High Visibility Clothing Buyer's Guide

When you’re on the bike during the winter, it’s essential that you can be seen by drivers and other road users. If you’re wearing dark clothing and drivers can’t see you, then you’re at a higher risk of having a collision.

Wearing hi-vis clothing is a quick and easy way to make yourself more visible in poor weather conditions and at night, helping to keep you out of harm's way.

In this guide, we’ll break down how to make yourself more visible with Halfords' range of high-visibility clothing and accessories, and when and where you should wear high-visibility clothing.

Daytime Visibility

When you’re cycling during the day in wet and windy conditions, you should wear fluorescent colours, as vivid shades such as yellow and orange stand out against dull backgrounds.

Ridge Unisex Waterproof Jacket

Whether you’re cycling for leisure, fitness, or commuting to work, the Ridge Unisex Waterproof Jacket is perfect to throw on over your cycling jersey to keep yourself visible during the day. It’s unisex and comes in seven sizes, so you’re sure to find the perfect fit. Plus, the hood is removable, so it’s great come rain or shine.

Hi-Vis Backpack

If you’re commuting to work or university and you’ve got to carry books or a laptop, then you’ll need a hi-vis backpack like Altura Thunderstorm City Backpack. This backpack has a 30L capacity, so there’s plenty of room to store your essentials without the risk of them getting wet if you’re caught out in the rain, as it is fully waterproof. Plus, it features 360-degree reflective strips, so it’s ideal for use both day and night.

Nighttime Visibility

At night, it’s best to wear reflective materials that bounce back light from headlights and other sources, such as streetlights. When a car is approaching from any direction, you’ll be illuminated in the driver's eyeline, alerting them to your presence.

Adult Reflective Vest

If you’re just commuting to and from work and looking for a quick solution, the Halfords Reflective Vest Adult is quick and easy to throw on over your coat. It’s adjustable, and one size fits all. The slimline silhouette won’t restrict your movement, and the perforated holes encourage airflow and breathability, so you won’t get too hot while pedalling.

Backpack Cover

Another great way to increase your visibility on the bike is by using a backpack cover. If you’re cycling to work, pick up a Halfords Essentials Backpack Cover. This helps vehicles that are higher up, such as buses and tractors, see you more easily, making it ideal for inner-city riding as well as cruising around country lanes.

Kids Hi-Vis Vest

If you’re cycling to school with the kids, you’ll want to ensure that they’re safe and protected. Perfect for fitting over their school uniform, the yellow and pink, orange and rainbow, and features fun reflective designs on the back to help them be seen in both high and low light.

Hi-Vis Accessories

You can add a few extra accessories to boost your visibility. For example:

Halfords Reflective Bicycle Trouser Clips

The Halfords Reflective Bicycle Trouser Clips provide extra visibility on the lower part of the body and securely cuff around your lower leg over your clothing, great for being seen by vehicles approaching from behind.

Halfords Slap Wrap

The Halfords Slap Wrap works on the same principle. Apply one on each wrist while you’re holding the handlebars to remain more visible to oncoming traffic.