Hi Vis Bodywarmers and Gilets: Lightweight Protection
In many industries, such as construction, engineering, and logistics, staying visible and protected is a top priority. However, workers don’t always need full jackets, especially in moderate climates or when working indoors. This is where hi vis bodywarmers and gilets come in. These garments provide lightweight protection and warmth without the bulk of a full jacket, making them ideal for various work environments.
In this article, we’ll explore the benefits of hi vis bodywarmers and gilets, the key differences between them, and how they can be customised for your business while ensuring compliance with EN ISO 20471.
- Page Contents
- The Difference Between Bodywarmers and Gilets
- Why Hi Vis Bodywarmers and Gilets Matter for Safety
- EN ISO 20471 Compliance for Hi Vis Bodywarmers and Gilets
- Customising Hi Vis Bodywarmers and Gilets for Your Brand
- How Often Should You Replace Hi Vis Bodywarmers and Gilets?
- XAMAX®: A BSIF Registered Supplier You Can Trust
- Conclusion: Hi Vis Bodywarmers and Gilets for Lightweight Protection
The Difference Between Bodywarmers and Gilets
While the terms bodywarmer and gilet are often used interchangeably, there are some subtle differences between the two garments, particularly in terms of insulation, fit, and purpose.
Gilets
A gilet is typically a sleeveless, lightweight jacket designed to provide extra warmth without the bulk of a coat. It allows freedom of movement, particularly in the arms, making it an excellent choice for activities where mobility is crucial.
Gilets often have a more tailored fit and can be used for both practical and fashionable purposes. In a hi vis context, gilets are ideal for workers who need visibility but don’t require heavy insulation.
Bodywarmers
A bodywarmer is often bulkier and more padded than a gilet, providing more insulation and warmth. This makes it better suited for environments where workers need additional protection from the elements. While bodywarmers do not give full arm coverage, they do keep the core warm and are beneficial for outdoor and work environments where flexibility of movement is still important.
Generally, gilets are lighter and more fitted, making them suitable for mild weather or physically demanding tasks. Bodywarmers, on the other hand, are more heavily insulated, providing additional warmth in colder locations yet allowing flexibility and movement.
Why Hi Vis Bodywarmers and Gilets Matter for Safety
Both hi vis bodywarmers and gilets provide a blend of comfort, warmth, and visibility, ensuring that workers remain safe while maintaining mobility. These garments are ideal for workers who need protection in changeable weather scenarios or indoors, where full winter jackets would be overly warm and restrictive.
Lightweight Comfort and Flexibility
Hi vis bodywarmers and gilets keep the core warm while allowing the arms to move freely. This makes them perfect for physically demanding jobs such as as lifting, bending, and operating machinery. The lightweight design of a gilet allows workers to move freely, but the added insulation of a bodywarmer gives extra warmth in chilly conditions.
Extra Warmth Without Bulk
Bodywarmers, with their heavier padding, are ideal for lower temperatures. They provide insulation without having full-arm coverage, keeping workers warm while allowing them to move freely. Gilets, on the other hand, are ideal for layering over lighter clothing in milder conditions, such as high-visibility t-shirts or polo shirts.
EN ISO 20471 Compliance for Hi Vis Bodywarmers and Gilets
All hi vis clothing must meet EN ISO 20471, the European standard for high visibility clothes. This ensures that personnel are visible in hazardous areas, both indoors and outside.
Fluorescent Material
Both bodywarmers and gilets are made from fluorescent fabric that enhances visibility in daylight or under artificial lighting. The approved colours for EN ISO 20471 are yellow and orange (also red for Rail Spec), both of which provide high contrast against typical work environments.
Orange High Visibility Fabric
Red High Visibility Fabric (Railway spec)
Yellow High Visibility Fabric
For Class 2 compliance, both a hi vis bodywarmer and a gilet must have at least 0.50 m² of fluorescent material. This ensures that even though the arms are uncovered, the worker remains highly visible.
