HI VIS

Some fade fast, some feel stiff, some trap heat, and some just don’t last more than a handful of washes, which means you end up replacing them constantly or, worse, walking around in dull, unsafe gear that isn’t doing its job.

Quality hi-vis work clothes solve those problems before they start. They come in a range of bright colours and still look bright after a dozen night shifts or washes. They’re also made with breathable materials, so you won’t feel like a pallet wrapped in plastic wrap during those hot summer months. That’s the difference between ticking the box for compliance and staying safe, comfortable and able to do your job properly.

How to Choose the Right Type of Hi-Vis Uniform

Hi-vis workwear is usually made for one of three conditions:

• Day Only: Bright fluorescent colours for being more visible when the sun is shining brightly. Great for construction, warehousing, landscaping, and outdoor day work.
• Night Only (Reflective): High-quality reflective tapes designed to bounce light from headlights, torches, and worksite lighting back to the source.
• Day/Night: The best of both worlds. Bright colours plus reflective tape for jobs that roll from sunrise to sunset, or are perfect if you’re unloading a truck outside one minute and in the warehouse the next.

If you’re often working in both low-light and daylight situations, day/night is typically your safest and easiest option. That way, you don’t have to keep changing your PPE and lose out on essential minutes for productivity.

What to Look for in Reliable Hi-Vis Clothing

You want something that goes beyond colour. Look for:

• Durable, breathable fabric: because heavy, sweaty, plastic-feeling shirts make long shifts feel much longer.
• Secure stitching and reinforced seams: so, your hi-vis uniform holds up to bending, lifting, climbing and being on the move constantly.
• Properly applied reflective tape: not cheap tape that cracks, peels or fades after three washes.
• A comfortable fit: something you can move in, not something you’re constantly tugging, adjusting or that feels like a straitjacket.
• UPF protection: especially for outdoor workers who spend a lot of time with the sun beating down on them.
• Fast-drying materials: because wet, heavy shirts slow you down.

So, you see, good workwear hi-vis clothing makes a bigger difference than you might expect.

Common Questions People Have About Hi-Vis Work Clothes (But Don’t Always Ask)

Does Colour Matter?

Absolutely. Yellow and orange stand out the most because they cut through background colours on worksites, roads, and outdoor environments, making you easier to spot from a distance.

Is Reflective Tape Optional?

Not if you’re working at night or around vehicles. It’s essential.

Do I Need Multiple Sets?

If your job involves sweat, mud, dust or weather, yes. Think of hi-vis like socks; you want fresh ones ready to wear.

Why Does Cheap Hi-Vis Fall Apart So Fast?

Because bargain fabrics fade, shrink, and lose reflectivity quickly. That’s fine for odd jobs or if you’re driving into certain countries and you break down, but not for the demands of a worksite where looking professional and being seen at all times is paramount.

So, if you want gear that lasts, keeps you seen, and feels good to work in, check out our full range of hi-vis work clothes at Totally Workwear. Your safety and your comfort deserve better than the bare minimum.

Alongside hi-vis work clothes, we sell a wide range of workwear products for both men and women. These include workwear shorts, cargo pants, canvas pants, jeans and chinos. We also stock a range of workwear, safety footwear, hi-vis, accessories and more. Read Less