Author Topic: Reflective ankle straps. (Read 3653 times)

quixoticgeek · « **on:** 15 February, 2018, 07:51:10 pm »

I need to get a set of reflective ankle straps, I'm after some that I can wear all day and all night. Does anyone have any recommendation for some ankle straps that are comfortable for long term wear, and also comfortable when worn next to the skin when wearing shorts.

Thanks

Julia

Kim · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 February, 2018, 07:53:44 pm »

I think long-term comfort dictates velcro, rather than snap-wrap (unless you have tiny ankles).

LittleWheelsandBig · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 February, 2018, 07:54:11 pm »

Surely reflective anklets rest on your socks, not your skin?

Kim · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 February, 2018, 07:58:53 pm »

Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 15 February, 2018, 07:54:11 pm

Surely reflective anklets rest on your socks, not your skin?

I expect that rather depends on whether you're wearing socks.

quixoticgeek · « **Reply #4 on:** 15 February, 2018, 08:00:46 pm »

Quote from: LittleWheelsandBig on 15 February, 2018, 07:54:11 pm

Surely reflective anklets rest on your socks, not your skin?

Depends how long your socks are. I tend to wear socks that don't go much above the top of the shoe. I'm not having to comply with UCI rules, so can wear what ever socks I like.

J

ijsbrand · « **Reply #5 on:** 15 February, 2018, 08:02:50 pm »

The only straps I ever liked to use are made by Vaude, as those are the only ones you do not really have to wear too tightened. So, they are not that noticeable.

Except that they are huge, expensive, and only fit for use in winter, as they work well as ankle warmers too.

Jakob W · « **Reply #6 on:** 15 February, 2018, 08:06:05 pm »

I've a pair of <rummages in saddlebag> Pacific Outdoor Equipment reflective velcro straps that I picked up on sale at my LBS years ago. They're fairly heavy-duty tarp-like material with a printed-on reflective layer, which is pretty effective; they work both as trouser straps and as ankle bands, but might be a bit sweaty in extended use. I don't wear them next to skin, but over my socks.

Is this for your ultra race? Depending on how the letter of the law is interpreted, might you be ok to wear socks with reflective yarn? Eg. the Rapha brevet socks have reflective and hi-viz bands woven in, and are nice and comfy.

Kim · « **Reply #7 on:** 15 February, 2018, 08:06:55 pm »

This might be a job for a SkyRide bib^[1] and some sewing machine time. At least that way you could make them comfortable.

_{[1] Other cheap sources of reflective material are available.}

LittleWheelsandBig · « **Reply #8 on:** 15 February, 2018, 08:11:29 pm »

HK has sensitive skin, achilles, etc. and dislikes wearing reflective anklets. When required to wear them (e.g. RUSA brevets), she makes sure she uses long enough socks to stop the anklets rubbing on her skin. She also makes sure that the anklets has a softer fabric backing, rather than hard plastic with edges that can abrade the skin during a long ride. Losing skin after a few thousand pedal strokes can be a bit of a bitch/ bastard (delete as applicable).

Si S · « **Reply #9 on:** 15 February, 2018, 08:13:38 pm »

I wonder if fruitcake otp has thoughts on this, I've not found any that are comfortable next to skin.

quixoticgeek · « **Reply #10 on:** 15 February, 2018, 08:16:43 pm »

Quote from: Jakob W on 15 February, 2018, 08:06:05 pm

Is this for your ultra race? Depending on how the letter of the law is interpreted, might you be ok to wear socks with reflective yarn? Eg. the Rapha brevet socks have reflective and hi-viz bands woven in, and are nice and comfy.

This was my first hope, but I contacted race control and they said that reflective socks aren't acceptable it has to be ankle straps. Which is a pain.

I'm not looking forward to wearing them all day and night for a week.

J

Jakob W · « **Reply #11 on:** 15 February, 2018, 08:20:51 pm »

In which case you may be better off finding some longer comfy socks so that you can wear straps over them?

Kim · « **Reply #12 on:** 15 February, 2018, 08:22:02 pm »

Or some reflective socks with a hole in the toe, which is basically a really long ankle strap, isn't it?

Jurek · « **Reply #13 on:** 15 February, 2018, 08:24:24 pm »

Quote from: Si S on 15 February, 2018, 08:13:38 pm

I wonder if fruitcake otp has thoughts on this, I've not found any that are comfortable next to skin.

