Portwest ES1 Essential Hi-Vis Winter Traffic Jacket

Hard-Wearing. Feature-Packed. Built for Winter.

When the temperature drops and conditions worsen, workers in safety-critical environments need an outer layer that delivers without compromise. The Portwest ES460 Essential Hi-Vis Winter Traffic Jacket is a robust, extensively featured, and fully certified cold weather hi-vis jacket engineered to keep workers warm, dry, visible, and protected through the full severity of a working winter — from early morning frosts to driving rain and biting wind chill.

Hard-wearing by design and packed full of practical features, the ES460 combines a 300D Oxford polyester shell with a quilted thermal lining, fully taped waterproof seams, and EN 342 cold protection certified to -36°C — delivering the kind of comprehensive winter performance that serious outdoor working environments genuinely demand.

Certified to EN ISO 20471 Class 3, EN 343 Class 3:1 X waterproofing, EN 342 cold protection, and RIS 3279-TOM Issue 2 for UK rail industry compliance in orange, the ES460 is a thoroughly specified winter traffic jacket that meets the visibility, thermal, and waterproof standards required across the most challenging and safety-critical working environments in the UK and beyond.

Cold Protection Certified to -36°C — EN 342

The headline performance specification of the ES460 is its EN 342 certification for protection against cold, with a measured thermal insulation value of 0.345 (M².K/W) — independently verified to confirm the jacket's suitability for ambient working temperatures down to -36°C. This positions the ES460 firmly as professional-grade cold weather PPE, delivering genuine thermal protection that standard fleece layers, softshells, or lightweight jackets simply cannot match in extreme cold conditions.

The thermal performance of the ES460 is built on a carefully engineered three-layer construction:

• A 300D Oxford weave 100% polyester outer shell with a stain-resistant finish and double PU coating — providing a tough, abrasion-resistant exterior that sheds water and withstands the mechanical demands of physically active outdoor work in adverse conditions.
• A 160g 100% polyester quilt filling — delivering deep, even thermal insulation across the body that traps warm air and resists heat loss in sustained cold and wind chill.
• A 52g 100% polyester lining — providing a smooth, comfortable interior surface that layers well over base and mid layers without bunching or restricting movement.

The quilted construction of the filling layer anchors insulation evenly across the garment, preventing cold spots and filling migration during active wear — ensuring consistent warmth distribution throughout the full length of a cold weather shift.

Fully Waterproof — EN 343 Class 3:1 with Taped Seams

Cold weather and wet weather are inseparable realities for outdoor workers, and the ES460 addresses both with equal rigour. The double PU-coated outer shell delivers robust waterproof performance across the garment surface, while fully taped seams seal every stitch line against water penetration — eliminating the most common point of water ingress in waterproof outerwear construction.

Certified to EN 343 Class 3:1 X — the highest class of the European standard for protective clothing against rain — the ES460's waterproof performance is independently verified and professionally benchmarked, providing procurement teams with documented compliance assurance rather than relying on marketing claims alone.

For workers exposed to sustained heavy rainfall in exposed outdoor environments — roadside maintenance, rail trackside, utilities, construction, and grounds operations — EN 343 Class 3:1 certification confirms the ES460 is built to keep them genuinely dry throughout the working day.

PFAS-Free Texpel™ Splash Eco Water-Resistant Finish

The ES460's outer shell is treated with Texpel™ Splash Eco — a highly effective, PFAS-free Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish that causes water to bead instantly on contact and roll cleanly away from the fabric surface. This outer treatment complements the PVC waterproof coating by preventing the shell fabric from becoming saturated during prolonged rain exposure — maintaining the jacket's thermal performance, reducing its weight in wet conditions, and preserving the visual brightness of the fluorescent hi-vis panels even in heavy rainfall.

The Texpel™ Splash Eco finish delivers this performance entirely without the use of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) — the persistent, environmentally harmful synthetic chemicals historically used in many DWR treatments and increasingly subject to regulatory restriction across Europe and internationally. For organisations with environmental procurement policies, sustainability commitments, or supply chain chemical compliance requirements, the PFAS-free specification of the ES460 is a meaningful and future-proof differentiator.

EN ISO 20471 Class 3 — Maximum Hi-Vis Certification After 50 Washes

The ES460 achieves EN ISO 20471 Class 3 — the highest available classification within the European high visibility standard — providing the maximum required area of fluorescent background material and retroreflective tape across the garment. Class 3 is mandatory in the most safety-critical hi-vis working environments, including motorway and roadside working, rail trackside, logistics operations, and any environment where workers are exposed to fast-moving traffic or heavy plant at close quarters.

Certification durability is outstanding: the ES460 maintains full EN ISO 20471 Class 3 compliance after an impressive 50 washes — the highest wash durability standard across the ES1 range. For employers who are responsible for the ongoing compliance and certification status of issued PPE garments, this 50-wash certification provides genuine and documented long-term assurance — reducing the frequency of replacement and maintaining compliant protection throughout an extended working lifespan.

Bio Motion Tape — Enhanced Human Recognition at Distance

Alongside conventional retroreflective tape, the ES460 features a bio motion tape pattern — an advanced visibility enhancement that goes meaningfully beyond the minimum requirements of EN ISO 20471 Class 3. Bio motion tape is arranged to follow and highlight the natural movement patterns of the human body, making the wearer instantly recognisable as a person when observed at distance or in complex visual environments — rather than simply appearing as a reflective source.

