What should you check before you buy warm hi vis tops for your team? A good hi vis fleece sweatshirt maker tells you the class, fabric, peso, colors and sizes. It also says how wide the tape is. Our example maker is ZIMAI ( Shanghai Zimai Safety Technology Co., Ltd. ). It has sold safety gear to other countries for over 30 anni. Its product pages show what clear details look like.
In this guide, you will learn about safety classes, fleece weight, colors and sizes. You will also learn how to layer your tops and which papers to ask a supplier for.
What Makes a Hi Vis Fleece Sweatshirt Work?
A hi vis fleece sweatshirt is a warm top with bright cloth and reflective tape. Both help other people see you at work. The soft fleece keeps you warm on cold days. The bright cloth is easy to see by day. At night, the tape shines in car lights. This is most useful in winter, when days are short and dark.
Fluorescent Fabric and Reflective Tape
Two parts do the job. The first is fluorescent fabric, which is very bright orange or yellow cloth. It is easy to see by day and at dusk. The second is reflective tape. At night, it sends car light back to the driver’s eyes.
A reflective safety sweatshirt needs both parts to keep you safe day and night. You can see both parts on ZIMAI’s hi vis fleece sweatshirt allineare.

Core Parts of a Hi Vis Fleece Top
| Parte | Cosa fa | When It Works | What to Check |
| Fluorescent fabric | Makes the wearer stand out | Day and dusk | Orange or yellow shade |
| Nastro riflettente | Sends light back to its source | Night, under car lights | At least 50 mm wide |
| Fleece body | Holds in warm air | Cool, dry days | Fabric weight in gsm |
| Dark lower panel | Hides dirt | All day | It does not count toward the hi vis area |
Who Wears a High Visibility Fleece Sweatshirt?
People who work outside in cool weather wear this top the most. Road workers, builders and delivery yard staff often use it. One layer keeps them warm and easy to see. That means less gear to carry.
In iso 20471 Classes Explained for Buyers
In iso 20471 is the global safety standard for hi vis clothes in high-risk jobs. It has three classes. Each class sets the least amount of bright cloth and reflective tape a top must have.
Classe 1, Classe 2 e Classe 3 at a Glance
| Classe | Protection Level | Minimum Bright Fabric | Minimum Reflective Material |
| Classe 3 | Più alto | 0.80 mq | 0.20 mq |
| Classe 2 | Mezzo | 0.50 mq | 0.13 mq |
| Classe 1 | Basso | 0.14 mq | 0.10 mq |
The tape on a high visibility sweatshirt must be at least 50 mm wide. To pick a class, first check the risks at your site.
ZIMAI lists each hi vis fleece sweatshirt in its range as EN ISO 20471:2013 Classe II. Suo Norma EN per gli indumenti page explains every class rule.
What class depends on how large the completed top is. Less bright cloth is used at a small size than a large size. So the same design might earn a lower class in small sizes. “Always check the certificate to be sure it covers all the sizes you wish to purchase.
How EN 17353 Differs From EN ISO 20471
IN 17353:2020 is the safety standard for medium risk tasks. Consider working near slow vehicles or cycling. High-risk jobs are not meant for it. For such jobs, you will require EN ISO 20471.
How Fleece Fabric Weight Shapes Comfort
The fabric’s weight tells you how warm and thick a fleece will be.
Reading GSM on a Specification Sheet
GSM stands for grams per square metre. It tells you what one square meter of fabric weighs. On a Hi vis fleece sweatshirt, a greater number means heavier, thicker fabric. Heavier cloth is frequently warmer.
Even small gaps are important. The 300gsm fleece is 20g heavier per square meter than the 280gsm fleece. Di 7% additional fabric is added in that.

Comparing Three Polyester Fleece Models
ZIMAI makes both a lighter and a heavier fleece. If you want the lighter one, look at the HV250 280gsm fleece sweatshirt .
| Modello | Tessuto | Peso | Tape | Standard | Dimensioni |
| HV240 | 100% pile di poliestere | 300GSM | 5 cm | In iso 20471:2013 Classe II | S to 5XL |
| HV250 | 100% pile di poliestere | 280GSM | 5 cm | In iso 20471:2013 Classe II | S to 5XL |
| HV260 | 100% pile di poliestere | 300GSM | 5 cm | In iso 20471:2013 Classe II | S to 5XL |
The HV240 and HV260 share the same fabric details. The website does not say how their designs are different. So ask the sales team for clear photos or a data sheet. Check the collar, front and pockets.
Two Tone Hi Vis Sweatshirt Color Options
A two tone hi vis sweatshirt is bright on top and dark at the bottom. All three ZIMAI fleece models come in two color mixes. You can choose Hi-vi Orange with dark blue, or Hi-vi Yellow with dark blue.
You can see both color mixes on the HV260 two-tone fleece sweatshir t .
Matching Color Choice to Your Site Rules
Let your client or site rules decide between orange and yellow. Some jobs require one colour, so check before you buy.
Many buyers like a dark lower part for daily wear because it hides dirt. But only the bright part counts toward the class of a high visibility sweatshirt.

