High Visibility Safety Vest

[Benjamin]

Hey everyone, I hope that your training is on target and you're looking forward to the big day.

I am finding it difficult to source a good hi vis vest that fits the required standard. I found a Nathan vest on the net but it doesn't conform to the 4602:1999 Class N requirement.

Can any of you let me know of a shop or website where I can get one. I have all the other equipment and have tested it out, this is the last piece I need.

Thanks

Benny

[Tom]

Hey Benny,

The vests sell at any work wear shop such as Seears in Canberra.  I think you can also get them from Bunnings or hardwear stores.  They are not a running vest so you will not find them in your normal outdoor stores.  They are a workwear item as none of the running ones are good enough.

Cheers,

Tom

[Benjamin]

Thanks Tom, I followed your advice and got one from Bunnings today.

Cheers

Benny

[Tom]

No worries Benny.  That is great.  For other people still wondering; To keep it simple, your vest needs to have 'AS/NZS 4602:1999' on the tag.  It must be for night wear (ie it has retro reflective material on it) and it needs to be so large that it can fit over your back pack and you can still do the velcro up on the front.  We have accommodated all sorts of different running vests, cycling vests, reflective bands etc in the past 3 years and it just hasn't worked.  Many runners have had their vests covered over or their vests haven't been adequate and drivers on Tableland Rd have been unable to see some runners until the last second.  This has been in perfect conditions too.  So that is why we have now made a standard that is simple to follow.  The last time I was in the Blue Mountains at night it was so foggy that I could not see more than 20m in front of the car.  I had never been in fog like it.  I kept missing the roads I was trying to turn into.  So the Australian Standard vests are an extremely important part of your safety when travelling on public roads and if it is that foggy we will probably make you wear the vest at all times during the night.  The vest will cost you about $20.  Also remember that your race number still needs to be visible on your front so having the number on an elastic waist strap (triathlon band) might be a pretty good idea.
Thanks everyone!
Cheers,
Tom

[Benjamin]

For anyone who needs to get one, the vest I bought at Bunnings cost $9.95 and has AS/NZS 4602:1999 on the tag. I got a double XL (I wear a medium t-shirt) and it fits over my pack comfortably with room to spare if it gets cold and I have to wear all of my mandatory gear.

I thought that there would be a few people who have the wrong type and after reading Tom's message will be needing to get a new one, so thought that I would let you all know about the cheap ones at Bunnings.

Thanks again Tom for answering my question, I double checked all my gear against the list on the website as I didn't want to get turned away or have to go on a spending spree at the last minute.

Cheers

Benny