Portwest ES1 Essential Hi-Vis Fleece

High Visibility. High Warmth. Built to Last.

The Portwest ES250 Essential Hi-Vis Fleece is a dependable, hardworking high visibility mid-layer designed to keep workers warm, comfortable, and clearly visible throughout the working day. Whether worn as a standalone outer layer during mild conditions or as an insulating mid-layer beneath a hi-vis jacket in colder weather, the ES250 delivers reliable warmth, certified visibility, and long-lasting performance — all at an accessible price point that makes it an outstanding choice for both individual workers and large-scale team procurement.

Fully CE certified to EN ISO 20471 — achieving Class 3 from size Small upwards and Class 2 for size XS — and compliant with RIS 3279-TOM Issue 2 for rail industry applications in orange, the ES250 meets the visibility standards demanded across some of the most safety-critical working environments in the UK.

Anti-Pill Fleece That Holds Its Appearance

The ES250 is constructed from a 250g 100% polyester anti-pill finish fleece — a fabric choice that balances warmth, breathability, and durability in equal measure. The 250g weight sits firmly in the mid-weight fleece category, providing meaningful insulation without the bulk that would make it impractical as a mid-layer or uncomfortable for active physical work.

The anti-pill finish is a particularly important feature for workwear. Standard fleece fabrics are prone to pilling — the formation of small fibre bobbles on the surface of the fabric — through repeated wear, washing, and friction. Pilling doesn't just affect appearance; in high visibility garments, surface degradation can reduce the reflective and fluorescent properties of the fabric over time. The anti-pill treatment on the ES250 actively resists this process, maintaining both the appearance and the performance of the garment through extended use.

Critically, the ES250 remains certified to EN ISO 20471 after 25 washes — a practical and important assurance that the garment continues to meet its rated visibility standard throughout a realistic working lifespan, not just when new.

EN ISO 20471 Certified Visibility

High visibility certification is the cornerstone of the ES250's safety credentials. The fluorescent fabric and strategically placed reflective tape work together to maximise the wearer's conspicuity in both daylight and low-light conditions — ensuring that drivers, operators, and colleagues can identify the wearer quickly and at distance, reducing the risk of struck-by incidents in busy or traffic-adjacent environments.

The ES250 achieves:

• EN ISO 20471 Class 3 — the highest class of hi-vis certification — for sizes Small and above. Class 3 garments provide the greatest area of fluorescent and reflective material, making them the required standard in the highest-risk environments such as roadside working, rail, and logistics.
• EN ISO 20471 Class 2 for size XS, maintaining certified visibility for smaller wearers.

This dual-class certification across the size range ensures that all workers — regardless of build — are wearing a properly certified, compliant garment suited to their size.

Rail Industry Compliant

In orange colourway, the ES250 complies with RIS 3279-TOM Issue 2 — the Network Rail standard for high visibility clothing worn on or near the UK rail infrastructure. This makes the ES250 a directly appropriate choice for rail maintenance workers, trackside engineers, contractors, and support staff operating in rail environments where RIS compliance is a mandatory requirement.

For rail industry procurement managers, the combination of EN ISO 20471 Class 3 certification and RIS 3279-TOM compliance in a single, cost-effective fleece garment represents exceptional value and simplified sourcing.

40 UPF Rated Sun Protection

Beyond visibility and warmth, the ES250 fabric carries a UPF 40 rating, meaning it blocks 98% of harmful UV radiation from reaching the skin. For outdoor workers exposed to prolonged sunlight — particularly during summer months or in high-UV environments — this provides a meaningful and often overlooked layer of sun protection, reducing the cumulative risk of UV-related skin damage for workers who spend the majority of their working day outside.

Practical Storage with Two Side Pockets

The ES250 features two side pockets providing secure, convenient storage for everyday essentials — phones, gloves, pens, and small tools — without the need to remove the garment or reach for a separate bag. In cold working conditions, the pockets also serve as a practical hand-warming solution, a small but appreciated detail for workers spending extended periods outdoors in lower temperatures.

Versatile Across Industries

While the ES250's rail compliance makes it an obvious choice for the rail sector, its EN ISO 20471 certification and practical design make it equally well suited to a broad range of high visibility working environments:

• Road and highway maintenance
• Construction and civil engineering
• Warehousing and logistics
• Utilities and infrastructure
• Airport ground operations
• Waste management and recycling
• Highways and local authority

Key Features at a Glance

• 250g anti-pill 100% polyester fleece — warm, durable, and pill-resistant
• EN ISO 20471 Class 3 certified (S and above) / Class 2 (XS)
• Certified to EN ISO 20471 after 25 washes
• Reflective tape for conspicuity in daylight and low-light conditions
• 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
• CE certified
• Versatile as an outer layer or hi-vis mid-layer

Technical Specifications