Why Every Runner Needs A Red Rear Light

Every year at the beginning of my training season I run through my gear list. Proper shoes? Check. Layers for all weather conditions? Check. Hydration setup that makes sense? Check. That’s the beauty of running after all, you don’t need much to get out and do it. When late summer rolls around and my mileage is peaking and the length of daylight is shortening, I’m reminded of the final piece of essential gear for running: a rechargeable headlamp.

As someone who has used good headlamps - and bad ones too - here are my top features to consider when choosing a running headlamp that will keep you safe in the dark:

Brightness

Street lamps don’t always cut it and if you’re a trail runner, say goodbye to street lamps altogether. Brightness, not surprisingly, is the number one feature people consider when choosing a headlamp - “will this light show me what’s coming?” I’ve found that for the vast majority of my runs I don’t need anything crazy. 300-500 lumens tends to get the job done, especially on road runs where street lamps and car lights help illuminate the path. It’s nice to have a burst of brightness on trails where animals are a concern or if you are putting in mileage on a more technical trail brightness can be peace-of-mind, so I do look for that feature when doing bigger days on the trail.

Fit

It should feel like nothing’s there. This is true for all of your running gear if you want the most enjoyable experience. A stone in your shoe, a scratchy tag on your shirt, a running vest that pinches weird, and a headlamp that bounces will ruin what could otherwise be a great run. BioLite HeadLamps offer a 3D Slimfit construction, which essentially means that they’ve taken the weight of a traditional headlamp design and dispersed it more evenly across your head. By moving the battery to the back, your front light goes from being a small brick to a thin lens. Moisture wicking, athletic fabrics are increasingly common and there’s no reason to go another route - thin, string-like options or more plastic-y builds will only cause you headaches when running. The safety concern? If it doesn’t fit well, you won’t use it - and seeing during a night run is the top priority.

Battery Life

My take on battery life is similar to my thoughts on brightness. While certainly essential, battery life is really crucial when considering very long runs in the dark. Colder temperatures will also affect battery life, but it’s not often I find myself doing much more than 5 miles on a winter night. I’ve found rechargeable headlamps more practical than alkaline-options for both of these scenarios. By connecting a portable charger / power bank directly to the headlamp, you can remove any anxiety about your battery draining on you at an inopportune moment.

Note: Not all rechargeable headlamps offer this feature. For BioLite HeadLamps it’s referred to as Pass-Thru charging.

Reflective Detailing

This is a safety feature you see on a lot of other running items, but not commonly on headlamps. Shoes, shirts, and vests often have reflective decals to help catch the eye of drivers and cyclists during dark hours and having a reflective detail on your headlamp can be nice too. There are times where I’m running and the street lamps are close together for a stretch or the morning light is up enough where I can turn off my headlamp and knowing it’s still helping others see me is reassuring. I’ll give groggy morning drivers all the help I can.

Rear Light

While reflective details on a headlamp are a great precaution, a rear light on your headlamp is the ultimate safety measure. Just like cyclists use a red light on their seat to be seen by cars, a dedicated rear light on your running headlamp will accomplish the same when running on roads. There’s not a whole lot more to say about this feature than if you are a road runner, really consider this option.

Bonus: Choose a headlamp that works for you, even when not running

Unless you’re a gear fanatic who wants a headlamp for every activity, you really should be able to have 1 to 2 in your gear kit to accomplish the wide range of activities you may want to do in the dark. Dog walks, commuting to work on a bike, cross country skiing, you name it - having a headlamp that meets your requirements will ensure you stay safe and have the best time outside.

Ready to be seen from every angle? Explore BioLite’s Dash 450 (great for most runners) or HeadLamp 800 Pro (designed with bigger outings in mind) >

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Written by BioLite team member and runner Will Phelan, who can be found running the trails around Jackson Hole.

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