Long Sleeved, Hi-Vis Shirt Recommendations to Stop The Aussie Sun

SpainKing on 08/02/2025 - 19:58
Last edited 08/02/2025 - 21:16 by 1 other user

Howdy Bargainers, I'm looking for your best recommendations for hi-vis long sleeved shirts. The things that are important to me are:

• UPF 50/50+
• Cotton (my current, polyester shirts, feel like a wearing a plastic bag)
• Best ventilation/cooling possible
• Durable (able to withstand bushbashing)

Cheap would be a lovely bonus.

I don't care if it has fancy reflective tape or not, so feel free to recommend either, as it may help others down the line.

Also after a set of durable, breathable, non-restrictive, UPF 50/50+ gloves that are touchscreen compatible and cover the whole hand/fingers.

Thanks for your help :)

Extra, unnecessary info -

I'm very pale, so me and the sun don't see eye-to-eye very often. My parents have both developed a lot of moles/freckles on their bodies over their years living here and I'd prefer to avoid that as much as practicable to decrease my risk of skin cancer.

I already wear sunscreen and look like a terrorist on public transport with how covered up I am. I purchased some Bisley shirts online today that seemed to meet my above criteria but wanted to see what the common wisdom was. Common brand names I saw pop up were Bisley, King Gee, Hard Yakka, Carhartt and DNC Direct so please share your experiences with them

TL:DR Searching for hi-vis, long sleeved, cotton work shirts and gloves to make my whole body a place where the sun doesn't shine

EDIT: Any other ways to beat the heat and stay cool when working outside (directly in the sun) for 8 hours in summer would also be appreciated. I purchased the neck fan posted the other day and have also heard of ones you can clip to your pants/shirt that blow air into your shirt which I'm thinking of buying as gifts for some friends (again, recommendations/alternatives would give you my undying love and support)

• 

  Hybroid on 08/02/2025 - 20:05

  +1

  Bisley's hi-vis tick all those boxes. $40 without tape, $55 with tape. Shop around to find it cheaper.

  https://tradewear.com.au/collections/bisley-mens-hi-vis-shir…

  All-natural cotton fibre
  Excellent sun protection with a rating of UPF 50+

  https://tradewear.com.au/products/bisley-2-tone-closed-front…

  • 

    SpainKing on 08/02/2025 - 20:16

    Thank you, glad my research earlier this afternoon seems to have paid off. Do you have any personal experience with them and how they compare durability/comfort wise to other brands?

    • 

      Hybroid on 08/02/2025 - 21:47

      Used some of their PPE previously and had no issues. But not heavy duty wear nor qualified to assess long-term durability. They seem to be fairly standard kit and worth a go at $40.

• 

  Malik Nasser on 08/02/2025 - 21:48

  You only need the reflective tape for night work, so if you are only working days it is rather pointless.

  Most brands have 2 different material thicknesses: 190gsm and 145gsm (with vents).
  If you want to stay cooler go with the 145gsm design.
  If you want greater durability and don't mind the heat, go with the 190gsm.

• 

  bargaino on 08/02/2025 - 21:58

  +1

  Cotton (my current, polyester shirts, feel like a wearing a plastic bag)

  Cotton is only comfortable as long as it stays dry. Can you change frequently?
  Sports clothing uses synthetic cloth that wicks moisture from the skin.

• 

  dtc on 08/02/2025 - 22:05

  What about https://www.elevenworkwear.com.au/men-s/aerocool/polo-l-s-ae…

  Won’t be as durable as the heavier cotton but will be cooler

  Actually https://www.elevenworkwear.com.au/men-s/shirts/shirt-l-s-l-w… might be a better choice

• 

  try2bhelpful on 09/02/2025 - 00:44

  +3

  A wide brimmed hat to keep the sun off your face. I’ve seen road workers with hard hats with wider brims as well. Also have material for the hat that covers the back of your neck. Also wrap around sunglasses.

  I had a melanoma removed twenty five years ago off my upper arm. I had plenty of flesh to take the 1cm excision. Would be a lot more disfiguring on the face.

  With your job try to get under cover as much as possible. Perhaps think about taking an umbrella you could use for shade when you aren’t actually working.

  You have sensible concerns here.

• 

  Jimothy Wongingtons on 09/02/2025 - 09:43

  Look up pva cooling towels - it wraps around neck like a scarf , I got a set of 4 trancoo ones for like $15 on amazon last year for the days I’m out in the sun (it’s listing as $80 for some weird reason atm). Best with cold water, icy water goes best - but even tap water will be fine. Refresh it as it dries out.

  I found it more acceptable on site with the other trades than walking around with a jisulife fan haha

  It’s upf 50+ by nature too

• 

  Protractor on 09/02/2025 - 10:30

  Same as, I think?>
  https://worksafegear.com.au/bisley-pink-navy-3m-taped-2-tone…

  Almost every glove search turns up fingerless options.Maybe choose the better more suitable versions and go from there.

• 

  rumblytangara on 09/02/2025 - 11:45

  Why not just walk into a workwear store? They'll have loads of different options to try out.

  I've found that there's a big difference in fit with some workwear brands, so I won't buy online.

• 

  Tily on 09/02/2025 - 16:55

  Our PPE (hi-shirts, pants, jackets, jumpers, etc.) at work are Bisley, Hard Yakka and King Gee branded. We all have our own brands that we like as they have slightly different fits. I would suggest trying them first before buying to make sure you like the fit.

  Also hi-vis shirts comes in the vented versions, underarm area are vented. This helps to cool down when the weather gets abit warm.

• 

  Worf on 09/02/2025 - 18:48

  +1

  Fishing shirts are another thing to consider for sun protection… I’ve found they offer good ventilation and sun protection, but sadly aren’t that durable when doing heavy gardening… I’m interested in tradie ppe (for the durability), but I don’t need the hi-vis aspect as it’s just me in the backyard tackling the trees… my next work shirt might be a bisley or similar but maybe in a neutral colour

• 

  Butterfly Gocha on 09/02/2025 - 23:25

  Our workplace trialled breezeway hats for working in the sun, and various cooling headware that included balaclavas that you wet so that when the wind blows, helps cool. Also trialled gear that you freeze the day before or rolled around the neck to wet and keep cool.

  Keep hydrated with insulated flasks with cool water