Running Lights - child

[PiratePenguin]

My daughter (11) is a xc runner and trains on the streets round our neighbourhood. As the days shorter, she is going to find it a struggle to run in daylight. Whilst we have street lights and she has a high vis running top I wanted to get her some lights. I have no knowledge in this area so was after some advice. Can anyone recommend a brand of arm / leg lights that would fit a child? Are the harnesses any good (ones with front / back lights)? Any advice gratefully received.

Wouldn't a headtorch be better than something on her arms or legs? The Alpkit ones are very reasonably priced, and excellent quality.

Head torches are ok, I like my body light, very adjustable. From Amazon. Probably easier to fit on a young fit teenager than a busty 40 year old...

Head torch if she needs tomsee where she is going.

If you mean lights on her body so she is more visible to cars, then I think you'll find that most of the ones sold for runners will slip down her arms. Try dog accessories? Lights that clip on collars can clip onto belts, and small breed flashing collars might stat put better than a running arm band.

There's also a brilliant product called Safety Skin, which goes on like bodyglide but is seriously reflective. Best on skin but works on fabric too (my DD nicked my first stick for partying use)

You can get lights like head torches that you wear. Chest lights seems to be the best search terms. I found it as effective as a LED lenser head torch, better in rain as less dazzle and way more comfortable. Most of the running club had switched to chest lights before lockdown.

I get two LED/ reflective arm bands and velcro them in a loop around my twiggy DCs' chests

Thank you so much for the helpful suggestions - I'll start researching!

If she needs to see where she's going then a headtorch is probably best. You can get some chest lights but the straps might be too big for her.
If you're wanting her to be more visible then bright coloured tops and kit with reflective strips is the way forward. Decathlon do a great jacket that's got reflective flecks all over it, their smallest size would probably fit an 11yr old. www.decathlon.co.uk/p/run-warm-night-women-s-jacket-black/_/R-p-307360?mc=8544254&c=BLACK#zoom=opened
Or these are cheap and fit any size: www.amazon.co.uk/Reflective-Practice-Effective-Visibility-Accessory/dp/B00DUUFTSA?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

Also check out Proviz - jackets that are all over reflective and come in child sizes, not just jackets but running vests, tops, arm covers, backpack covers etc as well as lighted armbands for cyclists, dogs etc. They look seriously cool when on and they just glow in headlights. Cars give them so much more room! I'm hankering after the new type with multi coloured reflective material. Proviz.com I think is the site. There are always 10% discount codes somewhere.

As others have said, there are lights to see and lights to be seen.
She needs both.

You can get all manner of clippy, flashy things. I agree with PP who said the ones which wrap around arms will slip (they slip down my arms and I am an adult - slim arms, but wider than an 11yo!).

You can get led shoe things.

For a head torch I recommend she wear it over a hat or Buff made into a beany so it doesn't slip or chafe her ears (yes really!).

Blue lights are good. Flashing is good.
Lots of reflective stuff.

When I run at night I have a head torch, a small blue flashy light clipped to the back of the head torch, led arm light (depending on what top I'm wearing due to slippage), running tights with reflective dots (from Aldi no less), clips on my shoes (unless they've popped off) and a high viz top.

I look like a Christmas tree.

I use a chest light whilst running in the dark, it's on an adjustable harness. Has lights front and back and reflective bits on the straps. Just google running chest light, I got mine from Amazon about £10. It's rechargeable but lasts ages (20 plus hours) before it needs recharging.

You can get highly reflective running jackets