Weatherproof jacket for trade & construction: tips, standards & checklist

6 Tips – How to Choose the Right Workwear Rain Jacket

"There is no bad weather, only bad clothing!" Who hasn’t heard this saying hundreds of times when it's pouring outside? Yet it holds important meaning for workers and tradespeople who have to work outdoors even in poor weather conditions. Those who work soaked and chilled not only risk discomfort but also health issues such as colds or muscle tension – and reduce their concentration and safety. That's why we’re giving you important tips below on how to counter bad weather by choosing the right weather protection jacket.

A workman pulls a heavy object with a horn trolley in a storm and wears a weatherproof jacket.

Major Challenges for Material and Functionality

That’s why it’s important: If you’re working on a construction site, you need a rain jacket as workwear that protects you from wind and weather. This is especially true during transitional seasons when the weather can’t make up its mind.

Rain and wind often pose particular challenges on the construction site. Many tasks can’t wait and have to be carried out despite heavy rain or strong winds. That’s why the most important job of a weather protection jacket is to keep workers as dry as possible.

Below we give you 6 tips to help you choose the right weather protection jacket for you:

1. Pay attention to the jacket’s material!

High-quality weather protection jackets use advanced materials with integrated membranes. These are laminated in ultra-thin layers onto the fabric, providing reliable waterproofing. At the same time, water vapor like sweat can escape from the inside out. This makes the garment a dependable companion even in changing weather conditions.

Practical tip: Make sure the jacket is certified according to EN 343 – this gives you reliable guidance for tested waterproofing and breathability.

2. Check the wearing comfort!

Making a rain jacket waterproof is only one challenge. But what good is a 100% water-repellent weather protection jacket if you can’t move freely in it? Before buying, always check the fit and freedom of movement. Ideally, test it in realistic work scenarios: As a tradesperson on a construction site, on a roof, or in carpentry you often work overhead and are constantly in motion. Make sure you can still work comfortably in the jacket during your everyday tasks and physical effort.

Practical tip: Especially in the construction or trades environment, the weather protection jacket faces heavy wear – choose materials that are also abrasion-resistant so it lasts longer.

3. Value ergonomic design!

A good weather protection jacket is extremely light yet durable. Ergonomically shaped sleeves and an arm-lift system provide greater freedom of movement. With two side pockets, an inner pocket, and a chest pocket, the jacket is designed to meet workers’ needs. This ensures tools and essentials can always be stowed away easily without getting in the way while working.

Practical tip: Look for individually adjustable hem widths or sleeve cuffs – this lets you optimize the fit and keep out wind and rain even better.

A man wears a BP® workwear rain jacket and hammers in rainy weather.

4. Focus on functionality!

The pockets should all be closable with zippers to prevent anything from falling out. When it comes to weather protection, the BP® jacket certified to EN 343 Class 3 offers many useful features: with a water column rating of over 10,000 mm, 3-layer laminate, roll-in hood, stand-up collar, sealed seams, and windproof sleeve cuffs, it ensures that wearers stay optimally protected while working in wet and windy conditions.

Practical tip: Also check if the rain jacket is easy to care for and whether the water-repellent finish can be renewed. This extends its lifespan and maintains its waterproof performance.

5. Is visibility required?

If the rain jacket is used on construction sites or in road traffic, it’s not just about rain protection but also about good visibility. In many of these areas, high-visibility protection is even mandatory. For this purpose, we also offer a wide selection of Hi-Vis weather protection jackets certified to EN ISO 20471.

6. Remember the layering principle!

Weather protection jackets work best in a layered system. Plan for a warming yet breathable mid-layer (e.g. fleece or softshell). This keeps you flexible in changing temperatures and helps prevent heat build-up.

Especially important for autumn and winter construction sites! Will the weather protection jacket be used in environments down to -5° Celsius? Then look for jackets that also meet the EN 14058 cold protection standard.

Rain Jacket Water Column – What the Label Tells You

EN 343 defines different classes that indicate the level of protection against water penetration and the level of breathability. For water penetration resistance, for example, "Class 1" offers low resistance, while "Class 4" provides very high protection. On the label, the class of water penetration resistance is shown by the upper "y" value.

The waterproofness of rain jackets is often specified in “mm water column”. For work rain jackets, this means specifically:

Class 1: Rain jacket with water column ≥ 8,000 Pa (800 mm water column)
Class 2: Rain jacket with water column ≥ 8,000 Pa (800 mm water column) (after pre-treatment)
Class 3: Rain jacket with water column ≥ 13,000 Pa (1,300 mm water column)
Class 4: Rain jacket with water column ≥ 20,000 Pa (2,000 mm water column)

Similarly, for water vapor resistance or breathability, "Class 1" offers low moisture transfer, while "Class 4" means very good transfer. On the label, the class of water vapor resistance is indicated by the lower "y" value.

If you see an "R" on the jacket label, it means "rain tower-tested finished garment". If the garment wasn’t tested, "R" is replaced with "X". For more details about rain jackets and water column ratings, visit our EN 343 standards page.

A woman wears multi-standard protective clothing with a neon yellow hood. In the background is a solar installation.

✅ Checklist for Employers and Purchasers

Weather Protection Jackets for Construction and Industry

🎯 Goal

Ensure that the purchased weather protection jackets meet all requirements for occupational safety, standards compliance, functionality, and cost-effectiveness.

1️⃣ Standards & Legal Compliance

Does the jacket meet EN 343 for rain protection in the required class (tested water column and breathability)?
Are models with EN 14058 (cold protection) available for work in low temperatures?
Are variants with EN ISO 20471 (Hi-Vis) available if visibility is required or mandated?
Are certificates/proof available and verifiable?

2️⃣ Occupational Safety & Health

Does the jacket reliably protect against getting soaked and chilled to reduce weather-related sick leave?
Does it provide complete wind protection?
Does it support the layering principle (layer system) for different weather conditions?
Does the jacket allow for ergonomic movements (e.g. overhead work, kneeling, stretching)?