Running after dark: The best buys to make you shine at night

Keeping up exercise regimes during the winter months can be gruelling, particularly with the temperatures falling and the nights drawing in earlier and earlier.

Heading out in the darkness for an evening run or to jog home from work can be a highly liberating activity, but like any cyclist or driver you need make sure that you stand out as well as insulate yourself. The bright colours and prints of the gym will not cut it outside. Fluorescent fibres, reflective Scotchlite fabrics and LEDs are all now commonplace with many sportswear brands running lines making sure that style is never compromised even for safety.

IBTimes have found the best, brightest and warmest running products around to keep you on the run.

Women's running LSD Jacket; £64, Brooks

Windproof with water resistant technology with full front and back retro-reflectivity, this is ideal for low light, this is a perfect jacket for post work running as it can be easily packed away into a back zip pocket complete with carry handle.

Every Second Counts Speed reflective-insert performance leggings; £108, Matchesfashion

Light-weight body contouring leggings crafted in anti-chaffing stretch fabric that are ideal for retaining warmth while exercising outdoors also have ventilated back panels and wide reflective panels front and back for running in darkness.

Mi Kanadia TR7 customisable outdoor trail shoe; £80, Adidas

High-performance light-weight trail runner complete with a high-grip TRAXION™ outsole and waterproof mud guard. The vibrant fluoro base colour and reflective stripes are great for standing out and they are fully customisable so you add even more if you fancy it.

Thermodynamic run top; £95, Sweaty Betty

When running outdoors in winter your base layers are as key as reflective outerwear to make sure you retain your core temperature. Sweaty Betty's thermodynamic top uses temperature regulating fabric to keep you comfortable at every stage of your run as well as having a dropped back hem for extra coverage. It also uses reflective panels for 360 degree visibility so can easily be worn alone.

Ronhill running headband; £6.60, Wiggle

Designed to be worn with a ponytail, Ronhill's lightweight, thermal headband is great for protecting cold ears.

Reflective bottle belt; £7.50, Karrimor

Karrimor's super lightweight and fully reflective bottle belt is great for carrying your keys and phone without having to worry about being too uncomfortable as well as remaining hydrated.

Elite lightweight no-show tab socks; £10, Nike

If you're not looking to invest in a totally new pair of Hi-Vis trainers, these socks are the perfect addition to your usual running gear. Designed to be their lightest weight sock ever they have a brilliant anti-blister Dri-FIT yarn to keep your feet feeling good as well as illuminating you with flouro colouring and reflective Nike logo.

Nathan Mirage Hi-Vis Running Pak in Yellow; £17.99, John Lewis

Nathan's Hi-Vis belt is for those looking to carry the bare minimum whilst exercising. Specialists in sporting light technology, their 3M™ reflective details provide impressive visibility whilst the belt itself is fully adjustable with a brushed interior pocket and key clip meaning your smartphone stays snug, a far more preferable option to tucking into your sports bra for example.

Shieldrunner flash running jacket; £200, Nike

The Shieldrunner is the best friend of anyone dedicated runner heading out on a dark and rainy evening. Nike have developed Storm-FIT 5 fabric that blocks out wind and rain while the hood provides extra coverage without blocking your visibility. The whole upper arms and body of the jacket is reflective for 360 degree visibility. Then are lots of lovely little extras like fold over cuffs and a dropped hem to make sure you are fully covered and it is fully machine washable.

Ronhill Sirocco gloves; £19.99, Runnersneed

Often cold nails and fingers can ruin a good run so gloves really are an essential. Ronhill use a knitted waterproof, thermal Regulite fabric for their gloves along with ventilated patches for total comfort. Most importantly they have smart tips on the forefingers for smartphone usage.