Reflective Jackets, whats best?

ridley2010

I'm after a reflective jacket but to go over a vest and jersey so not too thick. What do i go for?

secretsqizz

The Bob the Builder look is de rigueur.

amaferanga

Altura Nightvisions are good. Come in jersey, windproof jacket and waterproof jacket variants.

ridley2010

Hah no yellow helmet for me thankx nor dungarees! Just fed up with people not seeing my lights and pulling out of junctions on me, hate yellow jackets but who knows it may make a difference?!!!

langster

I use a Karrimor jacket from Sports direct, (http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-hi ... ens-636109) light and comfy.

re-cycles

langster wrote:

I use a Karrimor jacket from Sports direct, (http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-hi ... ens-636109) light and comfy.

+1 or the karrimor jacket for the price, although I tend to be wet at the end of most journeys... Breathable material might be worth looking out for....

cougie

If drivers are pulling out on you - then how will a reflective jacket work ? You'd have to be in their headlights for it to work. If its dark - then a fluo yellow wont show either.

Check your lights are visible, and assume drivers will pull out. You wont go far wrong.

pst88

ridley2010 wrote:

Hah no yellow helmet for me thankx nor dungarees! Just fed up with people not seeing my lights and pulling out of junctions on me, hate yellow jackets but who knows it may make a difference?!!!

Try a a helmet/head mounted light. I find if they're about to pull out on you and you look at them, hence pointing the light in their direction, they usual stop in their tracks.

Pross

In the dark go for a Altura Night Vision (comes with a clip on tube light as well, just don't forget to take it off before washing :oops: ). Mine is brighter than any of the reflective jackets I've been given through work (I work on road sites a lot).

For daylight go for the Karrimor stuff from Sports Direct, they do bright orange jerseys as well as the jackets IMHO orange is far easier to see than yellow (fluo pink is also good if you are comfortable with your sexuality! ).

fungus_the_muffin_man

I have these on my commuter ( in green)

http://www.giftideas.co.uk/gifts/spoke-lit-bicycle-lights.html#aZZSPOKELIT

they definitely make you visible from the side. And the battery lasts hours and hours

jonny_trousers

I have an Endura hi viz gridlock and am very happy with it. It has a loop on the back where you can clip an extra LED too. I do agree with the guys above who suggest helmet mounted lights, however. Having been off my bike for the last month due to being knocked off (I was lit up like a chuffing christmas tree at the time) I have been taking note of those cyclists I particularly notice when in the car and those who wear high viz jackets, have helmet mounted lights and have some form of reflection on their lower legs (the up and down motion while pedalling really draws attention) are the ones who are easy to spot. Really like the look of those spoke lights and have saved the page for future purchase.

To those who don't see the point in high viz, you wear whatever you like, but from a car driver's perspective, those cyclists who wear it really do stand out. There's no two ways about it.

derosa

langster wrote:

I use a Karrimor jacket from Sports direct, (http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-hi ... ens-636109) light and comfy.

What's the sizing like on that jacket?

ridley2010

Cheers people, i shall take a look at your suggestions especially thehelmet light as this makes perfect sense. The next time i have to swerve round the bonnet of a car that is halfway across the road i can blind them.

re-cycles

derosa wrote:

langster wrote:

I use a Karrimor jacket from Sports direct, (http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-hi ... ens-636109) light and comfy.

What's the sizing like on that jacket?

They're a little on the small size, unless you really like the fitted look. I picked up a large and I can comfortably wear it with a fleece or jumper underneath, but I usually wear small/medium. The sleeves are very long though!

derosa

re-cycles wrote:

derosa wrote:

langster wrote:

I use a Karrimor jacket from Sports direct, (http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-hi ... ens-636109) light and comfy.

What's the sizing like on that jacket?

They're a little on the small size, unless you really like the fitted look. I picked up a large and I can comfortably wear it with a fleece or jumper underneath, but I usually wear small/medium. The sleeves are very long though!

Sounds like XL for me then

Theomerchant

derosa wrote:

re-cycles wrote:

derosa wrote:

langster wrote:

I use a Karrimor jacket from Sports direct, (http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-hi ... ens-636109) light and comfy.

What's the sizing like on that jacket?

They're a little on the small size, unless you really like the fitted look. I picked up a large and I can comfortably wear it with a fleece or jumper underneath, but I usually wear small/medium. The sleeves are very long though!

Sounds like XL for me then

There going for £6 at the moment so you cant really not try one out!, When I got mine it was £12, not the most breathable of jackets nor the most waterproof but works as a wind breaker and mine is in fluro yellow and touch wood haven't really had any problems with cars during commuting or long rural rides, because the are actually running jackets the back is a little smaller than you'd expect from a cycle specific jacket so yeah def go for a size or two up!!

*sorry, update the one I actually got is the Karrimor mens running jacket (being advertised on television at the moment). works just as well as the cycling jacket but for a 3rd the price!!

*update...again, link to the £6 jacket...get there in the end
http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-hi ... e=45805690
works treats!!!

MrBibble

I use this one, really happy with it and very bright!

http://www.sportsdirect.com/karrimor-hi-vis-cycle-jacket-mens-636109

jc4lab

Bemuses me how many wear ultrabrite jackets then hide them behind a big black pack defeating the object..I now use an ultribrite rucksack instead of a lumious reflective jacket ( I have 2 - trad luminous ultribrite yellow and orange post office like versions)

bakerstreet

+1 for the Alturer Night Vision jacket. I've had mine for a couple of months now and I'm really pleased with it. I also looked at the Sport direct Karrimor effort, but I really like having a chest pocket and he karimor one didn't have that.

My karrimor leggings are spot on though

pilot_pete

I recently bought one of these http://www.jjbsports.com/livestrong-mf-1/2-zip-jacket/mens-livestrong/shop/fcp-product/13515 for exactly the reason you state. Forget about the politics surrounding LA, this is a very smart Nike windproof shell jacket.

I was freezing two days ago with three layers on when we stopped to fix my mates puncture. When we started riding again the airflow was really chilling me. We stopped again and I put this jacket on and within five minutes I was warm again, despite being soaked and the temperature being close to zero.

Only comment would be it is a little short in the arms for me, but with layers underneath and winter gloves, this isn't really an issue.And it is BRIGHT! It also has a small reflective band on each arm.

Pricey? Maybe, but not extravagant like some cycling gear. Keep an eye out for January sales at JJB...........

PP

Edit to add that you can roll it up very small to fit a jersey pocket and that with the half zip undone you can put it on without removing your helmet, which is a time saving bonus.

paulbox

Pilot Pete wrote:

I recently bought one of these http://www.jjbsports.com/livestrong-mf-1/2-zip-jacket/mens-livestrong/shop/fcp-product/13515 for exactly the reason you state. Forget about the politics surrounding LA, this is a very smart Nike windproof shell jacket.

I'd be worried about upsetting the yellow jersey nazi's in that...