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New reflective cycle clothing from howies, Rapha, Giro and Proviz

New season reflective cycle clothing from howies, Rapha, Giro and Proviz

With the long shadows of autumn and evenings drawing in, it’s time to get prepared for riding in the dark, and for many cyclists that typically means wearing some reflective clothing. Here is a roundup of some of the latest reflective cycle clothing from howies, Giro, Rapha and Proviz, so you can be ready for the winter.

- Study says cyclists should make themselves seen - but reflective clothing, not hi-vis, is the answer

Cycle clothing manufacturers have been meeting a growing demand for reflective cycle clothing in recent years, as more cyclists look to increase their visibility to other road users, so there's lots more choice now. Advances in fabric technology now mean it's possible to combine reflectivity into stylish and fashion conscious clothing, as these latest products demonstrate.

- Buyer's guide: the best reflective cycling clothing & accessories

Giro’s reflective shoes

Giro has launched reflective versions of its Empire ACC and Republic LX road shoes. A reflective coating has been added to the microfibre upper, providing 360-degree reflectivity.

During the daytime, they look like any other pair of regular road cycling shoes, in a subdued grey colour. So during the day, no one has any clue you're wearing reflective clothing.  We don’t have a UK price, but the regular Empire ACC shoes cost £250, so expect these to be about the same.

A study a few years ago suggested that the most effective way to ensure visibility to other road users is to "add reflective strips to their knees and ankles because the pedalling movement makes light from the headlights bounce back to the driver making it easier to register they are there." You can read the full article here.

More info.

howies reflective shirt

Welsh clothing brand has lined up the Beamer Shirt for those evenings when you want to ride home from the office/pub in normal civilian clothing but want to ensure you stand out on the dark streets.

The company has added horizontal 3M Scotchlite reflective weave to the short. The shirt costs £79 and only 100 will be made.

More info.

Proviz expands reflective clothing range

road.cc tested the Proviz Reflect 360 Jacket last winter and we were hugely impressed, and just in time for the winter the company has expanded its range with the new Reflect360+, Switch, PixElite jackets.

The new Reflect360+ (£110)  offers a better fit and is now made from a material providing improved breathability and is more waterproof.

 

The Switch (£100) is a reversible jacket, with a reflective material on one side and a choice of neon yellow or black on the other.

While the Reflect360+ and Switch jackets are aimed at urban commuters, the new PixElite range uses a pixel reflective yarn integrated into the Italian manufactured garments and is aimed at performance cyclists who want a really good fit and high functionality.

The range includes a softshell jacket (£120), gilet (£70), long sleeve jersey (£65) and bib tights (£75).

More info.

Rapha adds reflective band to Rain Jacket

High-end clothing brand Rapha has been taking reflectivity more seriously in recent years, since the launch of its Brevet range. For the winter it has taken the reflective chest and back bands from the Brevet and applied it to the updated Rain Jacket (£180).

“It’s a subtle, stylish change yet one which resulted in a much more visible jacket,” reckons Rapha.

The Rain jacket is made from a 2.5-ply waterproof fabric with 3-ply waterproof arms and it’s all constructed using taped seams.  The rear Rapha logo is also reflective, and there are two reflective stripes on the sleeves.

More info.

David worked on the road.cc tech team from 2012-2020. Previously he was editor of Bikemagic.com and before that staff writer at RCUK. He's a seasoned cyclist of all disciplines, from road to mountain biking, touring to cyclo-cross, he only wishes he had time to ride them all. He's mildly competitive, though he'll never admit it, and is a frequent road racer but is too lazy to do really well. He currently resides in the Cotswolds, and you can now find him over on his own YouTube channel David Arthur - Just Ride Bikes

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16 comments

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demolitionspecial | 9 years ago
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Went for the Pro Viz running vest as the current jacket had limited waterproofing and apparently was a proper sweat-fest inside. Means I can wear it over all of my favourite gear so more versatile. Very lightweight and incredibly bright under lighting and only £27. Very happy with it.

