Portwest ES1 Essential Hi-Vis Winter Bomber Jacket

The Ultimate Hi-Vis Winter Jacket. Built for the Extremes.

When temperatures plummet, conditions deteriorate, and workers still need to be on site, there is no room for compromise in cold weather PPE. The Portwest ES463 Essential Hi-Vis Winter Bomber Jacket is the definitive high visibility cold weather outer layer — a fully padded, fully waterproof, and extensively certified winter bomber jacket engineered to keep workers warm, dry, visible, and safe in the most demanding cold weather working environments imaginable.

Certified to EN 342 for protection against cold down to -40°C, fully waterproof to EN 343 Class 3:1 with a hydrostatic head of 15,000mm, and carrying EN ISO 20471 Class 3 high visibility certification, the ES463 is one of the most comprehensively specified hi-vis winter jackets available for professional use. Add ANSI/ISEA 107 Type R and Type P Class 3 certification, RIS 3279-TOM Issue 2 rail compliance, and AS 4602.1:2024 Australian standard approval, and the ES463 becomes a truly global benchmark in certified cold weather hi-vis protection.

Cold Protection Certified to -40°C — EN 342

The headline specification of the ES463 is its EN 342 certification for protection against cold, rated at 0.336 (M².K/W) — confirming the jacket's thermal insulation performance has been independently tested and verified to protect the wearer in ambient temperatures as extreme as -40°C. This places the ES463 firmly in the category of serious cold weather PPE, well beyond the capability of a standard fleece or softshell layer.

The thermal performance of the ES463 is achieved through a carefully engineered multi-layer construction:

• A robust 300D Oxford weave 100% polyester outer shell with double PU coating and stain-resistant finish, providing a tough, weather-resistant exterior that stands up to the abrasion and mechanical demands of active outdoor work.
• A 160g 100% polyester filling layer providing deep, even insulation across the body — trapping warm air and preventing heat loss even in extreme wind chill conditions.
• A 52g 100% polyester lining fabric providing a smooth, comfortable inner surface that layers easily over base and mid layers without bunching or restricting movement.

For workers in cold storage, refrigeration logistics, winter construction, exposed highland or coastal sites, oil and gas environments, or any application where extreme cold is a genuine occupational hazard, the ES463's EN 342 certification provides documented, professional-grade assurance that the garment is fit for purpose.

Waterproof to EN 343 Class 3:1 — 15,000mm Hydrostatic Head

Cold weather and wet weather go hand in hand, and the ES463 addresses both with equal thoroughness. The outer shell delivers a waterproof hydrostatic head of 15,000mm — a substantial performance figure confirming the jacket's ability to withstand sustained and heavy rainfall without water penetrating the fabric. This is supported by fully taped seams that seal every stitch line against water ingress, eliminating the most common point of failure in waterproof outerwear.

The EN 343 Class 3:1 X certification independently verifies this waterproof performance to the highest European standard — providing procurement teams with documented assurance rather than marketing claims.

PFAS-Free Texpel™ Splash Eco Water-Resistant Finish

The ES463 outer shell also features the Texpel™ Splash Eco fabric treatment — a PFAS-free, highly effective Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish that causes water to bead instantly on contact and roll cleanly away from the surface. This prevents the outer shell from saturating during prolonged rain exposure, maintaining the jacket's thermal performance, managing its weight when wet, and preserving the optical integrity of the fluorescent hi-vis fabric.

The absence of PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) from the Texpel™ Splash Eco treatment makes the ES463 a responsible procurement choice for organisations with environmental supply chain commitments — delivering outstanding water-resistant performance without reliance on persistent, environmentally harmful fluorinated chemistry.

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

The ES463 is certified to EN ISO 20471 Class 3 — the highest available classification in the European high visibility standard — providing the maximum required area of fluorescent background material and retroreflective tape. Class 3 is the mandatory standard for the most safety-critical hi-vis working environments, including roadside and motorway working, rail infrastructure, logistics operations, and any environment where workers are exposed to fast-moving traffic or heavy plant at close quarters.

Certification durability is exceptional: the ES463 maintains its EN ISO 20471 Class 3 compliance for a remarkable 50 washes — the highest wash durability figure across the ES1 range and double that of many comparable garments on the market. For employers responsible for maintaining the ongoing compliance of issued PPE garments, this 50-wash certification provides genuine long-term assurance and reduces the frequency at which replacement garments need to be specified.

Bio Motion Tape — Enhanced Human Recognition at Distance

The ES463 features a bio motion tape pattern alongside conventional retroreflective tape — a significant visibility enhancement that goes beyond the standard requirements of EN ISO 20471. Bio motion tape is arranged to follow the natural movement patterns of the human body, making the wearer recognisable as a person — not simply as a reflective object — when observed at distance or in complex visual environments.

