There are a few main differences to be aware of when shopping for hi-visibility cotton t-shirts. They are as follows: firstly, the fabric is made from a different type of cotton than other clothing and has a special thread count (or “staple”) that enables it to maintain it’s colour and brightness far better. This allows t-shirts in hi-vis fabrics to be seen more efficiently and last longer because they can resist fading and breaking down in the sun.
Secondly, these shirts usually have some reflective material built into their weave that ensures they both do not become see-through at night or lose their color in bright light.
This means that when you are in the sun, the shirt isn’t showing off your body but still allows you to be seen by vehicles and other motorists.
Thirdly, a hi-vis shirt is made from heavier cotton than some shirts from the same manufacturer are not. This does have an advantage in that it can withstand higher temperatures than other types of cotton. However, these heavier materials make costumes made from them less comfortable and stretchy because they’re stiffer and therefore don’t move as well when you’re running around in them.
Fourth, there is the content of the fabric. Hi-visibility clothing has been mainly created for mornings and nights, and this means it has to do well in the sun during the day and at night when it gets darker. This is why cloth makers have created new technologies so that these clothes can work in both situations well. Some manufacturers have even made their hi-visibility shirts from a cotton-poly blend that makes them softer and less stiff than traditional cotton varieties.
This is why it is essential to do your research when you are buying a hi-visibility shirt. It may look like it is going to be perfect for you after the first day, but a month later, you will notice that it fades, ride up, and gets too hot during the day or isn’t visible at night.
When you are creating a safety outfit, you want to make sure that it does all the things you need it to do for you. If you are running a construction site and want something that makes you visible to the traffic on the road, be sure to look for cloth that has reflective material woven into it so that the person driving can see you. If you are working in your yard, a simple shirt is fine because no one will see it at night.
When shopping for hi-visibility shirts, dress in the costume and see if they meet your needs. You don’t want to be buying a shirt that is rated for working at night only to find out that when you are driving home from work, it is impossible to see you because the sun has yet to set.
Lastly, be sure to look at the way their sizes run. Some manufacturers make their shirts small, while others make them significant. The smaller the shirt, the more likely it will show off your body shape and bulge in ways you may not want.
If there is one thing we have learned about safety clothing and masks over the years, it’s this- what works well for one worker does not mean it will work well for another worker doing a similar job (or even a different job).