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Have moved somewhere where my only choice to run that is more than up and down the high street involves country lanes. They’re dead quiet but now the evenings are closing in they are pretty dark and soon will be black.
What kind of lights do people use for this?
Decathlon do a chest mounted light that's pretty good.
The strap has the battery clipped onto the back and that has a built-in red rear light/battery indicator.
If it's really dark, you could supplement it with a head torch.
Again, Decathlon have a few offerings or Alpkit seem quite popular.
Petzl actik core
I’d probably do wot they said /\/\
That said, I have a Fenix HM65R-T which is amazeballs but possibly only worth it for long night runs on mountain terrain.
Decathlon one is decent.
I have a Petzl Iko -it works very well, but whether it's better enough to justify being a bit specialised is touch and go. I also have a Silva Trail Runner which I like a lot.
The Decathlon one is very visible to cars but makes me feel sick when I run because of the way the beam swings around.
Black Diamond make a head torch which stays rock solid, has a rear flashing red light, bright front light, and charges off USB. £35 or so.
I just got a Sofirn HS10 from AliExpress - has really good reviews on Amazon, selling for £36, so I Googled it and got it for £12 including shipping from China. Previously had an Exposure Verso but it no longer works and wasn’t prepared to fork out another £100 - it’s been back to Exposure numerous times.
Reflective is as effective as a light imo with cars around.
I've got this one from decathlon, loads of light and lasts for ages. Bright enough for trail running in the pitch black.
The only downside to it, you turn it one way it's a SOS beacon strobe flash, the other is map reading light then full light in 2 levels.
I've blinded myself by turning it the wrong way to the strobe setting many times! 🤣
For my arm I have a cheap red flashing arm band light, no idea where I got it from mind you.
Alpkit qark for me. Nice light, adjustable beam. More than enough light for off roading. Good price, too.
As Matt says, a bit of reflective plus bright colours helps you be seen too.
I also carry a tiny keyring o-light that is enough to run by as a back up.
I also use Alpkit Qark. Good price and great illumination. Used them for two winters now for trail running in forests. Can't be faulted.
I've got the Decathlon chest light. Have had it for two years. Used it for the first time in about 7 months on Saturday. Was impressed that it still held it's charge.
Only issue is that it's a bit like a bar light, it points where you're going, rather than where you're looking. Also has reflective straps and you can wear it under a shirt to look like Iron Man 😁
I use a Knog Bilby. Lots of different light options from the multiple lenses and LEDs. Very useful to be able to run with just a little red LED when you want enough light to see we’re your feet are going but still want to see the stars.
I'm going to go left field.
I don't particularly like head torches when running for some reason (ok when walking the dawgie etc or coming back from the pub though).
So... I run using an Exposure Joystick in my hand (+ lanyard in case I drop it).
I just find it points where I want and actually doesn't bounce tje beam around as much as a head torch (maybe I'm running like a nodding dog too much).
I run with a Petzl Nao+, it’s been flawless for the past 3 years. Done numerous ultras and silly adventures with it. Can adjust the brightness and monitor battery via an app which is quite handy.
I use a hope pro 4.. couldn't be doing without it for trail running at night.
Just bagged an Aldi running torch for £6.99. F&R lights and rechargeable.
Not tried it in anger yet.
Another happy Alpkit Quark user here 🙂
Thanks all, lots of options to look at there!
Only problem with relying on reflective strips is i like to see where I’m going too.
Only problem with relying on reflective strips is i like to see where I’m going too.
It's a case of both, not either or...
Another vote for a Decathlon head torch.
Quick related question: has anyone tried night running with a torch and a dog (on a harness)? Likely to be a disaster as the dog gets in the way of the light? The dog will hate it?
If your dog walks ok on the lead you'll be fine. If it's one that has a habit of coming to a dead stop in front of you on a single-track path that's a bad habit with little future easily fixed. IME dogs love a run - I think it's more their place.
I wasn't clear - I go running with the dog at the moment, but only in daylight. She doesn't tend to stop that often so not too concerned on that point. Just wondering if anyone has any experience of night running with a dog.
Clip on ankle lights, in the same way pedal reflectors alert drivers that you are a bicycle, the movement of light on your ankles makes you instantly recognisable as a person, whereas a the single light from a headtorch could be mistaken a car with one headlight out.
This is what I have for my arm, in red - just found it now and it's not been used for ages and is still working fine.