Jogging in the dark: The most important gadgets for autumn

See and be seen. When jogging in the dark, this popular saying and borrowed from the jet set is a mantra. A mantra that can protect runners from all performance classes from falls and accidents and thus also from serious injuries or worse consequences. What is particularly important during running training after sunset (or before sunrise) how to minimize the stumbling risk on dark trails and which smart gadgets help you recognize car, motorcycle and cyclists jogger from afar in this article.

In addition to walking, jogging during the Corona pandemic between 2020 and 2022 also experienced a small renaissance. The world of culture was quiet for months, sports fields were orphaned, climbing halls were tight and for fitness training at home, many of them flutes the motivation over time. And so many hobby athletes rummaged their dusty running shoes from the shelf and wanted to start jogging again. But if you couldn’t or did not want to pull yourself up during the lunch break, you had to go after work (or when the children are in bed). In the best case, many have remained on the ball after the lockdowns and closed studios. And then as now, a challenge are facing a challenge.

Because in addition to the inner bastard, runners have: inside from the end of October to March and another opponent: the darkness. First of all, it is tricky because, in addition to the physical stress, you also have to pay attention to where to start. At least when you are traveling away from illuminated streets and footpaths. In addition, runners are bad or not at all to be seen in the dark for other road users. This is exactly why adequate equipment is life insurance for hobby runners who want to do something for their health after dark.

Let us first devote ourselves to our own orientation. Because nothing is more annoying than lying on your nose after a few minutes because you have overlooked a root or the on -board edge was slightly higher than anticipated. For this, sporting goods manufacturers have the developed. First of all, it should be as easy as possible, sit comfortably and be adaptable to the head shape accordingly. In the best case, the running lighting consists of front and rear light. But that’s not a must. Because to be seen, reflectors are the better companions. But more about that later. Now there are runners who feel disturbed by an LED lamp, as which is always paved on the head. As an alternative to the forehead variant, lamps show the way that are fixed in front of the chest via an elastic belt system. The principle is the same. Only small disadvantage of the : For runners who control their heart rate via a pulse belt (which is a very good idea), the belts could get in the way.

It is one thing to see the way and avoid falls. If this goes wrong, it often stays with blue spots or grazes. It could be less light if joggers are simply not seen by other road users. Rule number two when jogging in the dark is therefore: joggers must also be seen. For this purpose, manufacturers of running and wheel clothing have been equipping their products for years with so-called reflector areas, which, for example, reflect on the headlight of cars, motorcycles or bicycles. However, it is even safer to to attach to the body or a to pull over. Basically, the more reflector area, the better.

As long as it doesn’t bother you when running, everything is allowed when jogging in the dark. Security is the top priority. You can walk through the park like a Christmas tree. While the forehead and chest lamps already mentioned are almost a standard equipment of night-tactative athletes, LEDs on the shoes are rather rare. The shoe or laces clips equipped with LEDs are also very helpful. Similar to the clips for the arm, the flexible shoe clips are clamped around the heel. Your advantage: In contrast to the headlamp, the LEDs on the feet are always on the move and can be perceived even better by drivers. A 2-Set that can be operated with the modes permanently light and flashing, . The laces are threaded and then flash according to the step frequency.

If you watch jogger these days, black is still one of the favorite colors among runners. This may look elegant and noble, but in terms of visibility and safety, this suit is at least expandable. At least grab and running cap to light colors, at best to yellow or neon green tones. With this, at least at dusk, they already draw attention to themselves.

Especially when you are new to the city, the new home wants to be explored. And nothing is healthier than hopping in the running shoes and going on a discovery tour by pedes. The only danger: you could get lost in the still foreign environment. Especially at dusk or in the dark it becomes tricky to find the way out of a park or the forest back home. If you don’t want to buy and afford GPS-capable running watch, you will take the smartphone for the first run. Googlemaps or other apps usually help reliably if you have to get off the way.

In Germany, dozens of joggers are attacked, robbed and partially injured every year. Light alone brings little. In the event of an attack, an acoustic warning signal can help. There’s one here which is supposed to be up to 120 dB loud and the attacker is supposed to deter.

Conclusion: Every nocturnal runner has his health on the whole in his own hands. The selection of lighting for the body is large, and LED vests and reflectors of all kinds improve visibility. If you then rely on bright running clothing, you can lace up the (soon no longer dusty) running shoes with motivation and without fear of painful incidents.