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farrell | 9 years ago
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Sports Direct did a jacket similar to the Pro-Viz that was seriously reflective. It didn't seem too 'boil in the bag' either, which given the price tag (and let's face it, the retailer too) was far better than expected. The cut/fit was a bit hit & miss though, possibly due to it being originally intended for joggers rather than cyclists but I'd still recommend it to anyone who find the shape suits them.

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Das | 9 years ago
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Halfords have the Old ProViz jacket for £36(inc British Cycling Discount).

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Some Fella | 9 years ago
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I bought my son this coat from M&S

http://www.marksandspencer.com/reflective-zip-through-jacket-1-7-years-/...

It was only about £30. Im not suggesting you should try and squeeze into one - im just think there is potential from a some the cheaper retailers to do a more affordable version. The material itself is clearly not that expensive.

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farrell replied to Some Fella | 9 years ago
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Some Fella wrote:

I bought my son this coat from M&S

http://www.marksandspencer.com/reflective-zip-through-jacket-1-7-years-/...

It was only about £30. Im not suggesting you should try and squeeze into one - im just think there is potential from a some the cheaper retailers to do a more affordable version. The material itself is clearly not that expensive.

I recently discovered that I can fit into some of H&M's clothes for 14 year olds.

Bargains galore.

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mrmo | 9 years ago
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the Empires are an odd one, maybe they make more sense in the US? Basically when do you need reflective footwear? In the winter when the nights are longer, but then you would be wearing overshoes, so the shoes are pointless.

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fukawitribe replied to mrmo | 9 years ago
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mrmo wrote:

the Empires are an odd one, maybe they make more sense in the US? Basically when do you need reflective footwear? In the winter when the nights are longer, but then you would be wearing overshoes, so the shoes are pointless.

Well I agree to an extent in some parts of the UK, but they make sense in any situation/country where it's dry and not absolutely freezing for a period whilst dark... so it's not really ultra-niche.

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alexb | 9 years ago
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I have a Sportful Reflex vest (gilet) http://www.sportful.com/Root/Cycling/Jackets/REFLEX-2-VEST/p/110077615A

Which has the advantage of large reflective stripes and a very modest price.

It's not an especially technical fabric, but to my surprise works very well all year round. I thought it would be sweaty as anything in warmer weather, but it has very large elasticated mesh panels down either side which seem to work very well to a) move moisture (sweat) out and b) keep the fit under control.

It handles light rain really well too and packs down into its own pocket and easily fits in a jersey pocket.

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Bez | 9 years ago
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Mostly meh, but I may have done a little bit of a sex wee for the shoes.

Would like moar cheapness and no laces, though, please  1

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queenofthemountain | 9 years ago
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Was at the show too hubby bought the bib tights and gillet in their nitelife range went out this morning on his early morning commute at 5am was passed by a mate in his car said he was lit up like a Xmas tree

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Nick0 | 9 years ago
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Curly | 9 years ago
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Yeah Was at the bikeshow as well, the Lusso Nitelife kit was very nice and a great fit! They had arm's leg's knee warmers and bibtights as well! and made in the UK.

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Dicklexic | 9 years ago
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Saw this Gilet from Lusso at the Cycle Show last weekend. Looked really good feature and quality wise. £100 though so a bit too pricey for me sadly...

http://www.lusso.bike/mens/jackets-gillets/gillets/nitelife-gillet.html

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Nick0 replied to Dicklexic | 9 years ago
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Love their nitelife range but sadly do agree they are pricing it up. Watch Chainreaction and Ribble in coming weeks/months for the real price?!

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Darren C | 9 years ago
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Even the cheapest brands are adding more reflective materials, I have just bought a long sleeved jersey from Aldi for only £10, it has long 'patches' of reflective material on the fore-arms, great for when signalling and also a wide strip on the back right down the centre, very SKYesque. Brushed inside too, very impressed compared to others at double the price.

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steviemarco | 9 years ago
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Empires look pretty neat

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