Portwest ES1 Essential Hi-Vis Contrast Winter Traffic Jacket

Maximum Warmth. Maximum Visibility. Maximum Style.

The Portwest ES466 Essential Hi-Vis Contrast Winter Traffic Jacket is the cold weather hi-vis solution for workers who need certified protection from the elements without sacrificing on appearance or practicality. Its defining feature — striking contrast colour panels — sets it apart visually from conventional hi-vis outerwear, creating a jacket that is as distinctive on site as it is functional. The contrast panels serve a dual purpose: they give the ES466 its bold, modern aesthetic, and they provide dark-coloured sections that resist the dirt, grime, and marking that solid fluorescent garments show so readily in active working environments.

Certified to EN ISO 20471 Class 3, EN 342 for cold protection down to -36°C, EN 343 Class 3:1 waterproofing, ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R and Type P Class 3, RIS 3279-TOM Issue 2 for UK rail compliance in orange, and AS 4602.1:2024 Class D/N for the Australian market, the ES466 is one of the most comprehensively certified contrast traffic jackets available for professional use — anywhere in the world.

Cold Protection Certified to -36°C — EN 342

The ES466 is independently certified to EN 342 for protection against cold, with a measured thermal insulation value of 0.345 (M².K/W) — confirming its suitability for use in ambient temperatures down to -36°C. This positions the ES466 firmly as serious cold weather PPE, delivering the kind of thermal performance that outdoor workers in harsh winter climates genuinely need to remain safe, comfortable, and productive throughout a full shift.

The thermal performance of the ES466 is built on a three-layer construction engineered to maximise heat retention without excessive bulk:

• A tough 300D Oxford weave 100% polyester outer shell with double PU coating and stain-resistant finish — providing a durable, weather-shedding exterior capable of withstanding the abrasion and mechanical demands of active physical work in adverse conditions.
• A 160g 100% polyester quilt filling — providing deep, even thermal insulation that traps warm air across the full body and resists heat loss even in extreme wind chill.
• A 52g 100% polyester lining — offering a smooth, comfortable interior surface that layers well over base and mid layers during the coldest conditions.

The quilt lining construction adds a further dimension to the thermal performance, with the quilted pattern anchoring the filling evenly across the garment to prevent cold spots and filling migration — ensuring consistent warmth distribution throughout extended wear.

Contrast Panels — A Practical and Professional Distinction

The contrast colour panels of the ES466 are one of its most commercially successful and practically valued design features. In real-world working environments, standard fluorescent hi-vis jackets inevitably show dirt, oil, concrete splatter, and general site grime very quickly — and a heavily soiled hi-vis garment not only looks unprofessional but can also begin to compromise the visual performance of the fluorescent fabric over time.

The dark contrast panels on the ES466 are strategically positioned to cover the areas of the jacket most susceptible to soiling — providing a practical barrier that maintains the jacket's professional appearance across a working week, a working month, and an extended working lifespan. For organisations where on-site appearance matters alongside safety compliance — client-facing construction, highways and utilities, rail, and public-sector operations — the contrast panel design is a genuinely valued specification that helps maintain a consistent and professional team presentation.

Waterproof to EN 343 Class 3:1 — Taped Seams Throughout

The ES466 is certified to EN 343 Class 3:1 X — the highest class of the European standard for protective clothing against rain — with fully taped seams sealing every stitch line against water penetration. The 300D double PU-coated polyester shell provides a robust waterproof barrier across the garment surface, while the taped seams eliminate the most common point of water ingress in outerwear construction.

For workers exposed to sustained heavy rainfall — on road maintenance, rail trackside, utilities, construction, or grounds maintenance — the EN 343 Class 3:1 certification provides documented, independently verified assurance that the ES466 will keep them dry throughout even the most prolonged and challenging wet weather working conditions.

PFAS-Free Texpel™ Splash Eco Water-Resistant Finish

The ES466 outer shell is treated with Texpel™ Splash Eco — a highly effective, PFAS-free Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish that causes water to bead immediately on contact and roll cleanly away from the fabric surface. This prevents the outer shell from becoming saturated during prolonged exposure to rain, preserving the jacket's thermal performance, managing its weight in wet conditions, and maintaining the visual brightness of the fluorescent hi-vis panels.

The Texpel™ Splash Eco treatment achieves this performance entirely without the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) — making the ES466 an environmentally responsible procurement choice for organisations with sustainability commitments, chemical compliance requirements, or supply chain due diligence policies around fluorinated compounds.

EN ISO 20471 Class 3 — Certified After 50 Washes

The ES466 achieves EN ISO 20471 Class 3 — the highest classification in the European high visibility standard — providing the maximum required area of fluorescent background material and retroreflective tape across the garment. Class 3 is the mandatory standard for the most safety-critical hi-vis working environments, including motorway and roadside working, rail infrastructure, logistics operations, and any environment where workers are exposed to fast-moving vehicles or heavy plant at close range.

Certification durability is exceptional: the ES466 maintains full EN ISO 20471 Class 3 compliance after 50 washes — the highest wash durability standard in the ES1 range. For employers who are responsible for the ongoing compliance of issued PPE garments, this 50-wash certification provides long-term assurance that the investment in the ES466 continues to deliver compliant protection throughout a realistic and extended working lifespan.

