Turnout coat for visibility
 

I was watching the news this evening and saw some firefighters standing outside in the cold. It got me wondering if a firefighter's jacket or a turnout coat would work to keep you warm, dry, and visible while riding a bike. There are large reflective strips all over their jackets.

I know that there are probably better jackets out there that are more bicyclist specific. But I know that a lot of us march to the beat of a different drummer and these would make an intersting alternative. You can find a lot of them on ebay.

They're heavy, and don't breathe at all.
But if you have the balls to rock it, then rock it, bro.

+1

They are really heavy and don't breathe. (Family members on the local FD)

But they are cool.

I didn't think about the breathability. I guess that would be a drawback.

There are plenty of bike specific garments which will meet your needs, won't flap in the wind,wont weigh a ton, will be highly visible and so on.

Support your local bike clothing designer, s/he has an eating habit to support

Hi-Viz Coats
 

Try EBay.UK and search under "hi-viz" for the bright fluorescent yellow, reflective stripe coats and jackets worn by police in the UK. I bought several Metropolitan Police surplus jackets, all Gore-Tex and superb quality, for use in cycling. They are incredibly visible. Made by ScotGreat in Edinburgh and probably cost a fortune new, they were around 30 pounds surplus plus shipping. There are also some fleece reflective jackets too.

I wear this ANSI Class 3 windbreaker from AlertShirt.com. (Pic taken yesterday.)

http://www.brucew.com/gallery/albums...work.sized.jpg

It's not cycling specific, and tends to flap a bit over 20 MPH, but I'm seldom that fast anyway. And the hood isn't needed. It's not exactly breathable either, but it unzips easily enough to let out the steam.

On the plus side, it has pockets in the right places for shopping on the way home, which is something cycling-specific jackets don't have. It also has one big pocket in the back, if you prefer cycling-type back pockets. Finally, it's cheap, and boy does it light up in headlights!

Try Galls, which supplies police, fire, and EMS. They have many lighter and breathable items, some of which are even designed for those on police bikes.

If you want some Turnout gear, just pull the liner out. The shell is pretty thin. It's the inside part that gets so hot (vapor barrier and insulation).

However, they can be a bit bulky. You're probably better off getting something cycling specific. They pretty much use the same reflective material.

However, if you do get some used gear... wash it well (and not in your washer go to a laundromat and use one of their commercial washers). Those things can have all sorts of carcinogenic and/or toxic stuff on them. Oddly enough, one of the best things to wash it in is baking soda and a can of coca cola. At least that was what we used until we finally bought some commercially prepared stuff back in the day.

Nice jacket tsl. Great link Angus.

Probably be better against road rash, right?

Good heavens! I'm so glad I moved from Rochester to Colorado Springs! :D

One nice thing about a turnout coat though.....on the off chance you are in a fire at work, it has a very high resistance to radiant heat and can provide short term protection of your core body in temps as high as 450 degrees ;)

If you're just looking for reflectivity, here's a thread for you:
http://bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=378850

$4 at harbor freight. Wear over whatever works for you, summer or winter. I haven't tested the reflectivity against turnout gear, but I will next time I get over to my brother's house.

Got my 3-season jacket set at Galls.com
 

I got a 2-piece 3-season jacket/parka set at Galls.com for my job (I'm a bus driver) and I can also wear it, either in combination or separately on my bike. Breatheability isn't an issue. You do stay comfortable since under the arms, there are zippers to allow ventilation. The jacket and parka have silver reflective bands around the torso as well as the arms. The price is reasonable since it can also be worn as a sport coat. I got mine in hunter green so that it doesn't look like police wear. Galls is discontinueing this color in favor of lime green.

I also found lime-green/silver reflective arm bands which can also be worn as ankle bands from Safety Supply America, minimum of 50 for $8.45 each. Perfect for handing out to those we see on the road without safety gear.

I'd rather purchase something like this than items that are bike-specific since once you attach a purpose to it the price escalates and the quality at times just isn't there.