Portwest ES1 Essential Hi-Vis Rain Jacket

Visible. Safe. Dry. Whatever the Weather.

When conditions turn foul, workers can't afford to compromise on visibility or waterproof performance — and with the Portwest ES440 Essential Hi-Vis Rain Jacket, they don't have to. Engineered specifically for wet and adverse weather working conditions, the ES440 combines serious waterproof protection with certified high visibility across an exceptional breadth of international standards — making it one of the most comprehensively certified hi-vis rain jackets available for professional use.

Certified to EN ISO 20471 Class 3, EN 343 Class 3:1, ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R Class 3, and ANSI/ISEA 107 Type P Class 3, while also complying with RIS 3279-TOM Issue 2 for rail industry use in orange, the ES440 is a globally compliant, multi-standard garment suited to the most safety-critical working environments across the UK, Europe, and North America.

Genuinely Waterproof — Inside and Out

Many garments claim water resistance. The ES440 delivers genuine, tested waterproof performance. The 100% polyester plain weave shell fabric features a REACH-compliant PVC coating that creates a robust waterproof barrier across the entire garment surface. Crucially, the ES440 also features fully taped seams — a defining characteristic that separates truly waterproof garments from merely water-resistant ones. Seams are one of the most common points of water ingress in outerwear, and taped seams seal each stitch line completely, ensuring that water cannot penetrate the jacket even during sustained heavy rainfall.

Certified to EN 343 Class 3:1 X — the European standard for protective clothing against rain — the ES440's waterproof performance is independently verified and professionally benchmarked. Class 3 waterproofness represents the highest level within the EN 343 standard, confirming that the ES440 is built to keep workers dry in even the most demanding wet weather conditions.

PFAS-Free Texpel™ Splash Eco Water-Resistant Finish

Complementing the PVC-coated waterproof shell, the ES440 also features a Texpel™ Splash Eco outer finish — an extremely water-resistant, PFAS-free Durable Water Repellent (DWR) treatment that causes water to bead instantly on contact and roll cleanly away from the fabric surface. This prevents the outer layer from becoming saturated during prolonged exposure, maintaining the jacket's breathability, reducing its weight when wet, and ensuring the fluorescent hi-vis fabric retains its visual performance even in heavy rain.

Crucially, the Texpel™ Splash Eco finish achieves this without the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) — the persistent synthetic chemicals increasingly recognised as environmentally harmful and subject to growing regulatory restriction. For organisations with sustainability commitments, environmental procurement policies, or supply chain due diligence obligations around chemical use, the ES440's PFAS-free credentials are a significant and increasingly important specification.

Bio Motion Tape — A Step Beyond Standard Reflective Visibility

Standard reflective tape on hi-vis garments returns light to increase visibility — but the ES440 goes further with a bio motion tape pattern applied alongside conventional reflective tape. Bio motion tape is arranged specifically to reflect and highlight the natural movement patterns of the human body — making the wearer recognisable as a person rather than simply as a reflective object at distance or in complex visual environments.

This distinction matters particularly in low-light conditions or where background clutter — moving machinery, vehicle headlights, or busy site environments — might otherwise cause a worker to be misjudged or overlooked at distance. By improving the recognition of human shape and movement, bio motion tape supports faster, more accurate identification of workers by vehicle and plant operators — a meaningful enhancement to the fundamental safety function of hi-vis clothing.

Together, the bio motion tape and conventional reflective tape provide comprehensive all-conditions conspicuity — in daylight, low light, darkness, and adverse weather.

EN ISO 20471 Class 3 — The Highest Standard of Hi-Vis Certification

The ES440 is certified to EN ISO 20471 Class 3 — the highest classification within the European high visibility standard — providing the maximum required area of both fluorescent background material and retroreflective tape. Class 3 certification is mandatory in the most safety-critical high visibility working environments, including roadside working, rail infrastructure, logistics operations, and any environment where workers are exposed to fast-moving traffic or plant at close range.

Certification is maintained for 25 washes, confirming that the ES440's high visibility performance remains compliant throughout a realistic working lifespan under proper care and maintenance conditions.

