A versatile high vis jacket that manages to look good

I’ve a confession to make – I don’t like high vis jackets and I never have. Granted, I see the wisdom in making yourself noticeable on the road and I know that dressing like a ninja all in black is not a sensible way to be seen. But high vis, well, I’m not a construction worker…

So when I first saw the alarmingly bright tones of the Primal HIVIZ fusion jacket, well my initial reaction was, ‘meh.’

But undeterred by my own prejudice, I slipped it on and was pleasantly surprised. Why? Because somehow this little number manages to be bright, bold and good looking all at the same time.

I’m a size ten and I tested the men’s extra small, and although the jacket hasn’t been shaped specifically for women, it’s truly excellent – lovely and slim through the body with slim sleeves that finish just below the wrist.

It’s quite tight around the bottom, which means it stays in place and does a good job of keeping you snug, and the drop-tail keeps your kidneys warm and covers any gaps between your trousers and your top or jersey. The neck is quite high to add extra cosiness and keep out the cold, and it feels good against the skin.

‘Strata’ material on the shoulders, chest and arms does and effective job of keeping out wind. Four way stretch ‘Traverso’ fabric on the body has thermal properties and is really stretchy, soft and cuddly.

Just in case the colour of the jacket isn’t bright enough to blind you, Primal have included a 3T strips around one arm, which ensure you stand out when it’s really dark. The strips are angled to follow the contours of the black front panel, and therefore look pretty smart. Back pockets are really roomy and easy to access.

If you’re not interested in the high-vis angle, it works really well as an additional layer between your jersey and jacket, so it’s perfect for winter commutes. Worn alone, it’s not waterproof so I’d probably save it for dry rides the rest of the year.

Pros:

Very comfortable

Great fit

Ultra bright

Cons:

Only suitable for dry weather riding.

Price: £89.99, available from Primal.

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