Run Bright All Night in With The Best Reflective Running Jackets

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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