PUMA Pure NightCat Powered Jacket
£90
PICS: Lola Chantrey-Jowett
With the clocks going back at the end of the month (it’s October as we write this), the chances of evening runs taking place in the light are consigned to the great black liner that doubles as a temporary home to our summer running kit.
Night runs have their own individual problems. Anyone who’s had a close shave with a pedestrian/cyclist/car/urban fox (delete as appropriate) will know all about the perils of not being seen. Manufacturers have done a good job in recent years of upping the ante in the hi-viz stakes, making all manner of apparel and accessories for the night runner.
I’m going to be controversial here, but the problem with hi-viz is that it’s just not cool. In the right context, it looks just fine – and certainly does the job – but you can’t slip a hi-viz jacket on and nip to the supermarket for fear of being mistaken for a lollipop man.
Enter the PUMA Pure NightCat Powered Jacket. Not only does this jacket offer excellent visibility in the dark, it actually looks cool; slip it on and you can wear it out without being whistled at or jeered.
It’s also extremely clever. The jacket has a flexible and comfortable fiber optic cable imbedded along the back and arms that transports light from a removable LED battery housed in the arm pocket.
The LED unit has two settings – constant and flashing – and provides a blue light which is extremely visible. It’s rechargeable with a USB cable that plugs into a computer. But even without the LED unit there’s more than enough reflective detailing to keep you safe and seen.
Not only that, but this jacket works as a jacket! Laser-cut holes in the back deliver improved air circulation at critical heat zones, while articulated sleeves make for a very flexible fit and certainly move with you when you run.
This is a serious winter jacket that takes visibility to the next level!
