What do you think of the IllumiNITE jacket?
 

I like the idea of a highly reflective jacket for passive lighting during commute. The IllumiNITE jacket is one I am considering. Some older comments were that this jacket is too hot for commuting as it does not breathe.

Anyone have any experiences with this jacket they would like to share?

Huff

I've been using the Performance illuminite jacket on and off since September, and like it fine for fall/spring wear. However, if you are looking at the same one I have, I should note that it does not have pit zips, a back pocket (arggg), or a hood. The new Performance Commuter (illuminite) jacket does but is pricier.

Without the pit zips, I just zip and unzip the main zipper (and rely on the back vent) to regulate heat and moisture, which has been fine so far for my moderate exertion, 20-mi. round-trip commute.

Perf has 2 jackets. I would prefer the intrepid. I will just have to see what they have in stock.
switchback $80
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1130
intrepid $150
http://www.performancebike.com/shop/...tegory_ID=1130

found out my winter gloves are way way too warm for 40 degree riding. But I should get use for them soon.

Huff

actually it seems like Performance has at least four! here is the one I have now:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/....cfm?SKU=19359

Here is the one I think I will get when I decide I want something with hood, pit zips, and pocket:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/....cfm?sku=19310

It looks a lot like the Intrepid (Abletex, features) but without the drawstring at the bottom, I guess.

I don't have any experience, but I am posting in order to subscribe to this thread. thanks.

Where I live it doesn't ever get extremely cold so for reflective and rain gear I always stick with lighter items that I can wear over whatever gear I need. So instead of an Illuminite jacket I got an Illuminite wind vest. It seems OK but I have never been convinced that it is any brighter than a mesh cycling safety vest with reflective material that I can wear year round over jersey, jacket, rain gear, etc. and only cost about $16.
FWIW,
Raymond

Sorry for interrupting this thread but I saw Huff's note about gloves. Huff, look for some intermediate weight long fingered gloves. There are a lot out there. I have a pair of Cannondale gloves that are great between 30-50 degrees F. They also are longer at the sleeve and have velcro straps to seal the sleeve around the wrist.

Once again, sorry for interrupting the thread. Carry on.

Yeah, but you look cooler! ;-)

The problem with Illuminite jackets is that they dont make one in a total Hi Vizabilitiy Color.
As a commuter, visibility both day and night is essential. I wear an Alert Shirt ( http://www.alertshirt.com ) , and my current jacket is totally screaming hi viz yellow. Unfortunately, the Performance commuter jacket has all the illuminite portions in BLACK!
This means I would have to carry two jackets, A hi viz one for day, and an Illuminite one for night. It is a shame they can't offer the commuter jacket totally in high viz.
Until they do, I will stick with my 5 dollar Harbor Freight reflective saftey vest.

That's what I'll be doing, wearing a safety vest. I originally bought it for motorcycling, but sold the motorcycle. I already have a good coat, so the vest will go great over the coat.

Yeah I saw the commuter model first. My wife liked it but I don't care for the yellow jacket look. It reminds me of the motorcycle days.

On glove side note, I usually just put on a pair of work gloves between 40 and 60. Commute is not long enough to warrent cycling gloves and I don't have a problem from palms getting sore. I always wear gloves when it is under 60 because a] old motorcycle habit, and b] hands are cold sensitive from too many morning rides without gloves and in the rain.

Back on jacket. I was thinking of illumiNITE because even thought the rear rack bag has reflective material on it, it would be nice to combine a warm jacket and some reflective qualities. Piping just does not do it.

Huff

Huff

they don't work for reflecting all that well. mine worked ok till it got washed. then silly me did a google search after I bought it.

This is good to know. I am flipping between getting a good visibility jacket or getting a light weight shell to put over a jacket.

I wish you could find mroe reflective items. most have too little reflective material.

I ended up getting the commuter model.

