High-vis top with zero insulation

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22camels
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High-vis top with zero insulation

Post by 22camels »

Does anybody know of a top/waistcoat/gilet/jacket/vest/other clothing item that fits the top half of your torso that

a) is high-vis, or at least yellow. Mostly for daylight visibility.

b) has minimal insulation/protection/waterproofing. I already have a waterproof high-vis jacket but I often want to take it off when it gets too hot, then I'll just be wearing whatever colour t-shirt/base layer/jersey underneath but this is not high vis and I feel less safe.

c) is affordable (preferably not cycling-specific as this always inflates the price).

I just want to put this thing over my t-shirt/shirt and not feel like it's an extra layer, just need the high-vis element, for daylight riding (night-time high-vis is different as then reflective panels come into play).
Seen some "mesh" tops but not convinced they don't insulate. It probably needs to be something that covers as little of the upper body as possible i.e. a short-sleeved waistcoat of some sort, but more than just a strip..

I know I can get a yellow cycling jersey but I'd need a few of those and I like the idea of wearing whatever I want as I mostly wear non-cycling clothes.

Thanks in advance.
Bicycler
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Re: High-vis top with zero insulation

Post by Bicycler »

Would a Sam Browne Belt be an idea instead of a whole separate hi-vis garment?
22camels
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Re: High-vis top with zero insulation

Post by 22camels »

I don't think the high vis Sam Browne covers enough of the body to make much of a difference in daylight. Probably needs to be at least a waistcoat - with a very open front as that side is not important.

The Salzmann/Ultimate performance ones look more like it, but I worry a bit that even that is going to insulate a bit.. guess I could get a very loose fitting one.. should be worth a try at that price.

I also came across this: http://www.rei.com/product/870953/natha ... ctive-vest which in that picture looks like it's almost transparent and hence useless in daylight.

It seems the high-vis industry is focused on night-time and low light high-vis. I do most riding in daylight and in OK light, and I want to maximise my visibility in these conditions.. not sure if yellow is the best colour but it has to be better than camouflage green :).
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[XAP]Bob
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Re: High-vis top with zero insulation

Post by [XAP]Bob »

Depends what it behind ypu doesn't it.


Passing fields of rape seed oul - yellow = camo, black = high vis.

You ate presumably the size of a person - and are therefore large enough to be visible without dressing like a highlighter.

Yellow is also overused, and no longer draws the eye of most motorists, orange/pink are more unusual at the moment...
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c53204
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Re: High-vis top with zero insulation

Post by c53204 »

I bought a Karrimor 'Run' top (about 6 months ago) which I find useful for cycling. It has a long 'half' zip a windproof lining on the front. The rest of the top is slightly thicker than a tee shirt, but made of a material that dries quickly - £5 (70% off) from a well known high street 'Sports Directing chain' shops.

It is super bright yellow. One of those rare genuine bargains - work on it's own in, or as a base/mid layer in winter.
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mjr
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Re: High-vis top with zero insulation

Post by mjr »

Hi-vis waistcoats are available from Wickes, Screwfix, Toolstation and probably other similar industrial park builders shops. Best price found just now £2.98 http://www.toolstation.com/shop/Workwea ... 188/p43997 - I've worn a mesh waistcoat in the past and there's only very slight insulating effect, especially if you leave it flapping, which only annoyed me when it got over 30 degrees or so.

But now I don't think hi-vis is proven and carrying and using special clothes annoys me: I'm slow enough to park/unpark the bike already. I think reflectives are good and put lots on my bikes because I always have a bike with me when I ride. I tend to wear large blocks of solid colour (most often blue, and that works well because most of the time I'm riding past green countryside, red brick or sandstone buildings) in daylight. At night/twilight, I tend to wear black/white or blue/white jackets with reflective detailing.
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Psamathe
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Re: High-vis top with zero insulation

Post by Psamathe »

I just purchased some cheapo bright orange t-shirts. Not technically "hi-vis" but hopefully a decent contrast to the countryside background. http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00749RU7Q - the bright orange one. Cost little over £2 each.

I switched to them from a hi-vis waistcoat for the summer and because of all the bright yellow oil rape seed.

Ian
mercalia
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Re: High-vis top with zero insulation

Post by mercalia »

if you want the minimum a TABARD type is the best bet. they just cover the front and back with the sides open. I was wearing just this with no tee shirt this summer and got lots of nice cooling ventilation but wind protection at the front, worked a treat. Halfords were selling their off at £2 but I think all gone now. So remember that word and search hiviz TABARD. You need to be careful to get a good size incase you want to wear a jumber/coat underneath, bigger is better. They pack up small - just roll up.

but here look here -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/141065641242?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108
LollyKat
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Re: High-vis top with zero insulation

Post by LollyKat »

I got a tabard from Mountain Warehouse which has a much more open mesh than the ebay one, and I don't seem to get any hotter in it than without it. Not that I wear it very often but it packs up so small that I keep it in a pannier just in case.

I can't find it on the MW site at the moment but I've seen similar ones elsewhere sold for runners.
cotswolds
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Re: High-vis top with zero insulation

Post by cotswolds »

Pretty well any running/sports shop should have something suitable, eg http://www.sportsdirect.com/hind-hi-vis-running-bib-764112?colcode=76411213

I have seen them in pink as well. Most of them are more meshy than that one appears to be. I think I've seen them in a pound shop.
AndyK
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Re: High-vis top with zero insulation

Post by AndyK »

If you want to try before you buy, seek out your nearest specialist running shop and pop into it. Runners generate a lot more heat than cyclists do and they're obsessive about keeping cool.

Something like this would do the trick - a decent price for an mesh tabard from a reputable running clothing manufacturer. Zoom in on the picture and you'll see how open the mesh is compared with non-running hi-vis jackets.
http://www.sportsshoes.com/product/tho1 ... oduct-tabs
mercalia
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Re: High-vis top with zero insulation

Post by mercalia »

The Halfords tabard I got were kept to gether by velcro straps. so were very open at the sides
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al_yrpal
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Re: High-vis top with zero insulation

Post by al_yrpal »

Wear cheap white tee shirts like me. You cant get mote Hi Viz than that.

Al
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22camels
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Re: High-vis top with zero insulation

Post by 22camels »

Good point about runners.

I thought I may as well get one that meets EN471 standards, after learning about the rules in places like France and Italy (though I highly doubt they're enforced).

Going to try one of these http://www.provizsports.com/en_gb/provi ... ility-vest to see how I get on, it's 2 for 1 so a fiver each, still a bit more than some of the suggestions above but I am a bit skeptical of cheap ebay things. I suspect it might be too warm though and I'll end up going with a mesh Tabard or a running bib or similar..
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