Is the Ergodyne GloWear 8274 Women's the right hi-vis shirt for warm-weather road, utility, and municipal crews who need a Class 2 garment cut for a woman's frame?

Short answer: If you need ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 Type R Class 2 visibility in a short-sleeve shirt that's actually shaped for a woman's frame, the GloWear 8274 Women's in lime is one of the cleaner picks in the hi-vis shirts category. It earns its Class 2 rating with 775 sq in of fluorescent yellow-green background and 201 sq in of retroreflective tape, and the moisture-wicking polyester makes it wearable through a summer shift. Just confirm your work zone's speed and lighting actually call for Class 2 rather than Class 3 before you buy — our ANSI/ISEA 107 guide walks through that call.

Ergodyne GloWear 8274 Women's Hi-Vis Class 2 Shirt — Lime Review (2026)

The 8274 Women's sits squarely in the ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 Type R, Class 2 tier — Type R meaning it's certified for roadway and public-access work, and Class 2 meaning it carries the ~775 sq in of fluorescent background and 201 sq in of retroreflective tape that the standard sets for that level. In plain terms, that's the visibility band for work near traffic under about 25 mph, parking and lot work, warehouse yards, flagging, and municipal operations — the kind of jobs covered in our how to choose a hi-vis vest and when does OSHA require high-visibility references. What sets this SKU apart from the rest of the hi-vis shirts line isn't the class — it's the contoured women's cut and the lime (fluorescent yellow-green) colorway, which our hi-vis colors explained reference notes reads with strong contrast against orange-heavy equipment. If your spec or work zone pushes past Class 2, step over to the Class 3 shirts or a Class 3 vest instead.

Editorial verdict — 4.3/5
For the money, the 8274 Women's Lime delivers honest Class 2 compliance plus a fit women workers actually keep on — a meaningful comfort-and-wear-rate win over a unisex shirt, as long as Class 2 is the right tier for your zone.VIEW ON WC SAFETY →CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON →

As an Amazon Associate, WC Safety earns from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability are accurate as of the date shown and are subject to change. Full affiliate disclosure.

Who it is for

• Road and street crews working traffic zones under ~25 mph with control measures, who need Type R Class 2 compliance in a comfortable shirt
• Utility and municipal field workers who want hi-vis built into the garment rather than a separate Class 2 vest
• Flaggers and parking/lot attendants in lower-speed, daylight environments covered by OSHA's high-visibility guidance
• Warehouse and yard crews who want a breathable hi-vis shirt for warm indoor-outdoor work
• Women workers tired of unisex hi-vis that bunches or hangs — the contoured cut is the whole point here
• Summer crews who'd otherwise skip a vest in the heat and should instead wear a moisture-wicking hi-vis shirt

What the Ergodyne GloWear 8274 Women's (Lime) does well

Honest Class 2 compliance

The 8274 hits the ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 Type R Class 2 numbers — 775 sq in fluorescent background, 201 sq in retroreflective tape — so it's genuinely spec-compliant for the work it targets, not a look-alike. See our ANSI/ISEA 107 guide for how those areas are measured.

A fit women actually keep on

The contoured women's cut is the real differentiator versus a unisex hi-vis shirt. Shaped at chest and hip, it keeps the retroreflective striping positioned correctly and avoids the bunched, oversized look that drives down wear compliance.

Built for heat

Short sleeves plus moisture-wicking polyester make this a summer-shift garment. For crews who'd otherwise leave a vest in the truck when it's hot, a breathable Class 2 shirt keeps the hi-vis on the body.

The right color for mixed sites

Fluorescent lime (yellow-green) is the most widely specified hi-vis color and, per our hi-vis colors explained reference, separates well from orange cones, barrels, and equipment — useful on busy high-visibility job sites.

Where the Ergodyne GloWear 8274 Women's (Lime) falls short

Class 2 is the ceiling

This is a Class 2 garment, full stop. For 50+ mph traffic, night operations, or full-motion exposure you need Class 3 — compare the tiers in our Class 2 vs Class 3 reference before relying on it.

No arm or UV coverage

Short sleeves mean no sun protection on the arms and less fluorescent area than a long-sleeve. Sun-exposed crews should look at the long-sleeve 8284 instead.

No carry capacity

The listing calls out no pockets, so tool-carrying workers gain nothing over a basic tee on storage. If you need to carry gear, pair it with a pocketed Class 2 vest or step to a surveyor-style vest.

