High vis

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Lola43

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I have been looking at high vis gear recently and have found pretty much all of it awful. I don't understand why somebody can't design functional but attractive high vis riding wear. Why does it have to have loads of patterns, black inserts, contrasting panels, etc. Whilst high vis wouldn't be my fashion choice I understand it is necessary, but does it all have to be so tasteless and 'busy'?

Any recommendations?
 
Lola43 said:
I have been looking at high vis gear recently and have found pretty much all of it awful. I don't understand why somebody can't design functional but attractive high vis riding wear. Why does it have to have loads of patterns, black inserts, contrasting panels, etc. Whilst high vis wouldn't be my fashion choice I understand it is necessary, but does it all have to be so tasteless and 'busy'?

Any recommendations?
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It is busy for a reason, to enable a motorist to have half a chance of not killing you and your horse. My road riding gear is certainly tasteless with yellow wrap around on the horse, orange jacket and yellow hat/gloves on me.
 
Thanks Adorable Alice. I totally understand high vis has a job to do and I already own my fair share of it. However, I don't believe that design and functionality are mutually exclusive, which was the reason for the post.
 
Yeah, I would agree that it's busy for a reason - so that drivers can see you quicker!

I know some places have started doing long sleeved shirts in hi viz which look a bit nicer than your average hi viz tabard. But then hi viz colours in general aren't that nice as they're so loud - but that's the point surely.

I have an equisafety gillet that's hi viz that I actually quite like - it's padded and fitted so looks a bit nicer and you can wear it either way round so as hi viz or just as a navy gillet if it's chilly!
 
There's a Charlotte Dujardin high viz range now which is a bit more flattering. You can look at the stuff for cyclists which can sometimes be a bit less tasteless but I tend to go for something comfortable and useful and be grateful I can't really see it when I'm wearing it.
 
I think you are mistaking my description of 'busy'. By that I mean additional features/designs that have absolutely NO BEARING on the high vis nature of the garment and would not make you more visible to drivers, but make the overall picture unnecessarily complicated. i.e. black panels and inserts - I don't imagine they add to the functionality? I understand the need to be in high vis colours with reflective patches, but I would just prefer something plainer and simpler that incorporated whatever was necessary to make it a functional item, without all the extras! It just seems to be a potentially huge market with not much choice - unless I am looking in the wrong place?
 
I know what you mean, I'd not wear Equisaftey stuff even if I liked it (which I don't). Rockfish Rider stuff was better but they seem to be no longer with us-and I have a Lunarider jacket which is well cut too.
 
I just wear a simple brightly coloured tabard over my riding jacket with 'Please pass wide and slow' front and back. No black inserts or reflective strips. Coupled with a bright hat cover seems to do the trick.
 
Hi-viz (That is any product that claimm to be Hi-Viz) is made to two BSI standards one is for personal use and the other for professional use.
They are clasified as PPE (Personal Protectve Equipment) and to comply with one of these two standards the prototypes must be tested by a testing house/indipendent notifying body to that b.s.i. standard and then the product may be ce marked with the standard they have been tested to marked on it.
This is why there are restrictions as to the design of them.
Anyone that works with horses and rides them out should be supplied with Hi-Viz jackets to the PPI professional standard by their employer so as to ensure that they are compliant with current Health and Safety requirements.
 
By far the best item of hi viz I own is the reversible gilet from Aldi when the horse riding special buys come around. I have a pink and a yellow one which I use depending on the weather/light etc and they are were only about £15 each.
They are nicely fitted, have sensible reflective strips and have worn well over the last 5 or so years.
I have coats from equisafety that I bought a few years ago on sale but wouldn't buy them again - had to have zips replaced within a year and they have the unnecessary black patches! Plus the price!!
I'm not keen on the fashion for all or mostly reflective jackets - fine if you ride when it is actually getting dark and cars have headlights on but I have seen people out hacking in daylight and they are just wearing grey.
 
Just remembered, HSBC are giving away free reflective stickers at the moment. Aimed at cyclists but I helped myself to a couple of the leaflets. Just plain small hexagonal reflective stickers.
 
http://www.georgiaindublin.com/

Not cheap, but if you want style... :) I bought an orange dublette at Bleinham a couple of years ago, and it's beautifully designed, well made, very flattering and practical.

It hasn't got any bearing on the garments, but the lady who owns the company is also absolutely lovely.

Also second the Aldi hi vis reversible gilet.
 
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Branna said:
I'm not keen on the fashion for all or mostly reflective jackets - fine if you ride when it is actually getting dark and cars have headlights on but I have seen people out hacking in daylight and they are just wearing grey.
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Yeah, I don't get the point if those either! They are spilling over from cycling and running clothing I guess but people are much more likely to do those activities in the dark or semi-dark... They don't add visibility in daylight. I'm sure some people ride out in darker conditions so they will be useful for them. Hopefully consumers are sensible enough to realise they might not be the most useful items for daytime riding...

