How breathable are Night Vision Jackets

Slow Downcp

Looking to increase night riding regularity, and the wife insists I need something to make me more visible (in addition to three rear lights, including a Smart 1/2 Watt, two headlamps, and a bright yellow Assos Evo jacket). I guess something reflective is a good idea, and the Night Vision seems to fit the bill but wonder whether it will be too much in current climate. I have a Nevis jacket which is good for visibility but only any good in temperatures below 5 or 6 degrees - is the NightVision the same?

I'd prefer a vest/gilet type that I can wear over my normal jacket, but dont want anything that will flap about (so builders type high Viz is out) if anyone has any other suggestions?

hopper1

Slow Downcp wrote:

Looking to increase night riding regularity, and the wife insists I need something to make me more visible (in addition to three rear lights, including a Smart 1/2 Watt, two headlamps, and a bright yellow Assos Evo jacket). I guess something reflective is a good idea, and the Night Vision seems to fit the bill but wonder whether it will be too much in current climate. I have a Nevis jacket which is good for visibility but only any good in temperatures below 5 or 6 degrees - is the NightVision the same?

I'd prefer a vest/gilet type that I can wear over my normal jacket, but dont want anything that will flap about (so builders type high Viz is out) if anyone has any other suggestions?

Awww, bless her... She does care...

Why not try one of those motorcyclists hi-vis 'sash' thingies. I personally wouldn't want to wear anything other than my Assos jacket whilst riding.
I don't need to ride at night, so can only offer an opinion...

soveda

Standard night vision or the soft shell version? The standard is a boil in the bagged, haven't tried the soft shell.
You could get some adhesive scotchlite and cover a jacket/jersey you already have. You used to be able to get it by the sheet to cut to shape.

Slow Downcp

hopper1 wrote:

Awww, bless her... She does care...

Why not try one of those motorcyclists hi-vis 'sash' thingies. I personally wouldn't want to wear anything other than my Assos jacket whilst riding.
I don't need to ride at night, so can only offer an opinion...

I find shorts/bibtights also help stop windchill :shock:

Most of the night riding is going to be commuting, so traffic is a concern, and I'd prefer to just wear my Assos stuff which is why I think a vest type thing would be better - I could just wear it over the top.

Slow Downcp

soveda wrote:

Standard night vision or the soft shell version? The standard is a boil in the bagged, haven't tried the soft shell.
You could get some adhesive scotchlite and cover a jacket/jersey you already have. You used to be able to get it by the sheet to cut to shape.

I didn't realise there was a softshell version - thought they were all waterproof's of different design, I'll look into that.

I have thought about reflective tape, but hesitant to start sticking it on my Assos jackets - would have thought it would come off in the wash?

APIII

I've got the softshell version, and I'll happily wear it instead of my Assos jacket. It's cut a bit more 'roomy', which is the only downside, but otherwise it's extremely comfy. It probably isn't quite as warm as the Assos, but at this time of year it's perfect.

soveda

Slow Downcp wrote:

soveda wrote:

Standard night vision or the soft shell version? The standard is a boil in the bagged, haven't tried the soft shell.
You could get some adhesive scotchlite and cover a jacket/jersey you already have. You used to be able to get it by the sheet to cut to shape.

I didn't realise there was a softshell version - thought they were all waterproof's of different design, I'll look into that.

I have thought about reflective tape, but hesitant to start sticking it on my Assos jackets - would have thought it would come off in the wash?

These and this from respro are pretty good, they stay on pretty well on clothing even in the wash. They will impair the breathability of any jacket a bit but are nicely visible!

andy_wrx

Try one of these ?
http://www.probikekit.com/display.php?code=C0920

It's made of a mesh, so will be completely breathable.

The reflectives could be bigger, it isn't going to be as visible as a proper ISO-whatever reflective waistcoat or vest

But it's £1.62, so if you don't get on with it, so what ?

Chris James

The Night Vision windproof only has windproof front of body and front of arms so is totally breathable for the rest of the jacket.

It is pretty warm though. Best reserved for proper winter - i.e. single figures celsius.

Monkeypump

Standard Night Vision is very warm (too warm for this time of year) and not the most breathable (as mentioned above, 'boil in the bag' probably covers it).

'Evo' version is supposed to be more breathable, but haven't tried it myself.

Woodenleg

I got one of those one of those motorcyclists hi-vis 'sash' thingies from TK Max in the summer for £1.99. Rolled up takes as much room as a spare inner tube. Takes 30 secs to put on when needed. Those who've ridden with me in the dark says it lights up well in car headlights. Worth a look in TK Max.

Slow Downcp

Cheers all, will look through the various options - had a look at the soft shell Night Vision jacket today and there wasn't really that much reflective on it. Certainly couldn't justify spending the £60ish on it when I already have a jacket that does the same job (albeit with slightly less reflective).

Looks like the best option will be a cheap vest/gilet that I can wear over my normal jersey/ jacket, depending on weather, and some stickers.

Gazzaputt

Chris James wrote:

The Night Vision windproof only has windproof front of body and front of arms so is totally breathable for the rest of the jacket.

It is pretty warm though. Best reserved for proper winter - i.e. single figures celsius.

+1. It does get hot in there.

Monty Dog

I've just applied some of the Respro Scotchlite to an old windstopper shell jacket - it's the real deal, heat transfer stuff which is very good and highly visible and doesn't make you look a bit of a bike nerd if wearing it off the bike.

nmcgann

Gazzaputt wrote:

Chris James wrote:

The Night Vision windproof only has windproof front of body and front of arms so is totally breathable for the rest of the jacket.

It is pretty warm though. Best reserved for proper winter - i.e. single figures celsius.

+1. It does get hot in there.

+2. I've got the windproof and it's good for proper winter, but it's too hot for now :?

It's good for hard riding in the 4-6degC range that is pretty common for a lot of the winter in east anglia as it breathes really well.

Neil