Running when it is dark outside- what to wear?

clevebride2006

The best time for me to run is early before work (so it will be dark outside) or later at night (again, dark)... this works with my schedule and will also be less humid as the summer months approach.

I live in a very quiet neighborhood with no street lights and no sidewalk (we live more rural). What can I wear/do so drivers see me?

Sadlebred

Coming from a nonrunner but as a driver that sees runners running down the middle of the major road nearby where I live with no safety gear (don't get me started. I light myself up like a Christmas tree when I ride my bike at night):

1. Wear light colored clothing or at least a light colored top. Fluorescent green or yellow are best. If you have nothing like that wear white, light yellow, light green, light pink, etc.

2. Reflective Vest. Something like the Amphipod Reflective Vest. You can buy something similar from any running catalog or store:

 

3. Avoid wearing anything black. (see wear light colored top at least. I understand that we don't really want to wear white shorts/tights for obvious see through reasons. ) 

4. Wear a blinkie light in addition to the reflective vest. I SPPH blinkie lights! Something like this you can put on each arm: 

http://www.amazon.com/Bike-Runners-Safety-Light-Pack/dp/B002OEI5U

5. Run the opposite direction of traffic. You should face traffic, so that you can see oncoming cars.

6. Run on the side of the road (ie off to the side, not on the asphalt) or get to the side (off the road, not on the asphalt) of the road if you see an oncoming car. They may not see you until the last second.

Audette

Go for something reflective.

DH has some reflective belts that are part of his PT uniform.  He's picked up a spare one for me for when I want to go walking after dark.  He recommends I wear it cross-body, instead of around my waist, because a t-shirt could accidently cover it up if I wear it around my waist.

Any sporting-goods store should have something reflective you can use.

L_Woods

Ditto the reflective clothing around your chest and the blinky lights. I wear the lights up by my arms or neck and on my shoes.

daisysle

I'd suggest some reflective gear (a vest would do) as well as a head lamp.

clevebride2006

Are all these it's available at Dicks Sporting Goods?

daisysle

I'd suggest www.runningwarehouse.com.  Any liquidation items are an additional 15% off (code:FB15D) and 10% off regular items using skinnyd.  That is where I buy a lot of my running accessories.

aeroluv327

I run in the early mornings, I have a lot of tops with reflective accents.  I always wear light and/or bright colors (white, light blue, bright neon green) and I clip a blinky light onto my SPI belt.

I also got one of these caps recently, I love it!

http://www.shopnewbalance.com/NB-3021?s1=Froogle&s2=DF&s3=NB-3021&swatch=PK&gclid=CKej0sm34q8CFeJgTAod2kvXIg 

And like other said, I run against traffic.  I also always carry my cell phone on me in case I need to call for help (luckily I haven't needed to do that) plus my ID.

IamAli

Sadlebred:

Coming from a nonrunner but as a driver that sees runners running down the middle of the major road nearby where I live with no safety gear (don't get me started. I light myself up like a Christmas tree when I ride my bike at night):

1. Wear light colored clothing or at least a light colored top. Fluorescent green or yellow are best. If you have nothing like that wear white, light yellow, light green, light pink, etc.

2. Reflective Vest. Something like the Amphipod Reflective Vest. You can buy something similar from any running catalog or store:

 

3. Avoid wearing anything black. (see wear light colored top at least. I understand that we don't really want to wear white shorts/tights for obvious see through reasons. ) 

4. Wear a blinkie light in addition to the reflective vest. I SPPH blinkie lights! Something like this you can put on each arm: 

http://www.amazon.com/Bike-Runners-Safety-Light-Pack/dp/B002OEI5U

5. Run the opposite direction of traffic. You should face traffic, so that you can see oncoming cars.

6. Run on the side of the road (ie off to the side, not on the asphalt) or get to the side (off the road, not on the asphalt) of the road if you see an oncoming car. They may not see you until the last second.

I have something very similar to what was PIP'ed above, but for my ankles. I think they're called Fire Flies (I could be wrong) and my H got them for me on the road ID website.

Also, if you don't have a Road ID, you should absolutely get one. 

Susie Derkins

I have the Amphipod singlet that sadlebred PIPed above, and I like it a lot.  Lightweight, and very adjustable.  I also wear it on my bike if I'm going to be pushing the bounds on dusk.