The greatest danger in walking is not that other people will hurt you. It’s the things you do, or rather the things you don’t do, that endanger your health.
It doesn’t matter if you walk day or night because of the importance of reflective clothing and gear. It is a must if you hike at dawn, dusk or at night. In fact, more pedestrian-vehicle accidents occur at dawn and dusk than at night.
The light level at dawn and dusk makes it particularly difficult for motorists to see moving objects on the side of the road. That’s why having reflective accents on multiple areas of your body will improve the driver’s ability to notice you and therefore improve your safety.
reflective gear
Start with tops and bottoms that have reflective patches on the front and back. I have seen many shirts and jackets that have bright colors and reflective patches on the front of their outfit. The idea here is that people are supposed to walk in the opposite direction of traffic and will be facing oncoming vehicles. I’m sure all too often you’ll see people walking with traffic for various reasons.
With no reflective patches on the back of your outfit, you literally become invisible to traffic. Yes, many shoes have reflective heel patches that should be seen by vehicles approaching from behind, but they’re more common on running shoes. Walking shoes will often not have the proper amount of reflective striping found on running and training shoes.
Don’t forget reflective gear for your dogs when you walk with them. Now you can get collars and leashes that glow in the dark or have reflective qualities.
Health and security
Having access to water while walking is important to help you maintain adequate hydration and your health. But carrying a bottle of water can be a real pain when walking. Putting a water bottle in a pocket is bulky and awkward. One solution is a fanny pack or belt that is worn around the waist and has a padded opening to hold a water bottle. There are even liquidpacs that you can strap to your back and that include a tube that you drink the water through like a straw.
These are great devices, but they are focused on solving only one specific walking safety need. What do you do with your cell phone, keys, and other health items you may need like band-aids, lotions, and epipens? The good fanny pack is the answer. And they come in updated styles and colors to match your personal preferences.
