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fds

Hi, I was looking at the question about ultrafleece, and from that the bit about Karisma, and a search came upon comments about softshells cycling to work. (By Captain Paranoia)

I am in a bit of a dilemma, because (as I use the A6 from the High Peak into Stockport) I like fluro-yellow/dayglo with lots of reflectives for the jackets, but it rains: (My current tally so far since August) .

I currently have a poor (hydrophillic jacket - without taped seams! -Lusso HT60).

Has anyone come across any (highly) breathable jackets with loads of high viz?

As someone who still regularly uses a 1992 Paramo Scala jacket, I fancy something like the Velez, but it is a bit dark for my liking I think.

The Velez Adventure comes in a lovely citrus colour!  

(although only the reflective piping will be truly hi-viz).

My own solution is to choose the jacket I like (currently a Haglofs Oz paclite smock, which happens to be 'budgie green' so quite bright) and then add the reflectives by using a runner's hi-viz bib over the top. That way I can add the hi-viz over whatever layers I'm using, or choose to do without it when conditions allow.

Thanks for the replies. I fully agree about turning the lights on, I feel that dayglo, scotchlite , and lights all are optimal in slightly different light conditions, so I use them all, often simultaneously.

TBH, I hadn't thought about a runners bib, but that might be the way forward. Probably with snap bands for the hands as well.

Also.....when driving I think your eyes are directed to the ground following your headlights. For that reason when cycling in the dark I always wear reflective bands around my ankle area  - bought them years ago but think they were sold as a reflective kind of trouser clip though they are about 3 inches wide if that makes sense.

Don't know if this is of interest or not - spoke to someone a few weeks ago with lots of reflective material on his tights - he said that since he started wearing them he noticed the traffic giving him more room so he was getting noticed more - they were Altura Night Vision Tights as shown here

I have a theory (and that's all it is) that drivers slow down (and then give you room) if they don't recognise what they are seeing - so stuff that gets you seen is good, but stuff that gets their attention before they can identify you as a cyclist, even for a second or two, may be better. I can imagine that lots of reflective stripes on your legs moving with the pedalling motion would look quite unusual, whereas the more usual upper body reflectives are more static and perhaps more obvious. I'm with Jim on using a mixture of visibility tactics, but my own most effective bit is probably my Dinotte rear light because it's powerful enough for drivers to think that it must be on something larger and probably motorised.

Sorry, getting a bit off-topic from your jacket search...

I've used a Rohan Windjammer for several years and they certainly live up their name. Though I'm not sure they're made anymore, I've seen S/H ones available on eBay.

As for overall visibility, I have to agree with previous posters - a visible bike is just as, if not more, important than a visible rider.  Also, in my (rather lengthy!) experience, motorists are more likely to notice rapidly moving lights rather than stationary or slow ones. A pair of flourescent ankle straps not only keep your trousers out of your chain, but increase your visibility. But most useful by far are spoke reflectors. In my opinion, they should be compulsory.

If its cool enough, I'd recommend the Velez. Here's me in the Lakes wearing a dull brown Velez.  The side-vents and the neck zip and the sleeves up/down produce a reasonable range but I'd say it needs to be less than 10C or lower if you're pedalling hard.

Pertex, whilst not particularly waterproof but each cyclist has their own preferred pace and the faster ones generate so much heat they "push" away moisture if sufficiently warm so windproof is sufficient. Slower more relaxed cyclists need progressively more waterproof.

Useful part of your kit-list is the Montane Velo, is bright, has vents at the rear which come into their own when you open the front zip (a flow breeze needs intake and somewhere to escape) so when you want warm just zip-up. 

Not particularly cycle-specific but also pairs well with the Pertex is the Paramo Explorer, it has front vent zips (not obvious, open up the chest zips in both the reversbile directions), and when worn the fleecy-side-in is warm and holds moisture off the body so when worn under Pertex effectively makes you feel warm+dry even as the water finds it way in and soaks into the fabric. I find these two fabrics produce a good all-rounder "soft shell" cycling combination you can tune to the conditions, from warm to cold, but can be defeated in cold+wet.