Worn garments degrade faster

A shirt gets washed and abraded far more than a vest, so fluorescent brightness and tape reflectivity fade sooner — budget for replacement, as covered in our how to choose a hi-vis vest guidance.

Ergodyne GloWear 8274 Women's (Lime) vs the competition

Compare prices on Amazon →Ergodyne GloWear 8274 Women's (Lime) on Amazon[Ergodyne GloWear 8282

When to step up from the Ergodyne GloWear 8274 Women's (Lime)

If your work crosses into high-speed traffic, low light, or full-motion exposure, step up from this Class 2 shirt to a Class 3 garment — the short-sleeve GloWear 8367 or a Class 3 vest layered on top. If you stay in Class 2 but want more from the shirt itself, the long-sleeve 8284 adds UV arm coverage and the 8292 performance shirt upgrades the fabric for high-exertion shifts. Crews that need tool storage should pair the 8274 with a pocketed Class 2 vest; our best hi-vis shirts guide lays out the full ladder.

Category context

The choice between a hi-vis shirt and a vest comes down to two questions: what class you need, and whether you want the visibility built into the garment or worn over it. Class 2 — which this 8274 carries — is the tier for traffic under about 25 mph, parking, lots, warehouse yards, and flagging; Class 3 is for high-speed roads, low light, and full-motion work, as our Class 2 vs Class 3 reference and ANSI/ISEA 107 guide explain. A shirt like this makes the hi-vis the garment, so there's nothing to forget — but a vest layers over your own clothing and is easier to share, swap, or upgrade. Color matters too: lime (fluorescent yellow-green) versus orange is often dictated by your spec or the surrounding equipment, a tradeoff our hi-vis color meaning reference unpacks. For most of the high-visibility apparel category, the lowest-friction garment is the one workers keep on — which is exactly the argument for a contoured women's fit.

Total cost of ownership

Total cost of ownership on a worn hi-vis shirt runs higher per year than a vest, because the garment goes through the wash and takes abrasion every shift. Fluorescent background brightness and retroreflective tape reflectivity both degrade with laundering and UV exposure, so a shirt that's washed weekly won't hold its as-new conspicuity as long as a vest you only don over clothing. Plan to inspect and retire the 8274 when the lime dulls or the tape cracks — our how to choose a hi-vis vest reference and the ANSI/ISEA 107 guide both note that a faded garment no longer meets the class it was certified to. Buying enough shirts that each worker can rotate and launder without wearing one to failure is the practical way to keep a hi-vis shirts program compliant over its life.

Final verdict

Buy the GloWear 8274 Women's Lime if you're a woman — or kitting out women on your crew — doing warm-weather road, utility, or municipal work where ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R Class 2 is the right tier and you want the hi-vis built into a shirt that actually fits. Choose the 8284 long-sleeve if you need UV arm coverage, the 8292 performance shirt for high-exertion shifts, or step up to the Class 3 8367 when traffic speed or low light pushes you past Class 2. If your spec calls for orange, grab the orange 8274 instead. Compare the field in our best hi-vis shirts guide and the broader high-visibility range before you commit.

VIEW ON WC SAFETY →CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON →

Ergodyne GloWear 8274 Women's (Lime) FAQ

What ANSI class and type is the Ergodyne GloWear 8274 Women's?

It's ANSI/ISEA 107-2020 Type R, Class 2 — Type R means it's certified for roadway and public-access work, and Class 2 means it carries 775 sq in of fluorescent background and 201 sq in of retroreflective tape. That's the visibility tier for traffic under about 25 mph, lots, flagging, and warehouse yards. See our Class 2 vs Class 3 reference for where the line falls.

Is Class 2 enough for my job, or do I need Class 3?

Class 2 covers lower-speed traffic, parking, flagging, and general municipal and utility work; Class 3 is required for high-speed (50+ mph) roads, night work, and full-motion exposure. If you're unsure, our ANSI/ISEA 107 guide and when does OSHA require high-visibility reference walk through the decision. When in doubt, step up to a Class 3 garment.

How is the women's fit different from a unisex hi-vis shirt?

The 8274 is contoured — shaped at the chest and hip — rather than cut as a straight unisex box. That keeps the retroreflective striping positioned correctly and reduces the bunching and oversizing that make unisex hi-vis shirts uncomfortable on a smaller frame, which in practice improves how consistently workers keep them on.

