By clicking on the product links in this article, we may receive a commission fee at no cost to you, the reader. Sponsorships and affiliate commissions help support our research so we can help you find the best products. Read the full affiliate disclosure here.
Almost every runner has had that uncomfortable feeling. You're by yourself on an early morning or evening run when you realize you're in a vulnerable situation. You can't help but wonder, "What would I do if something happened?"
Besides making smart choices about where you run, what time of day, and who you go with, numerous self-defense products can give you better peace of mind, even if you never need to use them. These 15 items are ideal for the everyday runner.
15 Self-Defense Products for Runners - Our Top Picks
- Go Guarded Ring
- Go Guarded Hand-Held Self-Defense Knife
- Go Guarded Handheld with Stun Device
- Sabre Red Pepper Gel Spray for Runners
- Terminator Mini Stun Gun
- Road ID Wrist ID Elite
- Amphipod Xinglet Pocket Vest
- Aerowave Cord End Whistle
- PetSafe Spray Shield Animal Deterrent Spray
- Epinki Defense Whistle Necklace
- Kuba-Kickz Self Defense Control
- Knuckle Lights
- Million Mile Light
- 180S Torch LED Gloves
- React Mobile Safety App
Note: Before investing in any of these products, please make sure to check your state and local laws. Use all products responsibly.
Why Trust Us?
ACTIVE.com's editorial team relies on the knowledge and experience of fitness and wellness experts including competitive athletes, coaches, physical therapists, nutritionists, and certified trainers. This helps us ensure the products we feature are of the highest standard. Collectively, the team has spent countless hours researching equipment, gear, and recovery tools in order to create the most accurate, authentic content for our readers. Customer satisfaction is also a key part of our review process, which is why we only feature products that are highly rated.
1. Go Guarded Ring
Another self-defense item geared toward female athletes; this product was created with the belief that you'll instinctively use your hands to protect yourself should you ever be attacked. And with this ring on, you'll feel much safer.
Go Guarded was founded and created by a female runner—who found herself vulnerable and defenseless on runs—with a background in criminal justice and law enforcement.
The ring can be worn on any finger and features a heavy-duty, serrated-edge weapon. Unlike some products, you don't have to retrieve it from a pocket, running belt, or fanny pack, and it's harder to knock out of your hand. The ring comes in women's sizes 7 to 9.5 and colors blue and pink.
2. Go Guarded Self-Defense Knife
This safety device was designed specifically with runners in mind: it's light and handheld with a vibrant protective sheath covering the heavy-duty, glass-reinforced nylon blade. The sheath keeps your hands safe while not in use and then flexes out of the way when the knife is engaged.
The Go Guarded Self-Defense Knife also has an adjustable strap to fit any hand size (or over gloves during the winter) and a pocket to store your pepper spray for extra defense.
BUY: Go Guarded Self-Defense Knife
3. Go Guarded Handheld with Stun Device
The Go Guarded Hand-Held With Stun Device provides double the protection. It's a stun device AND a Go Guarded knife. This allows you to have full control over your self-defense weapon and makes it an ideal choice for runners. The knife is super sharp but comes with a flexible rubber guard to ensure you don't cut yourself. It also has a velcro hand strap so you can have it at the ready while you're running, without having to hold onto it.
The 24,000,000 keychain stun device charges in just 3-4 hours on its first charge, and we recommend charging it up occasionally even if not being used. When fired, the stun device is very loud, which often in itself is enough to scare off potential attackers. It also has a built-in flashlight which can come in handy for early morning or twilight runs.
BUY: Go Guarded Handheld Stun Device
4. Sabre Red Pepper Gel Spray for Runners
This classic self-defense item gets a runner-friendly reboot with an adjustable hand strap that helps you hold the device in whatever way feels most comfortable..
The canister comes equipped with police-strength pepper spray and can send out 35 bursts up to 10 feet away. The spray also has a four-year shelf life, so you don't need to worry about it not working after a few years.
The strong delivery stream should minimize the chance of blow-back—a common (and dangerous) problem with pepper spray—but regardless, make sure to always point the nozzle directly away from you and keep in mind current weather conditions.
BUY: Sabre Red Pepper Gel Spray for Runners
5. Terminator Mini Stun Gun
Our sincere hope is that a runner should never need to resort to self-defense of this magnitude. However, the Terminator Mini Stun Gun is a viable option for those who are genuinely concerned about their surroundings and/or ability to resist an attack.
