Glass ‘Pixels’ Printed On Bike Jacket Make It Shine At Night

A to-be-released jacket from Sugoi looks to be one of the shiniest things on the road.

Designed for nighttime bike commuters, the RPM Zap Jacket will be available in fall 2014. It is a mid-price nylon shell (under $150) with a cool feature: It is screen-printed with thousands of glass “pixels” that make for one of the most reflective garments we’ve seen.

The jacket appears normal under daylight conditions. It has an accentuated drop tail, recreational fit, big pocket on back, and long arms — all nods toward its bike-centric design.

It is not, however, breathable, which will likely be a drawback for those with even modestly long commutes. Made with coated nylon, the jacket is waterproof but will trap sweat. Rob Gill, Sugoi’s creative director, told us it is designed for short commutes and not long miles on the road.

The company claims the jacket used in the video was put through a 24-hour wash and dry cycle, which speaks to its longevity. I’d like to see for myself what this jacket can do under various lighting conditions.

“It almost looks like it’s battery powered, but it just reflects light,” Gill said.