Commuting - Reflective vest......need help!

For those of you all that wear "construction style" reflective vest, where is the best place to pick one up or website to order from? How much did you pay? Are they much more visiable compared to the cycling reflective vest?

Harbor Freight! $3.99 when I bought it... they're still <$5 now

Check this thread for pics of the Harbor Freight vest.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=378850
I've been using mine for over a year now, and it's holding up well. Of course, I've never washed it; why would I?

Go here:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/retail_stores.taf#TX
There's a retail store in Austin:
AUSTIN,TX 4001 S LAMAR BLVD STE #3 512-442-8078

As recommended from an earlier thread here, I went with this model:
http://www.ledtronics.com/products/ProductsDetails.aspx?WP=C352K648

$20.00, but it flashes!
http://dl.ledtronics.com/ImagesAll/vst1004_back.gif
-K.

I was at Harbor Freight yesterday, and they have vests starting at about $5. They have the colored reflective tape (like on the LED vest above) which I read on this forum somewhere does not reflect as well as the white/silver reflective tape. I got mine at Grainger (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/productIndex.shtml?from=Search&newSrch=yes&operator=keywordSearch&search_type=keyword&action=Go%21&QueryString=safety+vest), which is in many cities. I got the 2RE23 (http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/items/2RE23) model. My employer has an account with them so I only paid $9.99 or something like that ($11.75 catalog price).

yeah, my vest is actually the silver tape and green mesh:
http://dl.ledtronics.com/ImagesAll/139-yf.jpg
with flashing red LEDs. I feel like a superhero!

-K.

I got a jogging one from a sporting goods store for $10 a week ago.

http://www.alertshirt.com

Don't completely discount the lime/yellow reflective stuff.

It's not as bright as the white, but the color stands out great. There are all sorts of white reflectors or reflective material on or near the road, but the yellow stands apart. Noticeably different from yellow lane markers, for instance. I'd recommend having some of both.

That would depend on how you ride. If you sit on an upright, these jackets are probably OK. If you ride on the hoods, most of the reflectivity would be hidden. Relectivity on the sleeve and upper chest seems to help the most.


For those of you all that wear "construction style" reflective vest, where is the best place to pick one up or website to order from? How much did you pay? Are they much more visiable compared to the cycling reflective vest?

As recommended from an earlier thread here, I went with this model:
http://www.ledtronics.com/products/ProductsDetails.aspx?WP=C352K648

$20.00, but it flashes!
http://dl.ledtronics.com/ImagesAll/vst1004_back.gif
-K.

Oooooo I like that one!

Check this thread for pics of the Harbor Freight vest.
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=378850
I've been using mine for over a year now, and it's holding up well. Of course, I've never washed it; why would I?

Go here:
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/retail_stores.taf#TX
There's a retail store in Austin:
AUSTIN,TX 4001 S LAMAR BLVD STE #3 512-442-8078

Oh, you live in Michigan. Here in Texas, I've had a need to wash the vest. Something about 120 degrees coming off the pavement :D

Anyway, I've washed the harbor freight vest in my kitchen sink with a little woolite and cold water. Hung it on the handlebars to dry. I've washed it about a half dozen times with no issues.

Hands down the best: Keep Safe solutions:

http://www.keepsafesolutions.net/main/osc/index.php?cPath=50

high vis shirts:

and check these babies out towards the bottom of the page:

http://www.keepsafesolutions.net/main/osc/index.php?cPath=50

and my fav, a shirt so the reflective strips are on the arms

http://www.keepsafesolutions.net/main/osc/product_info.php?cPath=50_93&products_id=330

My find of the year: reflective gloves-high vis orange or green (I prefer the orange to use in the woods to use for hunting season. Also has a reflective strip on the knuckle. They come in leather palm with nylon, mesh and winter waterproof gloves.........all very reasonably priced.........

Good luck

As recommended from an earlier thread here, I went with this model:
http://www.ledtronics.com/products/ProductsDetails.aspx?WP=C352K648

$20.00, but it flashes!
http://dl.ledtronics.com/ImagesAll/vst1004_back.gif
-K.

Cool..........
do you find the flashing lights all around you distracting?

My three bright blinkies are behind me and not annoying........

just wondering.........otherwise is impressive

Hands down the best: Keep Safe solutions:
http://www.keepsafesolutions.net/main/osc/index.php?cPath=50
Don't get the construction use but really big ankle band to keep the shins warm in winter :thumb:
http://www.keepsafesolutions.net/main/osc/images/shin.jpg

my wife and I use xinglets when riding our uprights
http://www.amphipod.com/440-448/440.gif (http://www.amphipod.com/440-448/440.html) Texas heat and all.

You might want to check out the following:

www.nextag.com

www.occunomix.com.

They seem to have a wide variety of reflective vests. Look at them carefully to make sure which one suits your needs.

A couple notes:

1) Some glossy-vinyl reflective tape is junk. Some is excellent.

2) Glossy vinyl tape still reflects well when wet, assuming it's not junk in the first place. Satin-surface reflective tape loses some reflectivity when wet. If you ride in wet weather, keep this in mind.

3) If you get a vest that has an ANSI rating, that means it meets specific visibility requirements. So you don't have to worry about #1 if it's ANSI-rated. The poor-quality tape won't earn an ANSI rating.


