Running in the dark

Hi

Has anyone got any recommendations re head torches?

Thanks in advance.

[misswobble Graduate10]

Yes. There are loads if discussions here on the subject, one a week ago I think, do do have a browse. I have a Lenser which is at the budget end it's the Neon, under £20. But it stays out and is bright enough for road running and lit streets. Trail running in the dark, or unlit streets, requires more lumens

Petzyl and Alpkit are another two brands I'm familiar with 🙂 Lenser and petzyl are small, come in all colours and ok for normal running as described above 🙂

[Tomas Graduate10]

If you run where there are no street lights, then don't skimp on the torch. I started with a 10-quid thing where the light would illuminate the road almost 3 inches ahead. Absolutely useless. I've now got a Lenser that gives enough light that sometimes cars flash me with the high beam if I've got it set to max output and not pointed towards the ground (that very quickly taught me to point it slightly downwards!)

You can also get lights that are worn on the chest. They're more comfortable than head torches (in my opinion), but I haven't used mine on dark enough runs to have a view as to whether it's as effective as a head torch.

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Thanks

I like the idea of a chest mounted one. I think a head torch might give me a headache

[Sandraj39 Graduate10]

I have this chest light (well, the 2016 version - bought it from Decathalon just over a year ago). It is my pride and joy on dark runs and has a flashing red light on the back too! This looks like a good price as I paid £29.99 for mine! 🙂

amazon.co.uk/Rechargeable-F...

[Sweatyfaced Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

I have same! Scared myself silly the first time I wore it as thought there were ghosts leaping out of the bushes at me but it was just my arms pumping!! Lol!

[Sandraj39 Graduate10 in reply to Sweatyfaced]

Haha!😅

[Sweatyfaced Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

I know, I have my "total twonk" moments!!

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10 in reply to Sandraj39]

I have just bought this one from Decathlon! I also paid £29.99, not run in it yet, but did take it out on a dog walk for a trial and I think it is going to work just fine. Plus, the elastic straps and wiring were indeed long enough for me to adjust it so the light itself is level with the bottom of my (38DD) sports bra.

[Gabby08 Graduate10]

I have a Geonaute Onnight510 from Decathlon and it's brilliant. The reviews on it seem to be far better than anything else in its price range and I wouldn't be without mine.

[Sweatyfaced Graduate10]

Also get a reflective / high vis vest if you don't already have one, plus reflective arm or leg bands. There's no such thing as too visible to cars, even if you feel a bit silly....

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Thank you so much good advice and help! I have entered a trail race in December and it says no light no run so I need to get something. I am guessing holding a flashlight will not be much use!

[Maddee_6333 Graduate10]

I’ve not been part of any of the discussions in here, but have been reading discussions in a trail running group I am a part of. Recent consensus over there seems to be that a really super bright head torch is not necessarily the best way to go when out in the countryside in the dark as they can cause problems with depth perception. A couple of people I run with say using a chest torch and a head torch of differing brightnesses helps with the depth perception issue.

I actually have about 3 head torches of various ages and lumens, because I was having problems with running after dark and always ended up taking my head torch off and holding it in my hand. It took me trialling contact lenses to realise the problems I was having were head torch plus glasses doesn’t really work for me.

Sorry, this is basically a really long winded way of saying ‘No, I don’t have any recommendations’, while still trying to be helpful 😳.

It might well be that choosing a head torch is going to be like choosing running shoes - what suits one person might not suit you.

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I had a little jog round the garden in a headtorch last night and yes it kept hitting my glasses! I thought it was because it’s just my camping one and not a special running one. I also went out the other night with no light and relied on street lighting I did find depth perception a challenge. Thanks for your comments