While I admit to enjoying the initial cooldown of fall mornings for a run, I don’t love the increasing darkness. Beyond a headlamp to help me see, a big factor in becomes reflective running gear.
I know you love your black clothes, but being visible is absolutely necessary for runner safety.
With that in mind, I wanted to share some of the various pieces I’ve tested out and now wear/recommend.
Best Reflective Running Gear
Let’s go from head to toe! While many pieces have small bits of reflective stripes, we’re going for a little more full on vision here!
Many of you are not in to neon, so you’ll find the majority of reflective running apparel options here are about the reflection that happens when hit by light, rather than the always visible neon yellow. Though you’ll find some of that too!
Look for ✅ to find things that I’ve loved or have gotten great recommendations on from other runners. Have tried to list most recent prices, if you see a sale GRAB IT! Good running gear ain’t cheap.
Reflective Beanie
Morning runners know that a beanie becomes a standard part of the attire for a good portion of the year. I figure if it’s something I know I’ll be wearing then I could make it do double duty.
- Trailheads Ponytail beanie – light reflective ($26)
- Nathan Sports beanie – full reflective and what I wear in winter ($9)
- White Reflective Running Hat – when you don’t need warmth, this is a great with lots of reflective dots ($16)
Reflective Neck Gaiter
While a neck gaiter isn’t normally on my list, many of us are now running with them more than ever to protect those around us. They may not be as effective as a mask for indoors, but seem to still be a good option for outdoors.
Reflective Jackets for Runners
Reflective running jackets can run from those that are full on YOU WILL SEE ME to many using high end fabrics to create jackets that look stunning in the daytime and brilliantly bright at night. Thanks to the different things they weave in to the fabric which make it light up when hit by headlights.
Since moving to Colorado I’ve become obsessed with finding great running jackets, they just make life so much easier. Most of these are lighter weight, so you can wear them starting in the fall.
✅Brooks LSD Running Jacket – A not in your face reflective jacket you can wear when it’s cool, but it’s a basic jacket with no hood or pockets. ($45)
- Flash Lite Jacket – LOVE that the back lights up when hit and merino means it will keep the sweat off you ($130)
- New Balance Reflective Impact – A great black winter running jacket to stay visible ($145)
- Proviz Reflect 360 – Reflective and waterproof! It’s a light weight jacket and used by many cyclists ($145)
- Pyyrr Reflective Jacket – This is 100% full stop, you can’t miss me. ($90)
Reflective Running Pants
Reflective leggings tend to have a small piece around the ankle, maybe something along the calf most of the time. I like that these pieces have more reflective hits and yet if you’re simply wearing them around you won’t even realize it’s there!
✅New Balance Reflective Heat Tight – Fantastic winter option, I’ve run in other tights of theirs ($98)
- Sweaty Betty Zero Gravity Legging – Bum sculpting and a phone pocket, BOOM! ($128)
- Oiselle Firecracker shorts – I wear my pocket joggers a TON so need to try these ($58)
- Brooks Nightlife Tights – You’ve got your neon and you’ve got your reflective ($50)
- Mad Dash Reversible 7/8 Running Tights – great reflective hits in a cute legging with phone pocket ($99)
- Athleta Reflective 7/8 Tight – Looks white until the light hits it!
The mad dash is reversible and the black pair has a reflective strip along the ankle.
Reflective Running Shirts
If you can get your hands on any SeaWheeze running gear before it’s out of stock, you’ll find they have a variety of pieces that are reflective and of course the great Lululemon style we love. Just be willing to pay that exclusive SeaWheeze price…ouch.
- ✅Oiselle Firecracker Crop – great for all my sports bra running friends ($58)
- Nike Runway Reflective Long Sleeve – your standard stripes for some visibility ($64)
BONUS: Since most shirts just have the small piping, consider this Safety Skin stick!! Yup, you just swipe it on like you would your glide, but it’s going to make you reflective.
Reflective Running Vests
If you’d prefer to keep your reflective gear to accessories, then let’s talk about reflective running vests you can pull on over any outfit to keep you safe.
- Nathan Runner Vest – my entire Ragnar team used these multiple years, works great ($30)
- NoxGear Visibility Vest (and they have one for the pup!!) – For me this feels like too much, others couldn’t recommend it enough! So see if it’s for you. ($54)
- Amphipod Vest – I like that it’s not neon, though neon does add another layer of visibility! ($29)
Of course these are just some of the base ways you can be visible!
It’s never a bad idea to grab a blinky light (or go crazy with reflective calf sleeves), to run in lit areas if possible and ALWAYS RUN TOWARDS traffic. You need to see them, so you can move if necessary.
In fact, it’s the law for you to run against traffic if using the road.
All right, now that you have the options, NO EXCUSES!
Wear your reflective running gear.
Be visible.
Be safe.
Don’t let the dark hold you back from enjoying your runs. I’ll be doing a post on headlamps soon to and that’s another tool to keep you going despite the light.
Looking for more reviews to find the best things for your run?
Checkout our full page of my must have running gear reviews and guides to save you time searching and money! I share what’s worked for me and fellow runners, along with what wasn’t worth the price tag.
A few common requests for running accessories:
- Best Running Jackets
- Best running socks (lightweight to compression)
- Best compression tights for runners
More gear you want to know about? Let me know.
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Keith w Petersen says
Very thorough article and if I still did road running, you’d be my fave. I switched to trail runninig 4 years ago to spare my knees and hips the pounding. I dont miss the car/truck/bicycle/motocycle dodging I used to do. The only items I have to watch for are the coyotes or pumas if I am way up in the chaparall. Seemd like no matter what I wore or what winkie blinkies I wore, I still was often whacked by the aged and careless. I prefer the Dawn Patrol time.