Noxgear Tracer 360 in action
The latest technology in safety gear is here and it is fun, bright, and easy to wear! I have to admit when I first saw the Noxgear Tracer360, I was hesitant. Sure the pictures make the light up display look bright and fun – but it was held together by what looked to be an Army Safety Belt. Army Safety Belts have so running jokes that it has it’s own Facebook page (read a fun satire here). However, the light up display caught my curiosity, so I went into the review with an open mind.
Noxgear promises to use Full color spectrum to keep you highly visable. It’s lightweight and supposed to be more comfy than a safety vest. You can wear it during a number of activities and its minimal fabric does not trap in your sweat. The Tracer360 is electricity free, so no extra heat is added. However, that isn’t usually a problem I have found in running safety gear. It has a LED-Blink Battery notification on startup and power down (the light blinks green twice if it is still good), runs on 3 AAA batteries and last about 40 hours.
Noxgear Tracer 360 in with the flash
Some website facts:
- 360 degrees dynamic illumination
- 3M Reflective/Hiviz Safety Belt
- Quick Clip Belt and Dual adjustment
- Lightweight 6.5 oz
- All-season and rain proof
- Full Color Spectrum on light up
- Battery status notification
- Made in the USA
I run in the dark a lot, especially in the winter. After having been almost hit once, and actually grazed another time while running in the dark, I put safety high on my list of things I do not compromise. I have tried a variety of hand lights, blinking lights, headlamps, and safety vests. The Tracer360 was light-weight as promised, easy to use (no need to look up videos to figure out how to put it on) and was adjustable. Besides being comfortable, I liked that I could not see the flashing colors while I was running (or standing for that matter), something that happens often with my beloved Glimmer Gear. Others could, but not me. I received tons of compliments , oohs and ahhs, and two people even slowed their cars to ask me where I got it. The Tracer360 did not bounce either, and I REALLY liked that. I thought the piping would be all over the place, but they adjusted easily and did not bounce or rub.
My six year old wearing the Nox gear in the dark
My six year old wearing the Nox gear in her trampoline- with the Nox on backwards /sigh
The Tracer360 has a nice padding on the back and fits comfortably adjusted around my waist. It comes in a variety of sizes, but they can be made to fit smaller. I ordered a Large (27-40 inches), but my daughter found it one day (I had it laid out for a night run the next morning) and brought it to dad to put it on her. See the pictures – itlooks pretty good even on a child (she is six)!
The plastic piping on the product goes around your shoulders and under your arms and illuminates 360 degrees around your body. The colors, from what I could tell, are red, pink, light blue, dark blue, green, orange, purple, and yellow. The colors could be rotated through slow or fast. My husband said he could see me ½ mile away (that was all we tested). The belt is just a standard Army PT belt and they are pretty durable, so the product appears to be made to last.
Noxgear Tracer 360 in action on a wet morning after the run
One possible issue a friend mentioned when discussing her beloved Tracer360, was that after two months she had to remove the batteries to turn it off. I have not had this issue, nor heard this being an issue for others, but I wanted you to be aware of it. I have been using it for about two months, about 20 times, in both light and dark conditions. Over this time I have maxed out at about 6.5 miles, so cannot speak to the belt staying lit up longer than that. However, another great point is that the Tracer360 has a recessed power button to avoid batteries being utilized when not in use, as I have had an issue where I ran with a pair of night beams where one accidently got turned on, and when I went to use it- it was almost dead.
Pros not already mentioned:
- Adjustable Belt & Fits a variety of sizes (to include bundled up people in the winter too)
- Super Bright LED 360 light up illumination in a variety of colors and the ability to flash all colors
- Does not bounce
- Reusable
- Lightweight & Flexible
- Comfortable
- Weather resistant
- Great Customer Service
- Quick on-Quick off
Noxgear Tracer360 in action on a wet morning before the run
Cons:
- Limited in colors available on belt (Only One)
- Until the lights are turned on- it is not very aesthetic
- Awkward to store when not in use
- Could have a turn-off issue.
Noxgear Tracer 360 in action in green
I really enjoyed this product (seriously, I have been having a good run of products lately). I felt safe and ‘cool’ looking at the same time and loved the compliments. I have had two friends buy it with my recommendation and love it (one friend borrowed it for a night run then bought it). That says a lot about a product. I believe Noxgear got it right on this one. Giving people everything they wanted in safety gear: fun, bright, comfortable, and easy to use. Although I have been lit up like a Christmas Tree (in many different lights and blinkies) in the past, this is the first piece of gear I almost felt like one!
Noxgear Tracer 360 in with the flash
