Best Hi-Vis Shirts (2026): ANSI Class 2 & 3 T-Shirts, Long-Sleeve & Polos

Short answer: if your site requires Class 3, the Carhartt Force 100496 long-sleeve is the tee I reach for — Class 3 coverage in a knit tee you can actually move in. If Class 3 in orange at half the price is what you want, the Ergodyne 8391 OR is the value play. For Class 2 in hot weather, the Carhartt Force 100495 short-sleeve or the Tingley S74022 polo cover most trades. Every shirt in this guide is in stock at Working Person's Store as of July 1, 2026, with prices, ANSI classes, and specs pulled directly from each product page.

One rule I follow in a safety category: every number in here traces back to the actual listing. If the listing doesn't state an ANSI class, I don't assign one — that's why the Radians ST11 sits where it does. I'll tell you when a shirt is Type R (rated for roadway) versus when the class is stated without a Type. And I don't rank by commission — the $15 shirt and the $111 shirt both get a fair, honest description of what they are and aren't.

What ANSI/ISEA 107 actually means on a hi-vis shirt

Every rated shirt in this guide states an ANSI class, and most state a Type. Here is what those markings mean in plain terms, based on the ANSI/ISEA 107 standard as documented by Reflective Apparel's ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 reference:

• ANSI/ISEA 107: The American National Standard for High-Visibility Safety Apparel (HVSA). It uses a Type structure that separates garments by where they're worn.
• Type R (Roadway): For workers exposed to roadway traffic and moving vehicles/equipment. This is the Type that meets roadway-work requirements. The Tingley S74022 and Bisley 312M1118T state Type R.
• Type O (Off-Road): For workers not exposed to roadway traffic but exposed to struck-by hazards from moving vehicles or equipment.
• Type P (Public Safety): For fire, police, and EMS responders exposed to struck-by hazards.
• Class 1: Minimum 217 in² fluorescent background material and 155 in² retroreflective material. The lowest coverage tier — none of the shirts in this guide are Class 1.
• Class 2: Minimum 775 in² background and 201 in² retroreflective. The standard for most hi-vis tees and polos. Higher coverage than Class 1, appropriate for moderate-speed traffic environments.
• Class 3: Minimum 1240 in² background and 310 in² retroreflective. The most coverage — greater conspicuity at higher traffic speeds. This is why Class 3 shirts are long-sleeve or button-front: the sleeves carry the extra material.
• Background material: Colored fluorescent material intended to be highly conspicuous during daylight. ANSI/ISEA 107 permits fluorescent yellow-green, fluorescent orange-red, and fluorescent red.
• Retroreflective material: Returns light back toward its source (like headlights) for nighttime conspicuity. This is the striping/tape on the shirt.

Higher classes provide more coverage and greater conspicuity at higher traffic speeds. A manufacturer's stated class is a compliance claim — OSHA does not independently certify individual garments. Source: Reflective Apparel ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 reference (fetched July 1, 2026). For the full breakdown, see our ANSI/ISEA 107 classes explainer.

All 8 hi-vis shirts at a glance

1. Carhartt Force 100496 — best Class 3 hi-vis tee

If your site requires Class 3 and you want a t-shirt rather than a sweatshirt or jacket, this is the pick. The listing states ANSI Class 3, Level 3 with 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material-5510. Class 3 in a knit tee is genuinely useful — you get the higher-coverage conspicuity that roadway and high-speed zones require without wearing a heavy layer in July. The Force performance fabric wicks moisture and the stain-release technology keeps it from looking wrecked after a month of dust. At $42.99 it is the priciest tee here, but Class 3 coverage in a breathable knit is what you are paying for.

• Grab these if: your site requires Class 3 and you want a moisture-wicking tee, not a sweatshirt.
• Skip if: Class 2 covers your work — the long sleeves are extra fabric you may not need in heat.

