brawblether
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- June/Jul 2012; Feb 2014
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get a "chaleco reflectante" (reflective vest) at any of the China Bazaar-type discount stores. They weigh almost nothing, cost about 2 Euro, and are highly visible for a long, long way. They are required attire in Galicia in bad visibility conditions, and highly recommended by the friendly Guardia Civil officers of Castilla y Leon.
Very good suggestion, thanks. How about being visible from behind though? A backpack would surely hide the vest from behind, wouldn't it? I always walk against the traffic but would be more comfortable knowing I was visible from behind as well.
(Grayland, that is a serious amount of walking, how do you fit anything else into your week?!!)
Yes, although I'm not sure a chaleco vest would have prevented last year's incident!They are also very handy during hunting season to remind hunters that you are not prey. Camino Cleanup Crew worked straight through quail season in their chalecos, and not a single person was shot this year.
I have considered this issue at length. On my Camino, I used a combination of: 3M reflective tape in 3 places on each walking pole (at the bottom of each section); red and white LED blinky lights - one to a hiking pole; combined with reflective Velcro-fastening bicycle cuff straps that I wore on my ankles. This worked fine for me. I have recommended this approach elsewhere in this forum. I even researched where to buy the LED blinky lights in Europe and in the U.S. and made that information available.
But, I am from the "4-nail" school of doing something. This means that, if 2-nails are adequate, -nails are certainly at least twice as good. Hence, here are some additional, and in some cases alternative ideas to merge with my original recommendations. Check these web links:
http://global.lakeland.com/hi_vis_leggings.shtml - VERY hi-visability legging / gaiter, with hook n' loop (Velcro) adjustment fastener:
N.B.
(1) the web site is global, select your country or region in the upper left corner.
(2) Being mesh, these would work year round and would weigh (as we say) "next to nothing." I plan to order a pair for myself.
(3) I also note they could be worn BOTH on the lower legs and forearms (wrist to elbow).
http://global.lakeland.com/hi_vis_accessories.shtml - High Vis arm bands, leg bands, and belt.
N.B.
(1) if the leggings above are too extreme for you, this might be more your style
(2) the belt might be placed AROUND your pack so it is seen from the read.
(3) if you are wearing a poncho or trekking raincoat, wear the belt around your "waist" to cinch the raincoat just below the rucksack
Personally, having considered this further, I prefer the legging approach. The leggings are in fact "vests" for each leg and or arm. In keeping with local rules and regulations stating that pedestrians must wear a reflective vest, and considering you are wearing a rucksack and or a raincoat or poncho over it, the constantly moving leggings on the legs or arms seem (to me at least) to be a good idea.
It might look silly, but better than a full body cast in traction in hospital. Plus, your arms and legs are moving. So the results is a flashing fool walking down the street. If a motorist does not see you they are either seriously over the alcohol limit or blind.
I note that the Lakeland web site does not appear to have an online store. So, I searched further. I found several sites offering all of the above items, but I found the best prices (in the U.S.) here:
https://www.anchortex.com/brands/lakeland
For those of you in the UK or nearby in the EU, I found this site in the UK that offers similar reflective items:
http://www.kova-promotional-products.co.uk/
As always, I hope this helps someone.
Brawblether, I hit the road this morning, just after 8am, in the frosty gloom. For conditions that you are thinking about I have in my pack a hivis vest, 2 red lights of which I have attached one to the back of my pack, the other for use at night in albergues so as not to disturb sleeper's and then to attach as a secondary flashing light. I got these from Kathmandu at sale time. They don't use the triple A battery people are talking about, but a watch battery. I have put reflective tape around four places on my pacer poles, in places on my pack (straps etc), and have the remainder of the roll with me to add it to my rain gear and whatever else I think prudent. It is a roll of orange tape which I bought from Mitre 10. I also have a couple of wristbands (or ankle) and another Velcro strip that might be useful - all purchased from Kathmandu on sale time - I have a feeling that there was a sale on when I left OZ, but not sure.
My rain gear is an altus style Poncho and if my pack is covered I have to do something with that hence the roll of reflective tape in my pack!
I tried to get one of those hivis crossover bands from a bike shop but was unsuccessful. I think they would be best of all personally - might make my own for my next trip. Janet
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