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Missed GoMotion at OR Show among the thousands there. And a New England innovator no less!

GoMotion has introduced a 3W LED headlight embedded at chest level in a reflective vest/pack. The vest also features pockets, is hydration compatible, and has LED tail lights. This approach seems very promising for trail running, nordic skiing at night (one of my big favorites)aw well as walking and running on roads at night.

I believe a reflective vest alone when running roads at night is clearly not sufficient from a safety standpoint to attract attention at a distance, particularly when the oncoming car is also facing headlights from other vehicles. They just don’t see the reflectors far enough out. I always run with a headlamp and struggle with the tail light to accompany and thus would welcome an all in one solution.

A very neat concept and one I want to try, soon, as shorter days rapidly approach.

I have a 3W Black Diamond Icon headlamp. At 3W I find that finally I am able to run safely at night, even on fairly rough UT trails. Nonetheless, the headlamp beam bounces when running and you have to deal with a fairly substantial battery pack on your head. Mounting the light at chest level in a stable position with the batteries in the pack as GoMotion does seems a far better solution. The beam is pointed down the 6-8′ in front of you where you really need to see the terrain. I would also imagine less light is lost given the lower height. A trail level Dark Sky initiative!

I am curious to see what the light pattern looks like as often headlamps either provide a spot or a diffuse light with a “hole in the middle” just where the trail detail needs to be sharpest.

A very neat concept and one I want to try, soon, as shorter days rapidly approach.

Labels: gear, headlamps, packs, trail running

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GOMOTION a new company that is making running in the dark easy and risk free. The product, depending on your use, is a variation of itself.

The Trail Runner LiteVest features a low-profile, lightweight, breathable mesh pack with 3-Watt LED mounted at chest level for maximum trail visibility and comfort, and a hydration cell option. Adjustable features include shoulder strap adjustment from the lower back area and a LED chest-strap slider more maximum chest comfort and fit. The CoreBeam™ chest-mounted LED technology includes:3-level brightness control, wide range and adjustable beam width control via rotary dial, and barrel-mounted FluidDrive vertical-pivoting light. Fitting out the pack are two red tail-lights, 4 zip pockets for cell phone and other accessories, a compartment for a standard hydration pack and a low-battery signal light to alert the runner well in advance of low battery life.

The Street Runner LiteVest features a super-lightweight, adjustable mesh harness with padded straps, a 1-Watt LED at chest level for maximum trail visibility and comfort. Adjustable features include shoulder strap adjustment from the lower back area and a LED strap slider more maximum chest comfort and fit. CoreBeam™ chest-mounted LED technology includes: 3-level brightness control, wide range and adjustable beam width control via rotary dial, and barrel-mounted FluidDrive vertical-pivoting light. Other features include two red tail-lights, 1 center pocket for cell phone and a low-battery signal light to alert the runner well in advance of low battery life. The Street Runner can also accept the GoMotion™ re-chargeable battery.

And last the Sport Runner LiteVest features a contoured, waist-level running belt designed as a lightweight solution for walkers and recreational runners with breathable mesh construction. It features a 1-Watt LED with the same CoreBeam™ functions as the LiteVest including: brightness control, beam width and light direction adjustment. Two rear tail-lights, two zip pockets for cell phone and accessories, and has a low-battery signal light round out this easy-to-use LiteBelt™.

I have not found a price for them yet but rest assured I will have one now that we are running out of daylight.
Cheers

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Running at night is fun, but it’s dangerous if you don’t have a light. If you’re in the woods, you might fall in a hole or twist your ankle on a root, and if you’re on the road you might get hit by a car. Play it safe! This GoMotion Trail Running Vest has a chest-mounted light, giving you literal headlights to light the way in front of you. It can also hold a hydration system like a Camelbak, which is a nice touch. Bonus: it’ll make you look like Iron Man. [Product Page via Backcountry.com]

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This article is also available at The Goat.

This running and hiking hydration pack puts a 3-watt light on your chest that lets you see the trail while skipping through the woods at night. A red light on the back makes you visible to people driving home from bars while you’re running from the trailhead to your home, and the GoMotion Trail Running Vest can take as big of a hydration pack as you need. The obvious advantage over a headlamp is that you don’t need to wear anything on your head while running, but the downside is that you need to wear a big backpack that makes you look like you belong in a Transformers parade.
By Rocky Thompson

- rockythompson
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