The Difference Between Class 2 vs Class 3 Safety Vest

When it comes to personal safety in hazardous work environments, understanding the difference between a Class 2 vs Class 3 safety vest plays a crucial role in preventing accidents and ensuring the well-being of workers.

Class 2 and Class 3 high visibility safety vests, often called hi-vis vests, are essential personal protective equipment for anyone working in environments where being seen can mean the difference between safety and danger. But not all safety vests are created equal.

Whether you're an emergency responder or work near heavy traffic, moving equipment, or in low light conditions, hi vis vests provide the visibility needed to help prevent accidents and injuries on the job by using fluorescent and reflective materials.

In this article, we'll explain everything you need to know about class 2 vs class 3 safety vest specifications and guide you on how to determine which option is best suited for your needs!

Learn more about safety vests in general in our Safety Vests 101 Guide.

Comparing Class 2 vs Class 3 Safety Vest Options

By choosing the right class of high visibility safety vest, you help create a safer work environment for yourself and your team. ANSI classifies safety vests into three levels based on visibility, the measured amount of reflective material, and the potential risk for injury that the vest is designed to prevent.

The classes are:

• Class 1 (**Class 1 safety vests DO NOT meet ANSI standards. These are only good for low-stakes jobs in which there isn't much risk for injury, and they have the least amount of reflective tape.)
• Class 2
• Class 3

The table below highlights the difference between class 2 and class 3 safety vests, so you can quickly compare their features and requirements.

Choosing between a class 2 vs class 3 vest comes down to risk level. While both types of products may seem similar, the differences in reflective material and coverage are significant for worker safety.

Next, let’s compare the difference between Class 2 and Class 3 safety vest requirements and features in more detail.

Class 2 Safety Vests Overview and Requirements

Class 2 safety vests are designed for workers who require intermediate levels of visibility in low-light or complex backgrounds, but do not require the maximum coverage of class 3. These vests are typically used in environments where traffic speeds do not exceed 50 miles per hour.

Here are the key specifications of Class 2 safety vests:

• Class 2 Reflective Material: Class 2 Safety Vests feature a minimum of 775 square inches of reflective tape. This tape is typically 2-inch wide and placed around the torso and shoulders, ensuring enhanced visibility from various angles.
• Class 2 Background Material: The background material of Class 2 Safety Vests must have a minimum of 450 square inches of high-visibility fluorescent fabric. This material is typically available in lime green, orange, or red.
• Additional Class 2 Design Features: To differentiate Class 2 safety vests from Class 1 vests, they often include additional reflective stripes on the shoulders or across the chest. These features improve visibility and help identify the wearer as a worker in hazardous areas. Many Class 2 safety vests also include multiple pockets to carry tools, maps, and accessories, enhancing their practicality and convenience for workers.

Select Class 2 safety vests can also be customized with a custom logo, allowing companies to promote their brand while ensuring worker safety.

Check out some of our most popular Class 2 safety vests!

Class 3 Safety Vests Overview and Requirements

If the job involves higher speeds, nighttime operations, or poor visibility, this is where Class 3 vests come in. 

Class 3 safety vests offer the highest level of visibility and are suitable for workers in high-risk environments, especially those exposed to heavy traffic exceeding 50 miles per hour.

Here are the key specifications of Class 3 safety vests:

• Class 3 Reflective Material: Class 3 safety vests are required to have a minimum of 1,240 square inches of reflective tape. This tape is typically 2-inch wide and includes both reflective material around the torso and shoulders, as well as reflective bands that encircle the arms.
• Class 3 Background Material: To ensure maximum visibility, Class 3 safety vests are constructed with a minimum of 775 square inches of high-visibility fluorescent fabric. The background material covers a significant portion of the vest, making the wearer highly visible.
• Class 3 Added Visibility Features: Class 3 safety vests often incorporate features like segmented reflective tape, which enhances flexibility and movement while maintaining visibility. Some vests may also include additional reflective stripes on the sleeves or the upper back, providing greater visibility from all directions. Proper wear of Class 3 safety vests is essential to maximize their visibility and protective benefits.

Class 3 vests are commonly used in highway construction, emergency response, flagging operations, utility and road maintenance, and any job site with high-speed traffic or low-visibility conditions. They’re especially important for emergency responders and workers who need to be easily identified in critical situations, such as incident command or during emergencies.

When comparing class 2 vs class 3 vest options, choose class 3 if you work in high-risk environments, need to be visible in poor weather or lighting, or are exposed to fast-moving vehicles.

Check out our most popular Class 3 safety vests!