Globally Certified — ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R and Type P Class 3

Beyond European certification, the ES440 carries dual ANSI/ISEA 107 certification under US occupational visibility standards:

• ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R Class 3 — the US standard for roadway and related work environments, confirming suitability for workers exposed to vehicle traffic on public roads and highways.
• ANSI/ISEA 107 Type P Class 3 — the US standard for public safety applications, covering emergency responders, law enforcement support, and public safety personnel operating in high-risk environments.

This combination of European and American Class 3 certification makes the ES440 an exceptional choice for multinational organisations, internationally operating contractors, and procurement teams sourcing a single garment that meets safety standards across both regulatory environments without compromise.

Rail Industry Compliant

In its orange colourway, the ES440 complies with RIS 3279-TOM Issue 2 — Network Rail's standard for high visibility clothing worn on or near UK rail infrastructure. For rail maintenance contractors, trackside engineers, possession teams, and support personnel for whom RIS compliance is a non-negotiable requirement, the ES440 provides a waterproof, fully certified outer layer that satisfies both the visibility and weather protection demands of rail working environments simultaneously.

Pack-Away Hood for Added Functionality

The ES440 features a pack-away hood that can be stowed neatly when not required, keeping the jacket's profile clean and unobtrusive during dry spells and ensuring the hood is instantly accessible when conditions deteriorate. The ability to deploy the hood quickly without removing or significantly adjusting the garment is a practical and genuinely valued feature for workers in changeable weather environments.

Stud-Adjustable Cuffs for a Secure, Sealed Fit

Stud-adjustable cuffs allow the wrist opening to be tightened and sealed around gloves or bare wrists, preventing wind and rain from entering the sleeve during active, physical work. This is a particularly important detail in genuine waterproof outerwear — a jacket with uncontrolled, open cuffs will allow water ingress at the wrist in heavy rain regardless of the waterproofing of the shell fabric itself. The ES440's adjustable cuffs ensure the waterproof integrity of the garment extends right to the extremities.

Packable and Portable

The ES440 is designed to be easily rolled up and stored when not in use — folding down into a compact, portable package that can be carried in a tool bag, cab storage, or site locker without taking up significant space. For workers who need a waterproof layer on standby but don't want to wear it continuously, this packability makes the ES440 a genuinely practical companion that's always available when conditions change.

40+ UPF Sun Protection

The ES440 fabric carries a UPF 40+ rating, blocking 98% of harmful UV radiation from reaching the skin. While a rain jacket's primary function is wet weather protection, the ES440's UPF rating ensures it provides meaningful sun protection during brighter conditions as well — a valuable feature for outdoor workers who experience highly variable weather throughout the working day and need a single outer layer that performs across the full spectrum of conditions.

Two Lower Pockets for Practical Storage

Two lower pockets provide secure, accessible storage for everyday essentials — phones, gloves, small tools, and documentation — keeping frequently needed items within easy reach without requiring the wearer to remove the jacket or carry a separate bag. In wet and cold conditions, the pockets also serve as a practical hand-warming point during brief work pauses.

REACH Compliant PVC Coating

The PVC coating applied to the ES440 shell fabric is fully REACH compliant — meeting the European Union's regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation, and restriction of chemicals. For procurement teams with chemical compliance obligations in their supply chain, REACH compliance on the PVC coating provides an important assurance that the garment has been manufactured to rigorous chemical safety standards.

Suited to a Wide Range of Industries

The ES440's exceptional certification breadth and genuine waterproof performance make it a strong choice across a wide spectrum of high visibility working environments:

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

Key Features at a Glance

• Fully waterproof with taped seams — EN 343 Class 3:1 certified
• REACH compliant PVC-coated 190T polyester shell
• PFAS-free Texpel™ Splash Eco water-resistant outer finish
• Bio motion reflective tape for enhanced human recognition at distance
• Standard reflective tape for all-conditions conspicuity
• EN ISO 20471 Class 3 certified — highest hi-vis classification
• Certified to EN ISO 20471 after 25 washes
• ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R Class 3 and Type P Class 3 certified
• RIS 3279-TOM Issue 2 compliant — orange colourway for rail industry
• Pack-away hood for instant deployment in changing conditions
• Stud-adjustable cuffs for a secure, weather-sealed fit
• Two lower pockets for practical storage
• 40+ UPF rated fabric — blocks 98% of UV rays
• Rolls up compactly for easy storage and transport
• CE certified

Technical Specifications