Funnily enough, that was my immediate thought.....

Danu · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 February, 2018, 08:24:47 pm »

Respro ankle bands, are preferred choice

fimm · « **Reply #15 on:** 16 February, 2018, 09:05:23 am »

Quote from: Kim on 15 February, 2018, 08:06:55 pm

This might be a job for a SkyRide bib^[1] and some sewing machine time. At least that way you could make them comfortable.

_{[1] Other cheap sources of reflective material are available.}

+1. That is what I did. Get some velcro for the join. That way you get cloth rather than plastic next to your skin. In your place I'd probably use some of the bib material to make them good and wide (the ones I made for myself are just the reflective bits).

Si S · « **Reply #16 on:** 16 February, 2018, 09:15:04 am »

Quote from: Jurek on 15 February, 2018, 08:24:24 pm

Quote from: Si S on 15 February, 2018, 08:13:38 pm
I wonder if fruitcake otp has thoughts on this, I've not found any that are comfortable next to skin.

Funnily enough, that was my immediate thought.....

I think we'll go with great minds there, as opposed to the other one

andrew_s · « **Reply #17 on:** 16 February, 2018, 11:34:09 am »

I use the Respro ones, which are neoprene, velcro fastening, yellow one side, scotchlite grey reflective on the other side.
http://road.cc/content/review/49996-respro-hi-viz-ankle-bands
http://respro.com/store/product/ankle-bands

Quite comfortable against the skin, but may be loose if you have skinny ankles.

quixoticgeek · « **Reply #18 on:** 16 February, 2018, 11:46:57 am »

Quote from: andrew_s on 16 February, 2018, 11:34:09 am

I use the Respro ones, which are neoprene, velcro fastening, yellow one side, scotchlite grey reflective on the other side.
http://road.cc/content/review/49996-respro-hi-viz-ankle-bands
http://respro.com/store/product/ankle-bands

Quite comfortable against the skin, but may be loose if you have skinny ankles.

I don't have skinny ankles...

Shall investigate them.

J

Paul H · « **Reply #19 on:** 16 February, 2018, 02:44:41 pm »

Quote from: andrew_s on 16 February, 2018, 11:34:09 am

I use the Respro ones, which are neoprene, velcro fastening, yellow one side, scotchlite grey reflective on the other side.
http://road.cc/content/review/49996-respro-hi-viz-ankle-bands
http://respro.com/store/product/ankle-bands

Quite comfortable against the skin, but may be loose if you have skinny ankles.

+1
And last well, partly because they're too expensive to lose.

Ham · « **Reply #20 on:** 16 February, 2018, 05:53:31 pm »

Paging Fruitcake... Fruitcake to the foot treadle powered phone please

http://baileyaccessories.co.uk/

sure he'd incorporate some reflecty-stuff if you ask nicely.

rogerzilla · « **Reply #21 on:** 16 February, 2018, 08:19:43 pm »

IME slap bands always fall off. One of mine is still on the City Road in London.

Velcro ones are better, but usually too long.

zigzag · « **Reply #22 on:** 17 February, 2018, 11:01:47 am »

buy a piece of stretchy reflective band, cut it to size, and stitch/superglue it into a loop. i've done this before and it worked great.

Veloman · « **Reply #23 on:** 17 February, 2018, 11:09:33 am »

Quote from: Ham on 16 February, 2018, 05:53:31 pm

Paging Fruitcake... Fruitcake to the foot treadle powered phone please

http://baileyaccessories.co.uk/

sure he'd incorporate some reflecty-stuff if you ask nicely.

And theses are fantastic. very happy with the ones I purchased and it would be really easy to add some reflective material from a very cheap tabard/bib.

mattc · « **Reply #24 on:** 17 February, 2018, 12:09:17 pm »

Quote from: rogerzilla on 16 February, 2018, 08:19:43 pm

IME slap bands always fall off. One of mine is still on the City Road in London.

Velcro ones are better, but usually too long.

by "slap bands" do you mean the ones with a single sprung metal strip inside?

How on earth do yours fall off??

I find my velcro ones more comfortable (and yes, too long!), but I don't use ankle-bands for many miles a year, and suspect that velcro won't last forever. Surely more likely to fall off than the springy ones?!