Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Health & Fitness

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Tips and Gear Recommendations for Night Running in 2022

Ross Collicutt
By
A man running at night.
Lear Miller Photo/Getty Images

If you can squeeze in a workout while the sun is still shining, congratulations, you’re a time management pro. If you stay late at the office or spend what little time you have outside of work fulfilling personal and social obligations to friends and family, though, you’re not alone. Many people have taken up night running out of pure necessity because a workout at night is better than no workout at all.

Sure, you could always pick up a new treadmill for running, but the other option is to face the darkness head-on. Nighttime running isn’t all bad. Night runners take advantage of the cooler temperatures to maintain their fitness levels without getting drained by the changing temperature. However, you should exercise caution when running at night, as the darkness makes it harder for cars or bicycles to see you. These are our top tips and gear picks for getting through your early morning or evening runs in one piece.

Recommended Videos

Stay Illuminated

Running with a headlamp can feel bulky and even painful. They either bounce around too much or are so tight they leave a dent in your head afterward. But they can be a real life-saver on night runs to illuminate your path and alert cars when you’re in their path.

Related

BioLite Headlamp 200

BioLite Headlamp 200.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The BioLite Headlamp 200 has a wide band made from moisture-wicking material that evenly distributes the light 50-gram load, preventing any forehead dents. The 200 lumens offer plenty of light for you to see the road and for drivers to see you. On low, the light lasts 40 hours. The high mode won’t last all night, but at three hours, it will get you through a tough trail section or a creepy back alley. When it’s time to recharge, just plug in the Micro USB cable.

SlapLit Rechargeable LED Slap Wrap

NiteIze SlapLit LED Slap Wrap.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For the ultimate convenience, we turn to a kid’s tool. The SlapLit Rechargeable LED Slap Wrap by Nite Ize is a mouthful to say, but it’s easy to use. Inspired by slap bracelets, just slap the SlapLit on your wrist, arm, or ankle. The USB-rechargeable battery inside gives you five hours of constant or flashing light. The reflective patterning lights up in headlights for extra flash.

Nathan Light Bender LED Band

Nathan Light Bender LED Band.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

For a little bit more light, the Nathan Light Bender LED band is like a (stylish and safe) Christmas tree. It’s waterproof, sweatproof, and lasts for eight hours with constant light or 16 hours of flashing light. The Light Bender can change to red, green, or blue at the tap of a button and recharges quickly with a Micro USB port. Place it on an arm or a leg so others can see the movement to know you’re a runner.

Track Your Progress

If it’s not online, then it didn’t happen. Jokes aside, tracking runs can help with accountability and let friends know where you are.

Garmin 245 Music Running Watch

Garmin 245 Music Running Watch.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The Garmin 245 Music Running Watch syncs while you run with the Connect app to share your location with selected contacts and to send alerts in case it detects an accident. The watch can store 500 songs from Deezer, Amazon Music, or Spotify (but be careful with headphones at night). The GPS tracks your running, pace, and other stats along with a heart rate monitor.

Use Secure Headphones

The beat of the music can be a great motivator. It can also cover the sound of a 2,000-pound hammer on wheels that’s driving right at you. Running at night demands more attention, so either skip the headphones or get a pair that lets you hear better. Remember, be hyper-aware of your surroundings.

AfterShokz Aeropex

AfterShokz Aeropex.
SHOKZ OpenRun

AfterShokz Aeropex headphones (pictured above) vibrate the music through the bones in your head so your ears are left open. If you want more traditional headphones, wear one earbud of your wireless headphones, like the Jabra Elite Active 75t.

Dress for the Weather

Weather can change drastically, so make sure you have what you need to get through whatever wind or rain is forecast. Don’t pull a calf muscle 5 miles from home without a jacket.

