Holiday Gift Guide: Night-Time Running Accessories

More miles. Better times. Greater joy with every stride – night or day. These Active Junky selections run with the best of this season for aspiring and accomplished striders alike.

Nathan Halo Fire: Be the torch

Nathan Halo Fire Runners' Headlamp $75.16 - $114.56

Flying through the night in wilderness and urban settings is pure joy. If, like a bike, you’re both seen and able to see. Tagged as the “Run-Right Light” by Nathan, Active Junky’s been waiting for this range of output (288-lumen max.) with illumination at both foot level (with two canted floodlights) and out in front (thanks to a long-throwing spotlight). A reliable 1,500mAh rechargeable battery in Halo Fire is at the core, managed for optimum output. And ready to light it up with the Auto-Strobe sensor’s response to oncoming car headlights. Reviewers were speechless but not in the dark when confronted by this storied brand’s hardcore response to the realities of running. Past rechargeable lights have left us skittish about their all-night endurance. Interactive, intelligent running headlamps likewise have been gimmicks in search of an application. Not here, not now. Notch down to the Nebula Fire (192-lumen max. in Sprint mode) to save some money but don’t run away from Nathan.

Best For: All-year road, trail and off-road running, adventure travel to double as a bike light (by adding a rear, red blinker for under $50 – Halo Fire’s reflective headstrap was made for this)

4id PowerSpurz: Step lightly

4id Power Spurz Light Up Heel Starting at: $12.23

Inside the package, PowerSpurz look more like infant headphones than a runner’s best after-dark friend. Once properly clipped to running (or even biking) shoes, the U-shaped appliances each use a pair of CR2032 watch batteries to outline the heel with LED light displays. Continuous or flash (Active Junky’s favorite) modes harness the runner’s motion to attract the attention of motorists and cyclists whether on path or pavement. The only limitation here is shoe heel width of between 6.0 and 8.5cm, leaving more extreme sizes to their own devices. And leather shoes are scratched by the Spurz so synthetic uppers are the choice for up to 100hrs of runtime (flashing mode). Weather resistant instead of waterproof, testers are hoping for a rechargeable model in the near future.

Best For: Three-season running and bike commuting in moderate weather conditions

Flip Belt Million Mile Light: Shake up the night

FlipBelt Million Mile Light

Run for your lumens, we say (now) at Active Junky. This micro-miracle is pure fun, 100% safety and lives out the sustainable creed by going battery-free. At only 1.5oz, double M sends a pulse of light with every stride, even at slower speeds. So effective, testers have used it to find car key or ID at night simply by oscillating the unit. Rapidly, of course. With nothing to go wrong and so much right about it, the 30-lumen Million Mile Light clips to clothes and carries an IPX4 splash-proof rating that handles most scenarios. Know that outdoor manufacturers as well as the military are diving deep on the potential for motion-powered devices to supplement (or even replace) heavy battery packs in the field. Color choices in the 2.5” tall unit suit any style. A five-year warranty is plenty enough. Here’s the easiest gift to buy with such a compelling output, it’ll be hard to wait until dark. Oh, and it bounces in at under 20 bucks.

Best For: Runners and athletic walkers

Brilliant Iron-On Reflective Safety Strips: Streaks of safety

Many new running shoes, jacket, pants and shorts come equipped with reflective accents. Sometimes, it’s only a tiny logo or cuff that gets an imprinted treatment. Active Junky wants more from these existing pairs and garments. Brilliant delivers an upgrade at under $5 with 30sq inches of durable 3M Scotchlite in every package. While some outdoor athletes might favor the Stick-On version, testers went for the iron-on version to dress up black and grey running clothes that still had plenty of life in them. Now even more so with the ability to go early and late with less trepidation. Not a total solution to visibility, placement of the reflective strips is important to create a sense of movement that alerts motorists and cyclists. As such, ankles, knees thighs, wrists and biceps are the focus.

Best For: All-year, anywhere use even during dusk and dawn hours

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