Portwest ES1 Essential Hi-Vis Contrast Fleece

Certified Visibility. Lasting Appearance. Built for the Real World.

The Portwest ES251 Essential Hi-Vis Contrast Fleece takes everything that makes the ES1 range's Essential Hi-Vis Fleece a trusted workplace staple and adds a key practical upgrade — contrast colour panels that actively resist the dirt, grime, and soiling that working environments inevitably bring. The result is a high visibility fleece mid-layer that not only meets the certified visibility standards demanded by safety-critical industries, but also maintains a consistently professional appearance through the daily rigours of active site work.

Fully CE certified to EN ISO 20471 — achieving Class 3 from size Large upwards and Class 2 for sizes XS to Medium — and compliant with RIS 3279-TOM Issue 2 for rail industry use in orange, the ES251 is a versatile, compliant, and hardworking hi-vis fleece suited to a wide range of professional working environments.

Contrast Panels — Where Practicality Meets Professionalism

The contrast panels of the ES251 are one of its most commercially valued and practically effective design features. In active working environments, standard fluorescent hi-vis garments accumulate dirt, oil, dust, and site grime rapidly — and heavily soiled fluorescent fabric not only undermines the professional appearance of a team but can, over time, begin to affect the brightness and visual performance of the hi-vis material itself.

The dark contrast panels on the ES251 are positioned strategically to cover the areas of the garment most vulnerable to soiling — the sections that come into most frequent contact with vehicles, equipment, surfaces, and the general dirt of an active working day. By absorbing and concealing everyday marking that would otherwise stand out starkly against fluorescent yellow or orange fabric, the contrast panels help the ES251 maintain a clean, professional appearance across a full working week and beyond.

For organisations where on-site presentation matters alongside safety compliance — construction, rail, utilities, highways, and public-facing operations — the contrast panel design is a genuinely valued specification that supports consistent and professional team representation without requiring more frequent garment replacement or laundering.

Anti-Pill Fleece That Holds Its Look and Performance

The ES251 is constructed from a 250g 100% polyester anti-pill finish fleece — a mid-weight fabric that delivers meaningful warmth for cool and cold working conditions without the bulk that would make it impractical as a mid-layer beneath a waterproof outer jacket or hi-vis rain coat.

The anti-pill finish is an important performance specification for workwear fleeces. Standard fleece fabrics are prone to pilling — the formation of small fibre bobbles on the surface through repeated wear, friction, and washing. In hi-vis garments, surface degradation from pilling can affect both the appearance and the fluorescent performance of the fabric over time, potentially compromising the garment's certified visibility properties before its structural lifespan is exhausted.

The anti-pill treatment on the ES251 actively resists this process, keeping the fabric surface smooth and consistent through extended use — maintaining both the garment's professional appearance and the integrity of its high visibility fluorescent material throughout its working life.

The ES251 maintains its EN ISO 20471 certification after 25 washes — providing documented assurance that the garment continues to meet its rated visibility standard throughout a realistic working lifespan, not just when brand new.

EN ISO 20471 Certified Visibility Across the Full Size Range

The ES251 achieves certified high visibility performance across its complete size range, with class allocation based on the area of fluorescent and reflective material achievable at each size:

• EN ISO 20471 Class 3 — the highest available hi-vis classification — for sizes Large and above, providing the maximum required area of fluorescent background material and retroreflective tape. Class 3 is the mandatory standard for the most safety-critical working environments, including roadside working, rail infrastructure, and logistics operations.
• EN ISO 20471 Class 2 for sizes XS to Medium, maintaining certified high visibility for smaller wearers across the full size range.

This class structure ensures that every worker — regardless of build or size — is wearing a properly certified, compliant garment appropriate to their size, rather than a garment that technically meets the minimum dimensions only at larger sizes.

Strategically placed reflective tape complements the fluorescent fabric, ensuring the ES251 delivers conspicuity not only in full daylight but also in low-light conditions, poor weather, and at dusk and dawn — the transitional periods when visibility risks are often at their highest.

Rail Industry Compliant

In its orange colourway, the ES251 complies with RIS 3279-TOM Issue 2 — the Network Rail standard governing high visibility clothing worn on or near UK rail infrastructure. For rail maintenance contractors, trackside teams, possession workers, and engineering support personnel for whom RIS compliance is a mandatory requirement, the ES251 provides a certified, anti-pill fleece layer that satisfies both the visibility and the practical durability demands of rail working environments.

The combination of EN ISO 20471 Class 3 and RIS 3279-TOM compliance also simplifies procurement for contractors who operate across both rail and non-rail environments — allowing a single garment specification to meet the requirements of both regulatory contexts.

40 UPF Sun Protection

The ES251 fabric carries a UPF 40 rating, blocking 98% of harmful UV radiation from reaching the skin. While a fleece mid-layer is primarily associated with warmth and insulation, its UPF rating provides meaningful sun protection during outdoor wear in brighter conditions — a genuinely relevant consideration for outdoor workers exposed to prolonged sunlight, particularly during summer months or in high-UV environments where fleece layers may be worn during cooler mornings and evenings even in otherwise warm weather.

Versatile Layering for All Seasons

The 250g weight and fleece construction of the ES251 make it a genuinely versatile layering piece across a wide range of seasonal conditions:

• As a standalone outer layer during mild, dry weather — providing warmth and certified hi-vis without the weight or restriction of a heavier jacket.
• As a hi-vis mid-layer beneath the ES440 Rain Jacket or ES466 Winter Traffic Jacket during cold or wet weather — adding thermal insulation to the layering system while maintaining hi-vis compliance throughout.

This layering versatility makes the ES251 a year-round garment rather than a purely seasonal purchase, delivering ongoing value across changing weather conditions and a broad range of working environments.

Two Side Pockets for Practical Everyday Storage

The ES251 features two side pockets providing secure, convenient storage for everyday essentials — phones, gloves, pens, and small personal items — keeping frequently needed items accessible without requiring the wearer to reach for a separate bag or remove the garment. In cooler conditions, the pockets also provide a practical hand-warming option during brief pauses in activity — a simple but genuinely appreciated detail for workers spending extended periods in outdoor or exposed environments.

Suited to a Wide Range of Industries

The ES251's combination of EN ISO 20471 certification, rail compliance, anti-pill durability, and contrast panel practicality makes it an excellent choice across the full spectrum of high visibility working environments:

• Rail maintenance and infrastructure
• Road and highway maintenance
• Construction and civil engineering
• Utilities — gas, electricity, water, telecoms
• Logistics and warehousing
• Waste management and local authority
• Traffic management and highways
• Airport ground operations

Key Features at a Glance

• 250g anti-pill 100% polyester fleece — warm, durable, and pill-resistant
• Contrast colour panels for professional aesthetics and dirt resistance
• EN ISO 20471 Class 3 certified (L and above) / Class 2 (XS to M)
• Certified to EN ISO 20471 after 25 washes
• Reflective tape for all-conditions conspicuity in daylight and low light
• RIS 3279-TOM Issue 2 compliant — orange colourway for rail industry
• 40 UPF rated fabric — blocks 98% of UV rays
• Two side pockets for secure everyday storage
• Versatile as a standalone outer layer or hi-vis mid-layer
• CE certified

Technical Specifications