APEX Women’s 100% Reflective Waterproof Cycling Jacket

Why we're talking about this jacket

Most reflective cycling gear makes a halfhearted gesture toward visibility — a strip of tape on the back, maybe a logo that catches headlights if the angle is right. Proviz built the APEX differently: the entire outer shell is reflective fabric, which means cars coming from the side, from behind, and head-on all see you. That 360-degree coverage, backed by a CE EN 20471 certification, puts this in a different category from most of what's marketed as "high-vis."

What 15k/15k actually means in practice

Waterproofing ratings can feel abstract until you're caught in a downpour three miles from home. The APEX's 15k/15k rating — 15,000mm hydrostatic head for water resistance, 15,000g/m²/24h for breathability — is a meaningful step up from the previous 10k/10k version. In practice: steady rain doesn't soak through, and on sustained efforts you're not cooking in your own condensation. The seam-sealed construction closes the gaps that cheaper jackets miss at the stitching. It's not a Gore-Tex shell at twice the price, but it's honest performance for the money.

The details Proviz got right

The underarm vents deserve a mention. Proviz removed the zip closures from this generation and went with open-mesh vents instead — less to fiddle with mid-ride, better airflow where heat builds fastest. The reinforced shoulders are a thoughtful addition if you commute with a pack; backpack straps are brutal on jackets over time, and the mesh overlay buys this one real longevity. Three pockets (front, rear, side) gives you workable storage without the jacket feeling overbuilt.

The Tricot 4-way stretch lining has been improved over the previous APEX — softer, more tailored, no bulky inner mesh. At 537g it's genuinely light for a fully waterproofed jacket with this level of reflectivity. The fleece-lined collar is a small comfort that matters on cold-morning starts.

The honest drawbacks

At $112.49 this is a serious purchase, and the fit is sized as women's UK sizing — worth checking the brand's size guide carefully before ordering. The all-reflective exterior is a bold visual choice; in daylight it reads as silver-grey, which won't be everyone's aesthetic preference. And while the breathability rating is solid, riders pushing hard in mild weather may still find it runs warm — it's a weather jacket, not a performance shell.

Who this is built for

This jacket exists for cyclists who ride in traffic, in the dark, in unpredictable weather — and want the protection to handle all three at once. It's a commuter tool that takes your safety more seriously than most gear at this price.