Battle The Dark

STAY VISIBLE

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CS Insulator Hat:
Our warmest hat has double insulation over the ears and is moisture wicking so you won't overheat. BUY NOW +
Brooks Men's Nightlife Running Jacket II
This windproof and water resistant jacket has a back vent for extra breathability. 360 degrees of 3M reflectivity plus 2 zippered side pockets plus an mp3 pocket. BUY NOW +
CS by City Sports Men's Performance Running Pant
A mid-weight pant that will get you through the colder months, with mesh venting at the knees and zippered pockets at the hips to store your valuables plus reflectivity so you stay visible! BUY NOW +
CS by City Sports Women's Blizzard Tights
Our warmest winter tight at the best value, this tight is brushed and insulated with mesh venting on the back of the knee for breathability, plus reflective piping on the legs for extra visibility. BUY NOW +
Brooks Women's Nightlife Running Jacket II
The ultimate in weather protection, this top-notch jacket has all the features you need-360° reflectivity, back venting, BUY NOW
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CS Training Top
Lightweight long sleeve mesh is highly breathable and perfect for layering, at a very nice price BUY NOW +
CS Sprint Glove
This bright glove stretches in all directions for optimal fit and has a handy nose wipe for those chilly sniffling runs, plus silicone grips on the palms. BUY NOW +
CS by City Sports Women's Twilight Run Pant
A super warm pant that is semi fitted through the hip and flares ever so slightly at the ankle, reflectivity at the knees to added visibility and a hidden pocket at the waist to stash your keys. BUY NOW
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Pearl Izumi Men's Select Thermal Jersey
Designed for cycling in the drop position, packs warmth worn alone or as a mid-layer. 3 pockets on the back, outlined in reflectivity plus a hidden sweat-proof back pocket for your music/phone. BUY NOW +
Pearl Izumi Amfib Tight
Tried and true this tight has it all - wind and water protective front panels, a dynamic fit cut specifically for cycling, leg zippers and reflectivity on the front and back. BUY NOW
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Saucony Women's Drylete Sport top
Moisture wicking and warm, comes with a rechargeable LED tight that blinks for up to 2 hours, plus a secret zip side pocket and front and back reflectivity. BUY NOW +
CS by City Sports Women's Paramount Tight
Better than black, these tights are a heather grey made of soft brushed fabrics with lots of stretch plus a cute reflective ruffle up the ankle for added reflectivity. Back zip pocket media pocket with a hole for your headphones. BUY NOW

We are all busy these days. That means trying to get your workout in when you have time. This usually means working out when it is dark outside, whether you run before or after work or commute to work on a bike, we have all the gear you need to stay visible while you Battle The Dark.

LEARN MORE

Why these colors?
How does reflectivity work?

3M™ Scotchlite™ retroreflectivity: There is a clear relationship between the retroreflective performance of a surface and the
distance at which it can be seen. A retroreflector (sometimes
called a retroflection) is a device or surface that reflects light
back to its source with a minimum scattering of light.

TIPS FOR THE DARK

Not only are high visibility colors bright, they actually provide a superior
reflectance factor rating when compared to non, high visibility product. Hi Viz
apparel and accessories have reflective strips in addition to fluorescent colors,
which can also help you be more visible during the day as well as in the dark.

360°

be sure to maintain reflectivity from every angle; if you're
running at a 90 degree angle to traffic and it's all on the front or back, you're not visible.

200ft

a car travelling at 57 mph needs at least 200 feet to stop; to
allow sufficient driver reaction/stop time you need to be seen at well over 300 feet.

6:00

the hours between 6:00pm and 6:00am are especially dangerous for runners and cyclists; after the switch to standard time, there's a significant jump in the risk of accidents.
Vision Quest

A Runners World field-test study revealed the best and worst case scenarios for distance and what to equip yourself with to be as visible as possible (here they are ranked from best to worst):

1/2mile

Running with a headlamp or handheld light is the smartest way to make you visible.

1/4mile

If you don't feel comfortable wearing a headlamp or holding a flashlight, at least run with a reflective vest or blinking red light (try Saucony Vizipro apparel which comes with a blinking light).

150yds

A high visibility jacket, vest or shirt will help get a driver's attention. In addition to the fluorescent color, reflective strips will outline your body and make you even more visible.

100yds

(the size of a football field) - at any distance within 100 yards you put yourself at the mercy of a driver's reaction time.

50ft

Although a white T-shirt becomes more visible before a dark one, the difference is negligible - especially if the driver is going at a fast clip.

30-40ft

you're asking for trouble by running without high visibility gear. Drivers won't notice you until they're dangerously close.
Running Rules of the Road

In addition to wearing Hi Viz gear, it's important to know the general rules of the
road to stay safe during your runs.

  • Don't assume a driver sees you. In fact, imagine that a driver can't.
  • Run against traffic so as to view (and react to) any mistake an advancing motorist may make.
  • At a stop sign or light, wait for the driver to wave you through - then acknowledge the driver with your own wave.
  • Allow at least three feet between you and a passing vehicle.
  • Be prepared to jump onto the sidewalk or shoulder of the road.
  • During group runs, go single file when cars need to pass.
  • Use hand signals to show which way you plan to turn.
  • Respect a driver's right to the road.
  • Run with proper ID, and carry a cell phone with emergency contacts taped to its back.
  • Check with the police for local traffic rules.
  • Make sure to look out for people pulling out of a driveway. They may not see you.
  • At an intersection always wait and look for vehicles coming from multiple directions and lanes before attempting to cross.
  • If you run with headphones, make sure you can still hear what is going on around you. Run with one ear bud in at a time.
  • In commercial areas, look out for high-traffic areas, such as the parking lots or grocery stores, restaurants and bars.
  • Watch for early morning drivers who do not clear frost or morning dew off their windshields; they may not be able to see you.
  • Wear bright and/or reflective clothing.
  • Run only on roads with wide shoulders.
  • Never cross against traffic lights.
*Runners World, January 2010

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