Portwest Safety Vests

Frequently Asked Questions

How much fluorescent background and reflective material the garment carries and how much of the body it covers. A standard vest has no sleeves, so on its own it typically meets Class 2. Class 3 requires sleeve coverage, which a Class 3 vest achieves through its design or by pairing with a compliant sleeved garment. Buy the class your site or contract names.

Mesh for heat, solid for wear. Mesh moves air and is far more comfortable through summer and during hard physical work. Solid fabric resists abrasion better and stands up to rough handling, which suits work where the vest catches on materials and edges all day.

A hi-vis vest with pockets built in for a radio, phone, pens and a notepad. It suits supervisors, inspectors and anyone who needs to carry gear without a separate bag. Executive vests carry the same class ratings as any other vest, so check the class before you buy.

A lightweight vest built from reflective bands and straps rather than full fabric panels, cooler and easier to throw on than a full vest. It is an economical choice for lower-risk visibility needs. Check its class rating against your site requirement, since reduced material means reduced coverage.

Freedom of movement and airflow. The X-shaped back uses straps instead of a full panel, which keeps you cooler and stays clear of harnesses and tool belts. It still carries reflective tape front and back. Check the class on the product page, since the reduced fabric affects which class it meets.

A vest that is itself flame resistant rated. A standard polyester hi-vis vest can melt or ignite over an FR shirt and defeat the protection underneath. The Portwest Modaflame mesh vests combine flame resistance with Class 2 or Class 3 visibility. See our Portwest flame resistant clothing range.

Until the fluorescent color fades or the reflective tape cracks, peels or dulls. Washing, sunlight and abrasion all wear it down, and a faded vest no longer delivers the visibility the class assumes. Buying in 12-packs makes it easy to rotate worn vests out. See the full Portwest hi-vis range.

Yes. Portwest is one part of the range, and our wider vest collection includes insulated and flame resistant work vests from other brands. See the full work vests collection.

Portwest Safety Vests

Frequently Asked Questions

Recently viewed

Our Top Brands

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a Class 2 and a Class 3 vest?

Mesh or solid vest?

What is an executive vest?

What is a band-and-brace vest?

What is an X-back vest for?

What vest do I need on an FR site?

How long does a hi-vis vest last?

Do you carry vests from other brands?