Amphipod Reflective Xinglet Vest

by Amphipod

• Up to 40% more reflective area than most standard running vests
• Front and rear reflective booster zones and full 360ş reflectivity
• Soft, chafe-free stretch strap construction for superior ease-of-movement

Product Description

AMPHIPOD® REFLECTIVE XINGLET VEST :: Look at you! You're seriously hard to miss when you're out running around in the Amphipod Reflective Xinglet Vest. This high-brilliance reflective piece is 40 percent more visible than a standard running vest, and easily lets you be seen from all angels. Soft, chafe-free, and easy to wear. Now you're looking on the bright side!

Product Details

• Shipping Information: View shipping rates and policies
• ASIN: B004DKNOTM
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (45 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,996 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

99 of 100 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars This works great March 20, 2011

By Stephen M. Charme HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

I am a serious runner (1200 miles a year) who runs at all different times of the day and night as well as in all kinds of different places--paths in a park, country roads, quiet suburban streets, busy main drags. Safety is a big concern, so I am always interested in adding to my collection of running vests and lights. This product is my newest addition, and I am quite pleased with it. Here is why.

1. This product is one size fits all because the shoulder and bottom straps are easily adjustable to accommodate different sizes. It takes seconds to put this on and take it off. Two simple clips on the bottom strap are all it takes to keep this in place. I barely know that I have it on.

2. The bottom strap does not clip at waist level, but rather just below chest level. I run with a Garmin 405cx and heart rate monitor across my chest, and the bottom strap on this product sits just below the strap on the heart rate monitor. I mention this because some people only like products that sit on their waist, but it is not at all uncomfortable for the bottom strap on this product to sit where it does.

3. This product comes in two versions. The less expensive version, which is what is pictured on Amazon, does not have a front pouch. For another five dollars you can get the version with a small front pouch (I bought that version at my local REI), which I use to keep a spare Hammer gel packet and some money to buy a cold drink at the convenience store on one of my running routes. You can also use it for car keys or a small cell phone.

4. This is highly reflective, and in fact is the same neon green worn by police officers directing traffic as well as school crossing guards. One of my daytime running routes encompasses no less than four different main drags. Before I bought this product I used to use a reflective arm band, but sometimes I had the sense that cars didn't see me until the last minute (as evidenced by a quick jerk of the wheel when the car was almost on top of me).

This product is totally different. On the same route I now see cars either switching lanes or moving over well before they get close to me. IMPORTANT: Even if you run in broad daylight facing traffic, you still need to wear something reflective. You may be able to easily see the oncoming cars, but I can assure you that I have plenty of "war stories" to prove that the cars do not easily see runners.

5. This is comfortable to wear. Over a recent three day period in the Northeast the temperature fluctuated 50 degrees (24 to 74) so I tested this wearing different kinds of clothing.

Wearing a tank top was no problem because the shoulder straps did not chafe my neck, but instead sat nicely on the tank top material. Wearing a single base layer when the weather got cooler, and then a running jacket on top of that when the temperature went below freezing was also no problem. In fact my running clothes are so thin that I only had to make a minor adjustment to accommodate the extra clothing.

7. RUNNING IN THE DARK: There is no reflective vest, including this one, that I think is sufficient by itself for running in the dark on routes with any traffic, however light (it takes only one car not to see you for there to be a big problem). Yes, this vest is highly reflective when headlights light it up. However, unless an oncoming car has its high beams on, very often the driver will not see any reflective vest until he is very close to you--sometimes too close for comfort. That is why I always run in the dark with a light that be seen from far away.

I like this vest because I can easily clip my Planet Bike Super Flash (which I have reviewed on Amazon) onto it (before I bought this, I clipped the flash onto an armband, but now the flash is positioned better). Long before the cars see my vest they see the flashing light and react accordingly.

Bottom Line: Amphipod makes quality running products, and this is one of them. This vest works very well. I prefer it over my mesh running vests because now I can easily clip my flashing light onto it for running in the dark, and also find the spare pocket that comes with the more expensive version to be handy. I definitely recommend this not only for runners, but bicycle riders as well.

Update July 28, 2011: I have now run literally hundreds of miles in the Xinglet and really enjoy it. Contrary to a recent negative review that I have read, this is not difficult at all for me to adjust. In fact, there is no need to adjust it each time you run. Just adjust it once and leave it alone until there is a change in the seasons (i.e. when I started wearing a tank top instead of a winter running jacket, I had to readjust this). As for comfort, I barely know I am wearing this regardless of what I am wearing. I do recommend buying the model with the pocket (which is not currently sold on Amazon) because it is very handy for carrying gel, cash, keys, etc.

Update December 19, 2011: I am still using this for running in the dark (as well as on main drags in the daytime). I currently use it together with the Nathan LED light and the Black Diamond Sprinter headlamp (which uses a rechargeable lithium battery, and has a flashing red strobe on the battery pack that sits at the rear of your head).

Update November 26, 2012: Still using this and very happy with it.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Great quality but one size DOES NOT fit all February 4, 2012

By Cape Writer

Amazon Verified Purchase

I'm a big guy, far larger than most at 6'2". I'm also in the midst of a weight loss regimen, having dropped 30 lbs to get down to 285, and can now fit into most of the XXL shirts and sweaters I've had packed away for the past several years. I've been walking daily and have recently started jogging for various stretches. Since most of my exercise is done after work, and it gets dark here between 4 and 6 pm in the winter, I wanted a vest for safety. This one seemed the simplest to wear and had by far the best reviews, plus the price was in my ballpark.

When it arrived I could tell right away it was well-made. The fabric quality is excellent, all the stitching and seams are even and tight, the plastic buckles and fasteners were properly designed and molded, and it's almost as reflective as the gear worn by the local firefighters. It's also extremely lightweight, so I was pretty pumped.

However after extending all the straps to their maximum length, it was still incredibly tight. The band intended to go around the user's waist was barely below my chest, making it more of a halter top. And this was while wearing only a t-shirt underneath. When dressing in layers for the cold weather typical of New England, it wouldn't fit at all. I had a friend of mine who wears XL shirts try it on, and while it certainly fit him better it was still really tight and rode unusually high on his body.

I considered returning it, but realized there really weren't any better alternatives for us porkers who are trying to drop the pounds. So I improvised, using two loops of picture hanging wire wrapped around/through each pair of buckles to extend the waistline. I also wrapped the twisted ends of the wire with a little tape to keep them from piercing my fingers or snagging my clothes. The vest still hangs far too high on my torso, but at least it's not constricting me even with the layered clothing. I'm able to put it on over my head & shoulders without unhooking the wires. It looks pretty stupid in daylight, but as long as it keeps vehicles from hitting me when unshoveled sidewalks force me onto the streets at night, I don't care.

So far it's done the job, and hopefully after dropping another 30 lbs I can ditch the wires and wear it normally. But other buyers who are on the large side need to be aware of the sizing limitations.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Reflective paint wears off March 19, 2012

By Forrest Ferris

Amazon Verified Purchase

The reflective paint wears off after a few days. I've had a replacement and it did the same thing also. I was told that I should not get it wet. Yeah, okay. I then got another replacement but a vest this time. Reflective paint is wearing off that as well. I'm giving up on this one and just taking it as a loss. It's a shame because it looks really good and low profile.