My hi viz philosophy is more is more and clashy clashy. The more ridiculous we look the better!
 
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Hi viz for non equestrians is about £2.50 and has no black panels or anything unnecessary.

Really it wouldn't have occurred to me to get this worried about it. As long as I can be seen and don't look like Mr Blobby in it I'm quite content.
 
Countrywide had some jackets on sale recently, aimed at farmers more than riders, reduced from 60 ish to 25. It is so comfortable, long blouson style that is long enough to sit on,double zipped/ elasticated hem and does not ride up, warm lining that zips out plus sleeves that also zip out, detachable fleece collar and hood, loads of waterproof pockets. Mainly yellow with plenty reflective strips on it, green sleeves.

I love it, really versatile for yard work, riding and walking.
 
Branna said:
By far the best item of hi viz I own is the reversible gilet from Aldi when the horse riding special buys come around. I have a pink and a yellow one which I use depending on the weather/light etc and they are were only about £15 each.
They are nicely fitted, have sensible reflective strips and have worn well over the last 5 or so years.
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I was about to say this. They really are great. They must be due back in stock soon, it's normally about October when they do the winter range isn't it?

A lightweight cycling jacket is good for the summer too, very plain and not too warm.
 
My 2 favourites are V-Bands leg wraps, which are padded, black, with reflective/fluorescent yellow stripes on and Roma fluorescent saddlecloth with reflective binding. Both look quite smart for hi-viz.
 
I have tried many a hi vis jacket/gilet/tabard as I wear it all day at work, and yes, it is mostly all ugly.

My favourite for work does have a navy bottom section with a reflective stripe through that section, mainly because it has detachable arms and detachable fleece lining, but my favourite for riding is a plain bright yellow blouson jacket with reflective bands. I also like the tabards that have a zip rather than velcro, and I'll sometimes team that up with a hi vis base layer.

There's quite a lot of stuff out there if you go to the workwear retailers rather than horsey retailers.
 
DabDab said:
I have tried many a hi vis jacket/gilet/tabard as I wear it all day at work, and yes, it is mostly all ugly.

My favourite for work does have a navy bottom section with a reflective stripe through that section, mainly because it has detachable arms and detachable fleece lining, but my favourite for riding is a plain bright yellow blouson jacket with reflective bands. I also like the tabards that have a zip rather than velcro, and I'll sometimes team that up with a hi vis base layer.

There's quite a lot of stuff out there if you go to the workwear retailers rather than horsey retailers.
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www.buckandhickman.com has quite a range
 
I have so much hi vis it's unreal, it all clashes and it's all garish. However I like the Kramer hi viz range and own a fair amount of it. It's listed under reflective articles on there website
 
Lola43 said:
I have been looking at high vis gear recently and have found pretty much all of it awful. I don't understand why somebody can't design functional but attractive high vis riding wear. Why does it have to have loads of patterns, black inserts, contrasting panels, etc. Whilst high vis wouldn't be my fashion choice I understand it is necessary, but does it all have to be so tasteless and 'busy'?

Any recommendations?
Click to expand...

Have a look at women's cycling specific clothing. It is often very much closer fitting and better designed.
 
I do a lot of roadwork so need hi viz.

I've got a fair bit of stuff; jackets etc., inc the Rockfish & Luna Rider, but my grouse with all of them is that if you get just that little bit warm underneath then its like wearing a flipping layer of cling-film for pity's sake :(

I do have an Equafleece "Endurance" jacket, and that is lovely, but I think they've stopped doing horsey stuff now, and TBH the reflective bits wouldn't really pass muster as far as Compliance is concerned as they're very tiny strips not broad strips.

Like poster above, think best idea is to just go for the tabard, and then have detachable strips over your arms/wrists area for clearer hand-signalling.

Tend to see what places like Lidls and Asda have got re. jackets etc., and then bung on the tabard and hey you're sorted.
 
Oooo, spottymare, that jacket looks lovely. Must not buy another jacket....

I agree with OP - there is a lack of nice kit in hi-viz colours. Why do you have to sacrifice fit, design and comfort just to get the right colour (or clash of colours!)?

Years ago I had a bright yellow fleece that always got me noticed - more than a tabard for some reason. It was a sad day when that died!

I get the point about PPE but most of us are buying for leisure. There must be a market for some nicer kit (accepting that bright clashing colour is non-negotiable).
 
Luv my local riding school owner. Had a lesson night before last . Got told in no uncertain terms that I was to leave for the 500 metre back road to chez Bob in high viz at 7.30 pm. Got handed a vest with added lights . Thanks anthea ,thanks wildwoods.
 
We use tabards, and have some lightweight hi viz leg wraps (no idea what make) which we put on our wrists for more visible hand signals. Not bulky and not too hot, even in summer. Also hi viz whips.

Horses are also decked head to toe. Hard to see the horse under all the hi viz :)

Another vote for Aldi gilets. They are fab!
 
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