Kishigo: Workwear without compromise

Kishigo: ANSI Hi-Vis Safety Apparel

Kishigo builds ANSI-compliant high-visibility safety apparel for work environments where the gear is the difference between a job site that meets OSHA requirements and one that doesn't. The lineup is organized around ANSI 107 classification: Class 2 for roadway and construction workers in 25-50 mph traffic, Class 3 for the highest-risk environments at 50+ mph or low visibility, and EV (Enhanced Visibility) non-ANSI for warehouses, parking lots, and worksites that want hi-vis without compliance certification. Every Kishigo piece on Bulkthreads ships same day with automatic volume discounts at checkout.

ANSI Class 2 Vests

Class 2 covers most of the catalog and most of the daily wear in roadway, construction, and utility programs. The economy options for high-volume programs are the 1547/1548 Zippered Mesh Economy Vest, the 1537/1538 Double-Pocket Economy Vest, the 1527/1528 Economy Contrasting Vest, the 1193/1194 Single Pocket Hook-and-Loop Vest, the 1191/1192 Economy Mesh 6-Pocket Vest, the 1571/1572 Hook-and-Loop Mesh Vest, the 1519/1520 Single Pocket Zipper Mesh Vest, and the 1089/1090 Single Pocket Zipper Mesh Vest. Mesh construction keeps these wearable through warm weather and full shifts; pocket configuration is the main spec to match against the wearer's tool needs.

The Ultra-Cool family adds breathability for hot-weather and high-output work: the 1085/1086 Ultra-Cool Mesh Vest, the 1055/1056 Ultra-Cool Contrasting Mesh Vest, the 1163/1164 Ultra-Cool Solid Front Vest with Mesh Back, and the 1195/1196 Ultra-Cool Multi-Pocket Vest.

For roadway work where a vest needs to release on snag, the 1535/1536 One-Pocket Breakaway Vest is the dedicated breakaway option. The 1509 Black Bottom Mesh Vest uses a black lower panel that hides ground dirt and grease, useful for construction and utility programs where a fully fluorescent vest looks worn-out fast.

Premium Class 2 Vests (Brilliant Series and Black Series)

The Premium tier is built for programs that want a more durable vest than the economy line — supervisors, foremen, longer-wear daily uniforms. The Premium Brilliant Series uses heavier-grade fluorescent fabric with reinforced construction; the 1510/1511 Premium Brilliant Series Heavy-Duty Vest is the Class 2 option in the line.

The Premium Black Series adds black panels to the standard fluorescent yellow or orange for a cleaner aesthetic, useful for utility, fleet, and corporate-uniform programs where the vest is part of a branded look rather than just compliance gear. The 1513/1514 Premium Black Series Heavy-Duty Vest, the 1515/1516 Premium Black Series Black Bottom Vest, and the 1580/1581 6-Pocket Contrast Vest cover the Black Series Class 2 lineup.

ANSI Class 3 Vests

Class 3 is required for workers in 50+ mph traffic and low-visibility environments (night, fog, heavy rain), and demands more reflective material and greater body coverage than Class 2. The 1565/1566 Class 3 Mesh Zippered Vest is the dedicated Class 3 vest in the Kishigo line. For programs that need Class 3 in a sleeved garment rather than a vest, see the long-sleeve hi-vis tee below.

Surveyor Vests

Surveyor vests carry more pockets than a standard vest because the wearer is hauling field tools (radios, tape measures, GPS units, notepads). The S5000/S5001 Professional Surveyor's Vest covers the standard surveyor build, the S5004/S5005 High-Performance Surveyor's Vest uses upgraded fabric for daily wear, and the S5002/S5003 Premium Black Series Surveyor's Vest brings the Black Series aesthetic into the surveyor configuration. The 1242/1243 Ultra-Cool Six-Pocket Mesh Surveyor's Vest covers the breathable mesh version for hot-weather field work.

Hi-Vis Tees and Sweatshirts

For programs where wearers need hi-vis built into the garment rather than worn as an over-vest, Kishigo's tees and sweatshirts cover the field. The 9110/9111 High-Performance Microfiber Tee is the standard moisture-wicking hi-vis short-sleeve, and the 9114/9115 Premium Black Series Breathable Tape Class 2 Tee uses segmented breathable reflective tape for cooler all-day wear. The 9145/9146 Long Sleeve Class 3 Tee is the Class 3 long-sleeve option for high-speed and low-visibility environments.

For cool-weather and outdoor programs, the JS102/103 Hi-Vis Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt and the JS150 Premium Black Series Full-Zip Hooded Sweatshirt cover hi-vis hoodies. The JS121/122 Economy Bomber Jacket covers the budget-friendly hi-vis outerwear slot for cold-weather roadway and construction programs.

EV Series (Enhanced Visibility, Non-ANSI)

The EV Series is the right pick for warehouse, parking lot, ramp, and indoor or low-traffic worksites where hi-vis matters but ANSI 107 certification isn't required. The B100/111 EV Series Multi-Pocket Mesh Vest and the B120/131 EV Series Non-ANSI Vest cover the line. EV runs at a lower price point than the ANSI vests since the certification testing isn't part of the cost.

All Kishigo styles ship same day via UPS Ground and typically arrive in 1 to 3 business days. Automatic volume discounts apply at checkout (no codes required), and free returns are included on every order. Related collections: Safety and Hi-Vis Apparel, Berne Apparel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between ANSI Class 2 and Class 3 hi-vis?

ANSI 107 classifies hi-vis garments by traffic speed and visibility risk. Class 2 is required for workers in environments where vehicle traffic moves at 25 to 50 mph: roadway construction, utility work, parking enforcement, school crossing guards, airport ground crew. Class 3 is required where traffic moves above 50 mph or visibility is reduced (night, fog, heavy rain, blizzard): highway flaggers, emergency response, tow truck operators. Class 3 requires more reflective material and full-coverage construction with sleeves, which is why most Class 3 garments are sleeved tees, sweatshirts, or jackets rather than vests. Class 1 covers under-25 mph environments (warehouses, light industrial). For under-25 mph environments where ANSI certification isn't required, the EV Series covers the same enhanced-visibility need at a lower price point.

What's the difference between Kishigo's economy and premium vest lines?

The economy vests (1191, 1193, 1519, 1547, 1537, 1527, etc.) are built for high-volume programs where the vest will be replaced regularly: roadway crews, construction sites, event marshals, where vests get destroyed in normal use and the program reorders constantly. The Premium Brilliant Series and Premium Black Series (1510, 1513, 1515, 1580) use heavier fabric and more durable construction, suited to supervisors, foremen, and longer-wear daily uniforms where a vest needs to last. The Black Series adds a black panel to the standard fluorescent for a cleaner aesthetic that fits utility, fleet, and corporate-uniform programs.

When do I need a breakaway vest?

Breakaway vests release at the seams when caught by equipment or vehicles, reducing the risk of being dragged. They're standard practice for roadway work near moving traffic, around heavy equipment with rotating or moving parts, and any environment where snag-and-drag is a real risk. The 1535/1536 One-Pocket Breakaway Vest is the dedicated breakaway in the Kishigo line. Programs that don't have those specific risk factors can use standard zippered or hook-and-loop vests instead.

Do Kishigo orders at Bulkthreads qualify for volume discounts?

Yes. Automatic volume discounts apply at checkout across all Kishigo styles (no codes required). All orders ship same day and typically arrive in 1 to 3 business days, with free returns on every order.