Be safe - be seen. Only your life depends on it. Night walking means taking extra care that cars see you. For the best safety, your entire outline should be reflective and you should carry a light or wear a flasher.
1. Reflective Vest
Wendy Bumgardner ©
I carry one of these in my car to quickly slip on for night walking. The mesh means it is cool and lightweight, and it adjusts for people of all sizes. The reflective strips on front and back provide safety, and if you get it in orange it provides day safety as well.
2. Petzl TacTikka Plus LED Headlamp
Photo courtesy of Pricegrabber
For hands-free night walking, this headlamp is an essential. It is lightweight, bright, and it runs on 3 AAA batteries that last for 150 or more hours. That's far better than a flashlight that is drained in just a few hours. You can adjust the angle of the four super bright LED bulbs. I has three brightness settings, plus a flashing setting. There is a red filter to flip over the lights if you prefer. It has a single strap, but kits are available to add an over-the-head second strap.
3. Glo Glov
Wendy Bumgardner ©
Open-fingered gloves with big reflective triangles on palm and back of hand, and reflective strips down each finger. These provide great visibility, especially when crossing the street and flashing your palm to traffic. Wear alone or over other gloves, in all seasons.
4. Boss LED Head-Lite Running Hat
Wendy Bumgardner © 2006
Wow, just what I needed and never imagined existing - a hat with a built-in ultra-bright, ultra-light headlamp. For walking or running in dusk, dawn, or after dark, this is a great accessory. It fits and feels like any other good cap, you can wear it anytime. After dark, just push in the button and you have an ultra-bright LED light to show you the way. The light adds no weight at all. One drawback - the light might not be at the best angle for your head position.
5. See-Me-Run Iron-on Reflective Transfers
Wendy Bumgardner © 2008
Use these reflective iron-on transfers to add a measure of night safety to your favorite walking gear. I put them on my Camelbak and my favorite cold weather walking hat. Don't want to wear a reflective vest? Use these transfers on your favorite jacket on the back, sleeves and front and you will have improved your night safety.
6. Reflective Armbands and Anklebands
Reflective anklebands and armbands are a good choice if you don't want to wear a vest. They will show you are a moving object.7. Pelican Mini Flasher Safety Light
© Pricegrabber
Attach these super-bright, lightweight LED lights to your waistband for night safety. Cars can see it over a half-mile way in clear night conditions.
8. Reflective Hat
Your night hat should have reflective strips, or choose an Illuminite cap such as these.9. IllumiNITE Jackets, Shirts and Pants
IllumiNITE fabric has reflective threads throughout, giving you 360-degree visibility. Jackets include fleece, lined, lightweight, etc. in many styles. Get performance and be reflective. They look normal by day, glow by night.10. LED Hat Clip Lights
If you already have a favorite hat with a bill and just want to add a clip-on head lamp, these LED clip lights are ideal. I have the same problem with these as with the LED hats - it's not easy to adjust the angle of the light, so you may not be spotlighting your path as well as you wish. In my case, I walk with my chin up and the light ends up too far in front of me. I prefer a real headlamp where I can fully adjust the angle.
