Bisley's "Cool Lightweight" hi vis shirts on our site all share one fabric: 155gsm preshrunk cotton drill with 125gsm cotton open mesh vents. What changes from one to the next is the reflective tape, and with it what each listing says about the hi vis standard. If you need a heavier shirt, the Taped Hi Vis Drill BT6456 and BT6482 use a 190gsm drill instead.
The shirts side by side
| Shirt | Fabric, as listed | Vents | Tape |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cool Lightweight BS6895 (long sleeve), BS1895 (short sleeve) | 155gsm drill, 125gsm mesh | Back and underarm mesh | None |
| Taped Cool Lightweight BS6896 | 155gsm drill, 125gsm mesh | Back and underarm mesh | Hoop pattern |
| X-Taped Biomotion BS6166XT | 155gsm drill, 125gsm mesh | Back and underarm mesh | X back, back hem and sleeves |
| Taped Hi Vis Drill BT6456, BT6482 | 190gsm drill | None listed | Hoop pattern |
The vents are the same on every Cool Lightweight shirt: "Vertical cotton mesh back ventilation" and "Underarm cotton mesh ventilation". The BT6456 and BT6482 listings don't mention vents. Our summer work shirt guide covers how fabric weight and airflow play out on a hot day, so we won't repeat it here.
What each listing says about hi vis
This is the part that matters on site, and the listings differ more than the shirts do. Quoted as they appear on our product pages:
- Taped BS6896: "Yellow/Navy, Orange/Navy & Yellow/Bottle comply to day/night AS/NZS 4602.1:2011". The Pink/Navy is listed differently. Our pink hi vis guide covers it and other pink options.
- X-Taped BS6166XT: "AUS RAIL AS 7471:2019 APPLIES TO RAIL ORANGE COLOURWAY ONLY". The listing doesn't quote AS/NZS 4602.1, and the plain Orange isn't covered by that rail line.
- Untaped BS6895 and BS1895: no hi vis standard is quoted on our listings.
- Taped drill BT6456 and BT6482: no hi vis standard is quoted on our listings.
Where no standard is quoted, our listing simply doesn't say, so read the garment label before the shirt goes on site. The BS6896 statement names the 2011 joint edition, which AS 4602.1:2024 has since replaced. If your site names an edition, check the label against it before anyone wears the shirt on site.
Taped or untaped: how to choose
Start with your site's rules, not the shirt. Broadly, a night rating relies on retroreflective tape, so if your site asks for day/night garments, an untaped shirt isn't the place to start. Among the Cool Lightweight shirts, the BS6896 in Yellow/Navy, Orange/Navy or Yellow/Bottle is the one whose listing quotes a day/night rating.
If you only work in daylight and your site accepts untaped hi vis, the BS6895 or BS1895 gives you the same fabric and vents without the tape. Check the label for the rating, because our listings don't state one.
If you work on the rail network, follow the network operator's requirements. The BS6166XT listing quotes a rail standard for its Rail Orange colourway only.
If you'd prefer a heavier fabric, the BT6456 and BT6482 use a 190gsm drill with taped hoops. Bisley's non-hi vis Original Cotton Drill Shirt BS6433 uses the same 190gsm weight, so it's a reasonable match for office or workshop staff who don't need hi vis.
Sleeves, colours and sizes
- BS6895 (long sleeve, "Full gusset sleeve cuff") and BS1895 (short sleeve): Yellow/Navy, Orange/Navy and Yellow/Bottle, XS to 6XL.
- BS6896 (long sleeve, "Full gusset sleeve cuff"): the same three colours plus Pink/Navy, XS to 6XL. We don't list a short sleeve version of the taped shirt.
- BS6166XT (two button adjustable cuff): Rail Orange and Orange, XS to 6XL.
- BT6456: Yellow/Navy, Orange/Navy and Yellow/Bottle. BT6482: Orange. Both XS to 6XL, with a two button adjustable cuff.
All of them have two button-down chest pockets with a pen division on the left.
Common questions
What's the difference between the BS6895 and the BS6896?
The fabric, vents and cuff are the same. The BS6896 adds a reflective taped hoop pattern, a Pink/Navy colour, and a day/night statement for its yellow and orange combinations. The BS6895 has no tape and no standard quoted on our listing.
Is the BS1895 the short sleeve version of the BS6895?
Yes. Both listings share a title, but the BS1895 photos show short sleeves, its description matches the BS6895 apart from the cuff line, and the colours and sizes are the same.
Adding a logo to hi vis
Keep logos and names clear of the reflective tape, and check with your safety officer or principal contractor before you decorate hi vis for site use. The right decoration method depends on the fabric, which is why our embroidery or printing guide suggests talking to us first about hi vis.
Browse our Bisley collection or our wider hi vis shirts range. If you're ordering for a crew, tell us the styles, colours and sizes through our custom workwear enquiry form.
