Stand out from the crowd: Best hi viz motorbike kit
There’s no doubt that if you want to be seen on your motorcycle or scooter, then wearing and using hi viz motorbike kit is the way to go. It does what it says on the tin; high visibility.
It means you stand out as much as possible from the surroundings and other traffic so that road users see you and are aware of your presence, giving you room and hopefully, not pulling out in front of you.
While some riders despise hi viz clothing and kit, others embrace it for the additional safety it can offer, particularly in poor weather or darkness – really useful in winter, for example.
There are two main types of hi viz motorbike kit; coloured (either fluorescent yellow or orange) and reflective, that tends to show up better in other vehicle’s headlights.
Of course, the most visible will be a combination of the two and the majority of hi-viz clothing designed for motorcycles – as opposed to other environments such as warehouses or building sites, for example – will comprise both.
Here is a selection of hi viz motorbike kit and kit to keep you seen and safe.
MCN Rated
Another waterproof, this time in pure reflective as opposed to the familiar fluorescent hi-viz. This jacket from Weise (there are also trousers available to make up a full suit, at £39.99) is not only waterproof, with properly taped seams and a mesh lining for air flow but is also completely formed from reflective material, for full 360° vision to other road users. It’s effective at making sure you are seen as well as staying dry.
What Michael said: "With age, comes wisdom... apparently. And over the years my desire to wear dark colours and be as incognito as possible has been replaced with being keen to be seen. I have however resisted the desire to don fluoro yellow clothing, which is why the Weise Vision over-jacket has been a welcome addition.
"Made from highly reflective material it lights up spectacularly the moment any light is shone directly on it. It also acts as a good additional layer, which helps wind chill and while it’s not 100% waterproof it does a good job of keeping the majority of the elements at bay when worn over your usual bike jacket."
Pros
- Waterproof
- Fully reflective
- Trousers available
Cons
- Only reflective, not flouro
They have adjustable shoulder and waist straps and comprise both hi-viz material with reflective stripes on the shoulder and waist straps. They come as a two pack and each has its own storage pouch.
Pros
- Portable
- Adjustable
- Go over any jacket
Cons
- Narrow strips of visibility
It’s a familiar zip-up front, with twin reflective stripes all round and tabs to pull it in at the waist. Its air-permeable fabric makes it less inclined to billow and it’s the classic hi-viz vest.
Pros
- Wear over any jacket
- Anti-billow material
- Hi-vis and reflective
Cons
- None
The large fluorescent panels will help keep you visible when the rain starts to fall.
Pros
- Keep you dry
- Large hi-viz panels
- One-piece design
Cons
- Could do with more flouro
Find more rain suits here
I can confirm it is all-day comfortable and will stand out on the road to make sure people know you’re there.
Pros
- Five SHARP stars
- All-over hi-viz
- Comfortable and well spec’d
Cons
- Bit much for some
It has a mesh lining and comes with CE armour in the shoulders and elbows, with a back protector pocket. It has external pockets and adjusters and there is also a pair of matching trousers available, for £129.99.
Pros
- Full riding jacket design
- Waterproof and breathable
- Plenty of flouro panels
Cons
- May be a bit much for some
There are also section of padding on the palm, the fingers and thumbs and the wrist while two hook-and-loop closures ensure a good fit.
Pros
- Sporty construction
- Good, CE protection
- Flouro hi-viz panels
Cons
- Not waterproof
Pros
- Completely watertight
- Hi-viz panels for visibility
- Easy to carry off the bike
Cons
- None
The hi-viz finish means others will know you’re there, hopefully preventing the airbag to be needed in the first place but if it is, you are protected.
Pros
- Universal-fit airbag vest
- Fit over any jacket
- Simple, mechanical triggering
Cons
- May not suit all outfits
How MCN tests products
At MCN, our team of expert journalists have decades of experience gained over hundreds of thousands of miles. We don’t test our kit to destruction; we use it exactly how you do, in the real world and in all conditions. That means we can deliver impartial buying advice you can rely on.
Each of our writers has an in-depth understanding of the needs of today’s biker… because they are one.
If you can’t see a review against an item on this page, it’s because we haven’t tested it yet. These items will only be included if we think they’re important and relevant in the market, and rest assured, we will be working on bringing you a review as soon as we’ve done the miles.
To find out more, head to our dedicated page explaining how we test motorcycle products.
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