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Rain gear for construction is not the same as a hiking jacket. It has to survive concrete, rebar and a full shift outdoors, and on most sites it also has to be high-visibility. In the EU, protective rainwear is tested to EN 343 — the standard for protection against rain, snow, fog and ground humidity.
The two numbers on an EN 343 label
The EN 343 pictogram (an umbrella in rain) comes with two classes:
- Water penetration resistance — how much water pressure the fabric and the seams withstand, also after pre-treatment such as washing and abrasion.
- Water vapour resistance (breathability) — how easily sweat vapour escapes from inside. A higher class means more breathable and more comfortable for physical work.
Since the 2019 revision, both scales run from 1 to 4, with 4 the best. Older garments certified to the previous version show classes from 1 to 3, often written like 3:1 — waterproof class 3, breathability class 1. A third character such as X or R refers to the optional rain tower test of the complete garment: X means not tested, R means tested.
Breathability classes in practice
| Breathability class | What it means on site |
|---|---|
| Class 1 | Not breathable — typical for PU and PVC rainwear. Fully waterproof and cheap, but you get damp from sweat during hard work. The standard recommends limited continuous wearing time. |
| Class 2 | Some breathability — fine for moderate activity. |
| Class 3–4 | Breathable membrane fabrics — comfortable for full shifts and heavy physical work. |
What about “10,000 mm”?
Many rain jackets are also described by a water column in millimetres — for example 10,000 mm or 15,000 mm. It describes how tall a column of water the fabric holds before leaking. It is a useful extra figure, but it is a manufacturer value for the fabric, not an EN 343 class. A garment can only be called protective rainwear if it is certified to EN 343, which also tests the seams.
PU raincoat or breathable rain jacket?
- PU / PVC rain suits and raincoats: 100% waterproof, easy to clean from concrete and mud, low price. Best for heavy rain, ground works and short tasks. Expect condensation inside during hard work.
- Breathable hi-vis rain jackets: more comfortable for long shifts and as an outer shell over a fleece in autumn and spring.
- Long raincoats: cover the thighs — good for supervisors, traffic controllers and work where you stand a lot.
- Two-piece rain suits: jacket and trousers for full protection when kneeling or working in wet ground.
Hi-vis and rain together
Rain and darkness go together in the European autumn and winter. Most site rainwear is therefore also certified to EN ISO 20471. A hi-vis rain jacket over normal workwear keeps the worker visible even when the hi-vis jacket underneath is covered. Read more in our hi-vis classes guide.
Rainwear at TrustGear
Our hi-vis rainwear range includes raincoats, rain jackets and two-piece rain suits with taped seams and reflective tape. Every product page lists the EN 343 and EN ISO 20471 ratings where the supplier provides them. Choose one size up so the rainwear fits over a winter jacket — see the size guide. Ordering for the whole crew? Add rainwear, boots and gloves in one order with the kit builder. Companies with an EU VAT number can buy without VAT and receive an invoice.