"Vest" covers a wide range — from a smart padded gilet over a corporate shirt to a fluorescent safety vest on a loading dock. The first question is always: is this a comfort garment or a safety garment?
The vest families
| Type | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Padded / quilted gilet | Outdoor staff, events, light cold | Core warmth without restricting arms; takes embroidery well |
| Fleece gilet | Indoor-outdoor, mild cold | Soft, breathable mid-layer; lighter than padded |
| Softshell gilet | Outdoor, wind & light rain | Wind-resistant and water-repellent shell; most technical |
| Hi-vis safety vest | Roads, warehouses, logistics, sites | Fluorescent fabric + reflective tape; often legally required |
When hi-vis is non-negotiable
If staff work near moving vehicles, on roads, in warehouses with forklifts, or on construction and logistics sites, high-visibility clothing is typically a legal safety requirement. In Europe this is governed by the EN ISO 20471 standard, which defines visibility classes by the area of fluorescent fabric and reflective tape:
- Class 1: lowest coverage — low-risk, low-speed environments.
- Class 2: mid coverage — typical for warehouse and general logistics.
- Class 3: highest coverage — roadside, high-speed traffic, low light.
Hi-vis garments certified to EN ISO 20471 are PPE. Confirm the required class for your site before ordering — fluorescent colour alone is not certification. We can supply with the appropriate standards documentation for European import.
Branding without breaking the spec
On a safety vest, branding must not reduce the certified fluorescent/reflective area below the class threshold. Logos go in designated zones. On comfort gilets, branding is unrestricted — embroidery on the chest is the durable choice.
Quick recommendation
- Near traffic or vehicles → EN ISO 20471 hi-vis, correct class.
- Outdoor warmth, wind & rain → softshell gilet.
- Branded layer, mild cold → padded or fleece gilet.