Running in the dark 2

[sarah65]

So having said good morning I’ll pose my question ! Has anyone had experience of running with a head torch? My OH runs in Snowdonia in the week and it’s beginning to get darker in the mornings now. We’re thinking about how he’s going to manage come the autumn/winter when it’s pitch black!! Any ideas?

[GoGo_JoJo Graduate10]

I think it's probably a good idea. It gives traffic an early warning and highlights anything about to get in the way 👍

[Equi-geek Graduate10]

I’ve been wondering the same. We have no street lights and I wondered what others have used successfully (retail therapy 🤣👏)

[sarah65 Graduate10 in reply to Equi-geek]

Yes my husband runs around the old slate quarry - I don’t really want him falling down a hole! No idea what to buy though

[mountaindreamer Graduate10]

Hi Sarah

I’ve not run with a head torch yet, and don’t currently plan to, but have done plenty of fast walking out from mountains etc (with the odd bit of running on descents) with them over the years.

The newer LED headtorches are lightweight, and the batteries last pretty well. If he’s running round slate quarries, perhaps aim for one of the models with a better beam distance option (they usually show this on the packaging of the good brands, as well as how this distance varies as the batteries age). Some are more suitable just for reading, or for seeing a short distance in front of you. Being able to adjust the angle of the light when it’s on your head can also be handy.

My current favourite LED head torch is a Petzl TIKKA XP2, if they still make them. Good zoom / angles / lightweight / easy to change the 3AAA batteries (some of the LED headtorches have battery compartments so difficult to open that I can’t change the batteries with cold hands...) Hope that helps.

[sarah65 Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

Thank you Mountaindreamer that’s really helpful 😊

[mountaindreamer Graduate10 in reply to sarah65]

I just received an ALPKIT email with this head torch in it, Sarah...

alpkit.com/products/qark

Alpkit are a good UK company, who sell good kit, so if they say a head torch is suitable for off road running then I’d be inclined to trust them. I like the idea that this model has a rechargeable battery / the battery pack is at the back of your head for better weight balance (how older original head torches with massive batteries used to be...) / the battery pack lights up behind you too, so better visibility from behind if on a road etc

(Not being able to carry spare batteries, though, means I’d be inclined to carry a spare back up to get safely home with if necessary... you can get tiny cheap lights that you could use to walk out with to safety “just in case”...)

[sarah65 Graduate10 in reply to mountaindreamer]

Great will check it out

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10]

Lots of folk on here have head torches... I think @misswobble had one..not sure though ? I have one.. which I use if pushed.. mostly there is enough light in the sky to run by.. where is he running in Snowdonia?

Oh just read.. an old slate quarry... hmmm mine is a Summit Head Lite... not sure if they are still available though.

[sarah65 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

He stays in a cottage at the top of Dinorwic, Llanberis is at the bottom of the very steep hill! -he usually runs a route through the old slate quarry. Very picturesque on the light mornings but will be pretty much pitch black before too many weeks! He can only run in the mornings before work then he’s back home in Cardiff for the weekends.

[Oldfloss Administrator Graduate10 in reply to sarah65]

I know it very well... husband and I camped and rock climbed in the Pass for many years.. when we were younger

Very, very dark... ! We have staggered across the bridge from the Vaynol Arms ( it used to be thriving , in the past) back to our tent down stream!

He most definitely needs a head torch!!!

[sarah65 Graduate10 in reply to Oldfloss]

😂😂

[AnnieW55]

I use a head torch and last year tried a chest torch like them both. Only advice I would give (as I’ve found it to work for me) is to make sure a head torch has a strap over the top of the head and not just circling it. By having an over strap you don’t have to have the round one too tight to keep the torch in place. I was bought one without the over strap and it just kep falling down my face or had to wear with a hat - too tight and I got a headache.

I also have a red light on my back when road running in the dark and reflective strips all over the place 🎄

[sarah65 Graduate10 in reply to AnnieW55]

Thanks Annie, useful tip x

[D1956]

Hi Sarah. Sadly the time has come for the head torch. I have a Black Diamond which has a great light but a good strap to keep it in place. I also run with a very bright yellow top and a flashing light on my are or heels facing behind me.

I think this covers the old saying "see and be seen" I run in lanes which have no street lights, parks, and streets with street lights but still go out looking like a Christmas Tree

Hope this helps

David

[southlundon]

Thanks for asking this question - I hadn't even thought about lighting for when the mornings start getting darker and I run on country roads without street lights. Another thing to add to the running kit wish-list!