Bob N.

I recently got an Amphipod Xinglet and I'm not sure I like the fit (I'm 6'2" and fully extended, the waistband doesn't even reach my navel). Does anyone have any of their reflective vests like the "Luminous-Lite" or "Full Visibilty Vest"? The company asked if I wanted to trade out and I thought I might get some advice in here.

Thanks very much

MikeR

AlertShirt.com has great products in large sizes for low prices.

dalmore

I have both the Xinglet and the Full-visibility. The full-visibility will not come down as far as the xinglet does. I'm 6'0 and the size 2 full-visibility doesn't come down to my navel. The xinglet comes down about 2 inches further. The luminous-lite is the one I would get given your fit problem with the xinglet.

cyclezealot

I have a full reflective jacket. It works, but god is it hot. So hot, don' t use it. It's like a sauna in there. I have it buried deep in my gear bag, since I don't use it. WIsh not so, because you really show up on the road. Not sure who the manufacturer is. Want me to mail it to you?

FidelCastrovich

Check out IllumiNite

cyclezealot

Fidel. Seems Illumnite is the reflective vest I complained about. Do you have a problem with overheating when wearing it?

FidelCastrovich

I have the IllumiNite Xenon jacket, not the vest. It IS warm, despite all the vents. I resorted to wearing it when it is raining AND cold(by Israeli standards, 35-45F). On a day like today when it is drizzling and the temps are around 50-60F i prefer to get wet or wear a vest.

But for me this was a preference based decision, as i knew it is not very breathable.

It's weird though, the vest is not supposed to be water resistant, is it? - Why couldn't they make it ultra-breathable, or even from a mesh-type material?hmmm...

cyclezealot

fidel. I had a hard time determining if it was waterproof or not. There was more water on the inside as compared to the outside, the one time I wore it in wet conditons. Maybe if it was chilly enough , I might try it again. But, if it is reasonably warm, I'll go for the reflective fishnet, style vest thank you..

Daily Commute

Last fall, I got an ANSI Class 2 Lime Vest from Home Depot. It's what construction workers wear. I just wear it over whatever else I am wearing. This spring, I might get an ANSI Class 2 t-shirt or two.

A lot of research went into those vests, and they research showed that the lime green and the reflective stripes made people the most visible.

FidelCastrovich

If you just wear it for visibility, get a cheap vest used by construction workers/police/etc. I have one, cost me $5 - very visible, doesn't obstruct perspiration on its way out. I wear it on my night-rides, when the weather does not call for the Xenon.

In any case, do not expect these things to work like the manufacturer say they will.
Truly waterproof = NOT breathable at all. It's zero sum.
BTW, all shells only "work" if you wear technical clothing underneath, like a thermal shirt, or a cycling jersey that wicks away the sweat.
Against bare skin it just collects the sweat...yuck, i hate that feeling.

cyclezealot

I think it's a shame they have to be so darn hot. It's wrap around reflectiveness. Has to be the most effective reflective piece of clothing out there.

Bob N.

Sounds like the Luminous-Lite is the one for me then. I appreciate all the help.

substructure

I just bought a reflective kit from Night Gear (Vest, stickers, ankle bracelets). Suppose to be visible for up to 1200 feet.

I'm 6' even and it fits me pretty good. It's snug - which I like - so it doesn't flap all over the place.

bbunk

I would look at alertshirt.com. I have six of their shirts and they are very visable and meet the ANSI standards just like the vests. I think I paid about $7 a shirt so not expensive. I do have a vest I wear in the winter over my jacket but it is to hot for warm weather.

GTcommuter

I have a Nathan's Ultimate Sash. It's quick to put on, adjust, and fits over whatever I'm wearing. I wish it had a reflective belt also but it's good enough for the riding that I do. Much more comfortable than a vest.

bike2math

+1 this is what I wear. The best part was the price, 3 bucks! I wear it year round. It is flexible enough it fits over my subzero jacket, and yet light enough I wear it over what top I have on in the summer. Never noticed it. It hangs on the coathook in my dinning room at night and in the middle of night the indirect street light coming in the window is enough to make the striping POP out.

The only thing it is missing is reflective sleeves, but I'm on the look out for a pair of cold weather, and another pair of warm weather glooves with some lime color and reflective stripes.

mander

I have a "geek vest" from MEC. I'm 6'1 and the waistband doesn't reach my navel either, but it's not supposed to. Like lots of cycling specific clothing it's short in the front, and long in the back.

cyclezealot

That is one of my safety vests also. Mine has the flashing blinkie hemmed in on the back side? Does yours?

GTcommuter

No, it's just an over-the-shoulder sash and I think a blinky could move around too much on it. It's the same vinyl material that they use for the rest of their products, though.

Lossy

The best for riding a bike is made by fuelbelt.

Light and fold's up very small. Very reflective, breathes and actually moves, instead of a sturdy contruction vest.

Google fuelbelt.

Garandman

If you live in a city, another option is to find a local police/Fire/EMS equipment supply store.

I bought the same kind of reflective vest that many police wear on duty. It doesn't say police or anything but comes in several models that are waterproof, mesh, or even insulated. Not cheap, but the best move I've ever made - motorists are LOT more polite!

jcm

Ditto on AlertShirt. Everything you need.

Daily Commute

I don't understand why lime green isn't the default color of cycling clothes. I would love a pair of lime green cycling gloves, but I haven't seen them anywhere.

Bob N.

I talked to the Amphipod person in Seattle and I'm gonna trade the Xinglet for the Luminous-Lite.

I'll let you know how it works out......

thanks again.