cdalefan

So I am about to buy a vest for the spring. I guess I am just being optimistic that it will come someday- but as I am trying to make a decison on the right one for me, I keep getting drawn to the ones with the color that I want vs. the color that I think I should have. I'll explain

It seems that everything I own is ultra-bright, scardy-chicken yellow-green. (no offense to chickens) I like the look of a black vest and I figure that the I it will be worn after the clocks change in March so a lot less of my rides will be in the dark. The black will match with any jersey, scardy chicken wont match anything but other poultry products, however, I'm not into the whole ninja thing either. (no offense to ninjas)

What does everybody think. Do you buy your clothes to be seen or be seen in?

AlmostTrick

For safe commuting use the ANSI lime. For fashion check the road forum.

neilfein

Do what I do... buy everything in bright safety yellow! I'd repaint my frame in that color if I had the time/money.

littlewaywelt

+1 make sure it has reflective striping as well.
Plenty of sources for them under $20.00.

harleyfrog

I'd add a retroreflective topcoat to that paint job, but that's just me.

ghettocruiser

Is there a ANSI-lime/black reversible vest anywhere?

Actually I don't bother with my ANSI lime jacket in the dark. Lights and reflective piping (provided the cars have their lights on) show up much better.

But in daylight, especially in the rain, it is unmatched.

HardyWeinberg

check out the new color on the surly 1x1:

https://www.surlybikes.com/1X1.html


ps-> my raincoat is blue but it's got reflective stuff all over it. I'd prefer the yellow, but the blue was on sale cheap (probably peeled off the body of a biker who got hit at night...)

Pig_Chaser

huh, i thought the only purpose to wearing a vest was visibility.

CommuterRun

I have an ultra-bright, scardy-chicken yellow-green vest with big ultra-bright, scardy-chicken yellow reflective stripes. I also have a black vest with big white reflective stripes. The one that gets used by far the most is the yellow one. The black one is only good at night, doesn't show up worth a squat during daylight.

DataJunkie

I do not wear vests and have had no issues.
Instead I wear a fluorescent green reflective jacket, run plenty of blinkies, and plenty of reflective tape.
Maybe 1% of cyclists around here use those lovely vests. I fail to see what the big deal is.

kyselad

I don't wear a vest either. I understand the advantage to stacking your yellow as high as you can, but I use the lazy man's solution, which lives on my bike:

chephy

If you like the black and hate the yellow, get the black, and just make sure you have something else on you or your bike that serves as an attention-grabber.

andrelam

Dark colors on a sunny day still equal a poorly seen cyclists. I am constantly amazed during the summer some of the "camo" the roadies wear. When riding on tree covered roads, even on a sunny day there is strong shading. I tend to wear my ANSI class II vest any time the light conditions are low and other wise mostly wear bright yellow.

Happy riding,
André

cdalefan

Thanks for all of the input. What I really meant was a cycling vest for wind in the spring and not a High-vis saftey vest. I got one of those. but, I get the point everyone seems to agree, brighter is better. more SC yellow I guess-

I was thinking that way anyway-

andrelam

Yep, I'll be buying more "ugly" yellow gear this spring as well. For Fall through Spring commuting, I pretty much need the vest for extra visability. During the early through late Summer I prefer to wear clothing that are noticeable enough during the day that I don't need to add my vest. I sweat enough with just a breathable T shirt. I'll be looking to add a few more bright yellow or hi-vis yellow shirts this spring.

I did buy a Louis Garneaux convertable coat/vest last year from Nashbar. The coat had removable sleeves that would be perfect for a wide range of temps. The picture of the front showed it to be bright yellow and black. I was very disapointed when I got the coat/vest and the entire back turned out to be black. From the back I was a giant black blob. I sent it back because it was useless for me as I don't want to have to wearn my hi-vis vest during the summer months when I may encounter some lower light conditions, but 99% of the time I will be out in the light. During the winter I need my vest 100% of the time, but it is cold here so I don't notice yet an other layer of clothing. I also ahve not found any local shops that carry mcuh in the way of cycling cloths. I will have to go and explore a few more.

Happy riding,
André

noisebeam

This is always a dilemma for me as well.
The more multi suited the article, the harder the decision.
White and light yellow are good options as well while avoiding the lime green.
I want my arms to be hi-vis too so my signals can be easier noticed.

Al

cdalefan

The ultimate solution (in my mind) just doesn't exist. If they made an all illuminite black vest, I'd buy two. I have the jacket in SC yellow/black and the black is the actual reflective stuff, go figure.

KingTermite 

I have started buying almost everything in safety yellow/green/orange now a days. Just get the BRIGHT and VISIBLE vest and be done with it.