High visibility gear is a range of clothing or additional equipment you can wear that makes you more visible than average, crucial when Vietnam motorcycling. The color range for this type of clothing is usually neon yellow, oranges, and red, but can diversify to any shade that is exceptionally bright and sometimes reflective.

These colors are much more sensitive to human eyes and will be picked up in a sea of dark or grey tones like those in the natural environment and typical clothing styles. More than just being seen by the driver's eyes, these bright colors are often associated with caution and emergencies so the brain registers that it needs to pay more attention and stay cautious.

Why rider visibility is important

When it comes to motorcycle accidents, one of the top comments that drivers state afterward is that they simply didn't see a rider on a motorcycle.

Inattentional blindness is the phenomenon of not seeing something that is directly in your line of sight because you were focused on something else. People do this with items in the fridge, on their desk, in their closest, it happens all the time. You’ve got something else on your mind that’s distracting your attention and literally didn’t see an object directly in front of your face, even a motorcycle! Now put that same person in traffic on their way to a busy day at work with hundreds of motorcycles in traffic and toss in some cell phone distractions. You’ll need all the help you can get just to be seen, let alone take any kind of priority on someone’s visual radar.

Wearing some high-vis defensive riding gear might be the difference between being noticed at all vs just being a blur in the background of road noise.

Image: @traveling_hawaiians - Not totally uncommon riding gear for the backpacker. Full style points are awarded while sitting still, even the slowest of speed accidents would leave the rider with a road tattoo they could probably do without.

Gear options for high visibility

More than just a flashy Hawaiian button-up with pineapples on it, high visibility gear comes in all styling options from the most basic of bright shirt right up to high-vis helmets.

Helmets

If you could choose just one item of safety gear to make you more visible, a helmet should be your go-to item. It may not be the easiest item to carry when, but a helmet is the one piece of safety gear you’re guaranteed to wear every day. In theory, a white helmet should make you more visible than black and could even be perceived as cooler in temperate due to the lower amount of light it should absorb.

Helmets come in every variety under the sun. No matter what the rest of your outfit looks like, a high-vis yellow helmet should outshine everything else you’ve got on.

LS2 OF570 VERSO HELMET

The LS2 OF570 helmet comes in high-vis yellow broken up with a black dot design to give it more than just a flat yellow look. This particular model is an open-face design that allows the user more airflow along with a quality design.

• DOT & ECE 22.05 
• 1350 Grams
• Top vent, exhaust port, channeled ports 
• Dropdown sun visor
• Reflective patch on the neck roll to reflect off driver headlights

YOHE 950 FLIP-UP HELMET

The YOHE 950 Flip-Up helmet is a prime example of a high-vis helmet that makes the rider visible to everyone on the roadways. Painted in a solid high visibility yellow, there is no mistake you will be seen.

• DOT & ECE 22.05
• 1800 Grams
• Flip-up styling
• Dropdown sun visor
• The brightest styling option available

LS2 PIONEER MX436 DUAL SPORT HELMET

A dual sport helmet that embodies safety both in the styling as well as the look. The LS2 Pioneer MX436 incorporates bright oranges, yellows, and whites to give the rider a high-vis safety appeal while appealing to the look of a track racer and adventure dual-sport rider.

• DOT & ECE 22.05
• 1550 Grams
• Closed face dual sport helmet
• Dropdown sun visor with spacing for goggles
• Ultimate head protection in both design and color

Jerseys

Something as simple as a riding jersey can make the rider both visually noticed as well as protect from the sun and prevent moisture loss from the skin. Riding jerseys often come in bright colors and loud patterns designed to capture attention even in busy centers like Ho Chi Minh City, while still allowing the body of the rider to breath. Unlike standard safety gear, they look cool too. 

FOX 180 NIRV JERSEY

With matching styling options to incorporate pants, gloves, jersey, and more. You can align the FOX 180 NIRV Jersey with a complete high-vis outfit that should light you up even after the muddiest of days exploring. 

• Moisture-wicking polyester main body fabric for enhanced performance and comfort
• Vented side panels for enhanced airflow
• Asymmetrical mesh collar and light polyester cuff
• Drop tail keeps the jersey tucked in your pants

FLY RACING DIRT LITE HYDROGEN JERSEY

Designed for racers, the Fly Racing Dirt Lite Hydrogen Jersey is both functional and fast. This blend of yellow and black give the rider more of a street look along with practical safety shades.

