ANSI Class 2 Safety Vests - The Standard for Roadway Visibility

Class 2 applies to workers exposed to vehicle traffic at roughly 25 to 50 mph, or to environments with elevated background distraction that makes visibility harder. Common Class 2 roles include road construction crews in lower-speed zones, surveyors, parking and toll attendants, warehouse workers near forklifts, and airport ground crew. The Federal Highway Administration's MUTCD guidance sets Class 2 as the minimum requirement for workers in the right-of-way of a federal-aid highway, with Class 3 required at higher speeds or in reduced visibility conditions.

Mesh vests are lighter and more breathable, well-suited to warm weather, high-activity tasks, and layering over other clothing without adding bulk or trapping heat. Solid polyester vests are more durable and weather-resistant, holding up better against wind, light rain, and abrasion — a better fit for cooler conditions or tasks involving contact with rough surfaces. Both fabric types can meet the same Class 2 certification; fabric choice is a comfort and durability decision, not a compliance one.

A breakaway design is recommended (and in some workplace safety programs required) for workers operating near conveyors, rotating machinery, or other equipment that could snag loose clothing. The 5-point tear-away construction releases instantly under tension, preventing the wearer from being pulled into the equipment. If your work doesn't involve proximity to moving machinery — for example, surveying in an open area or general warehouse tasks away from equipment — a standard zip-front or hook-and-loop closure vest is generally sufficient. When in doubt about whether snag hazards exist in your work environment, the breakaway option adds an important safety margin at minimal added cost.

Yes — by design, a safety vest is meant to be worn as the outermost garment so the fluorescent background material and reflective tape remain fully visible. ANSI/ISEA 107 certification assumes the garment is worn uncovered; a vest covered by a jacket, coat, or other outerwear no longer provides the certified visibility, regardless of the vest's own certification status. In cold weather, choose either an insulated certified outer layer (such as a certified hi-vis jacket) or a certified vest sized to fit comfortably over your winter clothing while still being the visible outer layer.

This comes down to what you regularly carry during a shift. Surveyors and field inspectors often benefit from multiple pockets for documents, tablets, and tools — see our dedicated Surveyor Vests collection for pocket-heavy configurations. Workers who primarily need visibility without carrying gear may prefer a simpler, pocket-light vest that's lighter and less prone to snagging. More pockets generally means more fabric and weight, so match the configuration to your actual task needs rather than defaulting to the most feature-loaded option.