Does the lime color matter, or should I get orange?

Lime (fluorescent yellow-green) is the most widely specified hi-vis color and separates well from orange cones, barrels, and equipment, as our hi-vis colors explained reference notes. Both lime and orange are ANSI-recognized. If your DOT contract or site spec mandates orange, choose the orange 8274 instead.

Is a hi-vis shirt better than a hi-vis vest?

Neither is universally better. A shirt makes the hi-vis the garment, so there's nothing to forget; a vest layers over your own clothing and is easier to share, swap sizes, or upgrade. For warm weather, a breathable Class 2 shirt often beats a vest worn over a sweaty tee. The context section above breaks down the tradeoff.

Does the 8274 have pockets for tools?

The listing doesn't call out pockets, so treat it as a no-pocket shirt. If you carry tools or instruments, pair it with a pocketed Class 2 vest or a surveyor-style vest like the 8346Z for carry capacity.

Will the short sleeves protect my arms from the sun?

No — short sleeves give no UV arm coverage. If sun exposure is a concern, the long-sleeve GloWear 8284 offers the same Class 2 rating with full arm coverage. The short-sleeve cut here is built for heat and ventilation, not sun protection.

How does the 8274 compare to the unisex GloWear 8282 shirt?

Both are Type R Class 2 short-sleeve lime shirts; the difference is fit. The 8282 is a unisex cut, while the 8274 is contoured for women. If you're equipping women specifically, the 8274 fit is the reason to pay attention; for general unisex programs, the 8282 is the baseline.

Is this shirt OSHA-compliant for roadway work?

For the work Class 2 covers — lower-speed traffic zones with control measures, flagging, and municipal operations — a Type R Class 2 garment like this meets the relevant high-visibility expectations. Our when does OSHA require high-visibility reference explains the triggers. For high-speed federal-aid highway work, you'll generally need Class 3.

How long will the hi-vis brightness last?

A worn-and-washed shirt loses fluorescent brightness and retroreflective performance faster than a vest you only don over clothing. Inspect it regularly and retire it once the lime dulls or the tape cracks — a faded garment no longer meets its certified class, as covered in our how to choose a hi-vis vest guidance and ANSI/ISEA 107 guide.

Can I wear the 8274 for night work?

Not as your top layer for high-risk night operations — that calls for Class 3. The 8274 is Class 2, suited to daytime and low-light lower-speed environments. For night work near traffic, move up to a Class 3 vest or a Class 3 shirt like the 8367.

What fabric is the 8274 made of?

It's moisture-wicking polyester, which manages perspiration during physically demanding warm-weather work. That makes it more comfortable across a long summer shift than a heavier hi-vis garment, and it's part of why a hi-vis shirt can beat a vest worn over a soaked tee in the heat.

How do I choose between the 8274 and a Class 2 performance shirt?

The 8274 is a standard moisture-wicking shirt; the 8292 performance uses an upgraded performance fabric for higher-exertion, sweat-heavy work. If your shifts are physically intense, the performance fabric is worth it; for typical road, utility, and municipal duty, the 8274 is sufficient and the women's fit is the deciding factor.

Does lime read better than orange on a busy site?

It depends on the background. Lime separates strongly from orange equipment, cones, and barrels — common on construction sites — while orange can stand out better against green foliage or snow. Our hi-vis color meaning reference covers when each color wins; if the choice is open, lime is the more commonly specified default.

Where does the 8274 fit in the broader hi-vis lineup?

It's a Class 2 short-sleeve shirt at the warm-weather, women's-fit end of the high-visibility range. Above it sit long-sleeve and performance Class 2 shirts, then Class 3 shirts and vests for higher-risk work. Browse the full ladder in our best hi-vis shirts guide and the hi-vis shirts collection.

Should I buy multiple so workers can rotate them?

Yes. Because a shirt is laundered and abraded far more than a vest, buying enough that each worker can rotate and wash without wearing one to failure keeps your program compliant and the lime bright. Wearing a single shirt to the point of fading defeats the Class 2 certification it was bought for.

What if I need maximum visibility, not just Class 2?

Then this shirt isn't the right tool — go Class 3. A Class 3 garment carries more fluorescent background and retroreflective tape for high-speed, low-light, full-motion exposure. Look at the Class 3 8367 shirt or the Class 3 vests collection, and read the Class 2 vs Class 3 reference first.