Sizing Checks Before You Place a Bulk Order
A good size plan means fewer returns and a better fit. Each ZIMAI hi vis fleece sweatshirt comes in sizes S to 5XL.
Building a Size Ratio for Your Crew
Use these steps to work out how many of each size to order:
- Write down each worker’s name and the size they usually wear.
- Count how many people need each size, from S to 5XL.
- Allow a little extra room for warm clothes worn underneath.
- Order a few extra tops for new staff and to replace worn ones.
Why a Pre-Production Sample Matters
A sample helps you find problems before the full order is made. Check the fit, the color and where the tape sits. Ask a worker to lift both arms and bend down. Then make sure the tape on the reflective safety sweatshirt can still be seen.
Layering a Fleece Work Sweatshirt in Winter
A fleece work sweatshirt is worn in the middle, not as a rain coat. If you wear a normal coat on top, people can no longer see your hi vis.
On wet or cold days, put a certified hi vis coat over your high visibility fleece sweatshirt. Our breathable hi vis parka guide shows what to look for in that outer coat.
Vetting a Hi Vis Sweatshirt Manufacturer
A good hi vis sweatshirt manufacturer can prove what it says. It shows real papers, not just nice photos.
Product Certification and Test Evidence
ZIMAI says most of its Hi-Vi workwear is CE certified. Ask for the certificate for the exact high visibility sweatshirt model you want. You can see copies on the ZIMAI certificates list .
Check that the certificate shows the model name and its class. Then read the care label. It tells you how many washes the top was tested for.
Quality Systems and Factory Audit Records
ZIMAI ha ISO 9001:2015, which is about quality. It also has ISO 14001:2015, which is about care for the environment. Some of its factories have been checked in SEDEX and BSCI audits. These audits look at how workers are treated.
Export Experience and Supplier Range
These facts show how much experience a supplier has:
- Selling abroad: ZIMAI has shipped safety gear (DPI) to buyers in other countries for over 30 anni.
- Prodotti: It sells safety gear for the whole body, from head to foot.
- Trade shows: It has taken part in A+A Düsseldorf (2023 E 2025), NSC Denver (2025) and the 139th Canton Fair.
To learn more, visitare il Profilo aziendale ZIMAI .
Domande frequenti
Is a Hi Vis Sweatshirt Classed as PPE?
SÌ, a hi vis sweatshirt made to EN ISO 20471 is PPE, which means personal protective equipment. In the EU, it must have a CE mark. An approved test body has to check it first.
- Look for the CE mark and the standard on the label.
- Ask to see the certificate before you buy.
How Wide Should Reflective Tape Be?
Reflective tape must be at least 50 mm wide to meet EN ISO 20471. Thinner tape does not pass the standard.
- ZIMAI’s fleece tops use 5 cm tape.
- Check the tape width on each reflective safety sweatshirt you look at.
Which Fleece Weight Suits Cold Sites Best?
Cold, calm days call for a 300gsm hi vis fleece sweatshirt. If you walk around a lot, or the weather is mild, you may choose a 280gsm fleece.
- Thicker fabric holds you warmer.
- What you wear beneath and over it is important as well.
Can One Supplier Match Vests and Jackets?
SÌ, one supplier can supply you a high visibility fleece sweatshirt, plus vests and jackets. ZIMAI also offers a Hi-Vi Vest, Hii noi polo & T shirt and Hi-Vi Workwear collection.
- A supplier makes color matching simpler.
- Fewer suppliers for you to check out.
What Sizes Do Fleece Work Sweatshirts Cover?
Sizes S to 5XL are available for ZIMAI’s Fleece Work Sweatshirt. Check first since other makers could provide different sizes.
- Think about warm clothes beneath.
- Test the fit by using a sample.
Conclusione
When comparing a Hi Vis sweatshirt manufacturer, four checks matter most. Examine the class, the fabric weight, the color, and the sizes. Insist on inspecting each one with either a certificate or sample before placing the whole order.
If you want clear data about each hi vis fleece sweatshirt, Shanghai Zimai Safety Technology Co., Ltd . is a fantastic match. It indicates the standard, fleece weight, tape width, and sizes of each model. Once you know your class and sizes, request a sweatshirt quote .
Shanghai Zimai Safety Technology Co., Ltd.