I was sent the Oclip 2 Pro and the Oclip 2 Ultra gratis for review, and the timing was perfect since I have two upcoming night races that require lights. Plus, with the days getting shorter, I’m going to need them for my regular training runs. You’ve probably heard of the Oclip series, and for good reason. These portable lights are lightweight, and really stable as you run. They’re also magnetic on the tail and clip, which makes them really convenient for things like attaching it to your car when you need to find that gel that just dropped into a black hole under the seat. (True story. I still haven’t found it.)
Having a hands-free clip light is vital for night running, but there is more to the story. Both models have a head that tilts up to 115° and a clip that rotates 360° and locks in place. I cannot tell you how annoying it was during my last nighttime Joshua Tree half to have to hold the little light I brought with me at the right angle to see the ground. They’re scratch-resistant and come in a few colors. (The Pro comes in classic black, high-visibility orange, and tidal blue. The Ultra comes in olive green, onyx black, and amber orange.)
However, the big draw for these lights is in what they actually do and how brightly they shine. The Pro model has a floodlight up to 530 lumens, a spotlight that goes up to 125 meters, and a red light that goes up to 40 lumens. (Red light is excellent for looking up at the stars if you’re racing at night, by the way. My other job is a travel writer, and some stargazing spots only allow red light.) The Ultra model has a UV light with an industry-first R/UV emitter. That goes up to 800 mW. It also has the OclipBeat, a breathing light that changes color depending on how long you use it. (Ultra-runners, this is for you!). They both charge with USB-C and MMC, which is really convenient. Changing batteries while running is a recipe for a fall (and I know this because I’ve done it). They’re also tiny and lightweight for lights like this, meaning they aren’t going to affect your stride. The clip is really, really strong, which is great when running, particularly on trails where the ground is uneven. They can get incredibly bright, and as a woman who runs at night, the safety factor is a huge benefit!
There are a couple of drawbacks, however. First, they’re pretty pricey at $49.99 for the Pro and $69.99 for the Ultra. That said, these are going to last for a long time, and they’re not just useful for running. They’re great for around the house as well. However, one thing that might be an issue for some users is that all the modes these lights have require some memorization. There are a lot of them, depending on the model, like moonlight, turbo, strobe, beacon, and brightness changes, and they require a specific number of clicks, either when the device is on or off. Take a pic of the instructions and keep them in your phone. That said, I really love these, and I'm excited to use them during my two upcoming night races.
