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During the autumn and winter months, it can be really hard to get the miles in while still feeling safe and secure on the roads. If you're running in the morning, before it gets light, or in the evening when darkness has fallen, then your best bet is to put on some reflective high-vis kit, as well as a quality head torch to help you find your way.
From waterproof jackets to running gloves, sweat-wicking running caps to handy apps, we've rounded up a broad range of options to make you visible to drivers and cyclists and keep you training all year round.
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The high-vis coating on the entire surface of this jacket make it one of the brightest, most visible and attention-grabbing going. They key is REFLECT360, Proviz' unique material which is embedded with reflective glass beads. The jacket also fits well — flexible and snug where you want it to be. Proviz has improved the breathability on their former high-ris jacket, too, with ventilation points under the arms and on the back. Plus, there's a front zipped chest pocket and a wide zipped back pocket, too.
Not just for cycling, these stretchy fabric gloves protect against the elements whilst providing high visibility. They also come with a textured surface meaning they can be used with your smartphone without the need to remove them. The Ilus Core material will keep your fingers cosy whilst both the neon yellow and black versions have reflective details.
For those seeking a budget-friendly visibility option, look to this well-priced Reflect360 running cap from Proviz. Like most of their range, it's made from 100% reflective materials. It's constructed from a meshed fabric to increase breathability — no hot heads here — and it's adjustable so it should fit all runners. With the highly technical reflective material, this cap will ensure you are safe and visible, whatever the weather. A cap is also great in rainy conditions to keep that water off your face as you move, so it's anyway a good handy item to have in your winter running wardrobe.
One of our top picks from Brooks' Run Visible range, this 1/2 zip jacket has strategically placed reflective strips in critical motion zones to keep you seen after dark. Perfect for winter layering, thumbholes allow you to keep cool air out, while a half-zip allows you to get air when you need it. The latest version also has a handy side pocket. It's a slim fit, so size up if you want a little more wiggle room.
These running socks tick a lot of boxes: they're padded in all the right places, a stylish mid-length design, and they're finished with reflective detailing to enhance your visibility in the early or later hours. Simple stuff, done with finesse.
This is probably the brightest shoe on the market and your feet definitely won't be hiding in the shadows in these Gel-Nimbus Lite Show. The shoes offer greater support and cushioning for longer distance running with their FF Blast Plus Eco shock absorption system and Pure Gel technology. And when it comes to low light and night running the bright colour and reflective details will dramatically improve your visibility.
Shiny, fluoro and reflective gear can help you stay visible and safe in the darkest of conditions
This highly reflective hat glows under headlight glare in even low light conditions, making it ideal for morning or evening winter runs. What's more, the reflective strips glow in a variety of colours, adding style points to your outfit. The fabric also dries rapidly, so it keeps your head cool in sweatier conditions, and stays warm when you need it to be.
If you already have a running backpack that's comfortable, and you don't want to either abandon it or buy yet another for winter use, then this is a great option. It's simply a high-vis cover for your existing bag, whether that's in use during running or cycling. It's also waterproof, and straps onto any pack up to 35L for an instant night-visibility upgrade. The reverse is neon yellow, so that can also be used for added visibility during daylight hours.
Garmin Connect Live Tracker, Free with Garmin Device
Safety isn't just about visibility. And sometimes other people worry more than you do. While most of the gear on this list helps others spot you in the dark, Garmin’s Live Tracker lets friends and family track you virtually. You’ll need a Garmin watch, and it will need to be connected to the Garmin Connect app on your smartphone (the latter is easy to do).
From there, you can start up the Live Tracker and add contacts via email. Those you add to the tracker will be sent a link so that they can follow your progress live on a map. That could be handy for safety or even just knowing when to have the hot bath waiting for you. For those who don’t use a Garmin watch, Strava Beacon offers a similar service on your smartphone.
If you rely on KT (Kinesiology Therapeutic) tape to hold you together, then why not make it perform another function too? The Pro Reflective version does exactly what you'd expect — reflects light by means of elements woven into the tape. You could even add a small patch of it to a less reflective item (a hydration vest, say) to make your whole outfit more visible.
Somewhere between a vest and a belt, this high-vis attire is built to hold your phone, cards, keys and maybe even a few gels while you run. Not only does it keep your hands free (and stop those keys jangling annoyingly in your pocket) but it also boost your visibility with a couple of reflective stripes to your front and back. The phone pouch is right at the front and centre, and is easily accessible, while the hidden pocket inside is for your bank cards and keys. The additional pockets on the side will fit those gels or bars you need to fuel you on longer runs.
