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Stay warm, dry, and safe during low-light runs, from twilight to midnight. Women Ski Jackets
When the nights get longer, wetter, and windier, it becomes harder for runners to avoid training at night. You should always wear reflective running gear in low light, but a reflective running jacket is especially helpful, providing the warmth, waterproofing, and visibility you need on a cool night. I think the best reflective running jackets look pretty sleek too, which never hurts. If you need a dedicated jacket for night runs, this guide will tell you everything you need to know, including our favorite styles for men and women.
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If you’re running after dark, your top priority is to find a jacket that will make you visible to cars and other people, which will keep you safe. According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 80% of pedestrian traffic fatalities happen after dusk, so making yourself easy to see is essential.
Of course, that doesn’t mean you should lower your standards: A great running jacket should always be comfortable, breathable, fit well, and look good. That said, different jackets are suited to different circumstances. The jacket you need for a September night in LA might not cut it in rural Idaho, where it’s usually around 30 degrees colder at the same time of year.
You want to be as visible as possible to oncoming traffic, so don’t check for the word “reflective” on the label and call it “good.” Ideally, you have strips or panels in places that highlight your body’s shape– hips, shoulders, wrists, chest, and back. It is important to have some reflective material on both the front and back of the jacket to ensure that your jacket will catch light coming from any direction. I also recommend looking specifically for reflectors on your shoulders and wrists, which will attract extra attention as the reflected light moves with your stride.
In addition to reflective clothing, you’ll find plenty of “high-visibility” running gear, which features bright colors and contrasting patterns to make you more eye-catching to drivers in low-light conditions. High-vis elements won’t do much at night on their own, but in conjunction with reflective panels, they can help a driver register you as a runner, rather than random flashing light. And, of course, high-vis elements are very helpful during the day and at twilight, so your night running jacket keeps you safe at any time.
Most running jackets are made with breathable fabrics that allow moisture to escape from inside your jacket as you work up a sweat. As you look at running rain jackets, you’ll notice that things can heat up pretty quickly, since jackets with better waterproofing hold more moisture in, in addition to keeping moisture out.
If you live in a place with especially cold, wet winters, it might be worth investing in a warmer winter running jacket with moisture management. Just know you will be sacrificing some breathability with the weather resistance.
Like a great pair of running shoes, you want your jacket to fit right and feel comfortable. This applies whether you prefer a more tailored fit, or something a little looser with room for a base layer in cold weather. Most brands will describe a jacket’s fit, but it takes trial and error to find what you like to wear on a run.
I picked the best reflective running jackets based on a combination of firsthand testing and input from the highly experienced pavement-pounders on the Runner’s World editorial team, including options that were selected for previous versions of this story. In wear-testing and research, I judged them based on comfort, budget, and style. All of these picks have enough reflective and high-visibility elements to make sure drivers see you in low light.
Over the past few years, Brooks has become a dominant brand for high-visibility running apparel. The brand’s night running line has changed names over the years, but it has consistently offered some of the best combination high-vis color and reflective elements. Right now, the Run Visible Convertible Jacket is the crown jewel of the whole set.
With 12 reflector panels spanning the front and rear waist, shoulders, upper arms, forearms, and wrists, Brooks ensures that you’ll shine from any angle, and distributes reflector points across both static and moving body parts. In addition, the white base color and fluorescent yellow accent paneling on the forearms create additional visibility once you’re illuminated.
This semi-fitted rain shell fits comfortably without restricting your motion in any way, offering strong protection against wind and rain, though not much warmth in cooler climates. (You should consider wearing extra layers during the winter.)
The jacket packs up into itself, converting into a lightweight running vest. That way you can cool off without losing your reflective material, or being forced to carry your jacket. It’s a very distinctive and useful feature among running jackets that shows how well Brooks caters to night runners.
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If you want a basic reflective running jacket for a low price, Baleaf’s running rain jacket is a solid option. All decked out in bright colors, you’ll grab plenty of attention during the evening. (I recommend the fluorescent yellow version for maximum visibility.) The jacket has less reflective paneling than some of my other, more expensive picks, but the reflective dots along the shoulders and hood are enough to get the job done.
The Baleaf jacket offers better-than-average waterproofing for a jacket in this price range, with fully taped seams to avoid letting moisture in. At the same time, it features covered mesh panels across the back to increase airflow through it.
It has five pockets, including two zippered side pockets and a large pouch on the back, which may come in handy for your phone, keys, and other essentials. The jacket also packs up into the back pouch for easy storage in a backpack.
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The New Balance Impact Run Luminous Heat really leans into bad weather protection with its wind-resistant shell and “sonic-welded” seams to keep out the wind, as well as moisture-wicking insulation to keep you warm and comfortable.
The hem and shoulders feature strips of reflective material woven into the faux-checkered pattern, as well as small reflectors on the wrists. It lacks any high-visibility coloring, but there’s enough reflective material to make sure you stand out in the dark.
The jacket also comes equipped with a pair of zip-up pockets, as well as a drop pocket for your phone. Zipping window sleeves at the wrist provides easy access to your fitness watch. Reflective, weatherproof, and warm, the Impact Run Luminous Heat is safe and comfortable on a night run, and a stylish option for a daytime walk.
