Hi Vis Pants

The Hi Vis Pants collection covers work, casual, and everything between. Quality construction, smart designs, and materials chosen for Australian conditions. Bottoms that perform day after day.

Why Choose Our Hi Vis Pants

Hi-vis pants with reflective tape around the leg, in the stretch drill and cargo cuts that get worn every day anyway. 

Why Tape Below the Waist

Moving legs and arms create a distinct rhythm of light (biomotion), making it instantly clear that a person is walking or working nearby. Tape on the torso AND legs lets drivers and machine operators recognise a full human form rather than a floating torso, resulting in earlier recognition of a person at a greater distance. Bending or crouching near obstacles can also block tape on a shirt from the vision of approaching machine operators. Having tape on the lower body ensures continued reflectivity when workers are lower to the ground, or reaching into racking or enclosed spaces with their upper body. 

It's a compact range due to the specialised nature of the work sites that have lower body reflective requirements. FXD carries the most, followed by CAT.

Cuts and Fabrics

Stretch drill makes up the bulk, in straight and cuffed legs. Cuffed hems are the ones to look at if you want something that sits inside your boots for safety, or you’re working in excessively wet or muddy conditions. Cargo styles in cotton drill have thigh pockets, and there are tactical cuts with a flexible fit, heavier operator-style trousers, and some leggings for the ladies with multi-function pockets. Colours stay dark - navy mostly -  letting the tape do the visibility work.

Keeping the Tape Working

Reflective tape is the part of these trousers that wears out first, and it does so quietly. Tumble drying is the main culprit, because heat degrades the retroreflective layer and the tape gradually goes from bright to dull grey without ever looking obviously damaged. Wash them cold, inside out, and hang them to dry to maximise their lifetime

It's worth checking the tape every few months in a dim shed with a torch, since a band that has stopped reflecting looks much the same in daylight as one that hasn't. When it goes, the trousers are still perfectly good work pants - they've just stopped doing the one extra job you bought them for.

Matching Them Up Top

If your worksite requires taped pants, chances are they will require taped shirts, too.The hi-vis shirts range has taped versions across most of its styles, and there are taped and cuffed pants, and leggings in specific women’s cuts in the women's hi-vis range.

Order a Pair and See How They Sit

Hi-vis pants are available online as part of the broader hi-vis range, with free shipping anywhere in Australia on orders over $175. Check out the size guide on the individual product page for all the details you need to ensure that you order the size you need - first time! Come and see them at the Parafield showroom if you want to try before you buy. 

Pro tip: Ordering two pairs at once means you won’t have to use your drier! That’s better for your electricity bill and the lifetime of the tape on your pants. One will always be dry when the other is still on the line.

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Frequently asked questions

Are hi vis pants compliant with AS/NZS 4602.1 for day and night work?

Some hi vis work pants feature reflective tape around the legs to improve visibility in low-light conditions, but reflective tape alone doesn’t guarantee compliance with AS/NZS 4602.1. At Allingtons, you’ll find taped work pants from brands including FXD, CAT and Ritemate. For day and night work, check the pants' stated certification and your worksite’s requirement, as reflective pants are often worn with a compliant hi vis shirt or jacket rather than used as a substitute. Our hi vis buying guide explains the different visibility classifications.
What is the difference between taped (Day/Night) and untaped hi vis pants?

Taped pants have retroreflective bands, usually around the knees and ankles, that bounce light back to headlights and torches so you're seen at night. Segmented biomotion tape, like on the Ritemate RMX and FXD WP-3T Reflective Stretch Work Pants, also highlights leg movement. Untaped hi vis pants rely on fluorescent fabric, which only works in daylight. True Day/Night garments combine fluoro fabric with tape, and only fluorescent yellow, orange and orange-red count for daytime. Navy taped pants help at night, so check your site's rules for daytime. Our hi vis buying guide explains more.
Do hi vis pants run true to size, and how do I choose the leg length?

Fit varies by brand and cut, so measure rather than guess. Measure your waist where you wear your pants and your in-leg from crotch to floor without shoes, then compare with the brand chart. Ritemate RMX pants are the most flexible for length, with regular, stout and long fittings plus women's sizes 8 to 24. FXD men's pants have an 81cm inseam across sizes according to the FXD sizing guide, and cuffed styles are more forgiving if you're between lengths. Our pants sizing guide walks you through measuring.
Are hi vis pants available with reinforced knees or knee-pad pockets?

Reinforced knees, yes. The Ritemate RMX Flexible Fit Tactical Pants with Reflective have a reinforced knee patch, the CAT Taped Elite Operator Trousers feature durable reinforced knee panels, and the CAT Taped Cuffed Dynamic Pants add reinforced knee overlays. None of our current hi vis pants listings mention knee-pad pockets.
How long does the reflective tape stay compliant after washing?

There's no fixed number of washes, because tape life depends on the tape itself, how you wash and dry the pants, abrasion and sun exposure. Pants cop a beating at the knees and ankles, right where the tape sits, so inspect it regularly and check the care label for manufacturer guidance. Replace the pants if the tape is cracked, peeling, missing segments or looks dull under a torch. Regularly worn hi vis often needs replacing around every 6 months, and faded hi vis isn't effective. See our hi vis buying guide for more on staying visible.
How do I wash hi vis pants without damaging the reflective tape?

Follow the care label, then empty the pockets, close the fly and turn the pants inside out before washing cold on a gentle cycle. Use a mild detergent without bleach, and skip fabric softener, which can leave residue on the tape. Brush or rinse off heavy mud first rather than scrubbing the tape with harsh stain removers. Wash separately from Velcro and rough gear to limit abrasion. Line dry in the shade, avoid tumble drying and don't iron over the tape. Once the tape cracks or peels, replace the pants, and pair them with a Ritemate hi vis shirt for day/night coverage up top.