Jogging in the dark: tools & tips for more safety

Let there be light
Jogging in the dark: 7 smart gadgets for nocturnal runners

by Jan Sägert
October 28, 2021, 2:03 pm

See and be seen. When jogging in the dark, this popular saying, borrowed from the jet set, is a mantra. A mantra that can protect runners of all levels from falls and accidents and thus also from serious injuries or even worse consequences. In this you can read about what is particularly important during running training after sunset (or before sunrise), how to minimize the risk of tripping on dark trails and which smart gadgets help car, motorcycle and cyclist recognize joggers from afar Items.

7 gadgets that make jogging in the dark safer

Jogging in the dark: beware of tripping hazards!

In addition to walking, jogging is experiencing a small renaissance during the corona pandemic. The world of culture stands still, sports fields are orphaned, climbing halls are closed and when doing fitness training at home, one or the other slowly loses motivation. And so many amateur athletes are currently rummaging their dusty running shoes off the shelf and want to start jogging again. But if you can’t or don’t want to get yourself up during the lunch break, you have to leave after work (or when the children are in bed) and thus have another opponent besides the weaker self: the darkness. First of all, this is tricky because, in addition to the physical strain, you also have to pay attention to where you step. At least when you are out and about away from illuminated streets and footpaths. In addition, runners in the dark are difficult or impossible to spot for other road users. This is precisely why adequate equipment is life insurance for hobby runners who want to do something for their health after dark.

Let us first dedicate ourselves to our own orientation. Because nothing is more annoying than lying on your nose after a few minutes because you have overlooked a root or the beltline was a little higher than anticipated. That’s what sporting goods manufacturers have Headlamp for athletes developed. (a current Headlamp comparison 2021 can be found here) First of all, it should be as light as possible, sit comfortably and be adaptable to the shape of the head. In the best case, the running lights consist of a front and rear light. But that is not a must. Because reflectors are better companions to be seen. But more on that later. Now there are runners who feel disturbed by an LED lamp attached to their head regardless of how they are attached. As an alternative to the forehead variant, lamps show the way, which are fixed in front of the chest using an elastic belt system. The principle is the same. Only minor disadvantage of the Breast lamp: For runners who use a heart rate belt to monitor their heart rate (which is a very good idea), the belts could get in the way.

See and be seen: with LEDs and reflectors

Seeing the way and avoiding falls is one thing. If that goes wrong, it often leaves bruises or abrasions. It could turn out less lightly if joggers are simply not seen by other road users. Rule number two when jogging in the dark is therefore: Joggers must also be seen. To this end, manufacturers of running and cycling clothing have been equipping their products with so-called reflector areas for years, which reflect, for example, the headlights of cars, motorcycles or bicycles. However, it is even safer to use additional ones Reflective tapes to be attached to the body or a thin vest with LED light to cover. Basically, the more reflective surface, the better.

Jogging in the dark: LED from head to toe

As long as it doesn’t interfere with running, everything is allowed in terms of lighting when jogging in the dark. Safety is the top priority. You can walk through the park lit up like a Christmas tree. While the aforementioned head and chest lamps are almost standard equipment for nocturnal athletes, LEDs on the heels are rather rare. The shoe clips equipped with LEDs are quite helpful here. Similar to the clips for the arm, the flexible shoe clips are clamped around the heel. Your advantage: In contrast to the headlamp, the LEDs on the feet are always in motion and can be seen even better by drivers. A set of 2 that can be operated with the continuous light and flashing modes, is available here.

Clothes make runners: light is half the battle

If you watch joggers these days, black is apparently still one of the favorite colors among runners. It might look elegant, but in terms of visibility and safety, this suit code can be expanded. At least take hold of it Running jacket and running cap to light colors, in the best case to yellow or neon green tones. This means that you can draw attention to yourself much better, at least at dusk.

New in town? Don’t forget your smartphone!

Especially when you are new to the city, your new home needs to be explored. And nothing is healthier than jumping into your running shoes and going on a discovery tour on foot. The only danger: You could get lost in the unfamiliar surroundings. Especially at dusk or in the dark it becomes tricky to find the way back home from a park or the forest. If you do not want to buy and afford a GPS-enabled running watch, you should take your smartphone with you on your first few runs to be on the safe side. GoogleMaps or other apps usually help reliably if you ever get lost. Here is a safety vest with an integrated cell phone pocket.

In Germany dozens of joggers are attacked, robbed and in some cases injured every year. Light alone is of little use. In the event of an attack, an acoustic warning signal can help. There’s a hold-up alarm for your wrist here which should be up to 120 dB loud and deter attackers.

Conclusion: Every nocturnal runner is largely in control of his or her health. There is a large selection of lighting for the body, plus LED vests and all kinds of reflectors improve visibility. If you then still rely on light-colored running clothing, you can lace up your (soon no longer dusty) running shoes in the evenings, pumped full of motivation and without fear of painful incidents.

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