Overall whichwearable rating 

Value 

“If you want to be seen, just buy the Proviz jacket” whichwearable

Available to buy at around £79.99 (+ additional 10% saving off for new customers)  from the Proviz website at this link.

Reflectiveness   “Off the chart”

Fit  Plenty of elastic cord to tie you in.

Comfort  A warm jacket in the cold and a cool jacket in the heat.

Design  Sits well and the reflection capability is unreal.

Why buy it?

• You want to be seen whilst running and cycling during the day and night.
• You are worried about being hit by vehicles.
• You want a good quality product.

What could be improved?

• I honestly can’t think of anything to improve this product.

Longest day and the need to be seen

The 21st June was the longest day of the year and the nights will now draw in. The picture below shows me in the evening around 9.30 p.m. at night. You can see the effect of my front light reflecting back on the jacket. As dusk comes in the roads become more dangerous and drivers forget to put on their lights or look out for cyclists.

The pictures below  (Taken from a stationary parked car) highlight that the use of colour can improve your visibility with a red and yellow top on show. The photo to the right also highlights the importance of batteries in your lights as you can see the red flash of his light better than the bike on the left.

Cycling in cities 

The photos below are from a day in London. Look at them and judge for yourself which riders can be seen.

Many of the riders are taking their lives in their own hands by not being seen.

Cyclists outside the Houses of Parliament. Who stands out?

Reflective products, the portfolio

I’ve spent a fortune trying to be seen as I used to commute on a bike to the train station. I’ve bought black, red and yellow jackets. I’ve bought yellow and orange reflective waistcoats. I’ve bought yellow gloves. I’ve even bought a reflective yellow wet cycling bag.

I’ve tried the brilliant Lumos helmet. You can see the visibility of the Proviz jacket at the end of the animation above and below. Frankly I’m shocked at how good it is and others who see it will be too. Gauge their reaction whilst wearing it day or by night.

I’ve bought tonnes of lights and now have flashing USB chargeable lights. Recent development in materials have created a reflective paint that have changed this landscape. This or a derivative of the same family of paints can be applied to clothes as well and this if the basis of new jump in clothing that is highly reflective, much more than your standard bin man or rail worker.

Proviz cycling jacket features

The jacket is well equipped with two front zips at breast height that provide access to phones and food, a rear bib to protect my bottom from rain, a warm soft collar to keep me warm in the winter and vents in the side and half way down the back to provide airflow when I’m warm. It also has elastic string ties on the side to take the jacket in for best fit. if you notice the picture of the jacket in my cupboard you’ll see the reflection even in day light.

First Run out with the Proviz cycling jacket

Its pouring with rain, I mean really pouring and I’m using the cycling jacket to run 6 miles to the forest and back.  The visibility is poor. Cars stop very quickly for me at the lights and I can see that the car’s lights are brightening up the jacket.  The jacket is getting wet on the outside but with the coating the rain is running off. As it gets dark the jacket is in full swing.

First ride

 

I have taken the road bike out at dusk and the bike is clearly visible from a car. Nothing more to say here.

This is great. I feel much safer. I look like a ghost!

 

whichwearable highlight : The look on car driver’s faces when they see you at dusk with the reflection on the jacket for the first time, its shocking for them.

whichwearable lowlight : Nothing, this is a great product.