Are there any jackets that are hi viz and reflective similar to proviz that are not sweaty. It doesn't need to be waterproof or even wind proof. Looking for something with a close knit thermal property similar to a DHB spring/autumn long sleeve but highly visible for the dark commute.
I've a semi-windproof front, very breathable back Endura Jetstream that is bright red with good chunks of reflective. You could add a reflective belt or tabbard on top. It's a very good jacket, Endura build quality aside.
I've then got a similar bright red Tog24 running windproof, with a little reflective. Again, you can add a luminous belt or tabbard.
Not sure what's in the Altura NightVision range at the moment.
I use a Proviz gilet to balance reflectivity and breathability
Not sure what's in the Altura NightVision range at the moment.
I had a couple of the older style nightvision jackets. A bit sweaty but I'm a sweaty bastard all year round.
Just bought a new nightvision storm and the fabric is now more plastic than the previous incarnation. Not as bin baggy as proviz though. Yet to use properly cos it hasn't been cold or wet here since Monday. Won't be long tho...
Just looking at the Endura extract roubaux and it looks to fit the bill except for the reflective. I guess I could use it with a gillet but trying to avoid the faff
I found my old night vision was ok, but the last Altura was a sweaty hateful thing. I’ve now got the castelli commuter, yes it’s more expensive but it’s so much more breathable. Highly recommended
Have you had a look at any of the sugoi zap jackets,
They are breathable and very reflective
POLARIS RBS WINDPROOF JACKET (RRP £65.99) | eBay UK - this is a bargain for £14
How much did you want to spend and how close fitting do you want the jacket? There's a load of options on Sport Pursuit, I have a few jackets with good visibility/reflectives just they're mostly close fitting for road rides rather than commuting
Have you had a look at any of the sugoi zap jackets,
They are breathable and very reflective
This is what I've been using for years. Weird thing is you can't see the reflectiveness yourself when wearing it, whereas you can with Proviz. I did try a Proviz but it was not only boil-in-the-bag bag a very poor fit. Arms much too short for a cycling jacket.
Bought my Zaps from SportPursuit - they have it in small and med for £50 (I didn't realise the RRP was so high!) at the mo: Zap
I gave up on jackets for commuting and bought the brightest gillet I could find. Felt I could use it for almost all of the year and it meant I didn't really have to worry about breathability.
I gave up on jackets for commuting and bought the brightest gillet I could find. Felt I could use it for almost all of the year and it meant I didn't really have to worry about breathability.
FWIW, there's a gilet version of that Polaris jacket I linked to
POLARIS RBS WINDPROOF JACKET (RRP £65.99) | eBay UK - this is a bargain for £14
Used to be a staple in the audax world a few years back
Thanks for the replies, I have ordered that Polaris jacket along with some winter gloves and may put a zaps top on my Christmas list.
Found the place to buy these - AliExpress or Temu. £15 for fully reflective windproof jacket. £18 for waterproof. Far better than the Proviz ones too.
SportPursuit have a few of the Cube reflective gilets left. I've used one for a bit of running and riding. They're a bit sweaty under a pack but not too bad otherwise.
https://www.sportpursuit.com/products?bid=40&type=Sleeveless_Tops
or you could get an AliExpress fully reflective gilet for £15 and it would turn up a lot quicker than a Sportpursuit order 😀
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005010508234647.html
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005007539716852.html
If they work ... It doesn't seem to want to provide easy linking
Watching this thread with interest.I live in Fort William, jackets need to be really waterproof and really reflective and really breathable as home is up a steep hill. So far there's no jacket that does all 3 well. Pro Viz has been the best however it's a boil in the bag , and it's not really hard wearing. I've had it 3 years don't think it'll do for next winter
jackets need to be really waterproof and really reflective and really breathable as home is up a steep hill
I use one of these https://www.apidura.com/shop/packable-visibility-vest over my normal jacket.
Works well for me , it weights nothing and is bright enough for my commute which involves city centre and unlit fast country roads
Yeah, but it's not full reflective. There's something about those full reflective jackets that just makes you feel so ridiculously visible, even when sticking your arm out to signal. If I wore one of those Adipura vest things commuting, no-one would see any of it from the rear as it'd be covered with a backpack! and the front, leant over the bars, would pretty much disappear too.
I think the coating they use to make the jackets fully reflective doesn't lend itself to a properly breathable jacket (like my Sugoi Zap is), but for a waterproof that 2nd AliExp jacket is decent. My brother had the one with the cross, so I haven't tried it yet, but it looked thinner and more breathable, so I've ordered one to try. At those prices... etc.
thanks
looking to replace an old tired Trespass one.
its worked well, aimed at runners so Lycra style panels under arms and back vents help breathability but can let rain in as those hits aren’t waterproof.
Vests sound good but may be covered by courier bag.
now I’ve seen the AliExpress reflective trousers I’m off down a rabbit hole…
The reflective coating is neither breathable nor hard wearing. Any sort of pack worn over the jacket/vest will wear off the reflectivity. The ideal would probably be a breathable jacket that had reflective sleeves 😀