Mesh Vests
Mesh Safety Vests - Lightweight & Breathable Hi-Vis
Mesh safety vests use an open-weave polyester construction that prioritizes airflow and breathability — the right choice for warm-weather work, high-activity tasks, and any situation where a vest needs to be worn over other clothing for extended periods without trapping heat. The open mesh structure allows air to pass through the garment far more readily than solid polyester, reducing heat buildup and sweat accumulation during active outdoor or warehouse work.
Our mesh vest collection includes both reflective (with retroreflective tape meeting ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 2 or Class 3 requirements) and non-reflective configurations, available in the standard ANSI-approved colors of lime yellow-green and orange. Pocket configurations range from simple, pocket-free designs to multi-pocket styles for tools and documents. Closure options include zip-front, hook-and-loop, and breakaway designs for work near moving machinery.
Mesh fabric does have one tradeoff worth understanding: it offers less wind and abrasion resistance than solid polyester, since the open weave allows more air (and light rain) to pass through. For colder conditions or environments involving heavier abrasion exposure, solid polyester vests typically perform better. Use the filters on this page to sort by ANSI class, reflective status, pockets, and color.
- Product
- Qty in Cart
- Quantity
- Price
- Subtotal
-
Kishigo Single Pocket Zipper Economy Lime Vest 1567
Kishigo
$15.15Kishigo Single Pocket Zipper Economy Lime Vest 1567 Features: ANSI 107 Type R | Class 3 Compliant 100% polyester mesh. Zipper front closure. 2″ wide reflective material. Left chest mic tab. Left chest pocket. Color: Lime Sizes: SM-MD,...$15.15
Mesh Safety Vests — Frequently Asked Questions
Choose mesh for warm weather, high-activity tasks, or any situation where a vest will be worn over other clothing for extended periods — the open weave significantly reduces heat buildup and improves comfort during physical exertion. Choose solid polyester for cooler conditions, environments with abrasion exposure (rough materials, frequent contact with surfaces), or light rain protection, since the solid fabric blocks wind and moisture more effectively than open mesh. Many workers keep both types available and switch seasonally or based on the specific day's task and weather.
No — a vest without retroreflective tape cannot meet ANSI/ISEA 107 Class 1, 2, or 3 certification, regardless of the fluorescent mesh color, since the standard requires both fluorescent background material AND a minimum area of retroreflective tape. Non-reflective mesh vests are appropriate only for environments where ANSI compliance isn't required — daytime-only, low-risk settings where fluorescent color alone provides adequate visibility. If your work requires certified visibility, choose a reflective mesh vest with the sewn-in ANSI certification label rather than a non-reflective style.
ANSI-certified mesh vests are tested and certified to meet the same background material and retroreflective tape requirements as solid polyester vests of the same class — the open weave doesn't reduce the certified visibility performance, since the fluorescent fibers and reflective tape placement still meet the standard's photometric requirements. The visual perception of mesh can sometimes appear slightly less saturated up close due to the open weave structure, but this doesn't affect the garment's certified compliance status or real-world visibility performance from a typical observation distance.
Quality mesh fabric holds up reasonably well to regular wear, though it's generally less abrasion-resistant than solid polyester due to the open weave structure, which can snag or tear more easily on sharp edges or rough surfaces. For most general job-site use — construction, warehouse work, traffic control — mesh vests provide adequate durability for regular daily wear. For environments with frequent contact with rough materials, sharp edges, or heavy abrasion, solid polyester or a heavier-weight mesh construction will typically hold up better over time.
Mesh vests offer minimal rain protection — the open weave allows water to pass through readily, so the vest will get wet quickly in any meaningful rainfall. The fluorescent fabric and reflective tape generally continue to perform their visibility function when wet, but the vest itself won't keep you dry. For work regularly exposed to rain, a solid polyester vest provides somewhat better water resistance, though neither mesh nor standard solid polyester vests are designed to be fully waterproof — for genuine wet-weather protection, pair your vest with dedicated rain gear as an outer layer.