Differences in Class 2 vs Class 3 ANSI Standards

What exactly are the differences in ANSI standards for class 2 vs. class 3 vests?

When comparing class 2 vest vs class 3 options, it's important to understand that ANSI sets the benchmark for visibility and protection in hazardous environments. These standards ensure workers get the appropriate level of safety for their specific job risks.

These standards specify the amount and placement of reflective material, the color of the vest, and the overall design, and categorize safety vests into different classes, such as Class 2 safety vests and Class 3 safety vests, each tailored to different levels of risk and visibility needs.

The main difference between ANSI Class 2 vs Class 3 safety vests comes down to the amount of high visibility fabric, size and placement of reflective material, and the level of coverage:

• ANSI Class 2 vests: ANSI Class 2 safety vests are ideal for workers in moderate-risk environments who need to be seen in complex backgrounds, such as roadways or utility work, where traffic does not exceed 50 mph.
• ANSI Class 3 vests: ANSI Class 3 vests offer maximum visibility and are required for those working in high-risk, high-speed, or low visibility conditions where the most visibility is needed, such as near fast-moving traffic or emergency response at night.

Many manufacturers like us offer ANSI class 2 and ANSI class 3 vests with options for custom logos, so you can combine safety with your company’s branding.

Choosing Between ANSI Class 2 vs Class 3 Safety Vests

When you’re comparing a class 2 vest vs class 3, consider the work environment, required visibility, and other factors like:

1. Work Environment

Assess the nature of your work environment, including traffic speed, complexity of the background, and lighting conditions.

• Class 2: Suitable for lower-speed traffic (up to 50 mph), less complex backgrounds, and daylight conditions.
• Class 3: Recommended for high-speed traffic, low-light environments, or complex backgrounds.

2. Job Requirements

Review any specific job requirements or safety regulations outlined by your employer or industry standards. Certain industries, such as construction, roadwork, and emergency services, may have specific guidelines regarding whether a Class 2 vs Class 3 vest should be worn.

• Class 2: Meets most moderate-risk job requirements (for example, road construction, utility work, warehouse).
• Class 3: Required for high-risk jobs (for example, highway work, emergency response, flagging).

3. Personal Comfort and Flexibility

Consider the comfort and flexibility provided by each class of vest:

• Class 2: Lighter and less bulky, allowing greater freedom of movement.
• Class 3: May be bulkier due to additional reflective and background materials, which can impact freedom of movement. Strike a balance between visibility and comfort to ensure optimal safety.

Additionally, both Class 2 and Class 3 safety vests are available in styles specifically designed for women's hi vis workwear, providing a tailored fit and ensuring both comfort and visibility for female workers.

Keep Your Team Safe With The Right Class of Vest

Ultimately, the choice between a Class 2 vs Class 3 safety vest depends on the specific needs of your work environment and the level of visibility required for your job. 

• Choose Class 2 for moderate risk, up to 50 mph traffic, and standard job sites.
• Choose Class 3 for high-risk, high-speed traffic, low light, or emergency situations.

As our name, KwikSafety, implies, it’s fundamental that our products meet industry standards to help ensure the safety of our community and its workers. It's important to us that our safety vests meet the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) requirements for Class 2 and Class 3 safety vests.

ALL of our hi vis yellow and orange vests meet ANSI Class 2 and/or Class 3 standards. They're available in various styles, including hi vis safety vests, enhanced visibility safety vests, surveyors' safety vests, traffic safety vests, and fire-resistant safety vests, each designed for specific work environments and compliance needs.

Many manufacturers like us also offer ANSI class 2 and ANSI class 3 vests with options for custom logos, so you can combine safety with your company’s branding.

By understanding the difference between class 2 and class 3 safety vest options and following ANSI guidelines, you can make an informed decision that prioritizes your safety and well-being in the workplace.

Stay visible, stay safe!

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FAQs About ANSI Class 2 vs Class 3 Safety Vests

What is the difference between class 2 and class 3 safety vests?

Class 2 vests are for moderate risk and traffic up to 50 mph, while Class 3 vests offer more coverage and are required for high-risk, high-speed, or low-light environments.

When should I choose a class 2 vest vs class 3 vest?

Choose a class 2 vest for road construction, utility work, or warehouse jobs with lower traffic speeds. Opt for a class 3 vest for highway work, emergency response, or any situation with fast-moving vehicles or poor visibility.

Are both class 2 and class 3 vests ANSI compliant?

Yes, both are compliant with ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 standards, but they meet different requirements for background and reflective materials.