Bio Motion Tape — Beyond Standard Reflective Visibility

In addition to conventional retroreflective tape, the ES466 features a bio motion tape pattern — arranged specifically to highlight the natural movement patterns of the human body when observed at distance or in visually complex environments. Where standard reflective tape makes the wearer visible as a reflective source, bio motion tape makes them recognisable as a person — supporting faster, more accurate identification by vehicle and plant operators in low-light, night-time, and adverse weather conditions.

The combination of bio motion tape and conventional reflective tape across the ES466 delivers comprehensive 360-degree, all-conditions conspicuity that exceeds the minimum requirements of EN ISO 20471 Class 3 — providing an additional layer of safety performance above and beyond the certified standard.

Globally Certified Across Seven Standards

The ES466 carries an outstanding breadth of international certifications, making it one of the most globally deployable hi-vis winter jackets in the professional workwear market:

For multinational contractors, global procurement teams, and safety managers sourcing a single jacket specification that meets regulatory requirements across multiple countries and industries, the ES466 eliminates the complexity and cost of maintaining separate product lines for different geographic markets.

Rail Industry Compliant

In its orange colourway, the ES466 complies with RIS 3279-TOM Issue 2 — Network Rail's mandatory standard for high visibility clothing on or near UK rail infrastructure. The combination of EN ISO 20471 Class 3, EN 342 cold protection, and EN 343 waterproofing in a single rail-compliant garment makes the ES466 an outstanding choice for rail contractors and maintenance teams who need year-round, all-weather outer layer protection that satisfies the full range of Network Rail PPE requirements in a single specification.

Australian Standard Certified — AS 4602.1:2024 Class D/N

AS 4602.1:2024 Class D/N certification confirms the ES466 meets the current Australian standard for high visibility safety garments for both day and night use — making it directly appropriate for Australian site procurement and for global organisations requiring consistent hi-vis standards across Australian and international operations in the same garment.

Engineered for All-Day Winter Functionality

The ES466 has been developed with the full practical demands of cold weather working firmly in mind, combining thermal protection with a range of functional features that make it genuinely useful throughout a demanding winter shift:

Two-way front zip with studded storm flap — allows the jacket to be opened from the bottom for ventilation and freedom of movement during active tasks, while the storm flap protects the zip from wind-driven rain and cold air penetration.

Inner ribbed cuffs — provide a comfortable, close-fitting seal at the wrist that traps warm air inside the sleeve and prevents cold air and wind from entering during physical work, complementing the outer closure system for complete wrist protection.

Pack-away hood — stows neatly when not required and deploys instantly when conditions deteriorate, providing additional head and neck protection during heavy rain or extreme cold without needing a separate accessory.

Side elastic waist — maintains a close, comfortable fit at the waist that prevents cold air from circulating inside the jacket during bending and active movement, without restricting the wearer's range of motion.

Comprehensive Storage — 4 Pockets Plus Internal Phone Pocket

The ES466 provides four external pockets alongside a dedicated internal phone pocket, giving workers well-organised, accessible storage for the full range of items needed on a cold weather shift. Keeping essential items in insulated, accessible pockets rather than in an exposed bag is a meaningful practical advantage in genuinely cold conditions — and the ES466's pocket provision ensures everything from phones to gloves to documentation is always within reach and protected from the elements.

The internal phone pocket specifically provides a secure, protected location for smartphones — shielding them from cold and moisture that can affect battery performance and touchscreen responsiveness in winter conditions, while keeping them accessible for communication, site management applications, and documentation.

Print Access for Corporate Branding

The ES466 features dedicated print access for corporate branding, allowing company logos, names, and identifiers to be applied without affecting the garment's certification status or high visibility performance. For organisations requiring professionally branded workwear, or contractors who need clearly identifiable company-branded PPE on site, this feature allows the ES466 to function simultaneously as a compliant safety garment and a professional corporate uniform.

40+ UPF Sun Protection

The ES466 shell fabric carries a UPF 40+ rating, blocking 98% of harmful UV radiation — an often overlooked but genuinely relevant specification for workers in high-altitude environments, snow-covered sites, or reflective outdoor conditions where UV exposure can remain significant even in cold temperatures, and for those working through autumn and spring transition seasons when cold weather and high UV levels can coincide.

Key Features at a Glance

• EN 342 certified cold protection to -36°C with quilted thermal lining
• Contrast colour panels for a professional aesthetic and dirt resistance
• Fully waterproof with taped seams — EN 343 Class 3:1 X certified
• 300D Oxford polyester outer shell with double PU coating and stain-resistant finish
• 160g polyester quilt filling for deep, even insulation
• PFAS-free Texpel™ Splash Eco water-resistant outer finish
• Bio motion and conventional reflective tape for all-conditions conspicuity
• EN ISO 20471 Class 3 certified — maintained after 50 washes
• ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R and Type P Class 3 certified
• RIS 3279-TOM Issue 2 compliant — orange for rail industry
• AS 4602.1:2024 Class D/N certified — Australian standard
• Two-way front zip with studded storm flap
• Inner ribbed cuffs for warmth and a secure wrist seal
• Pack-away hood for instant deployment
• Side elastic waist for comfort and draught exclusion
• 4 external pockets plus internal phone pocket
• Print access for corporate branding
• 40+ UPF rated fabric — blocks 98% of UV rays
• CE certified

Technical Specifications