Knuckle Lights Review – I can SEE and be SEEN ;)

I am not one to run in complete darkness after tripping on a missing sidewalk slab early one am, but I do like to run at dusk or dawn.  Even though I stay on the sidewalk and wear a reflective vest, I still worry about being seen and also being able to see my path clearly.  I saw a product called Knuckle Lights advertised online and checked out their website.  Intrigued, I sent off an email and before I knew it I had my own pair of Knuckle Lights to review and try out.

In early 2010, Dan Hopkins, the founder of Knuckle Lights was training for a marathon and like most runners, had to do most of his training early in the morning.  Not liking carrying anything in his hands when running and after having issues with the steam from his breath on cold Oregon mornings blocking the light from a headlamp, he designed Knuckle Lights after several prototypes.

Photo Source Knuckle Lights

Designed to be worn on your hands, not carried, Knuckle Lights are lightweight, and when carried as designed, you do not feel them at all.

Photo Source Knuckle Lights

Even though they are small, Knuckle lights are loaded with features!  Three different power settings: low, high and blinking.  The strap is fully adjustable, and the unit is weatherproof too!

A set of two Knuckle Lights retails for $39.99 plus shipping, and can be found at select retail locations and ordered at the Knuckle Lights website.  Keep reading for a discount code

Now, for my test runs!

I was so excited to test them I headed out in my subdivision for a run around 6pm.  It was starting to get dark, but I had enough time to do a quick 5K before it got pitch black out.

I headed out with one knuckle light and ran some of my run on the sidewalks, but had to go into the street as well because there was still quite a bit of snow and ice on some of the walkways.  I was wearing my winter running top that has built in hand “gloves” that fold over your fingers.  Kind of like big mittens without the thumb, even with these mits over my hand it was very easy to access the button on top to turn them on and also switch modes between low, high and blinking.   My hands remained in a neutral position, slightly open during my run.

It did not take any effort to keep the light in my hands and I did not have to fuss with it once.  When running, I really liked that the light followed my natural motion and not only lit the path ahead of me, but bounced around behind me too increasing my visibility to any vehicles that may be coming up on me.

During my run, I was on the sidewalk coming up to a driveway that a vehicle was going to pull into.  I noticed they slowed down well in advance and waited for me to cross.  Usually I feel like they do not see me, but I think the movement of the light increased the driver’s awareness that a runner was coming.  I had this happen on two occasions during the run.

As it got darker, the single light did a great job of lighting my path.  My subdivision does have street lights though but it was pretty dark by the time I reached my house.  The 45 lumens that the light provided really did a great job of lighting the last bit of my path.  If most of my run would have been in darkness though, I would have brought both of the lights with me.

For my second run, I headed out on a group run at the Hanson’s Running Shop.  This time, I slipped the Knuckle Light on my wrist.  (I have pretty small wrists)

It was still light out, but we were going to be crossing a busy intersection and also running on the side of several roads.  I wanted the light to help alert drivers that I was coming, and it did the trick.

After our run, several runners commented and asked questions about my Knuckle Lights.  I was happy to answer them, and excited that I could share this cool product with them.

In addition to runners, Knuckle Lights can be used for really any need to see in the dark.  My husband, who is a hunter loved the idea too!  He is always carrying some gear into the woods and the Knuckle Lights would be much easier to use than having to carry a flashlight too.

In Summary:

• Knuckle Lights were very easy to carry during my run.  Besides the light they produced, I did not notice them at all.
• The Knuckle Lights defiantly increased my visibility as a runner to vehicles in the area which always is a good thing.
• Knuckle Lights did a great job of lighting my path.

Thank you to Knuckle Lights for sending me a set to review!  I am very glad I have these as one of my accessories and will make use out of them on my early morning runs in the summer when I try to beat the heat.

Now, if you would like to get a set of Knuckle Lights for yourself, you can use the code KLRFM5 during checkout on www.KnuckleLights.com to get $5.00 off your set!

Disclaimer:  Knuckle Lights provided me a set to review free of charge.  I was not required to provide a positive review in exchange for the set of Knuckle Lights.  As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Tagged as: Discount Code, Knuckle Lights, review, running, training