Best Running Lights for Safer Nighttime Runs

This high-powered light mounts to your chest, and its secure strap system makes it appealing to those who want to avoid less comfortable head or arm-mounted options.

Most importantly, it also features a red warning light on the rear of the unit, so anyone behind you will be aware of your presence. The adjustable beam can be tilted up to 20 degrees, and is powerful enough to illuminate the ground up to 30 meters in front of you.

Despite all these features and components, this light weighs just 5.6 ounces, making it comfortable to wear and less likely to affect your overall running times.

If fussing with tiny batteries drives you crazy, check out this small-but-mighty clip-on light from Nathan. You simply connect it to any micro USB cable to get a charge. However, it’s unlikely you’ll need to plug it in often—a fully-charged battery delivers up to 30 hours of juice.

The four powerful LEDs offer several modes to keep you seen, though we found the “steady-on” setting drains the battery quickest. (We got just over four hours of light.) For maximum burn time, switch to the “chain” setting, which flashes each bulb in succession. Despite having only one LED illuminated at any given point, the light’s brightness in “chain” mode surprised us.

Though this gizmo looks like a mini backpack, it’s extremely lightweight and virtually bounce-free—even when trekking up and down hills. The unit that sits on your back holds a built-in battery pack, and is held in place by a reflective, elastic band that clips together on the front. Together, they wrap around the body for 360-degrees of visibility. We found that the soft-yet-bright glow is easily spotted in all directions by both motorists and fellow runners.

There are multiple lighting options so you can run with a static or dancing light. It has an impressive battery life of 20 hours and we were impressed by its ability to create a relatively bright glow around the body even down the darkest wooded trails. Your Ragnar Relay crew or pacer will be able to see you coming from up to a quarter-mile away.

Here is another headlamp recommendation from the RW test editors. It’s certainly not the cheapest option out there, but if you’re looking for a high-quality, reliable headlamp, this is probably your best bet. We know how frustrating bulky and heavy headlamps can be, which is why this ultra-lightweight light made our list.

It weighs just 2.8 ounces, and unlike similar models that have thick fabric headbands, uses a flexible plastic frame to give it a snug fit around your head. It also uses a single button to access all of its functions, which makes it easy to operate quickly, and without having to remember which button does what.

These clip-on lights are perfect for runners who want to stay safe at night or early morning, but who don’t want to deal with the straps and buckles of bulkier lights. You simply clip them to your armband, waistband, or pocket and you’re all set to go. They’re powered on by a single button that allows you to scroll through three settings, including a strobe function for extra visibility. The included batteries are good for up to 100 hours of use, and with an IPX4 rating, should stand up well to rainy or wet conditions.

The Bandicoot Run 250 has a unique function called Modemaker. Connect the light to your computer to create your own personalized light series and set your preferred controls. There are only two squishy buttons on the headlamp itself, so we made our controls super simple: a hard press to turn on and off, and a light press to cycle through brightness levels. We reordered and added back sequences—like the smaller nightlight for bedtime reading—as needed. On the run, we could quickly toggle through functions with just a finger.

Our favorite thing about the Bandicoot? The clear silicone headband with red LEDs is not super-bright, but it achieves a halo effect so cars can see you.

This LED light wraps around your waist like a belt, and thanks to a single buckle, is simple to snap on as you head out the door. We’re most impressed by the fact that its rechargeable battery is detachable, which eliminates the need to regularly purchase new disposable batteries.

Its two light modes—slow flash and steady glow—can be easily turned on with the single power button, and you can choose between five different colors. The main drawback to this light is the fact that it doesn’t offer 360 degrees of visibility, so you have to choose whether you want it facing forwards or back.

These slap-style bands don’t have any straps or buckles to adjust or tighten—you just slap them on your wrist, arm, or ankle. They feature three light modes: full, slow flash, and fast flash, and are powered by a replaceable watch battery. Their full-length LEDs also provide 360-degree visibility to anyone around you, unlike other types that are only visible to those in front or behind.

The lone knock? These bands have lower water-resistance capabilities and can only withstand light to moderate rain. If downpours are in the forecast, you’ll want to consider a different option.

This heavy-duty headlamp has been personally tested for days on the trail by RW’s resident staff ultrarunner, Pat Heine. The Icon’s high lumen output and extra-long battery life place it among his top picks for those pushing past the marathon distance. While typical running lights wouldn’t be able to last long enough for a single ultra, this lamp can provide you with up to 175 hours of light on its low setting, or eight hours on high, without needing a battery charge.

It’s also well-suited to rugged adventures, thanks to an $11 one-year protection policy, an option not always found on running lights. It’s not the lightest model though, and the AA battery pack results in a relatively heavy 10.6-ounce weight.

It’s essential to keep your head covered while running in the cold, and thanks to an integrated LED light, this wool beanie illuminates your path as well. Its convenient USB charging capability means you’ll never have to worry about purchasing new batteries either— you just pop out the light and plug it into your computer after your run.

This removable design also allows you to wash the beanie without risk of damaging the light. Plus, with 16 colors to choose from, you should have no trouble finding one that suits your style.