The compact size of the unit allows a runner to easily slip the gun into a pocket or running belt. More importantly, a simple test fire into the air will almost always be enough to deter an ill-meaning individual.
6. Road ID Wrist ID Elite
Self-defense doesn't always mean physical resistance. Quick identification could be the difference between life and death if a runner should fall ill or be injured during a run.
The Road ID Wrist ID delivers that peace of mind to the runner and their loved ones, with a comfortable fit and an easily found nameplate.
7. Amphipod Xinglet Pocket Vest
BUY ON AMAZONMaximize reflective visibility with the Xinglet Pocket vest from Amphipod. Not only does the vest offer up to 50 percent more reflective area than similar products, but it also offers consistent 360-degree reflectivity.
The Xinglet Pocket Vest is also aptly named, with a 4x3-inch ventilated zipper pocket for keys or gels.
BUY: Amphipod Xinglet Pocket Vest
8. Aerowave Cord End Whistle
BUY ON AMAZONA whistle can be an invaluable accessory for a runner but wearing a necklace can be a bit obtrusive for those who aren't used to having something around their neck. The solution? A non-descript whistle that simply clips to a drawstring or cord.
The Aerowave Cord End Whistle is subtle, effective, and inexpensive. Just clip it around your cord and forget about it—until you need to be heard.
BUY: Aerowave Cord End Whistle
9. PetSafe Spray Shield Animal Deterrent Spray
BUY ON AMAZONNot all threats come from other people. Depending on where you live, loose and aggressive dogs can be a concern for many runners. This spray distracts animals with a powerful citronella scent, halting an aggressive dog in its tracks. Unlike pepper spray, it has no negative side effects—for you or the dog.
There's enough liquid in the canister to spray a 10-foot stream for 12 seconds, and the compact comes with a belt/pocket clip, making it easy to carry on a run.
BUY: PetSafe Spray Shield Animal Deterrent Spray
10. Epinki Defense Whistle Necklace
BUY ON AMAZONSearching for the perfect gift for the runner you love? The Epinki Whistle necklace just might be the answer. The stylish, stainless-steel necklace can be worn daily, for virtually any occasion.
Better yet, the whistle feature ensures that a runner can be heard from anywhere along their route, should they become injured or endangered.
BUY: Epinki Defense Whistle Necklace
11. Kuba-Kickz Self Defense Control
BUY ON AMAZONThe Kuba-Kickz Self-Defense Control device fits easily and comfortably beneath the laces of your running shoe on top of the tongue. The product is virtually unnoticeable without close examination and its construction will allow a kick to deliver a devastating blow.
The device is the only non-lethal self-defense accessory designed for running shoes, putting it in a very convenient location for a runner who should find themselves in danger.
BUY: Kuba-Kickz Self Defense Control
12. Knuckle Lights
BUY ON AMAZONDesigned to be worn on your hands, Knuckle Lights throw 280 lumens of light, illuminating a runner's entire path—meaning their own visibility is maximized and passersby in vehicles can't miss them.
So, whether you're running before the sun comes up or after it's gone, you can leave the headlamp at home and wear what you want without fear of not being seen.
13. Million Mile Light
BUY ON AMAZONOftentimes, the key to a runner's safety is simply being seen. The Million Mile Light, designed by FlipBelt, is a battery-free safety light that can be easily clipped to clothes or a FlipBelt.
The Million Mile Light's differentiator from other lights is that it doesn't require batteries. The light is motion-activated, so a runner never has to worry about running out of juice mid-run.
14. 180S Torch LED Gloves
BUY ON AMAZONThe Torch LED Gloves feature an integrated LED light on the knuckle of a runner's index finger, which is nice but shouldn't be counted upon to provide all the illumination you may need in the dark.
The gloves make the list thanks to a combination of the light with ALLTouch technology that allows you to control your phone with any finger—an often-overlooked function while running in the cold.
15. React Mobile -- Personal Safety App
Never run alone again with the React Mobile Personal Safety App. The app allows runners to add friends and family to a network that can follow them while running. By simply sliding the control bar on their phone, runners can change their status from "I'm Fine" to "Follow Me" if they grow uncomfortable. From there, simply tapping "Help Me" will trigger a request for emergency help.
Get ACTIVE on the Go
Couch to 5K®
The best way to get new runners off the couch and across the finish line of their first 5K.
Available for iOS | Android
Discuss This Article