Hi-Vis Hoodies and Sweatshirts: Classes, Layering, Fleece and Washing

A hi-vis hoodie or sweatshirt is the most worn layer on many sites: on its own on cool dry days, under the jacket in winter, and in the heated stairwell when the jacket comes off. But not every bright yellow sweatshirt is a certified hi-vis garment, and not every certified one gives the class your site needs. Here is what to check.

EN ISO 20471: what Class 1, 2 and 3 mean for a hoodie

EN ISO 20471 sets minimum areas of fluorescent background material and retroreflective tape. The class depends on how much of each the garment has:

Because a hoodie has long sleeves, a well-designed one can reach Class 3 on its own. Note that the class can depend on the size: in some models the smallest sizes reach a lower class than the larger ones, so check the label of the size you buy. The label should say EN ISO 20471 with the class number next to the pictogram. EN 471 is the old standard that was replaced by EN ISO 20471 in 2013. A full explanation is in hi-vis classes EN ISO 20471 explained.

When is a hoodie alone enough?

A hi-vis hoodie can be your only top layer when:

• It is certified to at least the class the site or task requires – road works usually require Class 3, building sites set their own minimum.
• The weather is dry and cool. Sweatshirt fabrics are not waterproof, and cotton blends get heavy and cold when wet.
• Nothing covers it – no non-hi-vis vest, tool belt with braces or backpack hiding large parts of the front and back.

Remember the bands on the sleeves: if you push the sleeves up, you also hide part of the reflective area.

Under a jacket: why the hoodie should still be hi-vis

In winter the hoodie works as the warm mid-layer and the jacket gives the visibility. It still pays to choose a certified hoodie: as soon as the jacket comes off – in a stairwell, inside a building being finished, or when you get warm in heavy work – you are still visible. A few tips:

• Choose a hoodie that is a little shorter than the jacket so it does not hang out and get wet at the hem.
• Do not wear the hoodie hood under the helmet. Use a thin helmet liner instead and keep the hood outside or under the jacket collar.
• If you wear the hoodie over a hi-vis jacket or vest by mistake, the hoodie becomes the outer layer – and then its own class is what counts.
• Size the jacket with the hoodie on. More on layers in our winter work jacket guide.

Zip or pullover?

For site work most crews prefer a full zip. A crew-neck pullover sweatshirt is a good choice for warehouses and yards where you mainly wear it on its own.

Hi-vis fleece

A hi-vis fleece jacket or fleece-lined hoodie is light, warm and stays warm when slightly damp, and it dries quickly – a good mid-layer in the Nordic winter. Downsides: fleece attracts dust and sawdust, can pill, and ordinary polyester fleece melts and must not be worn for welding, grinding or other hot work. For hot work you need flame-resistant clothing instead.

Washing so it stays certified

The fluorescent colour and the reflective tape both wear out. The label states how many wash cycles the garment was certified for (for example 25 or 50) and at what temperature.

• Wash inside out with zips closed, at the temperature on the label.
• Do not use bleach or fabric softener.
• Do not tumble dry or iron unless the label allows it; never iron directly on the tape.
• Replace the hoodie when the colour has faded, the tape cracks or peels, or the number of wash cycles has been reached.

Step-by-step instructions are in how to wash hi-vis workwear.

Examples from our range

• Pesso FL05 Hi-Vis Class 2 Hooded Fleece Jacket – light fleece with adjustable hood and full zip, EN ISO 20471 Class 2.
• BoSafety DELAVER C3 Hi-Vis Class 3 Hooded Fleece Jacket – fleece-lined, hood, ID card pocket, EN ISO 20471 Class 3.
• Pesso FL08 Hi-Vis Class 2 Zip Hoodie – lightweight cotton/polyester zip hoodie, Class 2.
• Portwest PW376 Hi-Vis Class 1 Sweatshirt – crew-neck pullover, certified after 50 washes, for jobs where Class 1 is enough.

See all models in hi-vis sweatshirts and hoodies and the full hi-vis workwear range. Companies with a valid EU VAT number buy without VAT (reverse charge).

FAQ

Is a hi-vis hoodie enough on a construction site?

Yes, if it is certified to EN ISO 20471 in the class the site requires and it is your outer layer. In rain or cold you need a certified jacket on top.

Can a hoodie be Class 3?

Yes. Long-sleeved hoodies with enough fluorescent area and reflective bands on the body and sleeves can be certified to Class 3.

Does the hood have to be hi-vis?

The hood is not what makes the class – the body and sleeves are. What matters more is that the hood is never worn under a safety helmet.

How many times can I wash a hi-vis hoodie?

As many times as the label states for the certification, typically 25 to 50 cycles. After that, or when the colour fades, replace it.