Portwest

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Portwest make?

Portwest is a workwear and PPE brand covering the whole crew from the neck down and back up: hi-vis vests and jackets, flame resistant coveralls and clothing, cut-resistant and coated work gloves, hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection and rain gear. At Overlook we carry around 300 Portwest styles, with most gloves, vests and glasses sold in 12-packs for crews.

What is the difference between ANSI Class 2 and Class 3 hi-vis?

Class 2 hi-vis has enough background material and reflective tape for workers near traffic moving up to about 50 mph, and is the standard for road crews, warehouses and most construction. Class 3 adds sleeves and more reflective area so the wearer is recognizable as a person at higher speeds and in low light, and is required for highway work and night operations. Portwest vests are labeled by class on the product page.

Which Portwest FR line do I need: Bizflame, Bizweld or Modaflame?

Bizflame is the general-purpose FR line, in 88/12 cotton-nylon and lightweight NFPA 2112 fabrics, for oil and gas, utilities and electrical work. Bizweld is built for welding, with heavier fabric and coverage against sparks and spatter. Modaflame is the knit line, FR t-shirts, hoodies and mesh vests, for layering under a coverall or wearing on its own. Check the NFPA 2112 and NFPA 70E arc ratings on each product for your site's requirement.

What do the A2 to A9 numbers on Portwest gloves mean?

They are ANSI cut levels. A1 to A3 cover light work and general handling, A4 and A5 cover sheet metal, glass and box cutting, and A6 to A9 are for heavy cutting hazards like blades and sharp stampings. Higher is more cut resistant, usually at the cost of some dexterity, so match the level to the hazard rather than buying the highest number.

Are Portwest gloves sold individually or in packs?

Most Portwest gloves at Overlook are sold in 12-packs, which is how crews and safety managers usually buy them. Where a single pair is available it is listed separately with the same style number, so check the title for the pack size before you order.

How does Portwest clothing fit?

Portwest workwear runs true to size on a standard fit, and coveralls are sized to go over regular clothing. Many coveralls and FR pants come in tall as well as regular, listed as separate products. If you layer a hoodie under a jacket or need room for a harness, go up one size.

How do I wash flame resistant clothing without ruining it?

Wash FR garments in warm water with a regular detergent and no fabric softener, bleach or starch, since those coat the fibers and reduce the flame resistance. Tumble dry on low or hang dry. Bizflame 88/12 fabric keeps its FR properties for the life of the garment as long as it is washed this way and not patched with non-FR material.

Can I set up a Portwest program for my crew?

Yes. Our corporate account program covers Portwest PPE alongside safety boots, with a dedicated ordering portal, per-employee allowances and compliance reporting. It starts at 10 employees. See the corporate accounts page or contact us for a quote on bulk orders.

What is the return policy on Portwest products?

Portwest items follow our standard policy: free exchanges, and returns within 180 days in unworn, resalable condition with tags attached. Opened 12-packs and disposable items cannot be returned once the pack is broken. Orders of $150 or more ship free.

Portwest

Frequently Asked Questions

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