Running at night

VanBosch

Hey,As the long summer nights disappear, I have found myself out running more in the dark. Some of my route is well lit, some not so.I was just wondering what people wear to make themselves visible? I dont really fancy wearing a high viz vest but do you wear reflectors on your arms or a special t-shirt?

RubyK

I got myself reflective upper arm straps, that have flashing lights on them last week in Aldi (they sounds ridiculous, but are actually quite good). A pack of 4 cost me around €5.

robinph

A few of the tops I'd tend to wear on the colder darker nights have bits of reflective on them, and not in an obvious hi biz way so that you'd look odd in the daylight. I also have a flashing light thingy on my back occasionally as well.

louthandproud

VanBosch wrote: »

Hey,As the long summer nights disappear, I have found myself out running more in the dark. Some of my route is well lit, some not so.I was just wondering what people wear to make themselves visible? I dont really fancy wearing a high viz vest but do you wear reflectors on your arms or a special t-shirt?

Just wear a hi-vis, why not?

scottreynolds

I was caught out big time the other night. Doing my 20 miles around Howth and back to Portmarnock it was dark when I started running from Sutton.... the nights.. It was dark around 7:15. I had to run home along along a poorly lit road without footpaths for 3/4 mile and it was a disaster. The cars couldn't see me well and it was pretty dumb. I did some research on Saturday night and decided the best appraoch was to buy a reflective running vest.

Sunday couldn't find one on Blanchardstown so ended up buying a Hilly reflective jacket instead and a 'blinking' red light since I tean to run around some dodgy lanes around Portmarnock.

Today, I'm going to find a reflective vest (gilet) to wear running at night to make the set up complete. I already have a head torch which I'll use for the worst bits of the run.

Here's a link to what I'm going to buy -- http://www.runnersshop.co.uk/shop/hillyclothes.html

RJC

scottreynolds wrote: »

I was caught out big time the other night. Doing my 20 miles around Howth and back to Portmarnock it was dark when I started running from Sutton.... the nights.. It was dark around 7:15. I had to run home along along a poorly lit road without footpaths for 3/4 mile and it was a disaster. The cars couldn't see me well and it was pretty dumb. I did some research on Saturday night and decided the best appraoch was to buy a reflective running vest.

Sunday couldn't find one on Blanchardstown so ended up buying a Hilly reflective jacket instead and a 'blinking' red light since I tean to run around some dodgy lanes around Portmarnock.

Today, I'm going to find a reflective vest (gilet) to wear running at night to make the set up complete. I already have a head torch which I'll use for the worst bits of the run.

Here's a link to what I'm going to buy -- http://www.runnersshop.co.uk/shop/hillyclothes.html

I have their reflective bib-

excellent piece of kit as you don't overheat in it and there is a handy chest pocket for keys, phone, €5.

I have a flashing red key fob (supposed to be hung off the back of a rucksack for cyclists) that can be strapped around the wrist.

BJohnson

RubyK wrote: »

I got myself reflective upper arm straps, that have flashing lights on them last week in Aldi (they sounds ridiculous, but are actually quite good). A pack of 4 cost me around €5.

Agreed! I got those same LED arm bands and think they're great. I found them on Amazon.co.uk as well:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sport-Direct-Bicycle-Reflective-Band/dp/B001EDZV2Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=sports&qid=1254140560&sr=1-1

Brian

RICHIE-RICH

VanBosch wrote: »

I was just wondering what people wear to make themselves visible? I dont really fancy wearing a high viz vest but do you wear reflectors on your arms or a special t-shirt?

Why not?
IMO it's better to look a bit like a crazy man with a high viz,flashy lights and a head torch and be seen by cars than to look cool and get knocked down.

Wear a Hi-viz vest, and whatever you think you may need be seen by cars/bikes. In may case it's the crazy look....

How Strange

I bought a bright yellow reflective jacket in runways last year. It cost about €60 and I wore it all winter; day and night.

IMO, the bands aren't enough. You need a reflective bib, vest, t-shirt or jacket to make sure cars can see you as early as possible.

TFBubendorfer

RJC wrote: »

I have their reflective bib-

excellent piece of kit as you don't overheat in it and there is a handy chest pocket for keys, phone, €5.

