Indicator Cliplet reflective tag

Hardly a new concept but the best I’ve come across to date, Indicator cliplets are so versatile and priced so reasonably that every outdoor enthusiast should have a pair.

They’re two reversible nylon tags, a warm day glow orange one side and the familiar silver Scotchlite on the other which clip firmly together courtesy of some fearsomely powerful magnets which the manufacturer recommends should not be positioned in close proximity to pacemakers. I’ve experienced no problems with them mounted next to a wireless computer and similar equipments but attaching them to panniers and clothing has led to some amusing encounters.

Passing very close a car saw them latch with an audible snap to the door panel. On another occasion stopping to take some photos, putting the camera back in my pannier saw the cliplet preferring the five bar gate to their rightful place on my touring trouser.

Mildly amusing and irritating in equal measure, there’s the strong possibility of losing them when snaking through tight gaps in traffic, although this seems much less problematic attached to the bike/steel racks etc. There’s no denying they work very well in both modes but really draw attention when attached to trousers or indeed shoe laces/Velcro closures where the motion is particularly effective.

Weather resistance seems generally very good- taking an impromptu trip through the washing machine; our test pair has shown no deterioration in performance so foul weather shouldn’t pose any problems. They're undeniably a useful tertiary emergency safety gizmo and they’ve just as many applications outside of a cycling context. Given the asking price, should they form an intimate bond with filing cabinet or street furniture replacements won’t break the bank – even in these cash strapped times.

Verdict

Clever, inexpensive design that adds a bit of extra visibility