In low-light conditions, night-time working, adverse weather, or visually busy site environments where background clutter and competing light sources can make it difficult to quickly and accurately identify what is being observed, bio motion tape supports faster and more reliable recognition of workers by vehicle and plant operators. The practical safety benefit — earlier, more accurate identification of a worker at distance — is a meaningful and potentially life-saving enhancement above and beyond standard reflective tape performance.

Together, the bio motion tape and conventional reflective tape deliver comprehensive, 360-degree, all-conditions conspicuity that keeps the ES460 wearer visible and identifiable in every lighting scenario the working environment can present.

Rail Industry Compliant

In its orange colourway, the ES460 complies with RIS 3279-TOM Issue 2 — Network Rail's mandatory standard governing high visibility clothing worn on or near UK rail infrastructure. For rail maintenance contractors, trackside engineers, possession teams, signal and telecoms operatives, and engineering support personnel for whom RIS compliance is a non-negotiable daily requirement, the ES460 delivers a comprehensively specified winter outer layer that simultaneously satisfies the visibility, thermal protection, and waterproof performance demands of year-round rail working in a single garment.

For contractors who operate across both rail and non-rail environments, the combination of EN ISO 20471 Class 3 and RIS 3279-TOM compliance in the ES460 also simplifies procurement — allowing a single garment specification to meet the requirements of both regulatory contexts without the need for separate product lines.

Hook and Loop Cuffs with Inner Ribbed Storm Cuffs

The ES460 provides a dual-layer cuff system that delivers comprehensive protection against wind and cold at the wrist — one of the body's primary heat loss points and one of the most common routes for cold air and rain to enter an outer jacket during active work.

The inner ribbed storm cuffs provide a comfortable, close-fitting inner seal that traps warm air inside the sleeve and creates a snug barrier against draughts and cold air penetration during movement. The outer hook and loop cuff adjustment allows the jacket sleeve opening to be tightened and secured over gloves or over the inner cuff for a fully sealed wrist fit — preventing wind-driven rain from entering the sleeve and maintaining the waterproof integrity of the garment right to the extremities.

This dual-cuff system is a particularly important feature in a jacket rated for -36°C working conditions, where heat loss at the wrist can meaningfully affect the wearer's overall thermal comfort and safety during extended cold weather shifts.

Two-Way Front Zip with Studded Storm Flap

The two-way front zip allows the ES460 to be opened from the bottom as well as the top — providing ventilation, freedom of movement, and flexible access during physically active or variable-intensity tasks without requiring full removal of the jacket. This is a genuinely practical feature for workers whose activity levels vary throughout the shift, allowing thermal regulation without the risk and inconvenience of working without the outer layer.

The studded storm flap covers and protects the zip from wind-driven rain and cold air penetration — ensuring the jacket's primary closure point does not become a vulnerability in the waterproof and windproof barrier during sustained adverse weather.

Pack-Away Hood for Instant Weather Protection

The ES460 features a pack-away hood that stows neatly when not required, keeping the jacket's collar profile clean and unobtrusive during dry or mild spells. When conditions deteriorate — or for additional head and neck warmth in extreme cold — the hood deploys instantly without requiring the jacket to be removed or significantly adjusted. For workers in changeable weather environments where conditions can shift rapidly throughout the day, this immediate-access hood functionality is a practical and frequently appreciated feature.

Comprehensive Storage — 4 Pockets Plus Internal Chest and Phone Pockets

The ES460 provides excellent organised storage with four external pockets, a dedicated internal chest pocket, and a concealed phone pocket — ensuring workers have accessible, weatherproof storage for the full range of items needed throughout a demanding winter shift.

The concealed phone pocket is a particularly valued dedicated feature, providing a secure and protected location for smartphones — shielding them from the cold and moisture that can affect battery performance and touchscreen responsiveness in winter conditions, while keeping them accessible for communication and site management use without requiring the wearer to reach into an external pocket exposed to the elements.

In genuinely cold conditions, keeping frequently used items in accessible, insulated pockets rather than in an exposed bag or separate storage is a meaningful practical advantage — and the ES460's comprehensive pocket provision ensures nothing important is ever difficult to reach.

40+ UPF Sun Protection

The ES460 shell fabric carries a UPF 40+ rating, blocking 98% of harmful UV radiation. While the ES460's primary function is cold and wet weather protection, its UPF rating ensures it provides meaningful sun protection in brighter conditions — relevant for high-altitude environments, snow-covered sites, or during autumn and spring transition periods when cold temperatures and elevated UV levels can coincide for outdoor workers.

Suited to a Wide Range of Industries

The ES460's combination of EN ISO 20471 Class 3 certification, EN 342 cold protection, EN 343 waterproofing, RIS 3279-TOM rail compliance, and comprehensive functional features makes it a strong and versatile choice across a broad spectrum of safety-critical outdoor working environments:

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

Key Features at a Glance

• EN 342 certified cold protection to -36°C with quilted thermal filling
• 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, consistent thermal 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
• RIS 3279-TOM Issue 2 compliant — orange colourway for rail industry
• Two-way front zip with studded storm flap
• Dual-layer cuff system — inner ribbed storm cuffs with outer hook and loop adjustment
• Pack-away hood for instant deployment in changing conditions
• 4 external pockets, internal chest pocket, and concealed phone pocket
• 40+ UPF rated fabric — blocks 98% of UV rays
• CE certified

Technical Specifications