Hi-Vis shirts

Class 2 (typically as a polo shirt with a fluorescentⁱ torso and two reflective bands) is the standard for construction sites, company premises, municipal depots and roads with a speed limit of up to 60 km/h. Class 3 with a fully fluorescent base fabric and reflective on the torso plus sleeves is mandatory on motorways, for night work and in traffic management with high vehicle speeds — a Class 2 polo alone is not enough here. Class 1 is the lowest requirement and may only be worn on its own on cordoned-off company premises without public traffic — combined with a Class 3 hi-vis jacket, Class 1 is sufficient as an inner layer. In case of doubt, check the tender text or the operational risk assessment for which class is required for your deployment situation.

Das Poloshirt ist der Kompromiss aus Warnschutz und Business-Casual - der Kragen mit 2- oder 3-Knopf-Leiste wirkt gepflegter als das nackt-hälsige T-Shirt und ist die richtige Wahl für Facility-Management, Bau-Poliere im Kundenkontakt, kommunale Betriebe mit Bürger-Sichtbarkeit und Verkehrssicherer auf Landstraßen mit Anwohner-Kontakt. Das T-Shirt (Rundhals oder V-Ausschnittⁱ) ist die kühlste und beweglichste Variante - richtig für körperlich anstrengende Bauarbeit, Sommer-Tagschicht im Landschaftsbau, Logistik-Höfe zwischen LKW und alle Einsätze, bei denen Kragen als hinderlich empfunden wird. Beide Varianten sind normgerecht - viele Betriebe bestellen T-Shirt und Polo parallel, damit die Träger je nach Einsatz wählen können.

Yes — but with clear rules to preserve the EN ISO 20471 certification. A company logo by print or embroidery is possible without issue on the non-fluorescent areas of the shirt (chest area between collar and upper reflective band, back of the sleeve between reflective rings). Important: the prescribed fluorescentⁱ and reflective area must not be reduced below the standard by the logo — therefore no large-area back prints directly on the fluorescent area. For company logos, we recommend sizes up to a maximum of 10x10 cm on the chest and 15x5 cm on the sleeve. Contact us directly — we check the placement in advance and deliver the shirts back finished.

Hi-vis shirts are designed for industrial washing at 60°C (65/35 polycottonⁱ polos often also for 95°C - check the label) and easily withstand typical commercial washing at a trade laundry. Fabric softener is strictly to be avoided - it coats the fluorescentⁱ fibre with a thin layer and significantly reduces visibility and standard compliance after just a few washes. Tumble drying is approved on most models but should run at medium temperature - overheating damages the reflective coatingⁱ. Turn the shirt inside out before washing so that reflective bands and fluorescent base fabric are protected. If scratches, holes or detachments appear on reflective stripes, the shirt is to be discarded - repaired or tape-patched reflective material loses its standard approval.

Yes — all EN ISO 20471-certified models in our range must demonstrably withstand at least 25 wash and drying cycles under the prescribed conditions without fluorescence or reflective area falling below the standard values. In practice, the 100% Polyesterⁱ models achieve significantly more — usually 40 to 50 cycles until visible fluorescence deterioration. The 65/35 polycottonⁱ mix is more robust in wash behaviour (the Cottonⁱ content permanently withstands 60 °C), but after 30 to 40 wash cycles it shows a slight reduction in fluorescence intensity — recognisable by direct comparison with a new shirt. For critical safety deployment, we recommend annual visual inspection and reordering when fluorescence loss becomes visible. The reflective strips typically last longer than the fluorescence — but they are immediately taken out of service if damaged.

Per Hi-Vis wearer we recommend at least two shirts in rotation - one on the body, one in the laundry. For businesses with weekly laundry delivery, three to four shirts per employee is practical and covers even longer laundry cycles. For summer deployment periods (construction workers, landscaping, traffic safety), plan 25% reserve for unexpected wear and new hires. Brand ranges such as YOKO, Regatta and Korntex are re-supplied over years - so you can easily reorder in smaller batches and do not need to buy 5-year stocks at once. For team orders with company logo, we always recommend 10-15% additional sizes as a buffer for new joiners.

Direct women's cuts are historically rare in the Hi-Vis shirt segment - the majority of the 28 models in our range are men's-cut (23 models) or unisex-cut (5 models). For women wearers we recommend ordering the unisexⁱ models one size smaller than the typical men's size - this gives an acceptable fit without too wide shoulders. Brands such as Regatta and Roly Workwear have partly narrower cuts that also fit comfortably for female wearers. For more critical fit requirements please contact us directly - we have additional women's Hi-Vis cuts available via supplier contacts that are not listed as standard in the range.

The price range in the Hi-Vis shirt segment typically lies between 8 and 25 euros net per piece depending on brand, class and features. Basic polo shirts of the volume brands YOKO and Regatta start in the low-cost range and are the pragmatic basis for team orders from 20 pieces. Korntex and the Class 3 T-shirts lie in the middle price range and offer industrially capable robustness for businesses with high wash frequency. The Result Recycled line with rPETⁱ polyesterⁱ is slightly more expensive but delivers the sustainability argument for CSR communication. For team kit with embroidered company logo, calculate an additional 3-6 euros net finishing costs per piece depending on motif size - we deliver the shirts ready-made.