As an all-season Chicago-based runner and cyclist, I often find myself bracing for the winter season. Not only are the temperatures colder, but the ability get outside in daylight is significantly limited. While I have the privilege of flexing my schedule to knock out a mid-day workout, at times, I do have to head out into the darkness. Living in a large urban environment, safety is key, so when I was able to connect with the team at GOFLUO, I was inspired by their work to make technical running and cycling gear with safety in mind.

How GOFLUO is making safety stylish 

GOFLUO is a Belgian-based company that was founded in 2018 by fashion designer Julie Vets. In Belgium, two common ways of commuting are walking and cycling. Part of staying safe from accidents is wearing fluorescent safety vests so that a person’s presence on the road is known. While safety vests are essential to safety, they aren’t exactly flattering. Vets took her fashion expertise and florescent fabrics to create body-glowers that commuters could wear without being an eye-sore.

Over the years, GOFLUO has expanded their product line to include bags, jackets, bodysuits, pants, and more that all put fashion and safety at the forefront of their design. I was able to try out the billie on a recent rainy run. I was impressed at how reflective and waterproof this jacket was. While the jacket was incredibly reflective, I didn’t feel like a running highlighter which was honestly a big plus. 

During my conversation with the team at GOFLUO, Anouk Mampuya shared the company’s vision for their expansion into the North American market. GOFLUO hopes to continue producing their fluorescent product line while incorporating more run-specific clothing. Additionally, GOFLUO is beginning to sell doggy-glowers to keep our furry friends safe while out at night. I don’t know about you, but wearing a matching vest with my dog is certainly at the top of my vision board.

5 reasons why GOFLUO is a great company to support in 2023

As my conversation with Mampuya unfolded, I found myself getting more and more excited about GOFLUO’s growth and potential in North America. Here are some key reasons why I think GOFLUO is a great company to support in 2023:

1. The products are made with high-quality fabrics and intention. When trying out a new brand, I can be a bit skeptical about whether or not the product will actually be good quality. I was pleasantly surprised when I received the billie rain jacket in the mail by the quality of the zippers, fabric, and product. While the billie is a rain jacket, it has pockets, compartments, and pull-ties to make the jacket perfect for cycling and running. 

2. GOFLUO is making a concerted effort to be sustainable. While the chemicals needed to create fluorescent materials aren’t able to be recycled or composted, the team at GOFLUO keeps sustainability at the forefront of their business model. One way the company works toward being environmentally friendly is by sending customers their products in compostable packaging. Instead of a product bag end up taking space in a landfill, it will decompose. Additionally, GOFLUO sends all mass-shipments across the ocean by boat instead of by plane to reduce emissions.

3. GOFLUO is a women-run and woman-founded company. As GOFLUO is a company founded and run by women, the team is better equipped to meet the needs of women-identifying customers. It’s known that often when fitness products are designed, the male body is what designs are based on. To make a product for women, designers often “shrink-it and pink-it.” The women at GOFLUO know that making products for women is a bit more nuanced than sizing and color and have designed products that meet the needs of all genders. 

4. Car-accident-related deaths for cyclists and pedestrians are on the rise in the United States. On a more serious note, the rate of cyclists and pedestrians being killed is increasing alarmingly quickly. While there are large-scale changes that can be made to increase safety with cycling, small-scale measures like wearing reflective gear may save someone’s life. We may have the thought that tragedy won’t find us, but it never hurts to add a layer of safety.

5. We could all use more color in our workout attire. I recently opened my athletic attire drawer in my dresser and saw a depressing rainbow of blacks, whites, and grays. Winter in Chicago is already dreary and gray enough so I welcomed the opportunity to add some pops of color into my workout attire. GOFLUO’s products can help you make your outfit a bit more safe, colorful, and fun.

Whether you’ve been wanting to expand the color palette in your wardrobe or you’re hoping to increase your safety-related clothing, GOFLUO should be your next stop. I’m so excited to continue wearing the billie the rest of this season and to try new products in the future. I may even have to get my dog Zola a doggy-glower so we can match.

Photos courtesy of GOFLUO