The Best Reflective Gear for Safer Cycling

Gear-obsessed editors choose every product we review. We may earn commission if you buy from a link. How we test gear.

Keep yourself visible on the road—and look good doing it—with one of these smart reflective pieces.

Lights are important for nighttime and early morning rides, but that's only one half of the larger category of illuminating rider safety accessories. That other important half? Reflection. Reflective accents, details, and fabrics on cycling gear and apparel are just as vital as how many lumens your bike lights can put out, as they’ll bounce light back at both artificial and natural sources, alerting pedestrians and motorists of your presence with little effort. The best reflective gear can be seen from all angles and far distances, no batteries required.

Looking to add more reflective pieces to your cycling wardrobe? Try one of our picks for the best pieces of reflective gear below, and increase your visibility, whether you're on the road or the trail.

When shopping for gear with reflective accents, make sure the material isn't purely relying on color to get visibility across. Bright colors like neon green and orange surely increase rider visibility during daylight hours, but may not offer up enough protection in low-light conditions. Reflective materials use hundreds to thousands of tiny pieces of aluminum or glass to bounce light off of them. If a garment is relying solely on color for its visibility, and a product description doesn't mention that light bounces off it in the dark, it's likely just bright, not reflective.

Also, consider reaching for gear that you can place on your limbs for increased visibility. Riders are more likely to be seen when reflectors are added to the ankle or knees, as those parts of the body move while cycling. A vest or jacket, on the other hand, could cause a driver to believe you’re a stop sign, as those pieces are typically stagnant on the body.

To find the best reflective gear on the market, we researched hundreds of products across various retailers, with an eye for quality, variety of styles, and reflective materials. We considered items like gloves, socks, vests, sashes, armbands, jackets, and more. We then condensed our list to a solid eight products that are easily accessible and great for year-round riding, and based our picks on thousands of user reviews from those who’ve tested each item.

Increase your rider visibility and ensure you're being seen with some of the best rear bike lights, bike reflectors, and reflective bands you can shop now.

Proviz is known for making gear that's 100 percent reflective, offering 360 degrees of highly visible reflective fabric as opposed to a single reflective logo, as is the case with some other brands. For that reason, this unisex vest is our top pick.

Rather than relying on neon colors to get the attention of others, this vest's entire body is made of a gray reflective polyester that bounces natural and artificial light on contact. It's a great option for layering in the fall and winter seasons, and its large back pocket is useful for storing any goods you need to have on hand during your rides.

Its only downside is one typically found in unisex-sized clothing: It runs small, so size up for a truer fit.

The same can be said about Proviz's tops as its accessories. This helmet cover offers a highly reflective crown for your head, adding increased security without compromising your actual safety hardware. It's also fully wind- and waterproof, and its elasticized edges allow it to fit around any helmet, regardless of size.

Note, however, that some reviewers say that while this cover is great in theory, it's also pretty unattractive, with some saying it's similar to wearing a shower cap in public. Still, in rain or snow, it might be worth sacrificing the style for safety.

It's a great idea to add reflective elements to your bicycle if it doesn't already have some. One of the easiest ways to do this is to add reflectors onto your spokes. Salzmann uses 3M Scotchlite reflective technology here to provide 360 degrees of reflection, which means a motorist or pedestrian can see your bike from any angle. They also weigh practically nothing!

These are sold in packs of 36, so if you’re looking for full coverage, grab two for both of your wheels.

If you need a set of reflective gear to boost your bike's visibility, grab this value pack of reflective pieces. Super affordable and useful, this set comes with four reflective bands that you can place on your ankles, wrists, or arms. It also comes with a carrying bag for easy packing when not in use.

This is a great investment for those looking for some reflective pieces that follow the rider's movements instead of staying put—a moving piece of reflective gear is better than a motionless one.

These socks from ReflecToes use the same technology found inside of your bike's front and rear plastic reflectors—instead of relying on reflective yarn, these use reflective beads for increased visibility. Those beads are placed at the most visible parts of the sock, so as you’re pedaling, they bounce light off of them in movement.

Not only are they super safe, they’re also great for performance, as they wick moisture away to keep your feet dry and comfortable, thanks to a mesh vent upper, and provide plenty of built-in arch support.

Need some reflective gloves to go along with your reflective socks? The Bravo Gel gloves from Giro sport a great fit and design, tailored to your palms and padded where it's needed. They’re size-inclusive, with six sizes available in each of its whopping 14 colors, and reflective details accent the pair throughout, increasing rider visibility.

If you can't be bothered to seek out the right piece of reflective apparel for you, opt for this classic vest by workwear company Salzmann. This no-frills vest has exactly what you need to be seen in the dark: reflective paneling and trim made with 3M Scotchlite, a loose fit for layering, and a bright neon green color to attract the eyes of others. The back has mesh paneling for extra breathability, and a large zippered back pocket can hold a ton of goodies.

This item runs pretty large, which makes it great for throwing over bulky pieces in the fall and winter, but if you’re looking for a more snug feel, reviewers recommend sizing down.

This rain jacket from Rapha is ultra-stylish, useful, and form-fitting.

Available in six eye-catching colors, like bright orange and dark yellow, this completely waterproof piece of outerwear has a large reflective accent on one arm for high visibility at night, and an additional reflective accent on the jacket's back, via its logo. It also has a dropped tail for extra back coverage, and plenty of vents to make sure you don't overheat in its shell.

An adjustable cord along the waist also helps cinch out wind and makes for a better fit.

Buy in Women's Sizes

Kevin Cortez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics, Bicycling, and Runner's World. A culture and product journalist for over ten years, he's an expert in men's style, technology, gaming, coffee, e-bikes, hiking, gear, and all things outdoors. He was most recently the style editor for a leading product-recommendation site and previously covered music and podcasting at Mass Appeal, Genius, and The A.V. Club. His work can also be seen in WSJ, Leafly, Input, and Vulture. He enjoys reading graphic novels, birding, and taking long, meandering walks in his spare time.

All the Best Bikes, According to Ride Testing

Battle of the E-Cargo Bikes

The Best Father's Day Cycling Gifts

Fezzari's Veyo Balances Performance and Value

The Best Ways to Store Your Bike

The Best Bicycle Locks for Every Scenario

The Best Bike Is the One You Give Away

18 Best Electric Bikes for Every Rider

The 10 Best Bikepacking Bags for Every Adventure

The Best Cycling Gear From REI's Memorial Day Sale

The Best Memorial Day Sales for Cyclists

The Best Bike Is One That Takes You on an Adventur