As part of the UK’s largest infrastructure project currently underway, rolling out high-speed fibre networks across the country, more than 20,000 Openreach engineers work in the field to keep the network running and expand it for the future. Their work can take them from street-level repairs to underground spaces and up on poles, often within the same day, requiring them to adapt quickly to changing conditions. GORE‑TEX® Gear enables them to operate in all conditions, unlike in the early days when inadequate rainwear often delayed tasks.
In collaboration with GORE‑TEX® Brand, garment brand partner Arco re-developed their latest gear which features enhanced high-visibility design and a dedicated female fit, developed based on feedback from engineers in the field. Taking a true head-to-toe approach, the system is complemented by safety footwear from GORE‑TEX® Footwear partner Elten. Distributed across Openreach’s engineering workforce, the gear is supplied over time through a continuous replacement cycle ensuring consistent protection as equipment is renewed.
Built for real-world challenges
Working on the frontline of the UK’s communications infrastructure means being in the field, not behind a desk. One moment, engineers may be troubleshooting faults to restore connectivity for homes or businesses; the next, they are installing new fibre lines, working underground in confined spaces, climbing poles, or operating at street-level cabinets.
As GORE-TEX® Brand, Clothing Field Sales Associate Jonas Andersson explains, “In the past, rainwear wasn’t always up to the job, and that sometimes-meant work had to be delayed in wet weather. This could leave homes and businesses without connectivity for longer than necessary. And for companies that rely on a stable connection, every delay really matters, which shows just how critical proper protection is in the field.”
A long-standing partnership to Openreach
Openreach’s reliance on GORE‑TEX® Products is not new. For more than a decade, engineers have worn GORE‑TEX® Garments in the field, driven by the need for reliable waterproof protection and consistent performance over time, and establishing a long-standing partnership with different GORE‑TEX® Brand partners.
In 2021, GORE‑TEX® Brand partner Arco, the UK’s only integrated services and safety product business, took on the role of supplying Openreach. While the supplier has changed, the expectations remain the same: waterproofness, breathability and durability are essential.
Building on this foundation, Arco led the product development, working directly with Openreach engineers and the Gore Fabrics safety team, they not only updated the product range (refining the design), but upgraded jackets to EN 20471 Class 3 high-visibility jackets and Class 2 over trousers and salopettes for engineers across Openreach to ensure consistent visibility, optimum fit and to allow maximum protection on the job.
Bringing a dedicated female fit
A key focus of the latest development was the introduction of a dedicated female fit, shaped through direct wearer feedback and field testing. Ill-fitting garments can impact comfort, movement and confidence, particularly in physically demanding outdoor roles.
Working closely with female engineers, Arco’s product and design, led by Dalvir Sarkaria, understood what they wanted and needed from their PPE and listened to how they wanted to look. All unforms needed to be identical, so everyone looked part of the same team but the garments for the female engineers needed to fit correctly around the female body.
As Dalvir explains, “Female engineers don’t want something that looks different. They want to look like part of the team, just with a fit that really works for them.”
This is reflected in feedback from engineers in the field, as Tash, Clerk of Works at Openreach, notes: “Women have hips, and the jacket really reflects that. You can move freely, and the fit just makes sense for the job.”
The same focus on fit extends to footwear. As Helmut Klug, GORE-TEX® Brand Footwear Field Sales and Account Associate for Elten, a German-based specialist in safety footwear, explains, “These engineers are on their feet all day, so getting the fit right is critical. That’s why Elten offers different width options and dedicated women’s lasts, so the shoes actually match different foot shapes.” He adds that safety is just as important: “The combination of fit, sole design and grip helps reduce slips and falls, especially when working on ladders or uneven ground.”
Rolling out at scale
Since its introduction around 2023, the updated design has been rolled out across the workforce of more than 20,000 engineers, with distribution following a continuous replacement cycle rather than a one-time rollout. Engineers receive new garments as their current gear reaches the end of its service life, based on defined wear periods within Openreach’s system. Over time, this approach ensures a gradual transition to the updated gear across the workforce, while also reflecting the durability of the products, which has allowed replacement intervals to be extended.
For targeted updates, such as the introduction of the female fit, rollout was accelerated to make improved designs available more quickly. A similar approach applies to footwear, with annual volumes distributed over time and pairs replaced as they wear out, ensuring engineers can keep the UK connected, whatever the conditions.
The positive feedback received from female engineers has been further validated through external recognition. At the 2025 Professional Clothing Industry Association Worldwide (PCIAW) Awards, the partnership between Openreach, Arco and GORE-TEX Brand won the Inclusive PPE Award. Entered by Arco, the award recognised the collaborative approach taken to design and deliver inclusive protective clothing, ensuring all Openreach colleagues have access to PPE that fits well, performs in demanding conditions and supports them to work safely and comfortably every day.
