High Visibility Rain Gear — ANSI-Certified Hi Vis Rain Jackets, Coats & Class E Pants

Yes — when worn as the outermost visible garment in a traffic or roadway work environment, hi-vis rain gear must meet ANSI/ISEA 107 certification requirements to satisfy OSHA and FHWA regulations. A non-certified rain jacket worn over a certified hi-vis garment renders the underlying hi-vis layer non-compliant because the outermost garment is what determines ANSI class. If your work requires ANSI Class 2 or Class 3 protection and it is raining, your rain jacket must itself be ANSI Class 2 or Class 3 certified. Safety Smart Gear carries only ANSI-certified hi-vis rain gear for roadway and construction applications.

Class 3 rain jackets are waist-to-hip-length waterproof outer layers — they provide full ANSI Class 3 certification with retroreflective tape on the torso and sleeves. They pair with separate Class E rain pants or bibs to form a complete rain suit.

Class 3 raincoats (also called rain dusters or long rain jackets) extend below the hip — often to mid-thigh or knee length — providing more coverage and protection from driving rain without requiring separate rain pants in milder conditions. They still meet full ANSI Class 3 requirements. For full protection in heavy rain, pairing a Class 3 raincoat with Class E rain pants provides complete coverage.

ANSI Class E (E for "enhancement") is a designation specifically for hi-vis pants, shorts, and bib overalls. Class E garments are not a standalone ANSI class — they are designed to be worn in combination with a Class 2 or Class 3 upper garment to achieve Class 3 combined system visibility. A Class 2 jacket worn with Class E pants elevates the overall system to Class 3 by adding the required retroreflective tape coverage to the lower body. Class E rain pants are required on any work site where Class 3 is mandated and workers need lower-body rain protection. They feature retroreflective tape around both legs and are made from waterproof or water-resistant materials.

X Back hi-vis rain jackets feature retroreflective tape in an "X" configuration across the back panel rather than horizontal bands. The X pattern maintains tape visibility at all worker body positions — including bent-over, crouched, or facing away from traffic — and is required or preferred by many state DOTs and project specifications for flaggers and road crews. X Back rain jackets combine full Class 3 ANSI certification with the added tape-visibility advantage of the X Back layout and full waterproof protection.

Hi-vis rain gear waterproofness varies by material and construction. Key indicators to look for: fully seam-sealed construction prevents water from entering through stitch holes — unseamed or critically-seamed garments allow water infiltration over time. Waterproof rating (measured in mm of water column) indicates how much water pressure the fabric can resist before leaking — 5,000mm is suitable for light to moderate rain; 10,000mm+ is appropriate for sustained heavy rain. PVC-coated polyester is a common, highly waterproof material used in work-grade rain gear. Taped or welded seams are a mark of high-quality rain gear construction. For heavy-duty outdoor work in sustained rain, prioritize fully seam-sealed, PVC or TPU-coated garments over simple DWR (durable water repellent) treated shells.

Wearing a rain jacket under a harness is generally not recommended — it reduces harness fit accuracy and may obscure retroreflective tape, compromising ANSI compliance. In harness environments, wearing a hi-vis rain jacket over the harness maintains visibility but requires the jacket to have harness-access features (front zipper openings or breakaway panels) for the harness D-ring to remain accessible. Some worksites address this by using a hi-vis rain vest over the harness paired with non-hi-vis rain pants. Always confirm your site's rain gear and harness protocol with your safety officer before selecting garments.

Enhanced Visibility rain gear uses hi-vis colors and reflective trim but does not meet the full ANSI/ISEA 107 certification requirements for background material area, tape placement, or tape quantity. It is appropriate for non-roadway environments where some visibility improvement is desired in wet conditions — such as warehouse yards, landscaping, or agricultural work. It must never substitute for ANSI-certified rain gear on public roadways, construction zones, or any site where OSHA, FHWA, or project specifications require Class 2 or Class 3 hi-vis compliance.

Safety Smart Gear carries hi-vis rain gear from leading brands including OccuNomix, Kishigo, Portwest, GSS Safety, and Utility Pro. Our rain gear selection includes Class 3 rain jackets, Class 3 raincoats, X Back rain jackets, Class E rain pants and bibs, and enhanced visibility rain gear — in fluorescent yellow-green and fluorescent orange-red colorways, across a range of sizes including extended sizes.

To achieve a complete ANSI Class 3 rain system, combine a Class 3 certified rain jacket or raincoat (upper body) with Class E certified rain pants or bibs (lower body). The Class 3 upper garment alone meets Class 3 requirements for upper-body visibility; adding Class E pants provides full-body retroreflective coverage required for high-speed roadway environments. Ensure both garments are from your ANSI-certified selection — non-certified rain pants do not contribute to your ANSI class rating. If your Class 3 jacket already provides full-length sleeve coverage and adequate torso tape, a Class 2 upper paired with Class E pants also achieves an equivalent combined Class 3 system.

Yes. Safety Smart Gear offers bulk and volume pricing for contractors, road crews, municipalities, and utilities outfitting workers with hi-vis rain gear. You can request a bulk rain gear quote on our website, or call us at (508) 248-3141. Custom logo printing is available on select styles through our printing program.