Cheap $4 Hi Viz Vest
 

I finally started wearing a hi-viz vest, and I am pleasantly surprised to realize that motorists are being more careful around me. I know - everyone here already knows that and I should have started long ago. But I'm the sort who really doesn't like to wear bright colours, so getting this on was a tough mental hurdle to overcome. It wasn't helped by the fact that most hi-viz jackets are expensive and would replace my existing jacket, meaning I would need more gear for different temperature ranges. Till I ran across this at (of all places!) Ikea:
PATRULL Reflective vest - L/yellow - IKEA
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/images/pro...E275452_S4.JPG

It cost me $4, and I wear it over my existing jacket/t-shirt/whatever I happen to ride in to work in. Time will tell how it holds up, but at $4 (and a 5 mile return trip) I think it will last for a while. And I'm more likely to get a better, more expensive one next time after this low cost experiment.

So anyone sitting on the fence about a hi-viz jacket, try out the Ikea vest.

Ha, looks similar to the one I got from Home Depot. I think it was $4.99 there. I completely agree on your assessment of hi-viz benefits.

Also looks identical to the one I've been wearing for years that I got at Harbor Freight for $5. Next time I get to Ikea I'll pick up a spare. I like to have one or two extras, if I see a jogger wearing all black I'll give him mine.

Also the one I've been wearing for 3 years now is starting to fray a bit.

I have one of these too. I got it as a gift from my boss after getting hit by a taxi last year, perhaps as a joke. Although I find it especially useful in these winter months with the limited day light and frequently snowy conditions.

Even at $5 bucks a pop. If it lasts 3 months thats $20 bucks a year for hi-vis safety. Compare that to more exensive vests.

The $5 vests last me 3+ years. Maybe I'm just not as hard on clothing, or maybe my definition of "worn out" includes more damage than other people's.

I'm easy on clothes too .. apart from shoes i.e.
3 years sounds good :)

Funny to read this. I was just in IKEA yesterday and got one so I could do some running in the evening.

Because military bases require motorcyclists to wear hi-viz, Icon makes a neon & reflective vest to go over a jacket that looks a lot more stylish than the average construction worker's. It's mesh, available in orange, yellow, and (weirdly) black, and looks good. It's cut high in front so it doesn't bunch up at the waist if you are leaned over. It has a pocket for your work badge. There's also a women's version, and armored versions. There are similar products from similar companies.

They are not, however, $4.

http://www.revzilla.com/product/icon-mil-spec-mesh-vest

I didn't mean the vest would last only 3 months, I was using a rediculously short lifespan to illustrate the economy of it. Three-years sounds right. I bought a reflective sash at Harbour Freight for 5 bucks seven years ago, although I wear it only when it is dark out. I have been thinking about a hi-vis vest for daytime, and should just go do it.

The reason IKEA sells these is it is illegal to drive in many European countries without a vest like this. So, they buy and sell a lot of them at a price like that. Looks good for winter months, although some of the more breathable ones for runners would do the trick better for me in warmer months.

I think I'll pick up the Ikea one tonight. :-)

I also keep one under the seat of all my cars. Mostly I wear dark clothing (leather jacket, etc) when driving, if I had to change a tire by the roadside I'd put one on.

In the car I have both a class III vest and a cheap hooded, water resistant windbreaker that I added front, back and sleeve cuff strips of the hi-viz and retroreflective combo iron-on to. Sometimes I make long trips in nice clothes, so I like the idea of being able to cover my shirt completely for a roadside repair and improve visibility at the same time, plus it's light enough to be a rain jacket even in the hottest part of summer. Clear, comfortable weather and everyday clothes, I just grab the vest. I also grab the windbreaker sometimes for short spring and fall night rides, and both items are part of my 72 hour kit, since the vest would make a great signal flag or could be cut up to mark a trail.

FWIW, I've been commuting in the same Ikea vest virtually every weekday since May. I found it plenty breathable over the summer, though admittedly my commute is in the morning and evening and we had a pretty mild summer here. My only complaint about it is the velcro fasteners sometimes don't keep it closed in windy conditions and can snag on clothing. Otherwise, it's great. The reflector stripes are 3M Scotchlite and do an excellent job reflecting light. I also like that the colors and pattern are pretty close to what road crews and traffic cops wear (at least around here), which I suspect does better drawing the attention and caution of motorists.

I have an expensive hi viz jacket that I wear at all temperatures by itself or over various layers, below about 60ºF down to my lowest at about 0º. Howver my backpack is black so I drape a cheap hi viz vest over it to provide a fully bright and reflective outline from behind.

http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=426851http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=426850

Nice!

I recently picked up a hi-viz mesh reflective vest from Salvation Army (they had a big box of new ones, $1 each) -- as well as a pair of elastic/velcro ankle straps, also $1.

I'm planning at some point to buy an Ikea rain poncho, only $6.50. Anybody have any experience riding a bike with one of those on?

How much should a sweatshop produced piece of nylon cost? 4$ is with all the taxes and transport added. Has worked fine for me for years now. I got a summer one too, that is just hi-vis ribbons, not closed like vest - more ventilation.

I may be the only one who is not a big advocate of vests. I do use hi-vis gear in gloves and helmet, and, of course an excellent lighting system and requisite reflectors etc. I have had more compliments from drivers over the optic yellow helmet with reflectors than anything I have used. I think it's more effective because it shows up at eye level for most drivers. The only time I have been hit by a car I was wearing a safety vest.

Marc

Helmet is more visible, but if you don't wear a helmet, vest is the next best thing. :)

Not sure what point you were trying to make at the end of your post. Just because you're only accident was when you were wearing the vest doesn't mean it's the vest's fault. If you got hit then driver error, unfortunately, is something we can not do anything about no matter how many reflectors, or lights we use.

I like the vest because I can wear it when I need it, or not when I don't, and it doesn't clutter the bike with extra lights and reflectors. Anyway, anything to help being seen is beneficial in my opinion. Sounds like your helmet it working for you, it's funny you get compliments, I don't think I've ever gotten more than nasty remarks from drivers, hah

The helmet is a noticeable improvement in visibility. You can actually see people correct their driving when catching it from their corner of their eye.

Marc