Vizavee Reflective Union Jack Vest

Techno-freaks won't get excited about the Vizavee retro-reflective Union Jack vest - it's essentially a very thin polyester waistcoat dressed in heat-transferred Scotchlite strips with Velcro closures.

While I missed refinements such as mesh pockets for keys, the medium was bang-on size-wise, weighed next to nothing and folded small enough to fit in bigger wedge packs.

Speaking of sizing, it's available in two; medium as tested and large, with a couple of pounds' difference in price. Now, I've a forty-one inch chest, thirty-two waist and found the medium agreed with my cycling specific wardrobe but the bigger would be better for those commuting in street garb or on mopeds.

The classic road-worker orange burns like a very bright beacon through early mornings and late evenings when its just that bit too light for lights but you need to remain conspicuous.

Whatever your feelings about the Union Jack, it's hard to think of a more effective pattern. Covering a huge surface area ours nailed driver attention at three hundred yards (assuming you're not wearing a rucksack) along suburban/rural stretches, dropping to around 180 through town.

Rain sees the vest saturated in a matter of minutes - fine if we're talking sharp showers since it dries just as quickly but an unexpected, sustained downpour might make you a little chilly.

Verdict

Simple but extremely effective visibility aid.