Baleaf Men’s Jacket

Baleaf Men's Jacket in bright green.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Your choice of clothing can make a huge difference when running at night. The Baleaf jacket’s reflective stripes and logo enable drivers and cyclists to see you in low-light conditions, which helps prevent vehicular accidents. The hood, meanwhile, is large enough to shield your head from light showers or unexpected drizzles. This makes the jacket ideal for all-weather running. It also comes with six pockets for storing your essentials, from keys to a 5.5-inch phone.

More Running Tips

Make It Easy

Once the sun goes down, it’s easy to get comfortable at home and want to skip your workout. Set up everything you need to run before you need it, so going on the run becomes inevitable — or at least easier.

  • Get lights that charge with USB.
  • Map a route you know well.
  • Start with 1 mile and go from there.
  • Always begin with something familiar and easy so you don’t avoid the run out of sheer laziness.

Slow Down

With your blood pumping from an evening run, it can be hard to slow down and get to sleep. Time for yoga and meditation to calm that monkey brain and gets some Zs. For yoga, start with poses like Downward Dog, Pigeon, and Low Lunge or your favorite YouTube Yoga. For meditation, check out our guide to meditation for men. Your body will appreciate even a few minutes of stretching and mindfulness.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Ross Collicutt
Ross Collicutt
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Ross is an outdoor adventure writer, amateur photographer, and computer programmer based on Vancouver Island, British…
Don’t make these common mistakes with your running gear in winter
Stay safe when running this winter
A man and woman running on a snowy winter road

As winter sets in and temperatures begin to plummet, many dedicated runners refuse to let the chill keep them inside. If you prefer to run outside rather than on the treadmill, you don’t need to let the cold weather stop you. Winter running can be invigorating, but it’s important to make sure you’re prepared before you hit the pavement. The proper running gear is essential for protecting yourself against the cold, wind, and possible rain and snow.

Many people actually dress too warm when heading out on a cold-weather run and end up being uncomfortable. It’s recommended you dress for weather that is 10 to 15 degrees warmer than the actual temperature when getting ready to run outside. This allows your body to adjust to the temperature without overheating. Here’s an overview of what you should wear when running outside in the wintertime.

Read more
How to lose weight fast in the new year: Easy tips to follow
Looking to transform your health and finally drop the weight? Learn how in this guide
Various healthy foods on a table

Realizing your goals quickly always sounds amazing. This is especially true when it comes to wanting to learn how to lose weight fast. You hear stories about quick results and would like that yourself. Unfortunately, in practice, quick weight loss programs don’t always match expectations.

For many people, it’s not possible to lose weight quickly. This might be due to age, body composition, amount of physical activity, genetics, and other factors. For some, weight gain is not just the result of calories in calories out or not doing enough weight loss exercise. It might take experimentation and a doctor’s help to understand the causes and address them. 

Read more
These 11 benefits of running are actually backed by science
Running benefits: You'll be surprised what a good run can do for you
Man running along a path

A fitness routine doesn't have to be expensive to start having a positive impact on your overall health. One of the most accessible forms of exercise comes from the activity you'll see on any given day in nearly any town or city in most countries of the world, and that's running. After all, running is one of the most popular forms of exercise because you can do it virtually anywhere. In fact, according to Statista, in 2017, nearly 56 million adults participated in running/jogging and trail running in the U.S. alone.
It's no wonder that the sport of running has such an avid fan base of millions of dedicated runners around the globe. Sometimes the hardest part is just getting started, but once you work past the initial discomfort, running has some amazing benefits that improve your physical and mental health, improving your overall well-being.
From improving the health of your heart and lungs and reducing your risk of various diseases to improving your mood and self-confidence, running has numerous benefits, which is why it appeals to almost anyone. Keep reading to see which benefits of running resonate with you and inspire you to lace up your running shoes and hit the road, track, treadmill, or trail.

Benefits of running
The list of benefits of running is extensive, spanning the gamut from improving cardiovascular fitness to reducing stress. Here are some of the key benefits:

Read more