Hi Vis T-Shirts and Polo Shirts: Staying Cool in Warm Weather
Wearing the right clothing can make a significant difference in both comfort and safety when working in warm environments. Hi vis t-shirts and polo shirts are a great choice for workers who need to stay cool while remaining visible on the job. Whether in construction, logistics, or engineering, these lightweight garments keep workers visible and compliant with EN ISO 20471 without overheating.
In this article, we'll look at the benefits of high-visibility t-shirts and polo shirts, how they meet safety regulations, and how you can customise them with printing or embroidery while staying compliant.
- Page Contents
- Why Hi Vis T-Shirts and Polo Shirts Matter in Warm Weather
- EN ISO 20471 Compliance for Hi Vis T-Shirts and Polo Shirts
- Customising Hi Vis T-Shirts and Polo Shirts for Your Brand
- How Often Should You Replace Hi Vis T-Shirts and Polo Shirts?
- XAMAX®: A Safety Supplier You Can Trust
- Conclusion: Staying Cool and Visible in Warm Weather
Why Hi Vis T-Shirts and Polo Shirts Matter in Warm Weather
Hi vis t-shirts and polo shirts can be beneficial for workers in hot or humid environments where full jackets or hi vis vests are unsuitable. These garments are intended to keep workers cool and comfortable while remaining visible in potentially hazardous situations.
Breathability and Comfort
Both high-visibility polo shirts and t-shirts are made from lightweight, breathable materials that allow air to circulate against the body, keeping workers cool during physically demanding work. Hi vis polo shirts, for example, have a more open weave, allowing for more breathability, which is especially advantageous in warmer areas or during the summer months.
The short sleeves and lightweight fabric make these garments ideal for jobs that involve a wide range of motion, ensuring workers' comfort while remaining safe and visible.
Enhanced Visibility in Low-Light Conditions
Even in strong sunlight, workers must stay visible, especially in industries with moving vehicles or heavy equipment. Hi-vis t-shirts and polo shirts have fluorescent fabric and retro-reflective stripes that enhance visibility and help to prevent accidents.
The use of fluorescent colours and reflective tape ensures workers stand out, especially in surroundings with direct sunlight or glare, which could hinder visibility in certain circumstances.
EN ISO 20471 Compliance for Hi Vis T-Shirts and Polo Shirts
Both high-visibility t-shirts and polo shirts must meet EN ISO 20471, the European standard for high visibility clothing. This ensures that personnel are visible in a variety of settings, including ones with fast-moving vehicles or machinery.
Fluorescent Fabric
Hi vis t shirts and polo shirts are constructed of fluorescent fabric, which increases visibility in daylight or under artificial lights. The permitted colours, yellow and orange, give an excellent contrast against common working settings, ensuring workers can be seen from a distance.
Orange Fabric
Red Fabric (Railway spec)
Yellow Fabric
For Class 2 compliance, a hi vis t-shirt or polo shirt must feature at least 0.50 m² of fluorescent fabric. This ensures that workers remain visible, even in bright or reflective environments.
Retro-Reflective Tape
Hi vis t-shirts and polo shirts must also include retro-reflective tape for visibility in low light or at night. This tape reflects light back to its source, such as headlights in vehicles, making workers visible to drivers and colleagues from every angle.
Light off
Light on
For Class 2 compliance, these garments require 0.13 m² of reflective tape placed around the torso or shoulders for full 360° visibility.
Customising Hi Vis T-Shirts and Polo Shirts for Your Brand
Customising hi vis t-shirts and polo shirts with printing or embroidery is an excellent way to enhance your brand presence on-site while keeping workers safe. However, it’s essential to balance branding with visibility to ensure the garments remain compliant with EN ISO 20471.
Customising Hi Vis T-Shirts
Hi vis t-shirts can be customised with both printing and embroidery, offering flexibility in how you choose to display your company’s logo. However, the size of the print must be considered carefully to avoid reducing the visible area of fluorescent fabric.
For example:
A Class 2 hi vis t-shirt requires 0.50 m² of fluorescent material. If a large print covers too much of the fabric, the remaining visible area may fall below the compliance threshold, making the garment non-compliant.
Printing and embroidery positions for hi vis t-shirts include:
- Left Breast
- Right Breast
- Sleeves
- Nape of Neck
- For printing only: Back
XAMAX® will work with you to ensure these positions do not compromise the safety requirements of the garment.
Customising Hi Vis Polo Shirts
While polo shirts can be embroidered, printing is not always possible due to the fabric's more open weave, which may not hold printed images properly. Embroidery, on the other hand, offers a high-quality, long-lasting finish that can withstand the rigours of demanding working conditions.
Like t-shirts, embroidery for hi vis polo shirts can be placed in the following positions:
- Left Breast
- Right Breast
- Sleeves
- Nape of Neck
These locations are ideal for displaying company logos or branding without affecting the visibility of the fluorescent fabric. If the open weave of the fabric makes printing difficult, embroidery ensures that your branding remains professional and compliant with safety standards.
Balancing Branding with Safety and Compliance
When customising hi vis t-shirts and polo shirts, it’s important to ensure that any logos or designs don’t interfere with the garment’s compliance with EN ISO 20471. Large prints or embroidery that cover too much of the fluorescent material can reduce the overall visibility of the garment, making it non-compliant with hi vis safety standards.
By carefully choosing the size and placement of your logo, you can maintain the visibility requirements while promoting your brand. XAMAX® can help ensure that your custom hi vis t-shirts and polo shirts meet both safety and branding requirements, with expert advice on positioning and design.
How Often Should You Replace Hi Vis T-Shirts and Polo Shirts?
Just like any other hi vis garment, hi vis tees and polos will wear out over time. The fluorescent fabric and reflective tape can fade over time through repeated washing, ultraviolet (UV) light and everyday use.
Signs that it’s time to replace a hi vis t-shirt or polo shirt
- Fading fluorescent fabric, reducing the garment’s visibility.
- Cracked or peeling reflective tape, which no longer reflects light as effectively.
- General wear and tear, such as frayed seams or stretched fabric.
Hi vis should be replaced after around 25 washes or sooner if it shows visible signs of damage. Some brands such as Portwest offer hi vis that can withstand up to 50 washes - always check the information that comes with the garment to be certain.
Regular inspection of your team’s garments ensures they remain safe and compliant with EN ISO 20471.
XAMAX®: A Safety Supplier You Can Trust
XAMAX® sell a wide range of customisable hi vis t-shirts and polo shirts that meet the highest safety standards. As a British Safety Industry Federation Registered Safety Supplier, we ensure that our hi vis garments comply with EN ISO 20471, keeping your team safe, visible and compliant
Whether you require printing or embroidery, we provide expert branding solutions that maintain both safety and compliance. Our team can help you position your logo in the most effective way to promote your business.
We supply a comprehensive selection of workwear for all seasons, plain or customised for your brand. Whether it’s warm or cold, our products keep your team protected. Explore the full range on the XAMAX® homepage.
Conclusion: Staying Cool and Visible in Warm Weather
T-shirts and polo shirts are ideal for workers who need to stay cool in warm weather. You can keep your team safe while displaying your brand on site by picking EN ISO 20471 compliant clothing and customising them with printing or embroidery.
At XAMAX®, we ensure that your high-visibility polo shirts and t-shirts satisfy the strictest safety, comfort, and branding standards, enabling your staff to stay cool, compliant, and visible in all working environments.