UK : Hi Viz vest out of Poundworld

For UK readers
Hi Viz vest from Poundworld (cost £1)
Includes 2 reflective stripes that go all around

Comes in 3 sizes I think (small, medium, large)

I got this hi viz vest out of Poundworld. In some shops these used to be ridiculously expensive (some still are) but I guess the likes of the pound/dollar shops smashed their monopoly. It's only £1 but it seems decent quality. To have the 2 reflective strips all around is great. Its 100% polyester and can be washed at 40 degrees a maximum of 25 times. This one is a 'large' size. Plenty of room. Great for commuter cycling. In the UK if you are going to buy a hi-viz then this one should certainly be considered. I don't like 'full jackets' or suchlike. It is also 'meshlike' (albeit, quite close meshing) which should help with sweating.

Amazon USA search (all depts) :  'Hi viz vest'
Amazon UK search (all depts) :  'Hi viz vest'

update : Nov 2015

Apparently UK trading standards forced it's withdrawal in 2014 as their tests suggested the grey trim has almost no reflective property.

Daily Mail article Nov 2015

I did a quick photo test using a torch comparing it to Boardman overshoes and a Decathlon arm strap. my 'test' was inconclusive (to me)

Rerflective backpacks

reflective gray backpack

hi-viz backpack

I spotted these backpacks in Sports direct (UK)

I especially like the gray one as it's cooler looking and presumably glows under lamp light. It's £25 though. I'm presuming there are other alternatives.  The bags were being marketed for 'runners' but would be great for bike commuting I guess. It looks like they have waterproof zips but there is nothing saying the bags are waterproof.

Yellow 15l bag bag. Much Lighter. Presumably only 'hi-viz' and doesn't 'glow' (not sure). Was £12.

Gray 15l bag. Seems sturdier than the yellow bag. Presumably scothlite or something similar. Was £25. 

Reflective ankle straps (accessories of interest to me)

A pair of decent reflective ankle straps are always welcome to a commuter cyclist. With a quick skim search of google, they do seem a bit expensive. The best known 'brand' I have heard of are Respro.

I would say it's best to have the velcro type for ease of use, but maybe there's reasons to get another type.

My ideal commuter cuffs ankle cuffs would have :
velcro
silver colored all round
quite wide, for bad weather wnyhow

Here are 3 that caught my eye with my skim search of Amazon, but I am not endorsing them

UK

USA

USA

UK : Polaris Windgrip Gloves (vortex protection)

This product may only be available in the UK
Review 
Polaris Windgrip cycle gloves (with vortex wind protection)
Cost : Around £20
Reason bought : As lightweight windproof gloves for cycling.

Verdict : They are ok as a lightweight windproof spring/autumn cycling glove with lots of freedom of movement but their use is limited to me due to weather and temperature concerns. 

Main points :
Lightweight, windproof, showerproof, with lots of silicon gripping on palm, made of 100% polyester

What they are not :
For very rainy condition ? Not breathable ? Very little thermal insulation.

These gloves seem to be only available in the UK (or perhaps the EU). Polaris seem to be based in Derby UK. There is not much about these gloves on the Polaris website or on the internet in general.

UK : Wilko Wireless Cycle Computer £7.50

For UK readers
I spotted this in Wilkinson Stores recently

Wilko Wireless Cycle Computer for £7.50, reduced from £15

Previously I bought what appears to be the common 'cheap' wireless cycle computer off Ebay (called something like brand name 'Sunding' wireless cycle computer) for about £8 via Hong Kong which I found to be useless junk (I will write about this later).

I have since bought a 'Bell' Wireless Cycle Computer for £15 which I found to be good. After my 'Sunding' experience I guessed it was unlikely I would get a decent wireless cycle computer for under £15 (I would consider Cateye since I expect them to be quality), but my guess is that this will be of a decent standard (not confirmed).

Hopefully this is a new standard price for wireless cycle computers rather than a brief sale. I would guess that wireless cycle computers will make the wired type obsolete over time.