Advocacy & Safety - Reflective Material

When I purchased my winter coat last year I didn't consider that I may use it for winter cycling. I have an Arc'Teryx Fission AR (http://www.arcteryx.com/product.aspx?Fission-AR-Jacket) Gore-Tex Pro Insulated jacket. (I used to work an an outdoor retailer and got it for 50% below cost).

In retrospect, I should have got the bright red one, but alas, I got black. On many nights I'll be riding home from work around 8pm-9pm (dark in Michigan Winter) and need something that is very reflective. I would prefer something that actually attaches semi-permanently to the jacket but since it's Gore, I can't sew/heat seal anything on.

Would reflective tape adhere and handle the snowy conditions?

One vest I've been looking at to cover the jacket is the Nathan Twilight (http://www.nathansports.com/our_products/reflective_led/twilight.html) but I can't get a good deal on the Yellow, only on the Blue. I think the blue would be fine though since from behind a car would be seeing blue (vest) and red (blinkies) and may do a life-saving double-take when I ride.

Any thoughts on the Twilight or other reflectivity options?

I'd think you could wear any regular safety vest over it as long as you buy the vest in a larger size to accommodate the bulk of the jacket. I like these ones at Harbor Freight: http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94700. The price is right, and the vest color is more of a fluorescent yellow/green than the lighter yellow the picture makes it look like.

I just looked in to this last night. You have two good options, one being buy reflective sticky tape and put it on your bike, and two being they make Iron on reflective tape that is supposed to work pretty good.

http://www.identi-tape.com/hi-intensity.htm <- Reflective Tape, does good from multiple angles

http://www.identi-tape.com/iron-on.html <- Iron on for your jacket, just be careful not to melt the jacket

The nice thing about Identi-Tape is that they sell smaller rolls, but if you order less then $20 there is a handling fee.

Also here is a post showing someone who ironed on some to his jacket:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=464664&highlight=iron+reflective

-Matt

I prefer a good quality Safety Vest (http://www.airgas.com/browse/product.aspx?Msg=RecID&recIds=332067&WT.svl=332067) preferably a ANSI Class 2. They make some nicer ones that have Velcro adjustments on the sides to allow you to wear them over a heavier jacket. I quite often have to wear one at work so I just wear it riding too:p

Aaron:)

http://www.airgas.com/cachedImages/0000003%5Ct047_r00143_v7.jpg cooler and hard hat optional

I prefer a good quality Safety Vest (http://www.airgas.com/browse/product.aspx?Msg=RecID&recIds=332067&WT.svl=332067) preferably a ANSI Class 2. They make some nicer ones that have Velcro adjustments on the sides to allow you to wear them over a heavier jacket. I quite often have to wear one at work so I just wear it riding too:p

Aaron:)

http://www.airgas.com/cachedImages/0000006%5Ct047_r00143_v7.jpg cooler and hard hat optional

Agreed. And you can usually find them reasonably priced at places like Lowes and Home Depot. These things have been designed for visibility based on years of solid research. They're more effective than bike-specific clothing and cheaper than bike-specific clothing. You really can't beat them.

You can also buy them online here (http://alertshirt.com/clas2safves.html) for $10.99 and $11.99 + S&H.

You can also buy them online here (http://alertshirt.com/clas2safves.html) for $10.99 and $11.99 + S&H.

That fleece lined one looks pretty slick and at $30 is a steal compared to specialty bicycling clothing.

That fleece lined one looks pretty slick and at $30 is a steal compared to specialty bicycling clothing.

I've hyped the Alertshirt.com website a lot in these forums. It's a site aimed at construction workers, but it has a lot of stuff that cyclists can use. And the stuff is a lot cheaper than you'll find even at the discount bike chains. I love their ANSI Class 2 shirts (http://alertshirt.com/higvisshirfo.html).
http://alertshirt.com/potmanco.htmlhttp://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/alertshirt_2020_122330http://us.st12.yimg.com/us.st.yimg.com/I/alertshirt_2015_270622

An interesting alternative to a vest...

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/clothes-footwear/mens/vests/61088.aspx?feature=Product_14

and a vest that actually has blinking lights...

http://www.duluthtrading.com/store/clothes-footwear/mens/vests/65010.aspx?feature=Product_2