I have a flashing red key fob (supposed to be hung off the back of a rucksack for cyclists) that can be strapped around the wrist.

I have a bib that's very similar to that one. I don't even notice if I'm wearing it. On more than one occasion I actually had to look down to see if I had remembered to bring it with me.

Sorry to the OP, but saying "I don't really fancy wearing a high viz vest" is just plain daft.

Stark

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Sorry to the OP, but saying "I don't really fancy wearing a high viz vest" is just plain daft.

Depends on the area you're running in imo. I'd wear one running in the likes of the Park or on dodgy unlit roads with no footpaths, but in some urban areas a high-viz vest is a beacon for local scummers. In those cases, I'd wear a top with more subtle reflective bits like what robinph mentioned (and check before crossing roads in front of cars).

VanBosch

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

Sorry to the OP, but saying "I don't really fancy wearing a high viz vest" is just plain daft.

It's not as a fashion statement that I dont wanna wear one, i just imagined those big baggy things that would annoy me as I ran. Now I can see the ones as shown above and I would have no problem wearing that, wasnt being a prima donna just didnt know what was available.

Peckham

How Strange wrote: »

I bought a bright yellow reflective jacket in runways last year. It cost about €60 and I wore it all winter; day and night.

Bit smelly by the end of the winter?!


I wear a reflective bib, rather than a gillet or jacket. Much cheaper, lighter, and easy to take off and carry if you don't want to draw attention to yourself in certain areas.

scottreynolds

Peckham wrote: »

Bit smelly by the end of the winter?!


I wear a reflective bib, rather than a gillet or jacket. Much cheaper, lighter, and easy to take off and carry if you don't want to draw attention to yourself in certain areas.

53 degress north in Blanc have those. One size fits all i very loose. I wear medium nike and medium adidas gear and this was too tight for me.... but yes good suggestion. Small and a handy little pocket in it as well.

Krusty_Clown

scottreynolds wrote: »

53 degress north in Blanc have those. One size fits all i very loose. I wear medium nike and medium adidas gear and this was too tight for me.... but yes good suggestion. Small and a handy little pocket in it as well.

I got mine in 53' North too (Carrickmines). around 12 euro. As Pekam says, works great and folds up small when you arrive in Knackland so you're not a beacon for all the creamcrackers.

RJC

Is it Dublin or Baghdad you're running through?

Peckham

RJC wrote: »

Is it Dublin or Baghdad you're running through?

Not sure which is worse. My first group run with the previous club I was a member of saw us running through a not particularly pleasant part of Dublin. Something went flying past me, and hit the guy in front of me. It was an iron bar. The lads laughing from the balcony nearby (who we can only assume threw it) found it absolutely hilarious.

Stark

Ooh, the neanderthals have progressed to the Iron age. All they could manage was stone rocks in some areas I've ran through.

RJC wrote:

Is it Dublin or Baghdad you're running through?

Didn't take long for a sheltered south Dubliner to lend their opinion

chinguetti

Hi-vis vest and a blinking light on the back are the job. Anyone who runs in the dark without a hi-vis vest at least is a bit of a fool in my mind

locteau

Hi Guys,

They are also here in ireland :

http://www.runireland.com/products/vizion-bib

:rolleyes:

Squors

For the more fashion conscious -

http://www.saucony.co.uk/

No idea how comfortable they are.

TFBubendorfer

Stark wrote: »

Didn't take long for a sheltered south Dubliner to lend their opinion

It must be an extremely limited knowledge of geography that leads one to believe that anything outside North Dublin is South Dublin ....

Poncherello

If you are running at night in the Phoenix park please stay out of the cycle lanes. Its a bloody joke at the moment

Stark

TFBubendorfer wrote: »

It must be an extremely limited knowledge of geography that leads one to believe that anything outside North Dublin is South Dublin ....

Fine, Cork so.

