high-visibility vest

[pat ryan]

all-
looking for a high-vis vest to wear over my riding jacket. i'm most concerned with the ability to adjust so that it does not flap in the wind.
thanks,
pat

[big papa]

http://imotorcyclestore.com/product.cfm?pid=2830-0025



http://imotorcyclestore.com/product.cfm ... 2-RAM17001

[jarobi]

Dunno what brand they are, but the MSF gives out freebies that are great. They use elastic at the sides & stay pretty tight.

[boxermania]

One can also get those worn by road work crews, they are easy to slip on, fold neatly and are fairly inexpensive. Yellow or orange.

[frbank6]

Those mentioned and a couple of other ideas available here:
http://www.newenough.com/armor/visibili ... and_misc_/

[wncbmw]

I am thinking of one of these for bike and work. Since it has pockets, I thought it might do well for those work trips when I must go play in traffic!

http://www.olympiamotosports.com/nova/nova.htm

All my standard issue traffic vests are flimsy and have no pockets and my standard surveying vests have pockets but are heavy weight with no mesh.

I can stick it in the saddlebags for high traffic or low visibility rides.

[Airman]

I've had to wear the reflective vests at work for a couple of years now. I think they're a really good idea in freeway traffic, however some vests are better then others. I think the last on my list of vests are the kind with velcro side and front closures. The velcro gets tangled up and the adjustment is not worth the trouble. The best cheap kind are the mesh ones with a zipper closure and solid sides. I'd like to get one of the Icon vests for riding, but I think those are going to prove hot in the summer. For visabilty in traffic my first vote though goes to a brightly colored helmet. I used to follow a guy into Seattle up I-5 who wore a yellow helmet and I could see that helmet in traffic a mile up the freeway. Those reflective arrow decals for helmets look good too, and they let people behind you know you're moving when they see the reflected arrow on the side of the helmet.

[riceburner]

Just don't rely on it.

Car drivers simply are not looking out for you, the only person who is, is you.

[NK ED]

Pat I like these reflective vests:
http://www.accidentscene.net/sos/ridingvests.htm

I use them for overcast and night riding since my riding attire is dark. I have one for my wife as well. I have a third vest that I have never used and would sell for $30 (1/2 price). It is the single stripe version black mesh with blue stripes (site shows it in green stripes).

[taosports]

At night or in the rain, I wear a bright orange mesh reflective vest. That, combined with riding as if nobody can see me will hopefully keep me safe.

[orbea54]

I wear something similar to Michael. A MSF reflectve vest. Their not free. I like the vest because its adjustable, and the reflective strips are really wide on the front and back.

I have also seen in the BMWOA magazine a company that sells powered electric vest. The powered reflective strip was quite bright.

https://store.msf-usa.org/Store/StoreItems.aspx?cid=3

[Sit]

I too looked for a vest to wear over my riding jacket, as wimped out when I bought it and got gray, not the day glow yellow, oh well, next will be. During day time, I dont worry too much, but other times I want to be more noticable. Vest was an idea, but they cover all of my pockets and take up space if you dont want to wear them, but want them with you. Say another rider each day on my way home with also a gray jacket, but he wore a reflective belt diagnally across him and it really was a good contrast and showed well. I got one,

http://www.belts.breflective.com/retror ... -flash.php

and really like it. I keep it in my case so I have it will me should it cloud over or I am running late and its dark when I am out. It looks better than the photos show and is very noticable. People drive by me looking to see what the heck I have on. Best part, inexpensive, and does not cover any of my pockets.

[b52bombardier1]

I use one of the Icon vests noted above for use on the military base where I work and for general purpose riding. The clear plastic Velcro pocket over the front left side of the vest is perfect for the gate guards to look at my ID card so that I can keep my hands on the handle bars.

The vest is a little faded now but the zipper still works perfectly at two and a half years. But the clear plastic is not so clear anymore and it has cracked in a few places because I wad it up and stuff it inside my helmet for storage. I think the vests are good and make me more visible and it is somewhat of a USAF requirement for me. I recommend them.

Rick