In low-light, night-time, or adverse weather conditions where background clutter, vehicle headlights, and visual complexity can make it difficult to quickly identify and correctly interpret what is being seen, bio motion tape supports faster and more accurate recognition of workers by vehicle and plant operators. Combined with the standard reflective tape, the ES463 delivers comprehensive, all-conditions, 360-degree conspicuity that exceeds the minimum certification requirements.

Globally Certified Across Five Standards

The ES463 carries one of the broadest certification footprints of any hi-vis winter jacket available, covering European, American, British rail, and Australian standards in a single garment:

This exceptional range of certifications makes the ES463 one of the most versatile and globally deployable hi-vis winter jackets in the professional workwear market — a single garment specification that satisfies the regulatory requirements of multiple countries and industries simultaneously.

Rail Industry Compliant

In orange, the ES463 complies with RIS 3279-TOM Issue 2 — Network Rail's mandatory standard for high visibility clothing worn on or near UK rail infrastructure. For rail contractors, trackside maintenance teams, possession managers, and engineering support personnel where RIS compliance is non-negotiable, the ES463 provides a genuinely winter-ready, waterproof, and comprehensively certified outer layer that satisfies both the visibility and the thermal protection demands of year-round rail working.

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

The AS 4602.1:2024 Class D/N certification confirms the ES463 meets the Australian standard for high visibility safety garments for both day and night use — making it appropriate for Australian procurement and operations, as well as for global organisations requiring consistent hi-vis standards across Australian and international sites.

Engineered for Comfort and Functionality in Cold Conditions

Winter work environments don't just demand warmth and waterproofing — they demand practical, comfortable garments that support productive work through an entire cold weather shift. The ES463 has been designed with the full range of functional requirements of winter working firmly in mind:

Two-way front zip — allows the jacket to be opened from the bottom as well as the top, providing ventilation, access, and flexibility of movement during physically active tasks without requiring full removal.

Studded storm flap — covers and protects the zip from wind-driven rain and cold air, preventing heat loss and water ingress at the jacket's primary closure point.

Fleece-lined collar — traps warm air at the neck — one of the body's primary heat loss zones — adding meaningful thermal comfort particularly in windy and exposed conditions.

Knitted storm cuffs with hook and loop adjustment — seal the wrist opening securely against wind and cold, preventing heat from escaping at the extremities and cold air from entering the sleeve. Compatible with gloves and work wear underneath.

Side elastic waist — maintains a comfortable, close-fitting silhouette at the waist that prevents cold air from circulating inside the jacket during movement, without restricting bending or active physical work.

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 the need to carry a separate accessory.

Exceptional Storage — 4 Pockets Plus Concealed Phone Pocket

The ES463 provides an outstanding total of four external pockets plus a concealed internal phone pocket and a dedicated internal chest pocket — giving workers ample, organised storage for the full range of items needed throughout a demanding winter shift. In cold weather, keeping frequently needed items in accessible pockets rather than in a separate bag is a practical necessity — and the ES463's pocket provision ensures essentials are always within reach without unnecessary exposure to the elements.

The concealed phone pocket is a particularly valued feature, providing a secure and protected dedicated location for smartphones — keeping them accessible for communication and site management applications while protecting them from the cold and wet conditions that can affect battery performance and screen responsiveness.

Print Access for Corporate Branding

The ES463 features dedicated print access areas for corporate branding — allowing company logos, names, and identifiers to be applied to the garment without disrupting its certification status or high visibility performance. For organisations that issue branded workwear, or for contractors who need clearly identifiable company-branded PPE on site, this feature allows the ES463 to serve as both compliant safety garment and professional corporate uniform in a single piece.

40+ UPF Sun Protection

Despite being primarily a cold weather garment, the ES463's shell fabric carries a UPF 40+ rating, blocking 98% of harmful UV radiation. This is a particularly relevant feature for workers in high-altitude, snow-covered, or reflective environments where UV exposure can remain significant even in cold temperatures — and for those working through the transition seasons when cold weather and high UV levels can coincide.

Key Features at a Glance

• EN 342 certified cold protection to -40°C
• Fully waterproof with taped seams — EN 343 Class 3:1 WP 15,000mm
• 300D Oxford polyester outer shell with double PU coating and stain-resistant finish
• 160g polyester filling for deep, even insulation
• PFAS-free Texpel™ Splash Eco water-resistant outer finish
• Bio motion and standard 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
• Fleece-lined collar for neck warmth
• Hook and loop storm cuffs for sealed wrist fit
• Side elastic waist for comfort and draught exclusion
• Pack-away hood for instant deployment
• 4 external pockets, internal chest pocket, and concealed phone pocket
• Print access for corporate branding
• 40+ UPF rated fabric — blocks 98% of UV rays
• CE certified

Technical Specifications