Stark

Poncherello wrote: »

If you are running at night in the Phoenix park please stay out of the cycle lanes. Its a bloody joke at the moment

I went out for a run with a running club the other night. A few people complained about having to dodge all the cyclists. I replied with "that was because you were running in the cycle lanes" (I ran in the grass alongside the lanes myself). To be fair, if you're not familiar with the Park layout, it is tricky to spot that they're cycle lanes at night and most of the time you could be running along standard track and it leads you directly into a cycle lane instead of onto the walker's track running parallel to the cycle lanes.

nomadic

Poncherello wrote: »

If you are running at night in the Phoenix park please stay out of the cycle lanes. Its a bloody joke at the moment

Its a joke any time of the day at the moment. Walkers and runners.

moylaghshergar

As well as the high viz and other gear one could also use a HEAD TORCH. I have one I used for hiking at night. It will cost about 35 euro ans should fit nicely on your head. It requires 4 AAA batteries which last for around 12 hours

TFBubendorfer

moylaghshergar wrote: »

As well as the high viz and other gear one could also use a HEAD TORCH. I have one I used for hiking at night. It will cost about 35 euro ans should fit nicely on your head. It requires 4 AAA batteries which last for around 12 hours

Well, mine takes 3 AAA batteries and lasts for the entire winter.

bourne99

Based on the fact that our 'cycle lanes' are nothing but a painted line on a footpath, I think you'll be doing well to expect walkers to stay off them. I think therefore that it is up to you to avoid them. And I say that as an ex-cyclist who was in a club for many years and went EVERYWHERE. But Ireland is just not cycling-friendly - no matter what Gormless or anyone else says.

As for running at night. I don't wear any reflective gear and am still wearing dark clothes. I'm a stealth-runner!! I should probably attend to that..!

hunnymonster

The phoenix park does have actual real cycle paths though and it's only fair that the runners stay off them.

Poncherello

I can deal with the walkers, the roller bladers, the dogs etc but when you see running clubs running down the lanes I lose the plot. They should know better.

bourne99

Poncherello wrote: »

I can deal with the walkers, the roller bladers, the dogs etc but when you see running clubs running down the lanes I lose the plot. They should know better.

I'm always fearful when I see large groups of people running towards me!

gerard65

I run in cycle lanes all the time. No chance of getting hit by a bike as they all seem to use the footpath.

Poncherello

gerard65 wrote: »

I run in cycle lanes all the time. No chance of getting hit by a bike as they all seem to use the footpath.

You being funny/sarcastic or just plain dumb ?

gerard65

Poncherello wrote: »

You being funny/sarcastic or just plain dumb ?

Tongue planted firmly in cheek.

meathcountysec

bourne99 wrote: »

I'm always fearful when I see large groups of people running towards me!

I'm always fearful when I hear large groups of people running behind me. They are usually about to lap me:D

Condo131

I read once that motorists (main danger to runners (that's probably debateable )) rarely hit something they can see.

If there is any poor light, I *always* wear hi-viz. I don't care if it's sunny when heading out, if it's dusk(ish) or dark when I expect to be home, I wear it.

What about all the clowns I see running in the dark, wearing black/dark clothing???

I don't recall where I got these figures, but I'll give them anyway:

At night,
Black/dark clothing - visible @ 15 metres
bright clothing e.g. yellow - visible @ 30 metres
White Clothing - - visible @ 50 metres
Hi-Viz - - visible @ 150 metres

A 'No brainer'!!
Never mind your bands and belts - go the whole hog - Be Wise, Be Safe!!

hunnymonster

I wear a high vis every time I run on open roads. It's habit at this stage.

If it's dark, I'll add head torch and flashy things although he "flashy" benefit is debatable. On bikes for every study you see saying flashing lights work, there is another one saying the flashing attracts drivers attention and they are actually likely to head towards you subconsciously.

My concession to nighttime running is that I tend to use routes I know really well. It's easy to lose track of distance, location when it's dark.

Slogger Jogger

If you can get off the roads folks and hit the trails, then hi vis vests don't really need to come into it. A basic headtorch (e.g. a Petzl) will do the job nicely, or, if you're lucky do your run to coincide with the full moon and you may not need a light at all.

annieee

http://www.simplyrun.co.uk/products/brands-1000-mile/227-1000-mile-reflective-bib.html

I got one of these for 7 Euros in Elverys last week. It's great, really light, wouldnt even know you're wearing it.