Best Rain Gear for Construction Work: Jackets, Bibs & Hi-Vis Picks

Pictured: the Stormtex-Air 203 jacket and Stormtex-Air 652 bib on site.

Construction rain gear has to keep a site crew dry through a full shift of rain, stand up to concrete, rebar and plant, and still move when the morning starts below freezing. This guide compares our PVC rain jackets, bib pants and full rain suits for job-site work, with hi-vis picks for the US and Canada.

Last updated: October 2026 · For general commercial workwear, see our heavy-duty waterproof workwear guide.

Our picks at a glance

Three set-ups cover most construction work. The table compares every rain jacket and bib we recommend for site work; the cards below are our top picks.

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Prefer green? Stormtex 248G jacket + 669HG bib

Green is a favourite on construction sites. The Stormtex 248G jacket and Stormtex 669HG bib pants are the same 500gsm oil-resistant PVC build as our blue picks, in sizes XS–6XL.

Need more movement? Stormtex-Air 203 jacket + 652 bib

For trades that climb, reach and kneel all day, the Stormtex-Air range uses a lighter 340gsm stretch PVC with a PU coating. The Stormtex-Air 203 jacket has an adjustable hood that fits over a helmet, and the Stormtex-Air 652 bib has built-in knee pads and double-layer PVC on the legs.

What makes rain gear site-ready

Welded seams vs. stitched seams

A stitched seam is a line of needle holes, and heavy rain works its way through every one of them. A welded seam joins the PVC panels by welding them together, so a welded seam has no holes for water to find. Every Stormline PVC rain jacket, bib and pair of overtrousers has double-welded seams.

	Stitched seams	Welded seams
How the seam is joined	Needle and thread through the fabric	PVC panels welded together
In all-day rain	Water can wick through needle holes	No needle holes in the seam
Over time	Stitching wears and the tape lifts	The weld is part of the garment

Heavy PVC and cold-weather suppleness

Our PVC rain gear is lab tested to stay flexible down to −25°C / −13°F. Most brands do not publish a cold rating for their PVC rain gear, yet a cold rating decides whether the gear is usable at 6am in January.

Cheap PVC left in the work truck overnight goes stiff as a board and cracks at the folds. Our cold-rated PVC rain jacket and bib pants stay supple, so the gear goes on in the morning without a fight. At 500–650gsm, the PVC is heavy enough for concrete, rebar and truck beds, and the PVC hoses clean at the end of the shift.

Hoods and hard hats

Check how a hood sits over your hard hat before the rain starts, because a hood that pulls the hard hat back is a hazard. Two of our rain jackets are built for this: the Stormtex-Air 203 jacket has an adjustable hood for a helmet, and the Crew 255 jacket has a two-piece hood designed to be worn with or without a helmet. If your site requires a hard hat at all times, choose the Stormtex-Air 203 or the Crew 255 jacket.

Rain jacket vs. full rain suit: which do you need?

A rain jacket alone suits people who move between the site and the cabin. Anyone working on the ground in the rain all shift needs a full rain suit: a rain jacket plus bib pants that overlap at the waist.

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Role or task	What you’re up against	Our recommendation
Site manager, inspector, surveyor	Short spells outside, in and out of vehicles	Rain jacket: Stormtex 248B, or 248Y where hi-vis is required
Ground crew, labourers	Rain all shift, kneeling and bending	Full rain suit: 248B jacket + 669B bib pants, or the 248G + 669HG in green
Scaffolders, framers, active trades	Climbing, reaching and kneeling all day	Flexible rain suit: Stormtex-Air 203 jacket + 652 bib
Concrete and excavation crews	Wet concrete, mud, standing water	Full rain suit, or 248B jacket + 701G 650gsm overtrousers
Road and plant crews	Traffic and plant movements	Hi-vis rain suit: 248Y jacket + 656HVY bib (US) or 669Y bib (Canada)
Wash-downs and cleaning	Constant spray, all-shift soaking	Crew 255 jacket + Crew 640 bib in 650gsm PVC

Hi-vis rain gear requirements

In the US, high-visibility apparel is classified under ANSI/ISEA 107. Class E items such as hi-vis pants or bib pants do not meet a class on their own, but a Class E item worn with a Class 2 garment achieves Class 3.

ANSI/ISEA 107 class	Typical use
Class 1	Controlled areas with traffic under 25 mph; not for public roadways
Class 2	Work near traffic moving 25–50 mph
Class 3	Traffic over 50 mph, bad weather and night work; arm and leg visibility required
Class E	Pants, shorts or gaiters; combined with Class 2 apparel to reach Class 3

Our hi-vis picks by market:

Where you work	Rain jacket	Bib pants
United States	Stormtex 248Y hi-vis jacket (550gsm PVC)	Nelson 656HVY hi-vis bib pants (ANSI Class E / EN 20471 Class 1)
Canada	Stormtex 248Y hi-vis jacket (550gsm PVC)	Stormtex 669Y hi-vis bib and brace (650gsm PVC)

Sizing for winter layering

Order your normal size. Our rain jackets and bib pants are cut with room for a fleece or insulated mid-layer underneath, so you do not need to size up to fit winter layers. If you are between sizes and wear heavy thermals all winter, choose the larger size.

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Size	XS	S	M	L	XL	2XL	3XL	4XL	5XL	6XL
Chest (in)	34	38	40	42	44	46	48	50	52	54
Chest (cm)	89	95	100	105	110	115	120	125	130	135
Waist (in)	30	32	34	36	38	40	42	44	46	48
Waist (cm)	77	82	87	92	97	102	109	114	119	124

Frequently asked questions

How does PVC rain gear perform in freezing temperatures?

Cheap PVC stiffens in the cold and can crack at the folds. Our PVC rain gear is lab tested to stay flexible down to −25°C / −13°F, so a rain jacket left in the truck overnight is still supple in the morning.

How do I wash concrete dust off PVC rain gear?

Hose the rain gear down at the end of the shift before the concrete dust dries on, then wipe with mild soapy water if needed. Do not machine wash or tumble dry PVC; hang the rain gear to dry away from direct heat.

Should I size up for construction rain gear?

No. Order your normal size, because our rain jackets and bib pants already allow room for thermal layers. Use the size chart on this page and go up only if you sit between two sizes.

Which rain gear do I need for a site that requires a hard hat?

Choose a hood that sits over the hard hat without pulling it back. The Stormtex-Air 203 jacket has an adjustable hood for a helmet, and the Crew 255 jacket has a two-piece hood designed to be worn with or without a helmet.