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2. Carhartt Force 100495 — best Class 2 tee for hot weather

The short-sleeve version of the 100496. Same Force performance fabric, same 3M Scotchlite reflective, but the listing states ANSI Class 2, Level 2 — the short sleeves cut the reflective coverage below the Class 3 threshold. That's expected and honest: a short-sleeve tee simply cannot carry Class 3 material. What makes this one stand out is the Stain Breaker Technology rated through up to 75 home washings — a hi-vis tee that holds its brightness through the wash is a tee that stays compliant. For Class 2 work in summer heat where a long sleeve is miserable, this is my default Carhartt pick at $37.99.

• Grab these if: you need Class 2 in a durable, wash-tested short-sleeve tee for hot-weather work.
• Skip if: your site requires Class 3 — step up to the 100496 or a long-sleeve option.

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3. Ergodyne 8391 OR — best-value Class 3 long-sleeve

A Class 3 long-sleeve for $23.99 is the value play of this roundup. The listing states ANSI Class 3 with Level 2 ANSI-compliant reflective material, built on a 4.1 oz hi-vis orange polyester knit with moisture-wicking treatment. The reflective runs in a harness pattern with two bands on each arm — that's the coverage that earns the Class 3 designation. The 4.1 oz knit is lighter than the Carhartt Force fabric, which some guys prefer in heat and others find thinner-feeling; that's the honest tradeoff at this price. Orange is the pick if your crew standardizes on it or you work around yellow-green equipment where orange reads better.

• Grab these if: you need Class 3 on a budget or you want orange instead of lime.
• Skip if: you want a heavier, more substantial fabric — the Carhartt Force feels more rugged.

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4. Radians ST11 NPGS — cheapest, most breathable, but unrated on the listing

At $15.00 this is the cheapest shirt on the list, and the double birds-eye mesh with Max-Dri moisture-wicking is genuinely the most breathable fabric here — it moves air better than any solid-knit tee in this guide. Here is the honest part: the Working Person's Store listing does not state an ANSI class or Type. I will not invent one. That means I can't tell you it meets a specific standard for roadway or right-of-way work. Buy it as a breathable hi-vis layer for low-risk work, yard duty, or as a base under a rated vest — not as your certified roadway garment. If a listing doesn't state the class, treat the shirt as unrated. That's the safe read.

• Grab these if: you want a cheap, breathable hi-vis mesh layer for low-risk or covered work, or to wear under a rated vest.
• Skip if: you need a stated ANSI class for roadway or right-of-way compliance — buy a rated shirt instead.

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5. Red Kap SS24OF — best uniform-grade Class 3 button-front

This is not a t-shirt. It is a Class 3 button-front work shirt, and it is priced like one at $111.59. The listing states ANSI Class 3, Level 2, with reflective striping on both the sleeves and body for 360-degree visibility. You are paying for uniform-grade construction: a two-piece lined collar, lined cuffs, two pockets with a pencil stall, VISA soil-release finish, and UPF 40 for all-day sun. This is the shirt for supervisors, flaggers, and anyone who needs Class 3 in a collared work shirt they wear as an outer layer over a full shift, not a knit tee. One honest note from the listing: larger sizes are priced higher and are non-returnable, so get the size right.

• Grab these if: you need Class 3 in a durable collared button-front work shirt with sun protection.
• Skip if: you want a knit tee or you're budget-conscious — this is the price ceiling of the group.

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6. Tingley S74022 — best Class 2 polo

The polo is the pick for anyone who wants Class 2 that reads as a collared shirt — site supervisors, inspectors, utility crews who deal with the public and want to look a step above a tee. The listing states ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R Class 2, which means it's rated for roadway exposure, not just an off-road look-alike. The snag-resistant polyester holds up better around equipment than a soft cotton polo, and the fluorescent yellow-green (lime) background is the most conspicuous daylight color. Pen pockets on the left sleeve plus a left chest pocket cover the practical stuff. At $31.99 this is a fair price for a Type R Class 2 polo.

