My new favorite running accessory: The @noxgear Tracer360 Visibility Vest

You guys. I got a Noxgear Tracer360 visibility vest for Christmas. It's totally awesome and keeps me safe when I'm running in the dark—it's always dark out when I go running with my running group on Saturday mornings. And I hate running in the dark. But thankfully, I run with some really smart people who like to light up the night with various forms of running safety gear. And now I can be one of them!

To date, I've just been sandwiching myself in between my friends. But there have been times when the pack has separated a bit and I've found myself slightly alone in the dark, despite being just a few feet away from the nearest person. One day, another runner showed up with the Tracer360 vest and I, well...it was one of those things that I knew I needed to have because 1) it's so cool, and 2) it's the perfect solution for enhanced visibility when you're running.

It retails at $69.95, , so it's a bit more expensive than your average reflective construction vest or head lamp, but it's worth every single penny because it's literally a light-up party in vest form. Check this out:



Note: It's definitely beyond Kickstarter at this point...old video. Check out the website!

This vest could literally save your life.
Plus, it fits like a glove:

Seriously, you can't even feel the Noxgear Tracer360 visibility vest when you're wearing it. I don't want to feel anything on me when I'm running (which is also why I use a FlipBelt). There are bigger things to think about than your gear moving and shifting ever so annoyingly, right?

Here's what you need to know:

• Three (3) AAA batteries provide up to 40 hours of illuminated, safer running. So basically, that's a ton of training time, and since the batteries are AAA, they can be easily and cheaply replaced when they run out.

• You'll be seen from every single direction. Hence, the "360" aspect of the Tracer360. LED lights create various colors and pulse in different patterns to illuminate you. Seriously, you can't be missed when you're wearing this vest. It's like a running party, for real. See video above.

• It fits perfectly, and can be easily adjusted. There are three different sizes, and the size chart doesn't lie. It's so lightweight that you'll forget that you are even wearing it. Unless you make the lights flash—party!

• It's water and sweat resistant. Because every running accessory should be, right?

Basically, if you like to run in the dark, you need to get a Noxgear Tracer360 visibility vest. It's the coolest running vest I've ever seen. It won't necessarily light up the road, so if you run on streets that aren't comfortably illuminated by houses or street lights, then you will still need your head lamp to avoid pits, pots and cracks. But it can very easily replace your light-up knuckles or armbands or whatever it is that you use.

Y'all know you should be using something and/or running with someone that does, right?
Safety first, friends! Seriously, be safe. And gear aside, always make sure someone knows where you're going, OK?

Oh, and I see on their site that they make essentially the same thing for doggies, too. I don't have a dog, but if I did, it would have a LightHound. Because running dogs deserve the best accessories, too.

Question: Do you like running in the dark? If so, how do you keep yourself visible and safe?