There’s something about running at night that I’ve always enjoyed. Maybe it’s because the roads and trails feel a little quieter, maybe it’s because there are fewer people around to remind me that I should probably be doing something productive, or maybe it’s just nice to get out after the day has finally settled down.
Of course, running in the dark comes with one pretty important consideration: being seen. I’ve done plenty of night miles over the years, and while I’m generally more concerned about whether I can see a pothole, curb or random branch than whether a car can see me, visibility is something I’ve become much more conscious of as I’ve gotten older. A headlamp helps (but can be uncomfortable), and there’s something to be said for having your clothing and gear help with the cause, too.
Rather than turning its running gear into a giant reflective billboard, Ciele’s NiteRite Collection has added reflective and high-visibility details to some familiar pieces, giving runners a little more visibility without making the gear feel like it was designed exclusively for running after dark.
GOCapMRPH
For me, it’s always running-in-hat season, though I know that’s not the case for everyone. Still, it’s smart to have at least one—or in my case, dozens—ready for performance. The GOCapMRPH really drives this home by being a hat that also makes a lot of sense for dark night runs.
The NiteRite version stands out with its high-visibility badge on the front, along with additional reflective details on the side and back. It’s not an obnoxious amount of reflectivity, but there’s enough there to make a difference when you’re out after dark.
But style and visibility aren’t the only highlights. Construction is top-notch, and the COOLmatic | PLUS MIKRAmesh knit does a good job of breathing and drying as you put in the miles. Finishing it off is an easy adjustable snap for a secure fit, making this a pretty straightforward running hat that happens to be especially useful when the sun goes down.
DLYTShirt
This featherlight performance top weighs in at just 3.1 oz (!), making it an ideal companion for racking up miles in warmer temps. The back panel features COOLmatic | PLUS MIKRAmesh for extra breathability, layered onto a shirt that already boasts a SOLOmesh construction, four-way stretch, and UPF +50 rating. Fancy terms aside—it’s just really solid.
Now add in the reflective qualities and you have a shirt that, even while being black, offers a ton of visibility thanks to the logo on the back. The design itself may not be loud, but the reflective capabilities definitely are. It’s a good example of what Ciele is doing with NiteRite: keeping the clothing looking like normal running gear during the day while giving it another purpose once the lights go out.
Night running is part of the deal for a lot of us, whether we planned it that way or not. Ciele’s NiteRite pieces add some useful visibility to otherwise normal-looking running gear, which is a pretty bright idea for those darker miles.