• Low profile multi-directional mesh collar for increased airflow
• Mesh ventilation panels integrated into the jersey in key areas to help dissipate unwanted heat
• Tagless printed collar for added comfort
• Sublimated graphics are the highest quality with powerful, detailed graphics

SHIFT MX YOUNG WHIT3 LABEL NINETY-SEVEN RED

A high-vis designed isn’t restricted to strictly neon yellows. The look of bright red with SHIFT logos to break up the color design on this MX Young Jersey allows a rider to been seen without encroaching on their cool look.

• Technical moisture wicking polyester main body
• Mesh paneling on arms and front lower torso for maximum ventilation
• Drop tail keeps jersey tucked in
• Matching gear available

Rain gear

Riding in the rain is the most challenging time for a rider to be seen on a motorcycle. During storms, everyone's visibility is reduced by the low light, added rain, and the distractions of trying to negotiate streets and roadways in blinding downpours. Riding in bright, high-vis rain gear will help a rider to be seen no matter what the conditions.

GIVI RIDERTECH RAINSUIT

One of the most trusted names in motorcycle safety gear, GIVI is a known and trusted line of quality products. Here you can keep yourself protected from the elements in the Ridertech Rainsuit as well as give yourself the best possible chance to be seen by others.

• Waterproof to a water column of 3000 mm
•  Reflective inserts
•  Ventilation on the back to improve transpiration
•  Comes as a full suit; however, the pants are black

GIVI COMFORT RANGE RAINSUIT

A step up in waterproof ability, the GIVI Comfort Rang Rainsuit has an impressive 8000mm water column. Even the most wretched of Vietnam monsoons will need to fight there way into your gear to have a chance at getting you wet.

• Waterproof to a water column of 8000mm
• Vent system on the back to facilitate skin breathing
• Meshed inner lining to guarantee the rider’s optimum body temperature
• Comes as a full suit; however, the pants are black

Gloves

In any type of accident or fall, the first reaction a rider will have is to put out their hands to protect themselves from hitting the ground. Without proper gloves to shield your hands from the ground below, you’ll rip your skin and injure your hands. Gloves make for an inexpensive added line of defense. Why not get them in high-vis?

SCOYCO MC44 GLOVES

More than just protective gear, the right gloves will allow the rider to seamlessly function in their ordinary world unhindered. The SCOYCO MC44 Gloves have reinforced palms in the high impact zone as well as a touch screen finger that allows the rider to use touchscreen devices without removing the gloves. 

• A reflective logo is used on the back of the hand for added safety
• Mold armor with shock-absorbing on the knuckles for extra protection 
• Touch screen material on forefinger for touch screen device 
• Additional protection on the base and outside of palm and little finger area

Pants

Often overlooked by casual riders due to perceived heat and uncomfortableness, the right riding pant will act as a protective layer against trees,  weather, falls, and possible accidents. A quality pant is designed with ventilation options that can be opened on hot days and closed on rainy days. Not only protective, but the right pants can also be seen by others on the road.

FLY RACING EVOLUTION 2.0 MX PANTS

Fly Racing is known as an industry leader in the world of track racing, and their designs have spilled over into casual dirt and trail riding. The Evolution 2.0 MX Pants are designed to be reinforced in the areas where riders need it most, as well as brightly crafted to be seen even after a full day of riding through the mud.

• HEX 600D construction to withstand the rigors of track and trail while providing extra breathability
• Leather heat shield panels with aramid stitching located on the inside of each leg for durability and heat resistance
• Seat panel sewn to a breathable, light mesh reduces pulling
• High visibility color scheme in teal, yellow, and red. 

SHIFT 3LACK LABEL MAINLINE MX PANTS

Pants designed to take a beating when riding backroads and dirt trails, the SHIFT 3lack (black) Label Mainline MX Pants cover all the required safety and comfort requirements of the off-road rider and come in an unmistakable high-vis yellow. The right pant to be seen in. 

• Articulated 600D main body provides durability while minimizing weight
• Triple-Layer knee construction provides excellent abrasion resistance
• 4-way rip-stop stretch paneling provides unrestricted movement
• High visibility yellow with navy patterns for the track look

Summary

When it comes to motorcycle safety and preparing yourself to ride, there really is no aspect that you should overlook in order to keep yourself safe while driving. As one of the smallest and most exposed objects on the road, it's no one's responsibility but your own to be seen. Looking cool is one thing, and more and more riding gear is designed to actually look cool and be practical. There is probably nothing less cool than preventable road scars and backpacker hood ornaments.