**The lovely people at Proviz have very kindly provided me with a discount code to share with my blog readers. For 20% off all orders, please enter phd20 and click ‘apply’ when you’ve added everything you want to purchase to your Shopping Basket. The discount should then be displayed**

Regular readers of this blog will know that I complete most of my training runs when it’s dark. Like most runners, I have to fit in running around a full-time job. This leaves me with two options; run before work or run after work.

Although I live in what I’d describe as a relatively ‘safe’ area and feel happy running in the dark on my own, I’ve always been worried about how visible I am to other pedestrians, runners and motorists.

Last month, I was walking to the local shops when a runner flew past me and gave me a bit of a scare. The runner was dressed in dark clothes, and I didn’t notice them until the last second. I then spotted someone running in the most amazing reflective running jacket. The contrast got me thinking about my outfit choices on my early morning and evening runs.

When I got home, I posted a question on a running forum asking for recommendations for reflective running gear. Several people recommended Proviz, a brand I hadn’t heard of. I checked out their website and spent a bit of time trying not to put a price on my safety!

I decided the reflective running jackets were slightly out of my price range, found a running gilet I liked the look of, tracked down a discount code and treated myself to a REFLECT360 women’s running gilet. The gilet should have cost £69.99 but thanks to a discount code I ended up paying £59.49.

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A couple of days later the gilet arrived in the post. I tried it on – it fitted me perfectly – and hung it in my running wardrobe. And then I caught the office lurgy and felt far too ill to run.

Before I provide some information about the Proviz REFLECT360 women’s running gilet and launch into my review, I thought I’d share a bit of information about Proviz.

An Introduction to Proviz

The Proviz story started in London in 2008, where two brothers were commuting by bike to their corporate jobs. It was during these daily commutes that they realised the limitations of the products being used by commuters. They identified a gap in the market to provide innovative, light-emitting and reflective cycling products.

In the years since the business was first set up, Proviz has introduced several collections catering to everyone from first-time runners to hardcore cycling fans. The running gilet I purchased is part of the globally renowned REFLECT360 Collection. As with all of my product reviews, I thought it would be useful to share a bit more information about the product I’m reviewing.

Proviz REFLECT360 women’s running gilet

According to the Proviz website, using millions of tiny, highly reflective glass beads, the innovative reflective material used for the REFLECT360 running gilet gives you a 360-degree reflective surface. This means that any light from vehicles will reflect back to the driver and help you stand out in advance to give ‘astonishing reflectivity’.

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The running gilet has been designed to give you a super lightweight running gilet that looks great and helps you stand out at night. Designers focused on the weight of the gilet to give you optimum comfort. It feels so light you won’t even feel like you are wearing an extra layer.

The gilet has side pockets that help to keep essentials zipped up securely. Proviz added handy zip pulls so runners don’t have to remove their gloves. The gilet has fitted shoulders and a super comfortable soft-mesh back and under arms that allow all the heat that you build up to escape.

Key Features

• 100% reflective outer-shell
• Lightweight
• Windproof
• Water Resistant
• Breathable
• Rear/Side mesh for enhanced breathability
• Two side pockets
• Zip guard and lock zip
• Elastic waist

The review process

In theory, the review process was incredibly straightforward. All I had to do was wear the REFLECT360 running gilet on my training runs. This was simple until I caught the office lurgy and had to take a break from running. I’m now back up and running and feel that I’m a position to produce what I hope will be an informative review.

I’m taller than average so I was a little concerned the running gilet would be too short in the body for me. I was also worried I’d underestimated the size I needed. I needn’t have worried, I’d ordered the right size and the gilet fits me perfectly.

How did I find the key features?

The main reason I bought a reflective gilet was an awareness that I could do more to make myself visible on my early morning and evening training runs. The standard of driving in Four Oaks is what I’d described as ‘mixed’ and I didn’t want to get squashed. The first time I wore the gilet I actually received a ‘complaint’ from a driver. The driver described the gilet as “a distraction” apparently seeing me running along a pavement was quite off-putting.

I think it’s safe to say the gilet is reflective and works!

The gilet is also lightweight; in fact, it’s so lightweight I’ve almost forgotten I’m wearing it a couple of times. This can be slightly concerning midway through a training run.

The Proviz gilet is most definitely lightweight.

I didn’t just opt for a gilet rather than a jacket due to my stinginess. I’ve always been what I’d call a cold weather runner, I seem to get warm quickly no matter how cold it is outside. My optimum running temperature seems to be anything below 4°c. Any warmer and I start to feel too warm and end up having to remove layers. Buying a running gilet, therefore, made more sense than buying a running jacket.

So far, I’ve worn the gilet on training runs in temperatures ranging from 8°c down to -1°c. Although I did start to feel a little warm towards the end of one of my training runs, I didn’t feel like I was in danger of overheating.

The Proviz gilet is both breathable and moisture-wicking.

And the negatives?

This is a really tiny negative but I think it’s worth mentioning. I find the rustling sound the gilet makes when I’m running a tad irritating, it reminds me a little of plastic bags. Pedestrians and dog walkers can definitely hear me approaching, I guess this is a good thing.

I found getting a decent ‘action’ shot of me wearing the gilet virtually impossible. In the end I had to ask my rather reluctant personal photography assistant to take a photo of me wearing the gilet. Apologies for the terrible photo of me post run, at least you can see how reflective the gilet is!

I’ve already mentioned the price so I won’t repeat myself.

The washing machine test

I need to make a bit of a confession now. Although I found this comprehensive washing guide which suggests that the gilet can be washed by hand, I’m yet to wash my Proviz gilet. I’m not the most domesticated person on the planet so I’m a little concerned I’ll somehow manage to destroy the gilet. So, if you spot a tall female runner wearing a reflective gilet in Four Oaks, I’d probably recommend you keep your distance.

The Verdict

So, would I recommend the Proviz REFLECT360 women’s running gilet to other runners? Yes, I would. Although the gilet is quite expensive, I have worn quite a few different brands and styles of running gilets in the past. The Proviz gilet is the most comfortable gilet I’ve worn. In fact, it’s so comfortable I’ve almost forgotten I’m wearing it on a few occasions. The Proviz gilet is also breathable, a feature of running clothing quite a few brands promise but few seem to deliver.

**Full disclosure: I bought the Proviz REFLECT360 women’s running gilet myself. I was not asked to review the gilet, but decided to share my honest thoughts on a piece of running kit I personally think is really useful. As always, all opinions and dodgy photographs are my own**

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