This one's my favorite so far: http://www.safetygearonline.com/products/ansisafetyvests.asp?tid=4&pid=182 At about $30 shipped, it's not a $4 bargain buy, but this isn't an area where I grudge spending $30. On mine, I added a stripe of iron-on 3M tape around the very bottom for an extra boost in reflective surface.

http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff237/mechBgon/IMG_0054.jpg
Avery Dennison Omni-Brite, plus a stripe of 3M iron-on. The best of both worlds.

As vrkelley said, body position affects how much of a profile your vest presents to the viewer. From the rear, having reflective tape as low on the rear as practical is the best place to have it, or to add some if you're customizing.

I ended up buying a locally made ANSI II surveyors mesh vest with a zipper and genuine 3M tape from Vinatronics (http://www.vinatronics.com/vinatronics/). The extra pockets are very handy. About $25.

I notice that Amazon sells the Glowear brand of ANSI stuff which looks OK, and those run about $12.

The Harbor Freight stuff just looks little too cheap for me, and I don't think it's ANSI II rated, but it would be better than nothing IMO.

I just bought the Harbor Freight $5 vest. The one on the right in the pics in the thread that has already been mentioned:
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=378850
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=94700

The yellow is incredibly bright, as bright or brighter than anything I've seen in a bike shop. And the reflective stuff is very reflective. It is very lightweight as well. I have yet to see anything better. Really.

Don't get the construction use but really big ankle band to keep the shins warm in winter :thumb:
http://www.keepsafesolutions.net/main/osc/images/shin.jpg

my wife and I use xinglets when riding our uprights
http://www.amphipod.com/440-448/440.gif (http://www.amphipod.com/440-448/440.html) Texas heat and all.


I'd like to get that caught in my chainring :-(.......

I too cannot see the use for that...........

The other stuff seems pretty good and my gloves are always noticed.........

I use the mesh fabric version of this sleeveless vest from May through October:
http://www.tasco-safety.com/high_visibility_products/class-3-level-2-safety-vests.html#3261O-lz

I use the regular fabric version of this sleeved vest from November through April:
http://www.tasco-safety.com/high_visibility_products/class-3-level-2-safety-vests.html#S3261o-lz

While the non-ANSI vests are better than nothing (I used one myself for while), I feel that the extra expense is worthwhile to get something that is tested and approved by a recognized authority. There is a reason why highway workers and emergency responders use these types of vests. Better overkill than be killed.

www.safequip.com is a safety equipment store in north Austin. Walk in and ask to see the Class three safety shirts. It is more visible then any safety vest I have seen in any bike shop.

Don't get the construction use but really big ankle band to keep the shins warm in winter :thumb:
http://www.keepsafesolutions.net/main/osc/images/shin.jpg

my wife and I use xinglets when riding our uprights
http://www.amphipod.com/440-448/440.gif (http://www.amphipod.com/440-448/440.html) Texas heat and all.

So where do you get those Xinglets then?

So where do you get those Xinglets then?You can order Xinglets direct from amhipod.com (http://http://www.amphipod.com/440-448/440.html) I prefer the Amphipod Full Visibililty Vest (http://http://www.amphipod.com/401-402/401.html)when bicycling or jogging.

Another LED vest (http://www.brigadeqm.com/cgi-bin/tame.exe/store/level4c.tam?M5COPY.ctx=29118&M5.ctx=29118). Various color options.

Here's the one I use - http://www.labsafety.com/store/Safety_Supplies/Protective_Clothing/High-Visibility_Clothing/36383/105119L

Walking in and out of the workplace in these may be a little extreme. It's beyond the Fred Factor. It's better to look for pants that have these stripes already attached or add your own. If the reflective is attached, that makes it two less things to /forget/loose/put on.


Don't get the construction use but really big ankle band to keep the shins warm in winter :thumb:
http://www.keepsafesolutions.net/main/osc/images/shin.jpg

http://www.alertshirt.com

Ditto, This one is warm and very bright: http://www.alertshirt.com/cl2vepoflli.html

Ditto, This one is warm and very bright: http://www.alertshirt.com/cl2vepoflli.html

Barrettscv, how do you like the vest? It looks awesome, tell us what you think of it..

Barrettscv, how do you like the vest? It looks awesome, tell us what you think of it..

The fleece liner makes this vest ideal for cool weather. I use this vest when temps are below 50F with a light fleece underneath. It also works well with a heavier fleece down to about 25F. I like the open arms, very little perspiration accumulates.

It's comfortable, with several good sized pockets and very bright. I also like the fit, it's longer than most vests and the bottom edge covers my belt even when I'm holding the drops on my handle bars.

Can't go wrong for $20!

Cheers

Thanks.. I am looking to get one. I like the fleece, and that it has multiple pockets

As recommended from an earlier thread here, I went with this model:
http://www.ledtronics.com/products/ProductsDetails.aspx?WP=C352K648

$20.00, but it flashes!
http://dl.ledtronics.com/ImagesAll/vst1004_back.gif
-K.

I got one of these with the flashing LEDs. I didn't get it from this company; I just googled it and found a good place. Cost me $20 (to the front door). I've had SO many remarks/comments regarding it. Mostly good, but in my eye... they're all good, because it worked. they saw me.

my wife and I use xinglets when riding our uprights
http://www.amphipod.com/440-448/440.gif (http://www.amphipod.com/440-448/440.html) Texas heat and all.

I trust you two are wearing shirts under your xinglets - public decency and all, you know.:lol:

I trust you two are wearing shirts under your xinglets - public decency and all, you know.:lol:

You know.. Texas heat and all...

Carrhart makes a nice ANSI rated vest.