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Initially designed to increase visibility on the roads during the 1940’s, the 3M Reflective Material has gone on to become commonplace and the ultimate safety necessity. Over the years, more and more brands have experimented with the material, incorporating it into their apparel and onto their footwear.
Put in its simplest terms, it works when light hits the 3M material and is then reflected back to produce a bright and highly visible silver light. The material itself uses ‘retroreflection’, helping us to see it in dimly lit or dark condition, making it perfect for athletes and workers who are outside at night time.
Over the years scientists have tweaked and developed the 3M material to improve reflectivity and brightness specifically for our vision. By working on neural network models and adapting the material, they have ensured the viewer sees the reflection even quicker than before.
The material is now often used for lifestyle clothing and footwear, some of the most eye catching uses of reflective material include:
Nike Air Max 97
Inspired by Japan’s ultra-aerodynamic bullet trains, the upper of the Air Max 97 OG had fluid, streamlined strips of 3M throughout. Shown below is the most recent Engineered Mesh release.
ICNY
After being knocked off his bike by a car in the dark, Mike Cherman set out to start a brand that created functional yet stylish clothing that would keep the wearer visible and safe when worn at night.
Nike 21C. Windrunner jacket
Nike created an innovative reflective jacket for US athletes to wear on the podium of the 2012 London Olympics.
Onitsuka Tiger California
The reflective heel panels on this late 1970’s shoe gave extra visibility during night runs. This was essential as many Japanese joggers in this era preferred to exercise in darkness.
maharishi x Futura ‘Fu-Splinter’ Collection
Fu Splinter was a DPM pattern developed by maharishi in collaboration with Futura that incorporating his iconic Pointman character. The jacket featured the “Fu-splinter” pattern printed in 3M glass bead reflective inks.
adidas Originals Selection Collection ‘Reflection Pack
An all-over and polka dot reflective upper was used on two ZX 9000’s to form one of the very first size? Exclusive Select Collection’s packs.
Details
3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material - C790 Carbon Black Stretch Transfer Film is the deepest black and highest stretch reflective material we’ve ever made, with the brightness you’ve come to expect from Scotchlite reflective material.
3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Consumer Solutions Products are designed for use in athletic and casual wear for the consumer market. When properly used, Scotchlite reflective material helps enhance the visibility of the wearer in nighttime or low-light conditions when illuminated by a light source such as headlights, by returning the light back toward the original source and reaching the automobile driver’s eye. Scotchlite reflective material – consumer solutions products are composed of wide angle, exposed retroreflective lenses and are available as transfer films, footwear films, and a fabric.
REFLECTIVE: 3M™ Scotchlite™ Reflective Material is designed for enhancing visibility in low light and nighttime conditions
CARBON BLACK: Patented Carbon Black technology yields a rich deep black color, a high level of reflectivity and color durability
STRETCH: High stretch and recovery in all directions for freedom of movement. Resists cracking to maintain appearance.
BRIGHTNESS: An initial average brightness of 300 RA enhances visibility when illuminated and makes an impactful statement when transitioning from unlit black to illuminated bright
OFF-ANGLE BRIGHTNESS: Bright and visible from many angles achieved via patented construction