How to Ensure You're Seen When Running at Night

Don't let a lack of daylight deter you from running. Use these tips to ensure you return home safely.

Avoid wearing dark colors—black, brown, purple, blue, green. Instead, opt for colors such as white, yellow or orange, which are naturally more reflective than deeper shades on the color spectrum. Wear apparel that has reflective piping at the wrists and ankles as they move the most while you're running.

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No matter the time of day or the amount of light, leave the headphones at home when you're running—but especially at night.

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Add reflective tape to the heels of your running shoes. If you carry a hydration bottle when you run, you can put reflective tape on the holster and the bottle itself to increase visibility as well.

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Carry handheld or wrist lights to help see and be seen. As you swing your arms, the movement will likely draw attention of others and help increase your visibility.

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Using a running headlamp will not only help you light your way but also help you be seen. Plus, the hands-free light allows you to easily carry a hand-held light for additional illumination or a hydration bottle.

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Even if your running group is you and a friend out for a run, there is safety in numbers.

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This is unquestionable unless you're running on a dedicated, multi-use path. Running against traffic allows you to react to oncoming traffic.

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Always choose a well-lit route when running in the dark. Save the unlit trails for daylight runs.

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If you want to explore different running routes, it's best do so during the day.

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Don't repeat the same running route on the same days at the same time. Be unpredictable to anyone you don't know.

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If you use a social app—like Strava or Garmin Connect—make sure the privacy settings are tuned so you can't be tracked by anyone unfamiliar to you.

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If you use a social app--like Strava or Garmin Connect--make sure the privacy settings are tuned so you can't be tracked by anyone unfamiliar to you.

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Even when you're running with a group, it's always a good idea to let someone else know that you're out for a running session. This holds true for running at any time of day.

Pro Tip: Many social apps—like Garmin Connect, or Strava—have features that allow your linked and permitted followers to track your location.

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About the Author

More by Greg» Greg Kaplan, Freelance Writer

A lifelong endurance sports athlete, Greg raced bikes on the road as a junior prior to changing his athletic focus to rowing. Upon retiring from elite rowing competition, Greg revisited his passion for racing bikes and also added some swimming and running into the mix, competing at the ITU Age Group World Championships on multiple occasions. He and his wife Shannon—also a rower, bike-racer, and triathlete—enjoy traveling, learning about wine and keeping up with their rescue cats when they are not training or racing.