- Time of past OR future Camino
- Frances 2015, 2018, 2022
For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here. (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation) |
---|
Your better bet would be to get one of those super-lightweight runner's vests, made from high-visibility (neon yellow or orange) mesh and including reflective components. That way, You can wear the vest atop the jacket. Or, you can wrap the vest around your pack (so you are visible when being approached from the rear, where otherwise your pack obscures any visibility markings on the jacket). This approach leaves the jacket unimpeded for wear in the cities or in daytime.thoughts
I love it!!!I did the reflective strips and found they were hard to get to adhere to the "plastic" material as my poncho was navy and covered all the reflective strips on my backpack as well. I ordered a new reflective rain jacket with a backpack cover in a completely garish color from Amazon. Remember that the vest may be covered up in the back with your pack so I'd make sure there was some sort of reflective source (shoes, pants, etc). I'm concerned due to smaller crowds and more rain/fog in October/November.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0716QXZNQ/?tag=casaivar02-20
I have a Gortex rain shell that has kept me dry through some very serious rainstorms. The only trouble is it is black, so I'm never really comfortable walking along roads when visibility is bad.
I'm thinking about putting reflective tape around the sleeves, hem, and chest areas before I head back to the Camino next month. But I'm wondering if this this harm or weaken the material in any way. Will I be able to remove it at a later time?
Any thoughts or experience with this? I'd love to hear them. Thanks.
Here is a link to the IKEA site with the reflective vest for $4.99
This is the U.S. site but understand the UK site also offers them.
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10315735/
Keep the poncho, Consider a REALLY bright hat and gloves to hold your poles while walking. This is a less expensive option for buying things you will need anyway.
I have both a neon-lime yellow (safety color) ball cap, and a pair of similarly bright gloves that I bought in a runner's store. It is the contrast in colors that makes you visible.
Normally, muted or earth tones than blend in with the surrounding pallette do not make you more visible. You tend to blend into the environment. That is NOT what you want when road-walking.
Wearing colors that create a maximum contrast with the prevalent background are best. That is why road workers and emergency personnel wear "wake the dead' international orange or neon-yellow safety gear. These colors do not exist in MOST of nature, at least along a Camino.
It is the degree of contrast that makes you visible. So, a bright red poncho is relatively better than a claret or burgundy colored poncho. A white poncho may be better than a black poncho, except in the snow of course. A sky blue poncho is better than a navy blue poncho. International orange is better than a subdued pumpkin color, etc. I think you get the idea.
The same paradigm holds true for those of you who might use a hiking or regular umbrella. Standard colors do not create contrast and do not aid in making you visible.
Finally, consider this contrasting color notion if possible when buying a rucksack. Remember the CAmino is not a fashion parade. Staying safe is more important than wearing coordinated colors.
You need not spend a lot of money to protect yourself. Just plan ahead. Think, what color choice would create a greater contrast when I am walking along a road, perhaps in the early morning or twilight or in a heavy downpour?
Hope this helps.
I ordered one yesterday. The shipping costs more than the vest, but saves me 90 minutes driving and is still a bargain. Locally I walk along some busy state roads to get to my trails, so I like the idea of this vest for the sunny days as well.
Great idea. Since I tend to walk, hike and do almost everything in shorts as long as not below 40° F outside I have no place to put tape down low. Now I do. The poles! Of course. I have hiked a glacier in shorts. After 30+ years in So Cal and wearing no long pants my legs simply do not get cold. I keep my core well bundled up.I use 3M reflective tape on each section of my pole. Just 1 - 1 inch stripe on each section.
Yeah, I know, I'm very late with my replyI have a Gortex rain shell that has kept me dry through some very serious rainstorms. The only trouble is it is black, so I'm never really comfortable walking along roads when visibility is bad.
I'm thinking about putting reflective tape around the sleeves, hem, and chest areas before I head back to the Camino next month. But I'm wondering if this this harm or weaken the material in any way. Will I be able to remove it at a later time?
Any thoughts or experience with this? I'd love to hear them. Thanks.
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?