Mesh Hi-Vis Vest — Summer Reflective Work Vest

What Is a Mesh Vest?

A mesh vest — also known on site as a mesh hi-vis vest or mesh reflective vest — is a summer work vest whose open-knit fluorescent fabric lets air straight through. It keeps the visibility logic of a woven hi-vis vest but does not trap heat against the body in the hot months. That makes it the most practical way to keep visibility on summer sites when a summer work vest is needed.

Product Features

• Fluorescent mesh fabric — the open-knit construction lets air straight through
• Two reflective bands — two horizontal silver bands around the body
• EN ISO 20471 Class 2 — a combination of fluorescent background and retroreflective tape
• Very light — adds no feeling of extra weight over the uniform
• Sleeveless, V-neck — does not restrict shoulder or arm movement at all
• Colours: neon yellow, neon orange
• Fastening: hook-and-loop or press studs
• Sizes: S – 4XL standard; XS and 5XL on request
• Logo: left chest and back application
• Minimum order: 100 pieces · standard lead time 15 working days

Technical Specifications

• Visibility class: EN ISO 20471 Class 2
• Fabric: 100% polyester mesh knit
• Weight: ~120 g/m²
• Reflective: 50 mm silver tape, two rows front and back
• Cut: sleeveless, V-neck, open front
• Fastening: hook-and-loop or press studs
• Colours: neon yellow, neon orange (fluorescent)
• Size range: S – 4XL (XS and 5XL on request)
• Logo application: transfer print, woven patch
• Place of production: Zeytinburnu, Istanbul — our own facility
• Shipping: within Türkiye and abroad

The Visibility Problem on Summer Sites

Hi-vis clothing is mandatory in summer too; but every extra layer worn in the heat means a heat load. The result on site is well known: the vest comes off. The hard hat stays on, the boots are worn, but the hi-vis vest gets hung up to one side — and visibility disappears at exactly the hours when daytime traffic is heaviest.

The summer mesh work vest exists to change that behaviour. The open-knit mesh fabric lets air straight through; body heat is not trapped under the vest, and sweat evaporates. Because staff do not have to take the vest off, visibility lasts the whole shift.

The second benefit is weight. At ~120 g/m², the product does not feel like an extra layer over the uniform. On long shifts, this difference is what decides whether the garment is worn or not.

For heat stress and duties on summer sites, see our article What is PPE — a guide to personal protective equipment.

What Does Class 2 Mean?

EN ISO 20471 classifies hi-vis clothing by the area of fluorescent background material and the area of retroreflective tape. This product has both: the neon fluorescent mesh body gives daytime visibility, and the two silver bands around the body give night-time visibility under headlights.

Class 2 is the highest class a sleeveless vest can reach. Class 3 also requires tape on the sleeves and shoulders, and therefore a garment with sleeves — which is why no sleeveless vest can be Class 3. If your specification says Class 3, you need a sleeved product with a fluorescent background, such as the 5-in-1 work jacket; we confirm the conformity documents for the required class before the order.

For more on the differences between classes, see our EN ISO 20471 reflective classes guide.

Which Vest for Which Season?

The mesh vest and the woven vest are not alternatives to each other but two seasonal options for the same team:

• Summer mesh work vest (this product) — for the hot months; breathable, light and creates no heat load. Because of its open-knit construction it does not keep out wind or cold.
• Reflective hi-vis safety vest — woven fabric; can be worn all year round, is more durable and blocks the wind in cool weather.
• Reflective engineer's hi-vis vest — with a pocket layout; for site staff who need to carry an ID card, radio and pen.

At companies that plan across seasons, the common practice is to order the summer mesh and the woven vest together for the same team: mesh in the hot months, woven the rest of the time. This gives both comfort and year-round visibility.

Who Wears It?

Summer construction teams — to keep visibility going on sites above +30 °C.

Road maintenance and asphalt crews — summer is the busiest time for asphalt work; the ground temperature rises above the air temperature.

Logistics, warehousing and parcel services — summer shifts on open loading bays and yards.

Ports and open-yard operations — teams working across wide areas with no shade.

Traffic, car park and valet services — staff working amid vehicle traffic.

Event, festival and organisation staff — at summer outdoor events, staff on duty need to be both identifiable and cool.

Agriculture and landscaping teams — for teams on long shifts without shade, a light vest is what keeps it on all day.

Logo Application

Because of its open-knit construction, mesh fabric calls for a special approach: it is not embroidered — the needle opens up the knit and the hole grows. Two methods are used on this product:

• Transfer print — applied to the mesh with a carrier; economical and quick.
• Woven patch — a separately made woven/embroidered patch is sewn onto the vest. More durable, with a strong corporate look; preferred for vests that are washed often.

An important rule: the logo must not cover the reflective tape. Reducing the tape area affects the product's visibility class. So placement goes in the area above the upper band on the left chest, or in the mesh area between the bands. For a comparison of methods, see our logo printing and embroidery methods guide.

Made to Order for Your Company

We produce the vest for your company in terms of colour (neon yellow / neon orange), tape layout, fastening type and logo placement. Our own design team plans the logo placement around the reflective tape line — so that your corporate identity stays visible and visibility performance is kept. We prepare a digital placement visual before the sample.

Production takes place at our own facility in Zeytinburnu, Istanbul; we ship within Türkiye and abroad. For details, see our custom uniform design page.

Order Quantity and Price

The minimum order is 100 — per product line, not per size. The colour and size mix can be arranged freely within this quantity.

Because vests have a wide size tolerance, planning the size breakdown for large teams is easier than for other products. The unit price is calculated from the colour, tape layout, logo method and quantity together.

You can see the current price by entering your quantity in the calculator on this page and request a quote with the “Request a quote for this product” button on the same screen. For companies planning summer and winter vests together, we work out a framework price — contact us through the quote form. We explain our minimum quantity structure on the bulk logo workwear production from 100 pieces page.

Care and Service Life

Wash at 30 °C on a low spin. Do not use bleach — it fades the fluorescent colour and directly weakens daytime visibility. Fabric softener is not recommended either.

An important point with hi-vis clothing: a faded vest no longer gives the same protection, despite its certificate. When the fluorescent colour loses its strength, or the reflective tape starts to crack, blister or come away, the garment should be replaced. We recommend reviewing vests used heavily with dust and sweat on summer sites at the end of the season.

Do not iron — a hot iron permanently damages both the mesh knit and the reflective tape. For details, see our workwear care instructions page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a mesh vest replace a woven vest?

In terms of visibility, both are Class 2. The difference is comfort: mesh breathes in summer, while woven is more durable and blocks the wind in cool weather. Most companies plan both together for the same team.

Can a Class 3 mesh vest be made?

No. Class 3 also requires reflective tape on the sleeves and shoulders; no sleeveless vest can reach this class. If Class 3 is needed, a sleeved product should be chosen.

Does logo printing hold on mesh fabric?

Yes. Transfer print or a sewn-on woven patch is used; embroidery is not applied to mesh knit. On vests that are washed often, a woven patch lasts longer.

Does the reflective tape deteriorate with washing?

Testing reflective tape to withstand a set number of washes is part of the standard; however, the number and conditions of washes vary by product. If the tape shows cracking, blistering or dulling, the garment should be replaced.

Can I have the company name printed on the vest?

Yes. The back area is used for the company name and job title; placement is planned so as not to cover the reflective tape.

What is the minimum order?

100 pieces, and this quantity is per product line, not per size.

Do you ship abroad?

Yes. Production takes place at our own facility in Zeytinburnu, Istanbul; we ship within Türkiye and abroad.