Gear Review: VizyVest

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There just aren’t enough hours in the day to do all the things I want to do. And there are even less daylight hours during most of the year. A long time ago I decided that I would embrace the darkness to be able to keep doing the things I love, day or night. When I started trail running in January, this became especially important to me as winter days are the shortest. Thankfully a smart Vancouver runner released his design called the VizyVest to keep us night runners highly visible in the dark.

vizyvest, getvizy, hikes near vancouver, kristine krynitzki, trail running, on cloudventure peak, lululemon
photo by Stephen Lam – Standing In Motion

Features include:

Transitions, flashes or stays fixed between six different colours
Has a 160 Lumen lamp mounted at chest level which tilts up and down
Provides 360 degrees of illumination as it wraps around your waist and shoulders
USB rechargeable battery operates for up to 8 hours
Lightweight & breathable at only 7 oz you barely notice you’re wearing it
Weatherproof & sweat-resistant
Adjustable chest strap so one size fits all
Worry-free with 1 year warranty, free shipping and 30 day hassle-free return policy

The VizyVest retails for CAD $74.99 online at getvizy.com. For you though, dear readers, you can get 20% off by entering code HNV20 at checkout.

Great for Trail Running

I love wearing it trail running. I used to wear reflective arm and/or ankle bands but they’re a pain to put on and take off, they slide around, they’re costly, and most are not usb-rechargeable. The VizyVest is a much better option as it’s a single piece that fits really comfortably directly over your clothes or running vest. The adjustable reflective waist strap keeps it in place, and it’s light weight makes you forget you’re wearing it.

vizyvest, getvizy, hikes near vancouver, kristine krynitzki, trail running, on cloudventure peak, lululemon
photo by Stephen Lam – Standing In Motion
vizyvest, getvizy, hikes near vancouver, kristine krynitzki, trail running, on cloudventure peak
photo by Stephen Lam – Standing In Motion

It’s really fun to wear with all the different colour options. There are six different colours, and you can set it to either transition slowly through them all, have them flash, or stay constant on one colour like Christmas tree lights. How fun, right?! Hello wearable glowstick party!!

Something to keep in mind is your intended use for the chest lamp. I have terrible night vision so I would not personally use it as a substitute for a trail running headlamp when it’s pitch black. Finishing around sunset, sure, but because while it gives off sufficient light to navigate pitch black trails in a pinch, and on dark roads where there’s ambient light, it is not quite bright enough to be the sole light when trail running in the forest in the dead of night. It is, however, an excellent additional light to make the trail even brighter!

The VizyVest can be used for hiking, but due to it’s positioning, the back light pack and some of the straps get covered with one’s backpack so it’s not as effective as it is for running or cycling.

Learn more at getvizy.com