High Visibility Yellow/Green gear

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Thought I'd start this thread because I've been getting some stuff lately that makes me feel very safe and visible in traffic. Traffic visibility is one of my main concerns while biking- I confess I verge on the paranoid when it comes to that.

All together, I wanted 4 different types of neon bright items to cover varied situations: a longsleeve jersey, a lightweight spring/summer vest, a VERY lightweight windbreaker, and a medium weight rain jacket.

Here's the medium weight rain jacket I got from TE, the Craft Bike Rain jacket:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=22400
I like the venting on it, and the pit zips. Wouldn't have minded an extra inch for the elastic around the hips, but it fits. Very bright! Nicely made, and looks like it will breathe (unlike my blue Goretex rain jacket which I sweat like a pig in while biking, but can use for camping and just being out in the rain).

Anyone else want to contribute their favorite high visibility wear faves or not-so-faves?...

[KnottedYet]

2006 PI Whisper vest.

http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=10404

and it's ON SALE right now!!! Buy it, because the new one for 2007 has ASPHALT GRAY panels. (whose brilliant idea was that? geeeez....)

[Cyclo Kitty]

Endura Islay jacket, in orange, from Nashbar http://www.nashbar.com/profile_morei...404&brand=5298.

My coworkers comment on the reflectivity of the jacket in the office...and the color. It repels rain and it's visible, the sleeves are long enough and it covers my bum. It's also loose enough to go over a heavyweight jersey or Barrier jacket.

Still working on hi-vis for non-rainy, non-cold weather...

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Cyclo Kitty,
Those jackets look nice- and they look like they are dancing in those positions!

As I said, I was also looking for a hi-vis vest, a very lightweight packable wind/rain/breaker, and a LS jersey.
I ordered and tried on the Whisper vest and jacket, but I wound up buying the Nightlife jersey, jacket and vest from Terry instead. The Nightlife stuff just seemed to be of sturdier (but not heavier) materials, and had added features I liked. And they fit my particular pear shape w/small waist in a more flattering way. I also like the black touches on the Nightlife stuff that adds design flair without obstructing the full yellow effect.
I did buy the heavier duty Craft Bike Rain jacket from TE though- that's a real winner for me.

Incidentally- I needed some rain pants for light touring this coming year, and I tried 3 different brands. The only ones that fit nicely without feeling like I was bound in an ill-fitting black Gladbag were these Craft ones which I got:
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=22416
They also seemed like the best quality and most well made. Extremely well made and comfortable! Don't really need the suspenders though, which I simply unhooked and stored. If I didn't have curvy girly hips I guess I would have fit the other brands as well, but oh well...
Will be able to use these as an overpant for snowshoeing too, if we ever get any snow!

[Cyclo Kitty]

Endura is a Scottish company, and they seem to know rain. It 's a truly repellant jacket (I used to hate orange)! I haven't found their rain pants yet but I'll need something for warmer weather. I've got PI AmFibs but they're a sauna above 45F and it rains a lot here all year round.

I've looked at the PI vests and haven't committed to one yet. DH likes them so I might try one for him--right now he rides at night in black, without enough lights. Some of the PI fabrics seemed pretty light, though--easily ripped in some of the places I know he rides. He's surprisingly style-concious on a bike.

FWIW, I use JandD reflective straps on both ankles, or the drive side trouser and then my left arm, as a turn signal. (They are also good for strapping down bikes on racks.) The panniers on my commuter are also JandD with fat reflective straps and I hope they help!

I've not paid enough attention to reflective summer training wear yet, which will be a different set of choices than winter commuting gear. I feel like I'm more-or-less OK with the commuting...but summer training will be a whole new thing, and pretty much has to be done at dusk/after sundown schedule-wise.

[kiwi girl]

I have both of these - and they are as bright as they look

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/produc...il-PHA-RAI.htm

http://www.groundeffect.co.nz/produc...il-VES-RAI.htm