If it is an event where you are in complete darkness I wear a headlamp and sometimes carry a flashlight.
If I am running on the streets at night I wear light colored clothes that have reflective areas.
Even some of the less expensive running clothes that wick that you can get at Target or Wal-Mart usually have reflective areas as part of the garment.

I also have a Road ID wrist strap, which is reflective, just in case.

I have been meaning to get a reflective vest. ;-)

I don't really use anything out of the ordinary, no headlamp needed for me. All my clothes and my shoes have some reflection built in, and I run under streetlights through the neighborhood until I hit the beach path which is lighted. When I do trail runs I have a pretty sweet headlamp which does the job pretty well :)

Brooks also makes some really good bright yellow + reflective vests and jackets for nighttime running.

(This thread is turning into a Brooks ad quickly).

I don't run in the dark that often but when I do I use bright colors with reflective material. During the Wild West Relay I used a head lamp for the night run and it worked well, wore it over my hat. I also saw some some runners loosening the headlamps all the way and putting them around their waste b/c they didn't like having it on their head.

IMO - Petzl Tikka is a great headlamp, and very lightweight. I use mine extensively for all types of activity from running to biking to hiking, camping etc. Good Battery life and a "rescue" setting which does intermittant flashing. I found some reflective tape at the hardware store, which I use on my winter ski/run jacket. I like it because I can put the tape on anything.

Petzl headlamp and Nathan reflective running vest. Dorky, but I can see it working when early AM oncoming drivers turn on high beams and move all the way over, hundreds of yards ahead.

Definitely a reflective vest, any old cheap reflective vest works. I do not use a headlamp but my streets are pretty well lit. If you do get one Princeton Tec makes some really lightweight and inexpensive headlamps that work great.

One piece of advice for the Petzl head lamps. While I love it dearly for non running activities do not get the zipka, it uses spring to hold the string tight and as such for running there is not enough tension really.

I think beads mentioned this peice of gear but im suprised no one else has. A road ID bracelet/anklet. Lets face it bad stuff can happen to good people.

Otherwise I second a reflective vest and maybe a headlamp.

I prefer dialated pupils unless there is no ambient light at all. A headlamp washed too much stuff out, throws off depth perception, and moves too much for my taste. I dont run alongside any major streets in the dark, sticking to trails and running paths. Dont run with a headset, and keep aware of your surroundings. Dont assume anyone (especially cars) sees you no matter how well lit you are, especailly at intersections. I used to love running around the back of cars that rolled stop signs and slapping their fenders and waving. Scared the crap out of them.

One day in my old neighborhood, where we had a running/ cycling path that paralleled the road, I was out for my after work run. It was definately dark, but off in the distance I saw a LOT of light and motion. Here come this dude... Brittda said she was a christmas tree- this guy was like the National Christmas tree. Reflective vest, shoe laces, and hat. Attache to the vest was not one, not, two or three, but FOUR blinking LEDs, and a headlamp. I had to turn my head, he was seriously hurting my eyes. When I turned my head to confirm that I had actually seen what I saw, the dude also had two blinkers on his back. Insane. I made a smart ass comment to him about his christmas tree. Never saw him again, thankfully. My eyes couldnt handle that again. There IS such a thing as excess. It wasnt THAT dark and the path is a good 15 feet removed from on coming traffic. Crazy.

I am not THAT bad, just the head light and red blinkiy in back :) I run either along busier streets or on a paved public multi purpose trail, and I would rather not have the cyclests schmuck me like I have almost done to some runners who were dressed in black with nothing (trail is not lighted and sits off from the road and goes through wooded areas in places). It is used for a lot of people bike commuting so try to be seen a little. Either way I have to run along roads (with sidewalks) to get to the trail.

"I used to love running around the back of cars that rolled stop signs and slapping their fenders and waving. Scared the crap out of them."

That's awesome, I always have the urge to mess with cars while running. If it's someone I know, I usually will yell and bang on the window, or moon them...

As far as running without headsets, I have recently become a convert to the "no music while training outdoors" club so that's not an issue.

Thanks brittda for the item recs. I'll be sure to check those out.

As far as the roadID, would having my vitals attached to tag on my jacket suffice?

As reflective or non-reflective as we can be, there will always be the chance we will be the 'moonwalking bear' to someone and they will not see us.
Having your vitals,(ID phone number) or a road ID is invaluble.
I got one for myself and my wife as a small wedding present, to give her and I peace of mind.

I also use the tikka. Works really well. I am, however, tempted to go all black and make my bid for the key to the city.

The one piece of gear that I have not yet seen anyone recommend is a running cap with a broad visor. I find a hat like this much more useful at night than on daytime runs. The reason... So you don't lose all of your night vision each time there is an oncoming car with its headlights on. When a car gets close, I tilt my head down and watch my feet; the visor keeps me from looking straight into the headlights and I much more quickly regain my night vision after the car passes. Just something that may work for you (I also wear a reflective vest and have not had any close calls since I started doing so).

Dave