How can I help my teen be seen on roads in the dark?

[Ihateprawns]

Like most teens my daugyrwr mostly wears black but has a long walk home. I would like to get her something to go on her backpack or clothes so she is visible to cars and other road users. She has agreed to wear something but only if it is not too conspicuous when she is at school.
I am thinking of something on her backpack and perhaps an arm band or something but after any recommendations please.

Cyclist/runner's hi-vis sash or harness? Easy to stow away while at school.

Eg
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Reflective-Running-Visibility-Armband-Adjustable/dp/B0CGRZZZDD/?th=1

NB as a bonus, a family member found that wearing hi-vis while walking greatly increased the respect they were accorded by cyclists on the pavement (yes, I know ). It was as if the hi-vis triggered cyclists to see the pedestrian as "one of them". Make of that what you will!

Hi-vis tape for the backpack comes in a variety of colours, including silver/white, so you might be able to come up with something acceptable to both of you.

Eg
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Feet-Reflective-Honeycomb-Tape-White/dp/B071W3JJDV/?th=1

Reflective keyrings to add to zips, Amazon has a huge range, some unobtrusive, some more decorative.

Pro - Vis drawstring bag or coat.

Proper technical sports wear.
Something that looks like a proper jacket.
One of many brands is
https://provizsports.com/collections/running-jackets?country=GB&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=20811204612&gbraid=0AAAAADpxJw03zuxhLy2DbAOB3-jDno5oC&gclid=CjwKCAjw88HWBhA3EiwAo2Zd6Fwv9So2R2Iyfj7SdAuKIJpfj6q2GYmMXBlOVCDQF_RwLdrHoW0PkBoCm7wQAvD_BwE
Find what she likes to wear as normal.

Whole new backpack
https://provizsports.com/products/reflective-active-20l-backpack

Warm
https://provizsports.com/products/reflect360-womens-quilted-down-jacket?_pos=1&_sid=2fb9df14d&_ss=r

Have a look on Amazon. There are all sorts of straps, covers & clip on lights she could put on when she is a safe distance from school. She can just put them in a pocket of her bag during the day

I wouldn't bother with the small accessories, just get the jacket or bag that is itself reflective in the dark.

Just get a high viz chest strap or armband

It folds up really easily to go in their bag

it doesn’t cost much

Actually, it can go in a coat pocket if it won’t fall out

Reflective backpack covers are worth a look. They stretch over the whole bag so she is visible from behind, but fold away into a pocket during the school day. Clip-on LED lights on a zip pull are another teen-tolerated option, small and cheap.

A Silva Smini 250 head torch with rear light. I love mine. It lights up the path and takes retinas out.

You could also get her a reflective strap or something from Proviz.

Reflective Rucsac Cover there are also hi viz ones out there too - Google or Amazon.

This is well meaning but no teenager in the world is going to voluntarily put a head torch on to walk home, and especially not one who has said they don't want something 'too conspicuous'. (I say this as a fan of my head torch for early morning dog walks!)

My mum bought me one of these. I never wore it.

Far better to choose a reflective jacket/bag or, with reflective stripes - no decision to make each day.

Horrible for pedestrians coming the other way though. They blind me.

And nothing to remember/bother about after a long day at school.

There is a difference between hi vis and reflective accessories. As a driver reflective armbands etc show up really well in the dark even from a distance, hi vis not as well

Proviz cyclists' backpacks are great if pricey. You will find other useful things on their site.