Key Takeaways
A single line item with depth
A compact Dutch product line — “FWTS T-shirt Portwest R413 L / Oranje” — points to a purpose-built high-visibility work shirt designed for real job sites, not casual wear.
Comfort engineered for long shifts
Lightweight bird-eye knit polyester (about 150 g/m²) wicks moisture and breathes, making it easier to keep cool under layers or while moving.
Visibility that moves with you
Segmented reflective tape laid out in an RWS striping pattern preserves flexibility while maintaining a clean, 360-degree outline in vehicle headlights.
Certified for demanding settings
The orange version of the Portwest R413 is certified to EN ISO 20471 (Class 2) and also meets the UK rail standard RIS 3279-TOM, a combination often required beside traffic and trains.
Story & Details
From code to kit
What reads like a SKU — R413 in orange, size large — actually describes a protective layer intended for roadsides, rail corridors, logistics yards and construction approaches. The goal is simple: be seen early enough that drivers and operators have time to react.
Fabric and feel
Bird-eye knit polyester creates tiny channels that help move sweat off the skin while letting air circulate. At roughly 150 g/m², the shirt feels light, sits easily under vests or shells and avoids bulky seams that rub when bending, lifting or carrying gear.
Tape, pattern and movement
The reflective system uses segmented bands instead of solid strips. Those micro-gaps let the fabric flex, so the shirt bends and stretches without fighting the wearer. The RWS striping layout wraps the torso to keep the human outline recognisable from multiple angles.
What the standards mean
EN ISO 20471 sets minimum areas and performance for fluorescent background and retroreflective material; Class 2 is the middle tier, common where vehicles move at moderate speeds or visibility is reduced. RIS 3279-TOM focuses on the rail environment and specifies orange garments that meet defined thresholds so train drivers can detect workers sooner, at speed and distance.
Where it excels
As a T-shirt, the R413 is a natural layer in warm months and a visibility anchor under outerwear when weather turns. It’s built for crews who spend long hours around moving plant and traffic, where comfort helps people keep PPE on — and on properly.
Conclusions
Small garment, big job
Modern high-visibility clothing is a balance of comfort, movement and conspicuity. In the R413, lightweight fabric, segmented tape and RWS striping work together so the shirt feels wearable while doing the essential work of being seen.
Choose by evidence, not colour alone
When selecting hi-vis kit, look for fabric weight and breathability, tape design, and the right combination of certifications. The orange R413’s pairing of EN ISO 20471 Class 2 with RIS 3279-TOM shows how a simple T-shirt can meet serious operational demands.
Sources
Portwest — R413 product page (orange variant, RWS layout and segmented tape):
https://www.portwest.com/products/view/R413/ORR
ISO — ISO 20471 overview (high-visibility clothing):
https://www.iso.org/standard/42816.html
RSSB — RIS 3279-TOM (railway high-visibility clothing standard):
https://www.rssb.co.uk/standards-catalogue/CatalogueItem/RIS-3279-TOM-Iss-2
UK HSE — High-visibility clothing guidance within PPE at work:
https://www.hse.gov.uk/ppe/index.htm
YouTube — Network Rail: “Hello Railway Safety – PPE and workwear” (educational content on required kit for trackside work):
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEyxok7AwPQGStUULoFtf4BeDeJMh3JUI
Appendix
Bird-eye knit polyester
A light, breathable knit with small “eye” structures that channel moisture away from the skin while allowing airflow — common in technical workwear and sportswear.
EN ISO 20471
An international standard defining minimum areas and performance for fluorescent background and retroreflective materials so wearers remain visible in daylight and under headlights.
High-visibility clothing
Protective apparel using bright fluorescent colours and retroreflective elements to increase conspicuity around vehicles, plant and low-light environments.
HiVisTex Pro
A branded segmented retroreflective tape designed to flex with the garment, aiming to maintain strong reflectivity without restricting movement.
Portwest R413 high-visibility T-shirt
A short-sleeved hi-vis shirt in bird-eye knit polyester with RWS striping and segmented tape; the orange version is certified to EN ISO 20471 Class 2 and meets RIS 3279-TOM.
RIS 3279-TOM
A UK rail industry specification that requires orange high-visibility garments meeting defined technical thresholds so workers are conspicuous to train drivers at operating speeds.
RWS striping configuration
A reflective layout associated with road and infrastructure work that provides 360-degree torso visibility to maintain a clear human outline from multiple directions.
Segmented reflective tape
Retroreflective material applied in discrete segments rather than continuous bands, improving flexibility and comfort while preserving a coherent reflective pattern when illuminated.
My Diary - Leonardo Cardillo 