Better with Braces
- Apr 24
- 3 min read
Why shoulder braces make high-visibility clothing safer
When it comes to high visibility clothing, not all Class 3 garments are created equal.
On paper, two garments may both meet the requirements of ISO 20471 Class 3, yet in practice, their real-world performance can differ significantly. One of the most overlooked, yet critical, design features is the inclusion of shoulder braces.
This isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about visibility when it matters most.
What the standards say
(and what they don’t)
ISO 20471 sets minimum requirements for
high-visibility clothing, including the amount and placement of reflective tape needed to achieve Class 3 certification.
However, it’s important to understand what the standard does not do:
ISO 20471 does not mandate shoulder braces
It allows multiple design configurations to meet the same class
It sets a minimum, not an optimal solution
However, in the UK, such as Chapter 8 of the Traffic Signs Manual and the “Red Book” go further in practical guidance for road workers. It illustrates and stipulates configurations that include full shoulder braces, recognising their role in improving visibility from multiple angles, particularly in complex, real-world environments.
More tape = more visibility
At its simplest level, garments with shoulder braces contain more retroreflective material.
A typical Class 3 garment without braces meets the minimum tape requirement. Add braces, and you increase the total reflective surface area by approximately 40%.
That increase isn’t just a statistic, it directly improves:
Detection distance in low light
Recognition of the human form
Visibility from elevated or oblique angles
In safety terms, more visible surface area means more opportunity to be seen.
Understanding how visibility really works
High-visibility clothing relies on two distinct elements:
Fluorescent fabric: for daytime
Fluorescent materials enhance visibility in daylight by converting UV light into visible wavelengths, making the wearer stand out against the background.
Reflective tape: for low light and darkness
Retroreflective tape works by returning light (e.g. from vehicle headlights) directly back to the source, making the wearer visible in:
Night-time conditions
Poor weather
Low-light environments
This is where shoulder braces become critical.
When the body disappears
Consider a worker in a ditch, trench, or partially obscured environment.
Without shoulder braces:
The torso bands may be hidden below ground level
The wearer’s outline becomes fragmented or lost
Visibility relies on limited or obstructed tape
With shoulder braces:
The upper body remains visible above obstructions
The human form is more clearly defined
Drivers and plant operators can identify a person sooner
In low-light conditions, this difference can be the difference between being seen, or not at all.
The compromise problem
In today’s market, many garments are designed to:
Reduce cost
Incorporate additional features (pockets, loops, branding space)
Improve perceived comfort or style
Often, shoulder braces are one of the first elements to be removed.
But this raises a fundamental question:
Should safety ever be compromised for convenience or cost?
When the primary function of a garment is to protect the wearer, removing a key visibility feature is a trade-off that deserves scrutiny.
Better with Braces
At Leo Workwear, our position is clear.
With over 45 years of expertise in high-visibility clothing, we design products with one principle in mind: maximum protection for the wearer.
Where ISO 20471 Class 3 is required, we will always recommend garments that include full shoulder braces, not just to meet the standard, but to go beyond it.
Because compliance is the starting point. Safety is the objective.
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