Advantages
~~~~~~~~~~~
--light weight wind breaker
--illumi part is only on top
--not supposed to be unbreatheable as full illumi part
--high visibility yellow for daytime
--supposed to be water proof

Disadvantages
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
--instead of being yellow and white for daytime visibility, it is yellow and black. Sometimes I get tired of being dressed like a yellowjacket
-- very light weight, so need to layer

Not sure about how well the zipper, etc will hold up; they look a bit weak, but we'll see.

I have noticed vehicles in the daytime give me more space than before I started wearing it.

Hi yo...

Me too -- replacing my even lighter weight Performance illuminite jacket, which I'll save for spring and fall. I'd add:

Advantages
~~~~~~~~~~~
--pit zips!!!
--hood

Disadvantages
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
--hood doesn't roll into collar tho it is detachable. I won't detach or I'll find it missing when I really need it.

Based on comments on this forum about washing away the reflectivity, I'm going to handwash both jackets in warm water only.

That's right! I've got too the Harbor Freight's vest, what a deal !
I only wear it riding back home, at dark, when you think about it, in the darkness, I don't really care how I look like as long as they see me. Screw the COOL factor, in the end no one really cares what you're wearing, not even know who you are. Ha!
Corsaire :)

I detached hood and put in top of rack bag. Performance salesman claimed not to know of any losing reflectibility with washing. In the store I didn't see much difference from a light shown on white jacket and illuminite jacket.

http://www.illuminite.com/reflecindu...ucts/9903N.jpg

This is what you want!

ANSI Class III
Highest level of fluorescence and reflectivity. These must be capable
of signaling to motorist the presence visually

VISIBLE BACKGROUND 1240 SQ INCHES
VISIBLE REFLECTIVE 310 SQ INCHES

Examples of environments for Class III
Workers are at high risk and limited sight distances
Must be identifiable as a person
Exposure to extreme weather conditions
Close proximity where traffic is at speeds greater than 50 MPH

Now sure it is not "stylish" but what the heck... now tell me why this is not available at Performance and others.

From this site: http://www.illuminite.com/reflecindu...industrial.htm

Interesting. Actually I like this one better: 9822 long sleeve jacket
http://www.illuminite.com/reflecindu...industrial.htm

I won't "upgrade" until I get my night shots and see how visible or invisible I really am.

but thanks for the lead, it is a good idea.

Hi 'o

I don't have a jacket, only jersey, so my comment is on reflective property of Illuminite only.
I did some experiment when I got it. Holding a Cateye HL-500II in my hand, move it around aiming at the garment 20 feet away in the dark. The color of the jersey is black, so I can hardly see it unless it reflects the light back at me. What I found was I could see the jersey lit up only when the light source is between my eyes. When it's on the forehead, the effect drops to half way. The same way, when the light source placed on my nose. Any further than that, it loses all the effect and goes totally black. I haven't tried in real life situation like having somebody wear it in 30, 40 feet away, aiming a head light of the car at it. I'm guessing the position of the head light and my eyes would be still too far away.
Here's an article I found in sheldon's that I thought was very interesting and confirming the result of my experiment.

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/reflectors.html

Not sure what's on your HF vest, but many running safety vests have a 2"-3" reflective stripe on them. That thing lights up like crazy.

Wow - I want that. Looks like the sleeves may even be mesh.

Illuminite is not the best thing since sliced bread. I have been using my Performance Illuminite daily since I bought it in August, and it lights up like a beacon only when conditions are perfect.

By perfect, I mean that the light beam hits it perpendiculary at 30-40 feet, and that the jacket material is dry so that the beads can do their thing. The reflectiveness of this material is heavily compromised by getting it wet, dirty or abraded - the beads on my jacket have worn off under the shoulder straps and back of my jacket from rubbing on my hydration pack. The sleeves of the Performance jacket also tend to be a little short - they ride up and expose your wrists when you tuck yourself into your handlebars...

On the plus side the jacket breathes through fabric well enough, and the material is fairly water resistant and comfy.Water only leaks in through the seams, since they are not sealed.

I use my Performance jacket every day, but I wouldn't buy an Illuminite jacket again.


George

YES, That's it! The holy grail of visiblility! Where can I get one? This URL is only to the manufacturer.