I have been testing the Tracer360 Vest from NOXgear during
my runs and…….
I like it, I like it a lot.
NOXgear have designed a fully visible light up vest for any
athlete training in those early mornings, or late nights with one thing in
mind, Safety. After placing my order with NOXgear, my vest arrived quickly
within a few days and I was excited to test it out. Currently I have been
running at night in Southern California on a shared pathway which is not lit at
all. I have been looking for something just like this as I wanted to be seen as
not to get runover by passing cyclists or vehicles. The vest is perfect as I don’t
need to hold external lights when I run. The vest arrived in a great looking
designed box with batteries already installed. I mean, come on. Now a days how
many items come without batteries and have you scrambling to steal batteries
from your tv remotes or kids toys. This was a huge benefit and it’s all in the
small details. The unit itself is powered by 3 “aaa” batteries and boasts a
life of 40 hours. Running 40 hours of darkness should be ideal for any person
no matter what race you are tackling.
To fit the unit on your body, you place the light up base securely
on the center of your back, while an adjustable reflective harness belt fits around
your torso. The unit is complimented by clear cords that transmit light over
your shoulders, and back around your waist for a truly 360 degrees of light
emulation. The fit is easy to customize and I found that the lower I placed the
reflective belt, the better the fit was for me. I’m over 6 feet tall so it may
depend on your body type and preference but can easily be adjusted
mid-activity. Within steps of wearing the Tracer360 vest, you won’t even tell
that you’re wearing anything at all. The entire ground behind me was lit up and
the fear of being seen was no longer an issue. The unit is rainproof, and with
hours of sweaty testing, I have not noticed any issues with performance or functionality.
Now it’s time to talk about the unit itself, and what powers
it. This unit although super light, is constructed to stand the test of time. It’s
powered by 2 Cree bulbs that provide 40 lumens that travel through fiber optic
cords around your upper body. The glow from the cables and the pack which is secure
on your back can be seen from over a mile away in any direction. It’s
completely weatherproof and can be enjoyed in extreme heat, severe rain, or
racing to the North Pole, if that’s your thing. Being fully adjustable, you won’t
have to worry about wearing this over a sweater or jacket, as it can easily be
adjusted to fit a number of different sizes within your ordered vest size. With
the use of fiber optic cables, the entire unit weighs in at only 7.0 ounces,
and mentioned before, it feels like second skin. The reflective strap that
secures the unit around your torso is sweat resistant and has 3m retroreflective
fluorescent scotchlite to add to its visibility. 