A solid reflective jacket in every regard, women testers I’ve spoken with said the On Weather Lumos has a notably comfortable cut, which is fitted without feeling restrictive. Its weatherproofing offers solid protection from the elements, and the fabric doesn’t feel as abrasive as many other weather-ready jackets. I also think it looks pretty stylish with its sleek, minimalist design, though it would be nice if it came in a couple more color options.
The Lumos also offers outstanding visibility, pairing reflective materials with a high-vis pattern. Reflective strips at the wrists, shoulders, chest, and back are sure to catch the light, while its fluorescent cloud patterning across the upper front, back, and hood increases visibility across a range of light conditions. A single pocket at the chest holds your phone and keys, or the entire jacket can be packed into it for portability.
And don’t fret if you like the look, guys: It comes in men’s sizes as well.
The Asics Lite Show Jacket goes above and beyond, pairing vibrant, eye-catching color patterns with reflective paneling on the chest, back, and wrists. It comes in a variety of colors, ranging from light blue to a variety of fluorescent-to-black gradients. It is also available with and without a hood. (It’s worth noting these colors and styles aren’t all easy to find on Amazon or other retailers. To see the full range, go to Asics directly.)
The Lite Show delivers moderate wind and water resistance, making it a comfortable choice for chilly mornings and nights. An adjustable waist cord and mesh underarm inserts for breathability add a boost of comfort. A pair of zip-up side pockets give you secure storage for your keys and cards. All told, it’s an attention-grabbing addition to the ASICS lineup.
I picked this jacket as a men’s option, as there are more colors and styles in men’s sizes, but there’s also a women’s version, which comes in its own range of colors, including black-to-purple and white-to-purple gradients.
Our testers pointed out a lot of things they liked about the Cross Chill jacket from lululemon. Made with the brand’s wind- and waterproof RepelShell fabric, it keeps you warm and dry all run long. The fitted design, while too slim for winter-layering, feels good on a cool fall evening. The cut also looks great, and is particularly stylish in lighter colors like mint and bone.
As far as visibility goes, the reflective detailing will get the job done under most conditions. Dotted reflective patterns at the middle-back, wrists, hip-pockets, and various logos offer plenty of reflection, though you may want to go with one of the lighter color options to up the visibility overall.
Four zippered pockets at the hips, chest, and rear provide plenty of storage, while a hidden phone drop pocket provides quick access on the go. Our tester loved that the sleeves feature thumbholes, which are great for keeping hands warm in chilly weather. It’s the kind of jacket that you’ll buy for running, but wear all the time.
The L.L. Bean Bright Multisport Jacket goes all-in on high-visibility. Bright is in the name for a reason: It’s almost entirely fluorescent, with bright colors the eye can’t miss and 14 small reflective panels across the shoulders, wrists, and back.
This is also a highly versatile jacket. It’s comfortable, layers well against the cold, and has plenty of pockets. You can wear it any time, to any kind of activity. It also works well as a cycling jacket.
While it doesn’t offer much in the way of weatherproofing—the water and wind resistance are only moderate, and it doesn’t have a hood—this jacket provides tons of visibility, day or night.
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How do you wash a reflective jacket?
Water-resistant jackets are often treated with chemicals that provide moisture-wicking properties. These compounds will degrade after going through the wash many times, but you can make the treatment last longer by washing them with care. Always make sure to follow the care instructions on your jacket’s label.
That said, here’s a general wash routine in case your label rips: If possible, wash gently by hand using cold water. When machine-washing, always zip all zippers and close all fasteners beforehand, then wash cold with a gentle detergent and use the “delicate” setting. Hang to dry. Do not put it in the dryer.
Should I wear a light while running at night?
The jackets above will help considerably in terms of increasing your visibility, but reflectors and high-visibility design can only achieve so much—especially in very dark conditions. If you expect to be running someplace where street and ambient lighting is sparse, bolstering your visibility with a running light—particularly a light that blinks—is advisable.
When should I wear a jacket when running?
While there’s no hard and fast rule about what to wear for a run. Runner’s World generally advises that you should dress as if it will be 15-20 degrees warmer than the actual temperature. If you would normally wear a light jacket on a 65-degree day, then you should wait until the weather drops to about 50 degrees before running in one.
As the temperature dips below 40 degrees, you should add winter running gear, including running tights and a wool base layer.
Nick Hilden is a writer, globetrotter, and jack-of-many-talents who has written gear reviews for the likes of Runner’s World, Popular Science, Men’s Health, Thrillist, the Daily Beast, the Los Angeles Times, Greatist, and the Manual, and his lifestyle, culture, and tech writing has also appeared in Scientific American, Afar, Salon, Vice, Healthline, and many others. Before entering journalism some 15 years ago, he worked as a bartender, brewery manager, sound engineer, recording and touring musician, cook, teacher, and in a variety of other trades. These days, he lives all over the world, performs music sporadically, and spends a lot of time thinking how to best improve his Honda Element conversion.
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