The Best Hi-Vis Vests & What You Need To Know

Selecting the best hi-vis vest is essential for ensuring safety and visibility across various industries. From construction sites to roadside work, the right high-visibility safety vest provides improved protection by making workers easily seen in all conditions. 

With a range of options available, choosing the right vest requires understanding visibility classes, materials, and specific features to suit each work environment.

At CTS UK, we offer a wide selection of hi-vis vests, including personalised hi-vis vests tailored to your brand’s needs. 

 

Our Best Hi-Vis Vests

When choosing a hi-vis safety vest, it’s important to consider the specific needs of your work environment. Whether you require anti-static properties, flame resistance, or enhanced visibility, CTS UK offers a range of high-quality vests to meet these demands. 

Below, we’ve highlighted some of our top-rated high-visibility safety vests that balance safety, comfort, and durability for various industries.

Product Name

Description

Price (excl. VAT)

Portwest Hi-Vis Anti-Static Jacket

High-visibility jacket with anti-static properties; ideal for static-sensitive environments. Class 3

£30.00

Uneek Long Sleeve Safety Waistcoat

Extended visibility coverage with long sleeves; suited for general use in various industries. Class 3

£5.70

Yoko Hi-Vis Flame Retardant Waistcoat

Combines flame-retardant and anti-static features, making it suitable for high-risk areas. Class 2

£18.30

Portwest Hi-Vis Band & Brace Vest

Lightweight, with a classic band and brace design; great for general-purpose visibility. Class 2

£3.10

Leo Workwear Lynton Hi-Vis Waistcoat

High-visibility vest with comfort-focused design; ideal for long wear. Class 1

£6.20

Portwest Hi-Vis Anti-Static Jacket

Designed for environments where static buildup is a concern, this Class 3 high-visibility jacket combines safety and comfort. The anti-static properties make it ideal for static-sensitive workplaces, such as manufacturing and chemical industries. Its durable, lightweight fabric ensures easy movement while providing maximum visibility for worker safety.

Uneek Long Sleeve Safety Waistcoat

This Class 3 long-sleeve waistcoat provides additional coverage, making it suitable for general-purpose use in various industries. The extended sleeves enhance visibility in low-light environments, while the lightweight material allows comfortable all-day wear. This waistcoat is a practical choice for those needing enhanced visibility without the bulk of a jacket.

Yoko Hi-Vis Flame Retardant Waistcoat

Combining flame-retardant and anti-static properties, this Class 2 waistcoat is designed for high-risk workplaces like oil and gas or electrical environments. Its durable fabric resists flames and static buildup, providing an added layer of protection for workers in hazardous roles. The bright colour and reflective strips ensure visibility without compromising safety.

Portwest Hi-Vis Band & Brace Vest

This Class 2 hi-vis safety vest offers a simple, lightweight design with a classic band and brace reflective pattern. Ideal for general-purpose visibility, it’s affordable and easy to wear over existing workwear. Its breathable material and straightforward design make it a popular choice for workers needing basic high-visibility coverage in various settings.

Leo Workwear Lynton Hi-Vis Waistcoat

Comfort is key in this Class 1 vest from Leo Workwear. With its superior design, this waistcoat is tailored for long shifts, providing breathability and a comfortable fit. Its high-visibility colour and reflective strips meet essential safety standards, making it ideal for jobs where comfort and visibility are both priorities.

 

Types of Safety Vests and Industry Use

Choosing the right safety vest depends on the specific demands of the work environment. Here’s a breakdown of the different types of safety vests and where they’re most effective:

High-Visibility Vests - Class 1, 2, and 3

High-visibility vests are categorised by classes, indicating the level of visibility and coverage they provide:

Class 1: Offers basic visibility and is suitable for low-risk environments where traffic doesn’t exceed 25 mph, such as parking attendants or warehouse work.

Class 2: Offers intermediate coverage with additional reflective material, ideal for road construction, utility work, and general site use where workers are exposed to higher traffic speeds.