I guess if you want a Velez with lots of reflective trim on it you could also try contacting Cioch. Same basic system as Paramo but made to measure and custom features. They put a little reflective trim on my winter walking round coat, so I suspect could do more on request although you'd have to ask to find out quite how much.

Not cycled for many years, so what follows is just uninformed theory.  All answers so far have been about waterproof clothing  that is easily seen at night.  Why?  Why not wear your normal daytime gear then put on an extra garment over it when high visibility is needed.

This could be made of lightweight nylon with high visibility/reflective material sewn on.  It could weigh about three ounces and roll up to pocketsize.  In form it could be a poncho - a rectangle with a hole in the middle for the head and a couple of buttons to keep it in place.

Materials from Pennine Outdoor,  15 minutes for someone with a sewing machine.  Simples.

Agree with the above - add a Hi-Vis workman's vest over whatever you want.

Readily available, extremely cheap and more reflective bits than most 'cycle-specific' jackets.

Random example.

wearing a reflective something is something I have carried, just don't go too cheap. I got a Poundland plastic one and it became wet inside from my sweat so tried a more meshed one but it wasn't big enough and the velcro came undone. In the past I also tried a "L" shaped reflective waist/shoulder combo but the shoulder strap part would fall off shoulder too easily.

The net result is its handy to have reflection built-in to your cycling stuff and even useful for walking for drivers to see you, or for Mountain Rescue's torch to get a reflection. The paramo reflective piping on most of their jackets (Velez, Fuera) is useful.

Its a good idea just make sure you try the item on before relying on it, watching for the above problems not obvious in the shop.

There are reflective orange ones, a difference from the usual yellow might be useful.

 I also agree with the wrist and the ankle bands approach, the wrist bands aid with indicating left/right and the ankle bands are very noticeable going up/down.

I also just wrapped some general reflective tape on bike tube which also adds side-reflection which many general vests don't provide side-reflection.

I currently carry this thing, works best of all.

That's the problem, my current jacket has lots of nice reflectives on the arms and cuffs, as well as the front and back.

My legs are pretty reflected up, my neoprene overshoes have a large area of scotchlite, and my trews do as well.

I like my Smart 1/2 watt rear light (the old design).

Asking colleagues who have passed me in rain and the dark, they can currently see me as soon as I am in line of sight with them, so am fairly happy about my *current* visibility.

This has a lot more reflective than the Velez though....

Hilltrek will do you a Ventile one with as much reflective piping as you care to specify for ~ £150.  I'm quite tempted to a red one, but do want to see one in the flesh before I commit.  Should be up in Aboyne sometime in the not too distant, but for now it can wait...

Pete.

When I passed my driving test just after they abolished the 'red flag' rule, there were rules about the lights which vehicles could show.  As I remember it , white lights were only allowed on the front of vehicles.

I suppose this is now honoured by cyclists in the same way as they honour the rules about red traffic lights, one way streets and pavements.

Frum wrote (see)

When I passed my driving test just after they abolished the 'red flag' rule, there were rules about the lights which vehicles could show. As I remember it , white lights were only allowed on the front of vehicles.

I suppose this is now honoured by cyclists in the same way as they honour the rules about red traffic lights, one way streets and pavements.

Err...

I ride on the road, never break the speed limit on my bike*, am insured, don't run red lights, and don't cycle the wrong way down one way streets.

Although it doesn't apply to my setup, I think it is a grey area as to what lights you can stick on your person as opposed to bike.

My rear light is red, my front light is white. Flashing lights are legal on bikes.

How many car drivers never break the speed limit? It isn't a good idea in the High Peak, because the police are pretty hot on that.

*Admittedly because it doesn't apply

Jim Parkin wrote (see)

 ........ never break the speed limit on my bike*,

*Admittedly because it doesn't apply