It may be an obvious thing, but it just occurred to me yesterday that dark/black/navy blue jackets are not a good choice for winter trips.
I’m thinking wet streets, early darkness, crossing busy roads and walking in cities at dusk, night, or even early morning.
I’ve always taken my trusty black winter jacket on my winter trips, but yesterday I bought a light grey one for my trip to the UK in December.
Better to be visible and be seen when out and about in winter.
Safety first!
Good point!
Both of my current rain jackets do have reflective patches on the arms and maybe the back which are helpful in dark conditions. I will look for that when I get a new one. My current rain jacket is also my winter coat which I wear layered with a puffy vest or jacket.
You could always add reflective strips to any jacket, of course.
My old black one did have some built in.
I just wanted an excuse to go shopping….🤣
That is indeed an important consideration. I ditched my black rain jacket 8 years ago, in favor of a white Patagonia Torrentshell, like this:
"I just wanted an excuse to go shopping….🤣"
Oh well, then...that makes all the sense in the world, lol!!
I think Tallinn requires some sort of reflector if you're out after dark in the winter.
My travel wardrobe is overwhelmingly black from head to toe. I've been known to turn my cellphone screen on when I fear I may not be seen.
Here is a solution to consider
https://www.joann.com/bondex-iron-on-fluorescent-reflective-tape-2inx32in-yellow/13137591.html
I’m with you Lola, I love anything in winter white. I have a bright yellow one I wear now but it isn’t good for really cold weather.
I always bring a small flashlight and use it anytime it’s dark in the evening. A slight swinging motion with the wrist helps cars see the movement, too.
I used to work in downtown Seattle where it rains or has grey skies during the winter months. When I purchased a new raincoat, I chose the hot pink/fushia instead of the black since I walked five blocks from my commuter bus stop.
If you want maximum safety, consider a zip-up neon yellow vest with silver reflective strips - like the ones road workers wear. You can just put it on over anything else you are wearing. You only need one.
(Honestly, I wear one of these safety vests when I walk my dog.)
Yes, I have a flashlight, that is also an alarm, in my pocket at night.
I’ve also got a tiny LED light that attaches to the zipper pull of a jacket or bag.
If you’re in the UK you will see such an array of brightly coloured rainwear - particularly in outdoor clothing shops. I have a variety of raincoats of different lengths and warmth: three are various shades of yellow, one is bright green and one is coral pink.
Thanks Golden Girl…
I do plan on doing a bit of shopping in the UK, but I already have more coats and jackets than a reasonable person needs in a lifetime!
Time to donate some.
Who is this "reasonable person " of whom you speak?
“Who is this "reasonable person " of whom you speak?”
Obviously not me!🤣
"reasonable person"
noun
: a fictional person with an ordinary degree of reason, prudence, care, foresight, or intelligence whose conduct, conclusion, or expectation in relation to a particular circumstance or fact is used as an objective standard by which to measure or determine something
https://www.merriam-webster.com/legal/reasonable%20person
SJ: You could purchase a reflective sash from the following company to be visible no matter the color of your jacket.
We found the Seattle based company during the pandemic when gyms were closed and so many people exercised by walking.
https://moonsash.com/
We bought several sashes for ourselves, for our daughter and her friend who still walk/run early in the morning before work, and for our grandson when he rides his bike.
The sash won’t take up much room in a suitcase.
I bought a reversible jacket during one of my previous trips. One side is black, while the other is a bright orange. 🔥 I use the orange at night and the black during the day. It's really handy to have two jacket options in one! ☺️
My outerwear is usually navy blue and my slacks are mostly black. If I feel I need to be seen, I have a brilliant long orange scarf...used when walking on the Camino Frances or if I know someone needs to easily spot me. LOL. I also had a yellow goretex raincoat for cycling, well I'm just in the process of sending it to goodwill as since no longer cycling in the US, anyway, I NEVER wore this anywhere but on the bike. Generally, I don't want to be noticed. LOL. The scarf solves that problem. If I was really worried, I'd pull out my head lamp and would wear it facing the oncoming traffic. I like navy and I generally have my daily uniform... ;)
Carol: I like those Moonsashes!
Simple but very effective.
I have my new light grey jacket, a winter toque in the same colour, and my boots have reflective dots on the backs.
If I’m still invisible, so be it.
Great thread-this forum has some funny members, love it!
Yeah, the moon sash is great! Wish I had invented it.
