Proviz Reflect360 Plus Gilet

The Proviz Reflect360 Plus Gilet has been given a sportier makeover. It's one in a wider series of retro-reflective clothing, aimed at cyclists and runners. Slate grey under normal, daylight conditions, it turns brilliant white when graced by vehicle or street lighting.

The retro-reflective component is achieved by impregnating the fabric with millions of tiny glass beads and is incredibly effective.

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Obviously, there's some trade-off if you're wearing a rucksack or messenger bag, but otherwise the design is pretty extrovert, especially good for junctions and roundabouts. Around town, I seemed to register on most drivers' radars at 150m or so; along unlit lanes, friends reckoned they could spot me at 250 metres – further on a crystal clear night and combined with a high power headlight and blinkies.

The main material is our old friend polyester. It's technical enough to keep you temperate under exertion, resisting wind and rain (to 10,000mm per hour), and features a perforated rear panel so moisture can also escape.

Chill out

Performance is generally good across the board. As a technical, training garment, the shell does an excellent job of blocking chill, and a slimmer cut for this new version rules out opportunity for wind and rain to sneak inside.

Like most polyesters, the fabric takes a little while before wicking starts. Hammer along at 20mph for 20 minutes or so and in milder temperatures that familiar, misty warmth becomes very palpable.

This is particularly apparent when wearing a rucksack, so if commuting forms part of your training diet, choose a design that sits away for improved airflow. Eviction proceedings are typical of garments with a breathability rating of 10,000. I've never felt unduly moist when the mercury's been creeping into 13-14°C territory; mind you, at this point, I was dropping the zipper quarter way.

The tag is designed with full-finger gloves in mind, and I had no problems commanding it wearing my early season favourites, even at the close of a long ride with caffeine being eclipsed by fatigue.

As mentioned, this new version has a slimmer 'racing snakes' cut than the previous incarnation, better suited to training and other performance-orientated riding, though still offering some commuter-friendly practicalities.

While the looser fit of the previous version was better suited to commuting in street clothing, or for general outdoor use, there was some trade-off in terms of flutter when hunkered low and hammering. This season's 360 is still roomy enough for a baselayer and relatively thick long-sleeve jersey, but looks a bit sharper.

Somewhat oddly, the back doesn't feature a traditional drop tail to protect the lower back and vital organs from wet and chill, and I was surprised to find some jersey peeking out. The elastic gripper does its thing pretty well, though, and I've had no problems with incremental creep during the course of a ride, even with some notoriously slippery Lycra.

A proportionate fleece-lined collar continues the weather-cheating theme while remaining unobtrusive.

Sizing

Proviz has tended to be quite generous size-wise, but thanks in part to the racier cut our medium was perfect for my frame. (I'm proportionally much longer in the legs and shorter in the torso than typical of men of comparable height.) Proviz offers gender-specific versions, which maximises the chances of a flattering fit.

Pocket provision

Two generous hip pockets are great for parking hands when mooching around, and are roomy enough for swallowing 5in smartphones, keys and the like. Personally I'd have liked a chest pocket too, but it's hardly a deal breaker.

Hip pockets can be a double edged sword: load 'em up and chances are your knees will catch the contents every few revolutions. Thankfully, here, this wasn't an issue.

Some riders suggested an elasticated LED loop would have been a nice touch, but although I can see where they're going with that – especially if it's your only gilet and on gloomy mornings – on balance, bikes should be fitted with a rear light so I wasn't too concerned by its omission.

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The fabric resists light grime, the sort following a roadside mechanical, and I've machine washed ours at 30 degrees with excellent results. Bargain on 45 minutes' drying time at room temperature, 20 or so on the line with a decent breeze.

Conclusion

Overall, the Reflect360 Plus Gilet is literally brilliant in one respect, competent in others. There aren't many designs that can eclipse it in the retro-reflective sense, but there are faster-wicking options with removable LED tech – such as Visijax's Gilet with LEDs – that might be better choices for longer rides. These also fold more compactly, which could be another draw.

I would also appreciate greater length at the back, although I can't say I ever achieved the dreaded racoon stripe, even with shorter clip-on guards.

Verdict

Very effective safety gilet, but breathability and a relatively short back may alienate some