Retro-Reflective Tape
Hi vis bodywarmers and gilets must also have retro-reflective tape for visibility at night or in low light settings to be compliant. The tape reflects light back to its source, making the worker visible to oncoming vehicles, plant, or colleagues.
Light off
Light on
A Class 2 compliant bodywarmer or gilet needs 0.13 m² of reflective tape strategically positioned around the torso providing 360-degree visibility.
Customising Hi Vis Bodywarmers and Gilets for Your Brand
Customising hi vis bodywarmers and gilets with embroidery not only enhances your team’s professional appearance but also strengthens your company’s brand presence on-site. Embroidery offers a durable and high-quality finish that stands up well to tough working conditions, making it the perfect choice for adding logos or company names to hi vis workwear.
Embroidery Placement
For hi vis bodywarmers and gilets, the most common embroidery positions are:
- Left Breast: This position is ideal for smaller logos or company names, as it makes your branding visible while keeping a clean and professional image.
- Right Breast: Another option for logo placement, which provides balance to the garment if you want additional branding or if the left breast is already taken by other features like pockets or seams.
- Nape of Neck: This subtle placement works well for additional branding or text and is easily visible from behind without interfering with the garment’s reflective properties.
Considerations for Padded or Baffled Designs
If the hi vis garment is padded or baffled, it’s important to carefully consider the placement of the embroidery. The padding can create uneven surfaces, so embroidery positions may need to be slightly adjusted to accommodate the garment’s design. For example, the logo may need to be positioned lower or on a flatter section of the garment to ensure the embroidery sits smoothly.
At XAMAX®, we work closely with our clients to ensure that logos are placed strategically to maintain the garment’s professional appearance without affecting the safety or integrity of the fabric.
By focusing on embroidery for branding, you can ensure that your hi vis bodywarmers and gilets not only comply with EN ISO 20471 but also reflect your company’s image in a durable and stylish way.
How Often Should You Replace Hi Vis Bodywarmers and Gilets?
Hi vis bodywarmers and gilets will wear out over time, just like any other hi vis garment. Frequent washing, exposure to sunlight, and general wear and tear can cause fluorescent fabric to fade and reflective tape to crack or peel, reducing the effectiveness of the garment.
Signs that it’s time to replace a hi vis bodywarmer or gilet
- Faded fluorescent fabric, which reduces the garment’s visibility.
- Cracked or peeling reflective tape, which no longer reflects light effectively.
- General wear and tear, such as frayed seams or broken zippers.
As a general rule, hi vis bodywarmers and gilets should be replaced after 25 washes (50 washes on most Portwest hi vis garments) or sooner if they show visible signs of damage. Regularly inspecting your team’s workwear ensures that they remain safe and compliant with EN ISO 20471.
XAMAX®: A BSIF Registered Supplier You Can Trust
XAMAX® offer a wide range of hi vis bodywarmers and gilets designed to keep your workforce safe and comfortable in a variety of working conditions. As a BSIF Registered Safety Supplier, we ensure that all our products meet the highest standards of compliance with EN ISO 20471.
If they don't, we'll tell you.
Whether you need custom printing or embroidery, we provide branding solutions that promote your company while maintaining safety compliance. You can trust XAMAX® to deliver high-quality, compliant hi vis workwear that’s perfect for your team.
We offer a wide range of other essential workwear designed to keep your team safe and comfortable. Whether you need protective or just durable workwear, visit the XAMAX® homepage to explore our full range.
Conclusion: Hi Vis Bodywarmers and Gilets for Lightweight Protection
Hi vis bodywarmers and gilets provide the perfect combination of warmth, mobility, and visibility, making them perfect for workers who require protection in milder weather or for physically demanding roles. Whether you prefer a lighter, more fitted gilet or a heavier, insulated bodywarmer, these garments provide the required safety while allowing for flexibility of movement.
By customising your hi vis bodywarmers and gilets with printing or embroidery, you can keep your team safe while promoting your brand on-site. With XAMAX®, you can trust that your hi vis workwear will meet the highest safety standards while reflecting your company’s identity.