What are reflective vests?
When people talk about reflective vests in the professional workwear world, they often mean comfortable sweaters or hoodies with a zipper. These garments are specially designed for the active professional and comply with the EN ISO 20471 standard for high visibility.
Sometimes the term 'vests' is also popularly used for simple safety vests and safety waistcoats. Although these waistcoats are perfect as an overlay, a full-fledged reflective work vest offers much more warmth, wearing comfort, and functionality during daily work.
What requirements do high vis vests meet?
All professional high visibility vest models must comply with the strict European standard EN ISO 20471. This standard guarantees that the clothing contains sufficient fluorescent material and reflective strips to stand out both day and night.
For work on or near roads or railways, a certified class 2 or class 3 garment is often legally required. Class 3 is often achieved by combining a high-vis jacket or vest with matching reflective work trousers.
Class 1, on the other hand, is intended for situations with lower risk. This applies, for example, to environments with good overall visibility and where vehicles only pass at low speeds.
What is the difference between high vis work vests and reflective work vests?
In practice, terms such as 'high vis', 'reflective', 'hi-vis', and 'high visibility' are often used interchangeably. This can sometimes cause confusion when you want to buy a specific reflective vest for your team.
In principle, there is no functional difference between these terms for professional work vests. As long as it concerns certified reflective clothing for the workplace, all variants must meet the exact same EN ISO 20471 requirements to ensure safety.
What types of reflective work vests are there?
- Reflective work vests: Traditional, sturdy vests with a zipper that offer excellent protection and storage options during daily work.
- Reflective hoodies: Sporty and comfortable work hoodies with a hood and high visibility, ideal for a modern look.
- Reflective bodywarmers: Practical, sleeveless bodywarmers that keep the torso warm while allowing the arms to move freely.
- Tool vests with high-vis: A functional tool vest (high-vis) is equipped with numerous reinforced pockets for tools, combined with certified reflection.
- RWS work vests: Specific vests that comply with the guidelines of Rijkswaterstaat (RWS), mandatory for work on Dutch roads and railways.
- RWS Fleece vests: A wonderfully warm and soft RWS fleece vest that insulates perfectly during colder outdoor workdays.
Can you add a logo to a reflective work vest?
Yes, most work vests in our collection can be excellently personalized. Depending on the material and your preference, you can choose to embroider the fleece vests or print on the other vests with your company logo.
Unishore Workwear is an expert in clothing printing and embroidery in-house. You can easily and quickly order the desired personalization via our website while selecting your clothing.
Buy reflective vests online
Do you want to purchase high-quality reflective vests for construction or infrastructure? At Unishore Workwear, you are at the right place for your complete reflective workwear online.
In our online assortment, you will only find top brands that meet all strict safety requirements. In addition to standard high-vis clothing, you can also contact us for the official RWS workwear required for infrastructural projects.
Frequently asked questions
Do reflective vests lose their visibility over time?
Yes, due to intensive use, exposure to UV radiation, dirt, and regular washing, the fluorescent colors and reflective strips can lose their brightness over time. It is important to regularly check the condition of the clothing and replace it if visibility has diminished.
How do I wash a reflective vest without damaging the reflection?
Always wash the vest inside out on a gentle wash cycle and use a mild liquid detergent without fabric softener or bleach. Avoid the dryer and let the vest air dry to optimally protect the reflective strips.
How often can I wash a reflective vest?
The wash label of every certified high vis vest for men and women states a maximum number of washes (often 25 to 50 times). After this number of washes, the manufacturer can no longer guarantee the minimum reflection value according to the EN ISO 20471 standard.