Buying hi-vis rainwear means checking four things beyond the waterproof rating: construction (PU coating vs laminate vs three-layer membrane — price and breathability in that order), EN 343's two class numbers (water penetration and breathability, 1–4 each), taped seams on every seam, and the hi-vis certification itself, since rain garments certify separately under EN ISO 20471.
Every rain jacket is "waterproof" on the hangtag. Six months into a contract, the difference between a coating and a membrane, or between stitched and taped seams, becomes the difference between a dry crew and a returned container. Here is the checklist we run through with buyers before quoting.
1. The Waterproof Rating Is Only Half the Story
Hydrostatic head (mm H₂O) tells you how much water pressure the fabric resists:
- 5,000mm — light rain, short exposure
- 10,000mm — sustained rain, general outdoor work
- 15,000–20,000mm — all-day exposure, pressure points (kneeling, shoulder straps)
But fabric rating ≠ garment performance. A 20,000mm fabric with unsealed seams leaks at every needle hole. Always ask: are the seams taped, and are they taped on all seams or only "critical" ones? Full seam taping costs more and is worth it.
2. Coating vs Laminate vs Membrane
PU / semi-PU coating — a polyurethane layer applied to the fabric's inner face. Proven, economical, and what most EN 343 rainwear on the market uses. Our RS-002/RS-003 suits run this construction. Good breathability is the trade-off to manage with vents.
Three-layer laminate — outer fabric + waterproof-breathable membrane + protective backing bonded together. Higher cost, much better durability and breathability; this is the construction that passed our [ASTM F1671 viral-penetration test](/blog/astm-f1671-bbp-three-layer-fabric-passed) for a Canadian marine program.
DWR-only — a surface treatment, not a barrier. Fine for "shower-resistant" fashion jackets, wrong for workwear.
3. EN 343 — Read the Two Numbers
EN 343 rates garments on two axes, each 1–4 (newer scale):
- First digit — water penetration resistance (aim 3–4 for outdoor crews)
- Second digit — breathability (aim 3–4 for active work)
A "EN 343 certified" claim without the class numbers tells you nothing. For US programs, the rough equivalents live in ASTM F2732 / ANSI 107 combined specs; for Canada, rain clauses sit inside CSA Z96 garment specs.
4. Hi-Vis + Rain Is a Separate Certification
A rain jacket claiming EN ISO 20471 Class 3 must prove its fluorescent and retroreflective performance after ageing and washing, and the garment design must still meet minimum area requirements with its storm flaps and hood. Buying "a waterproof jacket" and "a hi-vis jacket" as separate SKUs is often more expensive than one dual-certified rain jacket — but only if the dual certification is real. Ask for the test report, not the badge graphic.
5. The Construction Details That Decide Returns
- Storm flap over the main zip (double flap for driving rain)
- Adjustable cuffs and hem — water runs in at openings, not through fabric
- Hood: detachable, adjustable, and sized to fit over a hard hat if your crews wear them
- Pocket flaps and drainage — un-drained pockets become water tanks
- For bib trousers: elasticated waist or adjustable suspenders, and leg openings that close over boots
What We Suggest
For general contractor and municipal programs, a semi-PU coated suit with fully taped seams (like our [RS-002](/products/rs002-hivis-rain-suit)) covers 90% of use cases economically. For marine, fishing, EMS or public-safety programs where barrier performance and breathability both matter, step up to the three-layer laminate construction. Either way, EN 343 and EN ISO 20471 certification runs to order with SGS / Intertek / TÜV SÜD reports in your quotation package.
[Send us your climate, crew activity level and target price](/#contact) — we will tell you which construction fits, honestly, within 24 hours.
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Fujian Rising Outdoor Products Co., Ltd. is a BSCI, SMETA and SCAN-audited manufacturer of outdoor workwear and PPE, serving brands in the EU, US, Canada and Australia since 2012.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do the two numbers in EN 343 mean?+
EN 343 rates garments with two class numbers, 1–4 each: the first is resistance to water penetration, the second is water-vapour resistance — breathability. Class 4,4 is the top: the heaviest rain protection with the best moisture escape. A Class 4,1 jacket keeps rain out but sweats the wearer.
Is a 3000mm waterproof rating enough for work rainwear?+
3000mm hydrostatic head handles light-to-moderate rain for short exposure — fine for occasional showers. All-day outdoor crews in sustained rain want 5000–10000mm plus fully taped seams. The rating alone is half the story: an untaped seam leaks long before the fabric does.
What is the difference between coated and laminated rainwear?+
Coated (PU on the fabric back) is the value option — waterproof and durable but barely breathable. Laminated two-layer adds a membrane for breathability. Three-layer laminates bond face fabric, membrane and backer — the most breathable, toughest and most expensive, and the construction that passes viral-barrier tests like ASTM F1671.
Does hi-vis rainwear need separate certification from the base garment?+
Yes. A hi-vis rain jacket certifies under both EN 343 (rain protection) and EN ISO 20471 (visibility) as its own design. A certified hi-vis jacket worn under an untested rain shell is not a certified combination — check both standards on the rain garment itself.
About Fujian Rising Outdoor Products
BSCI, SMETA and SCAN-audited manufacturer of outdoor workwear & PPE since 2012. 865 workers, 250 computerized sewing machines. Serving brands in the EU, US, Canada and Australia.
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