In case you haven't noticed, it's the time of year when the days are getting shorter, meaning you're likely making your early-morning and evening athletic outings in the dark. Darkness, especially when accompanied by a sunrise or sunset, brings a magically peaceful quality to runs, hikes, and skin-and-ski adventures. That said, being able to see where you're going is rather magical too, making headlamps an essential piece of gear.

At 250 lumens, this new LED spotlight from Nathan is bright enough to light your way on its own. But the USB-rechargeable light really (pardon the pun) shines when you use it with a headlamp. Put it around your chest or waist, clip it to a pack or stroller, or even attach it to your dog for a welcoming beacon of light in the night. It comes with an elastic strap and includes a handy, built-in clip. The light itself is weather resistant and can be angled up or down. $40, nathansports.com