• Grab these if: you want Type R Class 2 in a collared polo for supervisor, inspection, or public-facing work.
• Skip if: your site requires Class 3, or you'd rather have a plain tee.

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7. Bisley 312M1118T-ON — best two-tone comfort blend

The two-tone navy bottom is a practical choice: the dark lower half hides the dirt and grease that makes an all-hi-vis tee look filthy by lunch, while the top half stays compliant. The listing states ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R Class 2. What sets this one apart is the fabric — a cotton/polyester lightweight performance wicking blend with a cotton backing and Bisley Fresche antimicrobial treatment, so it wears more like a normal comfortable tee than a stiff all-poly shirt. The reflective tape is heat-sealed, so there's no stitching to fail. Good pick for guys who hate how a full-hi-vis shirt looks after a week. One thing to check: the listing doesn't show sizing in the dropdown, so confirm availability before you order.

• Grab these if: you want a comfortable cotton-backed Type R Class 2 tee that hides grime.
• Skip if: you need Class 3, or you want to confirm your size is in stock before committing.

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8. OccuNomix LUX-SSETPBK-Y — best value Class 2 for a crew buy

Same grime-hiding play as the Bisley — a dark black bottom on a hi-vis top — but in yellow and at a lower $22.00 with a stated ANSI Class 2. The 100% ANSI wicking birdseye polyester breathes well, and the 2-in silver reflective in a horizontal-plus-two-vertical layout is standard Class 2 striping. Embroidery is available, which makes this the easy pick when you're outfitting a crew with a company name. It's a no-frills Class 2 tee that does exactly what it says on the listing — nothing fancy, but honest coverage at a crew-friendly price. Note that larger sizes are priced higher.

• Grab these if: you're buying Class 2 tees in bulk for a crew and want embroidery and a low per-shirt price.
• Skip if: you need Class 3, or you want a softer cotton-backed feel — the Bisley wears more comfortably.

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Class 2 vs Class 3: which do you actually need?

The difference comes down to how much fluorescent background and retroreflective material the garment carries. Under ANSI/ISEA 107, Class 2 requires a minimum of 775 in² background and 201 in² retroreflective material; Class 3 requires a minimum of 1240 in² background and 310 in² retroreflective. That is why Class 3 shirts are almost always long-sleeve tees or button-front shirts — the sleeves add the reflective coverage and 360-degree conspicuity needed for higher-speed traffic. Short-sleeve tees and polos are typically Class 2.

You can see this directly in the two Carhartt Force shirts: the 100496 long-sleeve is Class 3, and the 100495 short-sleeve is Class 2. Same brand, same fabric platform, same reflective material — the sleeves are the difference between the two classes. If your site's traffic-control plan or safety officer specifies Class 3, you need the sleeves. If Class 2 covers your work, a short-sleeve tee or polo is legal, cooler, and cheaper. For the full side-by-side, see our Class 2 vs Class 3 guide.

Do OSHA and roadway rules require a hi-vis shirt?

Yes, in the right conditions. Per OSHA's standard interpretation, under the General Duty Clause (Section 5(a)(1)) high-visibility apparel is required to protect employees exposed to the danger of being struck by public and construction traffic while working in highway/road construction work zones. For flaggers, warning garments must conform to Part VI of the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (per 29 CFR 1926.201).

OSHA also notes the FHWA rule requiring all workers within the right-of-way of a Federal-aid highway who are exposed to traffic or construction equipment to wear high-visibility safety apparel. And per OSHA's excavation standard, 29 CFR 1926.651(d), employees exposed to public vehicular traffic must be provided with, and must wear, warning vests or other suitable garments marked with or made of reflectorized or high-visibility material. The standard sets the requirement; your site's traffic-control plan and state DOT determine whether Class 2 or Class 3 applies — Class 3 is commonly required for flaggers and high-speed zones. Source: OSHA standard interpretation letter dated 2009-08-05 (fetched July 1, 2026). For fall-related PPE, see our fall protection guides.

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