Portwest FlexaTex Chem bib and brace

The FlexaTex Chem is a pair of waterproof bib and brace overalls from Portwest, built to keep your lower body and torso dry when the weather turns. The shell is a 100% Polyester Tricot Knit with a breathable PU coating at 180g, so it has a bit of give in it rather than feeling like stiff plastic. That stretch matters when you are bending, climbing or kneeling through a wet shift.

The detail that does most of the work here is the construction. Seams are heat welded rather than just stitched, which closes off the obvious paths water uses to creep in. On top of that the fabric carries a PFAS free Texpel Splash Eco finish, so rain beads up and runs off the surface instead of soaking in. The brace cut means there is no waistband gap at the small of your back, which is usually the first place you get wet in a downpour.

Portwest describes the garment as certified, but the listing does not name a specific standard, so confirm the exact rating on the product page or datasheet before you rely on it for a particular job. To read the full listing you can view the Portwest FlexaTex Chem bib and brace on Done Right Safety.

Deciding if a bib and brace is the right call

The choice between rain pants and a bib and brace usually comes down to how much of you gets wet. Plain rain pants stop at the waist, so in heavy or sideways rain water can find the gap at your back. A bib and brace carries the cover up over your torso and holds the whole lot up with straps, so there is no reliance on a waistband alone. Pick this style if you spend long stretches outdoors in real weather rather than ducking out for a few minutes.

Getting the fit right

Set the elasticated straps so the bib sits flat against your chest without pulling on your shoulders. The half elasticated waist takes up the slack around your middle, and the stud adjustable hems let you close the leg openings down over your boots so water cannot run inside. If you wear bulky layers underneath in cold conditions, allow for that when you choose your size and check the measurements on the product page.

Care and keeping it waterproof

The wipe clean finish means a lot of day to day muck comes off with a damp cloth, which is handy on a wash down job. Keep the heat welded seams in good order by avoiding sharp drags and hot surfaces that could damage the coating. The Texpel Splash Eco finish is what makes water bead and run off, so follow the care guidance on the listing to keep that finish working, and check the seams now and then for any lifting or wear that could let water through.

The three alternatives here are genuine like-for-like wet weather options in the same category, so it is a fair comparison: the Portwest bib and brace against a King Gee jacket and pants rainset, DNC rain trousers and ProChoice PVC rain pants.

The Portwest is the one to reach for when you want cover above the waist as well as on the legs, and its heavier 180g PU coated knit with the Texpel beading finish is the most fully specified for staying dry. The King Gee rainset is the pick if you actually want a matching jacket and pants together rather than just lower body cover.

If your legs are the only part exposed, the DNC trousers add leg zippers and press studs that make pulling them on over boots easier, while the ProChoice pants are the simplest slip-on option with handy slots to reach the pockets of the clothing underneath. Lighter PVC pants like those are quick to throw on, but they do not give you the torso cover or the stretchy welded-seam build of the Portwest.

Judged on the listing, this is a well sorted piece of wet weather gear for anyone who needs more than a jacket. The combination of heat welded seams, a waterproof PU coated shell and the Texpel Splash Eco beading finish covers the main ways water gets in, and the half elasticated waist with stud adjustable hems shows it has been cut for real work rather than just to look the part. The stretchy, wipe clean fabric is a sensible touch for grubby, active jobs.

The one pocket is modest, so if you carry a lot on you, plan to keep tools elsewhere. The brace design is a strength for sustained cover but it is more to put on and take off than simple slip-on pants, which is the trade you make for the extra protection.

What is confirmed on the listing is the fabric, the construction and the water resistant finish. What you should verify yourself on the product page or datasheet is the exact certification, since the listing notes the garment is certified but does not name a specific standard, along with the available size range before you order.