.
This product is considered to be on the medium portion of the price spectrum. It's 360° visibility makes it worth it.
Only provides visibility for the head region; the body is not accounted for.
You can probably tell just by looking at the photograph why we've selected this product———it’s so bright!Select color options are reflective and brightly colored to promote visibility. It's also designed with your comfort in mind.
The visor shell is composed of moisture-wicking material and a terry sweatband is present internally to keep you dry. The underside of the visor is composed of a black material to prevent glare. An elastic band is present at the back to allow for a comfortable fit.
You'll discover that this hat is available in a wide selection of colors. However, only two of the color selections are considered high-visibility: High-viz neon orange and High-viz yellow. The hat also features a white reflective strip along the brim.
If you're on a budget, this hat may be a good gear option for you! It's priced at the lower end of the price spectrum but still offers good visibility.
These gloves are designed to provide comfort and protect the hands from frigid temperatures. High-visibility graphics and bright colors are used to promote reflectivity.
These warm, thermal gloves are resistant to water and wind. They are touch screen compatible and also offer a storage space for a small item such as a key.
The gloves are black with high-visibility graphics features at the top of the hand and along the edges of the fingers.
These gloves fall on the medium-expensive portion of the price spectrum.
The best reflective running gear will be comfortable enough, barely noticeable, and won’t need to be constantly adjusted. It is important that safety gear be comfortable and easy to wear. One of the biggest reasons workers give for failing to wear their reflective gear as they are supposed to is that the clothing is uncomfortable, hard to wear, or is cumbersome. So, finding this important gear that fits well and is comfortable to wear all day long in all kinds of weather is critical to keeping your workers safe! You cannot compromise on comfort and is something we considered very strongly in our search!
Avid runners know that running is more than just a hobby–it’s a way of life and something we become vehemently attached to the more we do it. Reflective running gear allows us to remain safe during our runs but, like everything else, it’s also important to ensure the gear we choose keeps us comfortable and that it’s the best option for us. The best reflective running gear will be comfortable enough, barely noticeable, and won’t need to be constantly adjusted during your runs–just like your trusty wristband. Make sure to try things on and size them accordingly–in the end you need to make sure it fits your own comfort needs.
Sizing and fit are important when it comes to reflective work gear and safety gear. The wrong fit will make you uncomfortable and diminish your overall performance. It will also make it harder to wear when you need to. A vest that is too small will not fit over your regular work clothes the way it should, and a jacket that is too big and bulky can get in the way and affect your work performance. So sizing and fitting your gear properly is important and is one of the factors we considered as we searched for the best gear for our list.
Like everything else, getting the right size and the right fit for your gear is key. The wrong fit will make you uncomfortable and diminish your overall performance. When it comes to reflective running gear make sure it isn’t too big or too small, that it doesn’t slide off, and that it is snug and secure. Since reflective gear is here to increase your overall safety, make sure it won’t fall off or cause any distractions when you are wearing it.
Color is one of the biggest factors that affect the reflectability of your clothing so pay attention to color choices! There are many colors available when it comes to safety gear so you have many choices to look at and consider. Some colors are more reflective than others and some colors are easier to find than others. Most safety gear is available in shades of orange, yellow, and silver. Whether the entire garment uses these safety colors or it has reflective safety strips in these colors, these are the most visible colors which is why they are so common. But you can also find safety gear in pink, green, and other shads too!
A lot of reflective running gear comes with neon colors that allow you to be even more visible. It also makes it you more luminous and allows you to be spotted from a distance–which obviously significantly increases your safety. Always remember that the “louder” the color the better when it comes to your gear and equipment! So go ahead and get those neon green, orange, yellow, and pink items you wouldn’t normally get!
Safety is the main purpose of reflective running gear, so it cannot be ignored. If you are running during low visibility hours it is imperative that you were gear that will allow others to see you–especially motorists. Make sure to look for loud colors, lots of reflective features, and something that you know others just can’t miss!
Regardless of your situation, it’s important to practice safe night running and make sure you invest in quality reflective running gear that is designed with high-visibility in mind. Reflective running gear comes in many form—from 360° to options that also include LED lighting, neon colors, and much more!
It is of the utmost importance that you find safety gear that is durable. This is especially true if you work outdoors in the elements or in an environment where your clothing will be exposed to a lot of wear and tear and debris from the job site. The highest quality gear is made to last and will serve you well for a long time and while it comes with a higher price tag it usually brings an overall value that cannot be beaten!
The material is also important because it also defines comfort and the overall performance of the product. You need something that is durable, comfortable, easy to use, secure, effective, and breathable. Regardless of what it is, you will also want it to be moisture-wicking and odor resistant.
Materials will often be water resistant, fire proof, non conductive, and breathable to help you stay protected and safe in all kinds of weather and working conditions. You should consider the fabrics used in your gear and make sure it is warm enough for winter weather or cool enough for the heat of summer. Materials can also affect things like breathability and need to be made of materials that won't catch fire when exposed to sparks from machinery and that, will protect you from the elements if you are working outside. It is also important to consider how comfortable the piece will be to wear all day or night long at work.
Price is a personal preference since everyone has different budgets. Always keep in mind that just because something costs more doesn’t mean it’s a better product. Instead, consider your budget and then find something that fits your need–there’s no need to pay for features you don’t need and won’t use. We made sure to include options for all budgets on our list, so don’t stress if you are on a tight budget!
We cannot stress how impotent it is to consider the value over the price tag when looking at safety gear. Paying more for a quality piece that will keep you safe and comfortable for years to come while you work I well worth the initial investment. Saving money on cheaper pieces does you no good if you are cold and wet all day or sweating to death in the warehouse or getting hurt because of a poor design that is not durable or reliable. So, think about the overall value as you shop for reflective safety gear!
Durability comes hand in hand with all these other factors and is very important to consider. Make sure to read reviews from first-hand users as well as research the materials the product is made of. Also, consider your environment and weather conditions since this can also affect the overall life of your product.
If your safety gear is not durable then it is not going to be worth much at all to you or your workers. It is essential that safety gear be able to hold up to the wear and tear of day to day work and that is will hold up to the elements and other hazards of the workplace. Investing in durable quality gear is essential to staying safe no matter what work you are doing.
q: How should I wash my reflective gear?
Washing clothes and gear can be tricky, especially when there is reflective material that can be easily damaged. Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s recommendation and always handle your things with care.
Sizing is important so its essential you get it right! Most things don’t come in a one size fits all and different manufacturers may use different measurements for the same size. We recommend you always look at the measurements provided–if any– and always try things on. If you are ordering online and are unsure of your size make sure to go with a product that offers a return or exchange policy–just in case what you ordered doesn’t fit the way you expected.
q: Does color really matter?
Neon colors–especially green, yellow, pink, and orange–will make your visible and increase your overall safety in the long run.
q: I typically run in hot weather, are there lightweight, breathable options out there?
Yes! Luckily there are tons of options to choose from–for both cold and hot weather! If your in the heat there are hats and visors, wristbands and headbands, light vests, shorts, and tank tops!