If your child cycles, scoots or walks to school in the dark winter months, then it’s so important to make sure that they’re visible to passing traffic (I’m assuming here that you live somewhere like us where there isn’t a wonderful, safe segregated route all the way from your home to the school gate!)
Until this winter we’ve had both boys dressed in hi-vis vests over their coats. However, this year N has entered Juniors, and part of the rite of passage is that he now has his own rucksack, which he proudly wears on his back as he’s cycling along. This is great, as it’s less for Chris or I to carry in our own rucksacks, but the downside of course is that it covers N’s hi-vis vest.
So it was with fortuitous timing that Dublin based company Motion Fox got in touch, and asked if we would review their new expandable children’s hi vis vest.
Affiliate disclosure: Cycle Sprog may get a small commission if you make a purchase from the links in this post. For more information please see our affiliate policy
UPDATE: Motion Fox have sadly gone out of business, but their vests are sometimes available on Ebay.
From the start, we’ve been impressed with the vests for a number of reasons:
- firstly they are designed to be fun hi-viz clothing that kids would actually want to wear. No looking like a minature scaffolder here, just the chance to wear a fun vest that transforms them into a ladybug or turtle at the drop of a rucksack. Motion Fox wanted to create a safety garment that also emphasized the fun and enjoyment of being outside in the fresh air, and they involved children in the design process, which really shows;
- secondly, they are really well thought through. They can be worn as a standard hi-vis vest, which fits over a school coat, or by undoing some poppers, can expand out to fit over a rucksack; and
- finally, they work. The hi-vis material on the front and back of the vests really stands out in the dark, and the colours of the vests catch the eye on a dreary day.
The boys have been wearing the vests every morning on the cycle ride to school for over two months now, and here is how we’ve got on.
What were the original impressions of the Motion Fox hi-vis kids jackets?
Ok, I took a risk with this, and in the interests of conducting a thorough review I requested a Turtle vest for the eldest (7) and a ladybug for the youngest (5), which on the website photo looked a bit pink. Would my 5 year old son wear a pink vest?
When I showed T the ladybug, his face dropped. “I’m not wearing that” he retorted. “Why not?” I replied, trying to sound innocent. “It’s PINK – eugh!” I hasten to add this is despite my best efforts at not enforcing gender stereotyping….
After proving to him that it was in fact a very similar colour of red to his football and rugby shirts, and not pink, he finally accepted it was red.
Immediately the vest went on, and he was crawling round the floor like a mini-beast, and demanding a rucksack to wear so he could fill up the shell. Phew!
N, my eldest, loved the Turtle vest at first sight, and since then we’ve embarked on some interesting discussions on use of gender in language, with a few probing questions about what male ladybirds are called and questions such as “Ladybirds are red and not pink, aren’t they?” as he’s putting on his vest. I’ve now resorted to calling the vest the ‘Motion Fox’ when we’re in a hurry.
What are the Turtle and Ladybird hi-vis vests like to use?
I’ve been very impressed with the quality of the vests . There is a zip up the front keeping everything in place when they are riding. In the past, we’ve had issues with velcro fastening vests coming undone en-route. The zip has so far withstood all the pressures of daily use, and shows no sign of degrading.
The poppers that open and close the shell are fixed firmly into the fabric, and I’ve seen no signs of any stress around the joints.
When worn over just a coat, both boys are able to get the vests on themselves, and fasten them up. When being used over his rucksack, N can’t reach round and get the vest over the rucksack and his arm through the hole, so he needs some help with that bit.
We’ve had the vests screwed up in the bottom of bags, soaked and dried on the radiator, and they continue to look great. The label says they can be washed cold up to 25 times. We’ve only washed them once (without fabric conditioner), and they’ve come out looking as good as new.
At school, they are highly regarded by both parents and children alike, and get numerous comments about how cool and funky they are (a definite plus point if you want your child to wear one).
Something to bear in mind regarding sizing
If your child is similar to our eldest, it’s entirely possible that they may carry an ‘adult’ rucksack that is stuffed to the gills with all manner of books, snacks, water bottles and musical instruments. If so, look at going up a size to ensure there’s space!
How hi-vis are the vests?
At the end of the day this is the most important bit, and the Motion Fox certainly delivers. In low light conditions, the red, yellow and green fabric stands out really well. Once it gets dark the hi-vis material comes into it’s own. On both the front and back of the vests the pattern is extremely visible when car headlights shine on them, and I like the fact that they look a bit different to a standard hi-vis strip. I wonder if the unusual layout might help catch the eye of any drivers not paying enough attention to the road and its users. I hope so.
Update
The other evening, one of our neighbours passed us in the car on the way home from the school Christmas Fayre. Stopping to chat on the driveway, she mentioned how impressed she was with the vests – she couldn’t believe just how bright they were, and how much they stood out in the darkness, when her headlights shone on them. Top marks Motion Fox!
Review of Motion Fox Hi Vis kids vests – the final vedict
I love these vests, the kids love these vests – they’re fun, they’re safe, and after a month of daily wear appear to be very well made. I’d recommend them to anyone looking for a way to keep the kids visible during the autumn and winter months – whether they’re riding a bike, walking or scooting, especially if your child wears a rucksack that hides a normal hi-vis vest.
Where to buy MotionFox kids Hi-Vis vests
MotionFox were based in Dublin, and several UK based bike shops also stocked the Ladybird and Turtle vests. Sadly they now appear to have gone out of business, so you would have to look secondhand to find one of these vests.
====> Check availability on Ebay
Cycle Sprog were provided with the Motion Fox Hi Viz kids Turtle and Ladybug vests for review
Other posts you may like whilst you’re here:
- The best bike lights for kids
- The best children’s winter cycling gloves
- How to keep your child’s head warm under their cycle helmet
- Family Cycling Safety for Winter
- How to assemble a kids bike out of the box
- The best kids bikes – our pick of the very best
This review was first published in December 2013 and updated in January 2021 to reflect the availability of the vests.
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