Good, easy reflective clothing to wear at night

[sanfelice]

Now that the eastern half of the country is getting dark before work gets out, I find myself wearing my incredibly ugly yellow/green running vest over my jacket. But I would like to wear something (maybe the "harness" type) that would be a bit easier to get on and off. Any suggestions?

This is what I have:http://www.active.com/images/gearguide/vest_sm.jpg

[PirateCrew]

Now that the eastern half of the country is getting dark before work gets out, ... <snip>
????

Does the sun set later in the western half of the country?

[NuBiker]

Hi Sanfelice,
I just purchsed an Icon brand vest. It's called the "Mil-Spec" vest. They have it in orange, and lime.
I got the lime one. It has a zippered front, so it doesn't blow in the wind.
And it has easy to adjust elastics on the sides.
I have no complaints, I wear it day and night on all three of my bikes.
The only thing is, whenever I wear it, I get this urge to help children cross the streets and put away shopping carts at Wal-Mart.
Best regards,
NuBiker
2003 VLX
2004 V Strom 650
2005 Rebel

[remy_marathe]

Same problem out west here, PirateCrew ;-)

Sanfelice, your vest looks like it zips up the front; is it just too small to go over the jacket easily? In addition to the mil-spec (which looks nice, but is on the expensive side), there are reflective vests you can buy from safety supply stores for cheaper. Just make sure there's a way to fix them and keep them from blowing up into your field of vision, or make your own if that's possible. I picked one up for construction workers from safetycompany.com, but it flaps way too much to wear at speed.

This week has been a gauntlet, getting home from work. Everyone's habitual commute has suddenly been plunged into darkness, and I've had more people intrude on my lane in the past two days than I had in the month before it. The horn and the finger have both been used.

Good call on getting the hi-viz vest, it may increase your chances of not being hit. Remember to ride like it's not worth a damn, though.

[Wolfie]

A Helmet halo is pretty cheap and very visible.
http://www.mfiap.com/halo/hhbm75.jpg

If you don't mind being visible, some 3m SOLAS reflective tape is pretty easy to apply ( and remove) to (from) the bike.

mark.

[asp125]

The vest Sanfelice posted is a bicycling vest, they are another option to the mil-spec vest or looking like a construction zone flagperson. I was in a local bicycling store on the weekend and noticed they have a whole selection of night riding gear. Although to fit them over your m/c jackets you'd have to get them in the larger/largest sizes.

[Chench53]

I bought the solas tape from Aerostich; My helmet halo was 3 years old and all stretched out. I like the tape now. does a great job.

Cheaper too. :)

Gerry

[TBeck2000]

I just picked up one of the ICON Mil Spec Vests from eBay for $31 (+s&h): link to ICON's page (http://www.rideicon.com/gearProductSummary.jsp?pageid=449&action=Q&category_title=JACKETS&category_id=1066&product_group_id=3358&parent_title=&parent_id=&product_name=MIL%20SPEC%20VEST&rank=100)

I really like the ID holder feature because it will keep my ID handy for the folks at my guard gate.

[pdxvespa]

I just picked up one of the ICON Mil Spec Vests from eBay for $31 (+s&h): link to ICON's page (http://www.rideicon.com/gearProductSummary.jsp?pageid=449&action=Q&category_title=JACKETS&category_id=1066&product_group_id=3358&parent_title=&parent_id=&product_name=MIL%20SPEC%20VEST&rank=100)

Good for you!

I've been content with my lo-priced cobalt blue reflective safety vest-- fits over my jacket just fine; matches my scoot, too ;)-->

http://www.reflexsafety.com/proddet.php?IDArt=293

[subvetSSN606]

????

Does the sun set later in the western half of the country?

(I couldn't resist)

As a matter of fact... yep! ;)

Tom

[Diane_N]

The vest Sanfelice posted is a bicycling vest, they are another option to the mil-spec vest or looking like a construction zone flagperson. I was in a local bicycling store on the weekend and noticed they have a whole selection of night riding gear. Although to fit them over your m/c jackets you'd have to get them in the larger/largest sizes.

Just ordered this:
http://revelsports.com/illuminite/1281V.htm?id=335
I'll let y'all know how it is when I get it. The website had a lot of reflective items, mostly marketed to runners and bicyclists, but if I like the vest, I might get one of their jackets, too...

[TBeck2000]

I wore my ICON Mil Spec vest on a dusk-time ride and it worked very well. It's a fitted vest so I forgot that I was even wearing it. I was self-conscious for about 10 seconds until I got out on the road. I'll type up a more complete gear review and post it once I get some pics of it with my other gear.

Thumbs up for the ICON Mil Spec...:thumbsup:
http://beck.nbcpgh.org/icon mil spec vest front.jpg http://beck.nbcpgh.org/icon mil spec vest back.jpg

[SabreScott]

I thought they called it sunny California for a reason! No?

...the banjo player.