Stay Toasty and Be Seen with the Best Reflective Running Jackets
Early morning and after-dark runs call for a boost in visibility.
As the days get shorter, the most important thing you can do when running in the dark is be seen. You don’t need to wear head-to-toe reflective gear (though that would certainly make you stand out); any sort of reflective or high-visibility clothing or detailing will help drivers see you on the road. Reflective running jackets pull double duty, keeping you warm and making you visible. Here’s what you need to know when choosing a jacket, followed our top recommendations.
The Expert: As someone who’s raced seven marathons and way more half marathons than I can count, I’m no stranger to running in the dark; I prefer the wee hours of the morning. Recently, I tested many reflective and high-visibility items for Runner’s World, where I used to be an editor, and spoke with a product manager for the Brooks Run Visible line to learn more about how reflective and high-visibility materials actually work.
What to Consider
Like with any running gear, it might take some time to find a jacket that works for you. Below are a few important considerations when choosing a reflective jacket.
Fit: Like your running shoes, you want your jacket to fit right and feel comfortable. Maybe you prefer a slim fit or something a little looser to allow for multiple base layers. Most product descriptions tell you what the fit is like, but sometimes it takes trial and error to know what you like to wear while running, so your clothing and gear don’t impede your workout.
Breathability: Most running jackets are billed as breathable to keep you from overheating. But once you start choosing jackets that are waterproof, water-repellant, or water-resistant (yes, those are all different), by nature of that material things can heat up pretty quickly. If you live in a place with harsh winters—hello, New England—it might be worth investing in a warmer jacket with moisture management.
Reflective details: The more reflectivity, the better, if your goal is to be seen. We’ve discovered that many jackets, tops, bottoms, and hats call themselves “reflective” but have just a small reflective strip that won’t do much on the dark roads. That’s because reflective material only works when light—like from a car’s headlight—hits it. Companies also employ high-visibility material—think super bright, fluorescent clothing—because it’s easier to spot in ambient light for a glow-in-the-dark effect. Some jackets we chose have reflective detailing on top of high-visibility material—double whammy.
How We Evaluated
Armed with the information from my interview with a Brooks product manager, I used my own experience to carefully select promising reflective running jackets. I also factored in price, style, fit, material, and made my way through thousands of product reviews from fellow runners to bring you the best reflective running jackets. Read about those nine models below.