APEX Men’s 100% Reflective Waterproof Cycling Jacket

The visibility thing is real

We've tested a lot of hi-vis cycling gear that promises 360-degree reflectivity and delivers a couple of reflective panels on the back. The Proviz APEX is different. The entire outer shell is made from reflective fabric, so when a car's headlights hit it, the jacket lights up all the way around — sleeves, front, back, sides. It's genuinely arresting in a way that a reflective stripe is not. The CE EN 20471 certification backs this up: that standard has actual photometric requirements, not just a marketing claim.

Rain performance

Proviz upgraded the waterproofing rating from 10k/10k on the previous version to 15k/15k here, which puts it in the range where sustained rain stops being a problem. The seam-sealed construction matters as much as the rating — seams are where cheaper jackets fail first. We'd call this a legitimate all-weather commuter jacket. It won't match a Gore-Tex Pro shell in a true downpour, but for everything short of a sustained monsoon it holds up well.

The PU waterproofing is integrated into the Tricot 4-way stretch fabric itself, which is why Proviz was able to drop the inner mesh lining. In practice the stretch fabric breathes reasonably on its own, though you will feel warmth build on hard efforts. The redesigned underarm vents — zipless this time, just open panels — help more than you'd expect, and they improve arm movement too.

Fit and feel

At 537g this is a legitimately light jacket, and the back pleat gives you the range of motion you want in an aero position. The fleece-lined collar is a small detail that makes a real difference on cold mornings — it sits against skin rather than scratching. Velcro cuffs seal out wind, and the elasticated waistband keeps the hem from riding up on climbs.

The reinforced mesh overlay on the shoulders addresses a specific real-world problem: backpack straps abrade jacket shoulders faster than almost anything else. If you commute with a pack, this matters.

Three pockets — front, rear, one side — is a reasonable haul for a road jacket. The rear pocket is big enough for a wallet, keys, and a phone. Nothing revolutionary, but nothing missing either.

Where it falls short

The reflective fabric that makes this jacket special also makes it look unmistakably utilitarian. It's a striking silver-white in daylight, which reads as safety gear rather than casual wear. That's the correct trade-off for a commuter jacket, but if you wanted something you'd walk into a café without feeling conspicuous, look elsewhere.

Breathability is the other honest caveat. 15k/15k is solid, but this is not a soft-shell situation — on hard intervals in mild weather, you'll feel the heat. The vents help at steady efforts; they help less when you're pushing.

The call

At $112.49, the APEX sits at the intersection of serious waterproofing and serious visibility. For anyone who rides year-round in a place where low-light conditions and real rain overlap — which describes most of the UK, the Pacific Northwest, and most cities in shoulder season — this is a practical, well-engineered jacket that earns its keep every commute.