Class 3: Provides the highest visibility and are typically jackets or full-coverage gear. These are required for jobs near fast-moving traffic or in hazardous weather, including road maintenance and emergency response roles.

For more information on this topic, check out our guide on hi-vis regulations.

Reflective Vests

Reflective vests feature additional reflective tape, improving visibility in low-light and nighttime conditions. These are particularly useful in nighttime construction, railway maintenance, and any job involving work near moving vehicles after dark.

Flame-Retardant Vests

Flame-retardant vests are designed for workers in environments with fire hazards, such as oil and gas, welding, or electrical work. These vests use materials that resist ignition, providing an extra layer of protection and minimising the risk of burn injuries.

Anti-Static Vests

Anti-static vests are crucial in workplaces where static buildup poses a risk, such as in chemical processing, electronics manufacturing, and paint spraying. The anti-static material prevents static charges from building up,

Multi-Use Vests

Some vests combine multiple features, such as flame retardance and anti-static properties, to meet the demands of high-risk work environments with multiple hazards. Multi-use vests are versatile options for industries requiring more safety measures.

 

Key Features to Look For When Buying a Safety Vest

When selecting a high-visibility safety vest, it’s essential to consider features that ensure the vest meets safety needs and provides comfort for the wearer. Here are the key features to look for:

Visibility Class

Choosing the right visibility class (Class 1, 2, or 3) is critical. Class 1 is suitable for low-risk settings, Class 3 offers the highest level of visibility for high-risk areas, and Class 2 is somewhere in between. Ensure the class aligns with the specific safety requirements of the job site.

Reflective Tape

High-quality, durable reflective tape improves visibility, especially in low-light or nighttime conditions. Look for vests with wide, strategically placed reflective bands to maximise visibility from all angles, a feature that’s essential for roadside or nighttime work.

Fit and Adjustability

A comfortable fit is crucial, especially for long shifts. Look for adjustable straps, waistbands, and designs that allow for easy layering over other workwear. 

Additional Features

Additional features like pockets, zippers, and breathability can make a big difference in functionality. Pockets are useful for storing small tools, pens, or personal items, while zippered fronts add convenience. 

Breathable materials are especially important for outdoor and high-activity work environments, as they help keep the wearer comfortable in varying temperatures.

 

Can safety vests be customised with logos?

Yes, all hi-vis clothing can be personalised to include company logos, team names, or other branding. When adding logos, it’s essential to work with a supplier (like ourselves) to ensure that the branding doesn’t compromise visibility or safety standards.

 

How often should safety vests be replaced?

Safety vests should be replaced whenever they show signs of wear, such as fading, tearing, or damage to the reflective tape. Frequent use in challenging environments may require replacement every 6-12 months. Routine checks and cleaning can help maintain their effectiveness, but faded or worn vests should be replaced to ensure optimal visibility.

 

What’s the best way to clean a safety vest?

To maintain brightness and reflectivity, wash vests on a gentle cycle with mild detergent and avoid bleach, as it can damage the colour and reflective materials. Air drying is recommended, as high heat can reduce the lifespan of reflective tape. Regular cleaning keeps the vest visible and ready for use in all conditions.

Recommended Article: How To Wash Hi-Vis Clothing 

 

Final Thoughts

Selecting the best hi-vis vest is essential for ensuring safety, visibility, and comfort across various work environments. From choosing the correct visibility class to considering features like reflective tape, adjustability, and additional protective qualities, finding the right vest can make a significant impact on worker safety. High-quality, well-maintained safety vests help protect workers in high-risk areas by ensuring they remain visible and easily identifiable.

We are here to support your safety needs with a range of high-visibility safety vests suited to every work environment. For guidance on choosing the right vest or exploring customisation options, contact us for a free Workwear and PPE Consultation and ensure your team is equipped with workwear and PPE you can trust.

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