Jackets that can reflect light are in demand by lovers of running, cycling and street sports, so they now often appear in the collections of well-known clothing manufacturers, and they produce not only sportswear, but also in the lines of life-style brands.
A bit of history
For the first time, the ZM company from the USA created the reflective elements in 1939. It was a film that was glued first on road signs, and then on cars.
A little later, they decided to use reflective film in the creation of sports equipment and clothing for motorcyclists. The company works today, producing retroreflective materials used in both road markings and sportswear, for example, Nike sneakers and windbreakers.
What creates the effect of light reflection?
The details of retro-reflective technology for different things vary depending on their application, but the principle of returning light is similar and consists in using microscopic-sized glass spheres to create a retro-reflective surface. When a ray of light hits such spheres, it refracts inside twice, which leads to its reflection in the opposite direction. Light can fall at any angle, but it will always return to the side of its source and not be scattered.
Popular brands
Most of the jackets with reflective details are made for people who work on the road, for example, repair it, and run the risk of being unnoticed in the dark, as well as for professions that require night work.Recently, however, ordinary pedestrians, as well as athletes (especially runners and cyclists), have become interested in such jackets, which has led to the appearance of clothing that can reflect light on such well-known brands as Nike, Supreme, The north face, Ice Cold, Rapha, Stone Island and others.
Among all sports brands, Nike offers a particularly large number of products with reflective details. The range of this brand has running jackets, trimmed with elements that reflect light.
The company also offers products made entirely of reflective fabric. Such jackets are attracted not only by their glow at night, but also by adjustable hoods, special warming cuffs and comfortable pockets with zippers.
Adidas offers windbreakers with a reflective mesh, as well as models with reflective three stripes on the sleeves. Windproof trousers with the same retroreflective details are supplied with these jackets.
Also it is impossible not to mention the Stone Island brand, which has been producing reflective jackets since 1991. Today, this manufacturer uses different technologies for reflecting light. It offers lightweight jackets made of reflex mat material that can reflect light even from very weak sources. The brand’s advanced developments are also jackets created using liquid reflection technology (spraying is used) and reflective yarn products that can glow in the dark.
Reflective strips as an alternative
Strips with retroreflective properties can protect a person in the dark, so they are often sewn onto outerwear.
Most often, reflective elements are on the sleeves, lower part or back of the jacket, making it noticeable at night. They are an affordable and inexpensive alternative to expensive branded jackets made of reflective fabric, as they can make any jacket reflective.
Jackets can be finished with textile ribbons up to 5 cm wide, or with braid that can reflect light. Sew such strips with your hands or on a sewing machine. In the daytime, they are almost invisible on the fabric of the jacket, especially since the ribbons come in different colors, but at dusk and at night the owner of such a jacket will stand out in the dark, which can save his life.
Selection tips
If you are interested in a jacket made of reflective fabric, study the offers of brands involved in the production of such clothes by comparing their cost. As a rule, the quality of such jackets is quite high, so first choose a manufacturer with an affordable price level, and then pay attention to the choice of style and color of the model. In addition, decide whether it is important for you to have pockets or a hood in the model.
When choosing a jacket trimmed with retroreflective stripes, pay attention to the quality of the reflective elements on the jacket. It is better if they have a fabric base, rather than a film base, since the elements with the fabric last much longer.
Take a closer look at the elements - they should be even and smooth, without surface defects. In addition, they should be of medium flexibility so as not to tear, but bend easily enough.
