If you have followed my blog for a while, you will know that safety is a big concern for me and I stress the importance of safety a lot. You can never expect that drivers will see you in a bike lane next to the road, but there are some lights and clothing that will increase your visibility.
Proviz was started in London by two brothers who worked corporate jobs
and commuted by bicycle. They used
equipment to help them be more visible but realized that there was a void in
the market that they wanted to fill. The first device they invented was an electroluminescent
light pack. The company’s most popular products
are in the REFLECT360 series which was introduced in 2014. It is unique because it uses 100% reflective
materials, which look grey in the daytime, but is highly reflective at
night. The REFLECT360 series includes
jackets, gilets, vests, backpacks, helmet covers and more.
I am reviewing the REFLECT360 gilet.
First of all, I was absolutely shocked by how reflective it really
was. The tag that came with the gilet,
which is similar to a vest, said to take a picture with your camera’s flash
on. I have included pictures with my
flash on and off so you can see the difference.
The gilet has several features that really make a difference. The shoulders are fitted, which works hand in
hand with the armholes. They hug your arms
so there is no excess material, which would allow air to get in and cool you
off. They don’t restrict arm movement either. There are two zippered side pockets where you
can put your gloves, a hat, or your phone.
The back of the gilet is perforated to allow heat and moisture to escape. There are zipper pull tags so you don’t need
to take your gloves off to get your pockets open. There is a softer material around the neck
area for comfort as well.
I was very pleased with the fit and function of the REFLECT360 gilet. It has been a little cold and the gilet
allows me to keep my core a little warmer, while not totally overheating. I noticed that my sweat made the reflective
material work even better, not that it is a real selling point. I believe that Proviz uses the same type of glass
beads in their gear that is used in the striping of your local roads. There really isn’t any comparison between
this and other visibility products as far as what is more visible.
Pros:
Decent Price as low as $52.97 (on Amazon)
Light weight and breathable
Makes you very visible to traffic
Proviz’s Media Links:
This
will be one of the products I feature in my running safety post where I provide
the best safety products out there. The REFLECT360gilet is comfortable, looks good, and it will make sure you are seen. While you should still make sure to be a
defensive runner and always pay attention to oncoming traffic, this is one
product that could really help you to be safer.
You can pick yours up at the Proviz website or on Amazon.
Note:
I received this product in exchange for a review. The review is my
personal opinion of the product and I was not required to give a particular
opinion of it. I am not a doctor, so
please use all of the products that I review at your own risk.
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