Recommendation for a High Visibility Jacket
 

I am in the market for a cycling jacket. I like those very bright yellow high visibility ones, that I see cyclists wear but I don't know which brands are best. I am not sure whether they can also be worn in general outings or just keep them for biking. I live in metro DC so weather doesn't get extremely bad. Thanks.

Since they are "outer wear", they are all pretty much all the same. Some have those silver reflective stripes. That might be worthwhile if you're riding at night. I have two different kinds myself. Both are chartreuse colored, without reflective stripes. One is a Belweather jacket, the other a Castelli vest. I use the vest a lot more than the jacket, (the weather here in Southern California is even more benign than D.C.). Got the jacket from my LBS, the vest from an on-line retailer.

Bright yellow Pearl Izumi with zip off sleeves. Works as a vest or a jacket. Try the Elite level or higher, windproof & waterproof. Highly recommended. Worth every $.

I've always liked Pearl Izumi clothing. Yes, it's expensive, but the ROI is that it lasts a long, long time with a little care.
My jacket is black in the front, turning to blue in the rear. Lots of well-positioned reflective piping. I just don't care for that yellow
color. No explanation on that, sorry.

I wear this when it is in the 60s and windy, and as cold as the 30s with additional layering. It has incredible wind blockage, and the collar pops up,
and may be zipped all the way.

Just make sure it has plenty of well positioned reflective piping, on the arms, chest area, and back.

Many thanks volsong and Monoborracho for the advice. I never heard of the name of this color before, so I learned something new :)

I checked out the Pearl Izumi on Amazon, and the Elite looks pretty sweet. However, it looks like it is supposed to be tight fitting. Since I am, ahem, big boned, I would prefer to do the world a favor and not wear tight fitted clothing. So, I may have to go much bigger size than mine just to make it look loose, unless other brands cater to scale-challenged folks!

I see your point. What particular type is this trackhub? Thx.

Pearl Izumi is a very good brand some other good ones out there also. Worried about fit? Go to LBS and try 'em on.

One LBS in our area sells Louis Garneau cycling apparel. I bought a LG wind jacket, hi-viz yellow, with removable sleeves 2 or 3 years ago (can't remember exactly when). I've been pleased with it.

Mine is Carhartt. its heavy duty, not a bike jacket, but it's dry..

2" wide reflective stripes.. for safety, in the dark.

You can get high vis is many manufacturers and many grades so look at what you want it for.

If you are going to be using it all the time then look at breathability. Best material for this is something called "Pertex". Bright colours and totally breathable and completely windproof. Sounds wrong but the genuine "Pertex" does this. It is in no way waterproof though. Then if only riding in unexpected light showers then a "Showerproof" only coat might be better. Then the full wet jackets for inclement weather.

Many manufacturers use many materials- some are good and some not so. The manufacturer to me is not that important- but fit is and this can vary greatly.

im in construction and i have several different ones. maybe look at a safety place? we get ours at a place called safety systems here.. also the silver stripe now has to be 2 inches wide according to osha but, should matter that much on a bike

LBS might not be the best location to continue your search. In DC you have access to REI and LL-Bean stores. They may carry a wider selection of jackets. I just ordered one from Bean last week. It's stuck in NJ thanks to Sandy.

I wear an Optic Yellow jersey when riding in warm weather. I got used to wearing the fluorescent vests and jackets at work as an engineer on construction sites for the U.S. Navy. supposedly the Optic Yellow is not a naturally occurring in nature and stands out to the human eye. (according to scientist and engineers in the fire truck industry.) Most of the mfgr have a line of the fluorescent clothing including the reflective stripes. Pearl Izumi is the brand I like, gave my wife one of their wind/rain jackets last Christmas and she wears it all of the time. I'm going to add one to my kit soon, but a heavier model with a Gore-Tex lining for breathability.

Bill

Being a total cheapskate I bought one of these: https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Produc...mmaryOnly=true

I purchased a Gore jacket from REI that I liked a great deal. Unfortunately it was stolen off the back of my seat in a resturant when I went to the restroom. It's a bit on the expensive side, but it is a keeper....

http://www.rei.com/product/838688/go...ke-jacket-mens

I just grab a hi-vis vest/shirt from the Wallymart. Aside from a pair of padded undies, I have no bicycle-specific clothes...

Most shoe repair places that also sell construction/safety gear carry different lines of outerwear. There are reflective yellow vests and jackets that sell in the $50-80 range that are full cut, have removable hoods, have OSHA standard piping and trim, and are waterproof and flannel lined. You have to look. Do a search on Red Wing boots or somesuch and you'll fine one of these places. Like another said above, there are choices beyond just what's sold at bike outlets.

Thank you all very much for that. I was only focusing on cycling specific gear, but you have provided some excellent pointers to other resources. I went this morning (temp was around 40) and had on an old Merino wool pullover, and then this jacket from LL Bean:

http://www.llbean.com/llb/shop/68624...el-rain-jacket

I have the blue color but they have it in yellow as well. It did a good job with the wind, but at the end of my very short ride (30 minutes) it was very wet on the inside. I guess this means it doesn't breathe well?

As someone mentioned before, the Louis Garneau Hi-Vis yellow jacket has been good. Its very light, easy to stow and zip back pocket. I bought up one size and can wear something warm underneath. Cost around $60 CDN at our LBS. My wife bought a very similar one at MEC for about the same price. People say we are really visible! Sometimes having nice cycle clothing just makes you feel more like riding.

Showers Pass makes a great jacket with vents to keep you dry on the inside and quality construction that stands up to the elements. I've got the Touring Jacket in Yelling Yellow. It isn't cheap but will last for years. http://www.biketiresdirect.com/produ...touring-jacket

To find serious durable Hi Viz clothing shop workware stores or industrial safety stores or online.

All the Hi Viz they sell in the bicycle clothing is way over priced fashion ware.

Depends on your needs, I guess. I'm willing to pay more for things like a two-way front zipper, pit zips, rear vent flap, and a decent feel on the sleeves and neck. That combination lets me deal with a wide range of temperatures and efforts. And personally, I just do not like the feel of rubber or coated nylon on my bare skin.

+ 1-- REI also sells a cycling specific Jacket sold under their barand "Novara".

You can wear it anywhere, but it will stand out in the crowd:)

REI Jacket-- A good loose fitting jacket.
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/y...s/PICT4434.jpg

Showers Pass Elite and Tourist Jackets
http://i783.photobucket.com/albums/y...stTrip-1-1.jpg

No model name, but here is the info from the inside label.

RN# 80327
CA# 10604
PO# 74139
Style# 4665
Vendor# 88
Season# Fall01

That last one makes sense, since I bought the jacket at Belmont Wheelworks
in early 2002. It's an excellent jacket, with a full, light fleece lining. This jacket looks
very similar to the present "select thermal barrier jacket".
Link to it.

Just like they say, layering really extends the cold range of the jacket.

Tip: I have some bergelene under jerseys that I got years ago at Eastern Mountain
sports. These are really good base layer jerseys, and more "cost effective" that
some others. The usual rule: Machine wash, but do not machine dry.

Loose fitting jackets can be a bit annoying, particularly when you open up the front a bit and things really start flapping around. I have a PI windbreaker/jacket I really like, but mine is a bit too large. This isn't too bad when I have the sleeves on, but with the sleeves removed to form a vest, the loose fit really makes it hard to control the airflow through the jacket.