Reflective vest - please recommend
 

Looking for a vest for my wife, and will prob pick one up for me as well. She walks/runs at night and in the morning before the sun comes up, and will wear it riding as well.

I've searched, but haven't found anything that seems like a clear standout.

Ikea has them for 2-3 dollars. That cheap you can cut the reflective stripes and make your thang.

I found one I like at a construction supply and emergency equipment company.(D & M Distributors Inc in Columbus,Ohio) It has 4 pockets on the front, a mesh back and is bright yellow with reflective stripes. It also came in sizes from XS-XXXXL. I bought on that was large enough to fit a jacket under.

the Ikea ones meet the European standard required of motorists and pedestrians. It's a pretty good standard, although not the highest standard available

I got this: http://www.amazon.com/Sona-Enterpris...4049868&sr=8-4 off amazon. The LEDs help cars seem me even if their headlights aren't shining directly on me.

I've stopped using it, though, since I bought reflective tape and basically outlined my bike, with mulitiple strips in the front and back, and have two front and two rear lights (planet bike super blinky lights in the back)

Amphipod makes some nicer, slightly more expensive ones that are more minimalist which look great for running, and probably biking as well. I don't have one, but do have some of their other products, which have been great.

There are shops for people that work out doors and they would include safety equipment.

We have a Retail shop like that here ..
and those for running , there is also adding reflective tape to what you have.

Q? whats wrong with shopping locally?

A pair of good reflective legbands would also be a great add-on. They're down low where the low-beam headlights are aimed, and the motion gets noticed. The Jog-a-lite ones at REI are felt-lined so they won't chafe.

Linky..........http://www.safetyglassesusa.com/hi-v...ety-vests.html

Purchased stuff there many times, good outfit.

Most versatile and least restrictive is one of these strap things - they can go over a bulky jacket or a thin T-shirt and they don't flap in the breeze like a vest.

http://www.rei.com/media/bb/971ee8dd...90d6add65e.jpg

I've got a vest from Illuminite that I'm happy with.

+1 on the Jog-a-Lite legbands too.

Who makes that strap/ vest/ crazy suspender thing?

The photo's from REI where I got mine - I forget who makes it. It does tend to "ride up" a bit if you have the belt part too tight so it's better just to keep it loose around the waist.

I might have to check that out. How much, if I may ask?

Funny you say that. I often notice pedal reflectors before the usual front/rear ones, probably for the reasons you mention.

Linky to the Amphipod Xinglet at REI.

What are your priorities?
I went to a local safety store, and found a line made right in my city in the USA, but it was $25. It had an ANSI 2 rating, genuine 3M reflective bands, many pockets and a zipper. You pick your features and pay your price. Cheaper ones (Ikea, Harbor Freight, Home Depot) tend to have velcro instead of a zipper, and fewer or no pockets. Many pockets usually goes as a "surveyor's" model for more money. You also pick mesh or solid fabrics, orange or yellow. They tend to size very roomy, so local try-on is a good idea. Amazon has several models if you like interweb shopping.

I have one with LEDs. Multiple motorists have mentioned how visible it makes me.

I'm getting one of these for the summer. However, for the winter, I still prefer my Class 3 Vest and it gets noticed! An ANSI Class Three vest will have the reflectors on the arms making you visible on the side instead of just front and back.

My wife an I both have Nathan Streak vests. They are very light and have quite a bit of reflective material on them.

REI or Nashbar are good places. I may have to look into the surveyor's style. I use a vest mainly for visibility but pockets are good.

I just use a cheapo mesh one I picked up at a work safety store. I got it big enough to wear over my motorcycle leather so it's a bit big over my cycling jersey, but it works.

I recently got this "yield sign"and really like it. Ot just buckles around you or a saddlebag and is convenient to position anywhere on the body that's visible.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ugdLEeNmYW...0/IMG_1791.JPG

Marc

That's actually the "slow moving vehicle" sign. Gets the job done, but it's not the message I want to send... ;)

http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/face/images/07MI044f.jpg

http://sellin.com/GCFR/_images/yield_signs.jpg

I grab one of these off the shelf at work.
http://www.workinggear.com/gc/custom...55029&cat=1124