Author's product rating: 
| Advantages: |
Can always be seen . |
| Disadvantages: |
Can't hide in them . |
| Recommend to potential buyers: |
yes |
You have all seen these jackets being worn, and probably thought they were just like old oilskin made in yellow. This is not the case, they are state of the are highly visible coats, with tape designed to bounce light back to the source making them very difficult to miss. The yellow material is called "Polytex".
They are worn by no end of professions, including the Police and other emergency services, roadside recovery companies, highways workers, site contractors etc. These jackets are part of their personal protective equipment. We are talking conspicuity (yes it is a real word, it means "The state of being highly visible") Basically it is a highly visible yellow coat, with stiched on strips of a matterial designed to reflect light. These strips are called conspicuity tape.
Conspicuity tape is made by the famous 3M Corporation, and is marketed under various names:-3M Scotchlite Diamond Grade Conspicuity Series 983. All of these names are trade marks of the 3M Company.
All of these jackets have a zip fastening front, usually the zip is covered by a flap, with press studs.
All the better makes have a couple of pockets on the outside, with a flap to keep the rain out. Some have inside pockets.
These jackets are very waterproof, yet don't make you sweat like the old raincapes.
They are immensly windproof, and warm considering their light weght.
A lot of these are fitted with a Hood, usually this is designed to be rolled up & stowed in the collar when not rerquired.
The cuffs are elasticated.
The good makes are fitted with a lining, this makes them even more comfortable.
Different manufacturers have different ideas, but some have drawstrings at the waist, or hood, and some make these jackets in the "bomber jacket" style.
Some companies make trousers to match, although they are really only used by the highway agencies.
The Police versions tend to have epaulettes for their numbers, as they wear theirs all day long, they do tend to be very comfortable.
I keep mine in the car, and this has proved very useful on a number of occasions.
The British Standard covering these is BS EN471. Different companies have different rules about washing, most stipulate a certain number of washes.
As this is a purely practical garment, I have avoided giving opinions on fashion or style, I must however add that the jackets are not ideal, as they do tend to be very "plasticky" by their nature. They do not have designer names, and do not follow the fashoin of the day.
Be seen out there! I may even put my pic up soon!
