Winter workwear warmers

Adrian Burton of Ask Ady tackles the subject of outdoor working this month, and how you can make sure you are wearing the right garments for the right conditions.

One of the biggest challenges for our tradesmen working outdoors during the winter is finding good quality, hardwearing functional workwear, products that can be unrestrictive, comfortable and stylish, and also has the features to protect, and keep the wearer safe and visible while in some of the harshest of conditions.

The UK is no exception when it comes to horrible weather and unfortunately if you have to work outside this winter then you are going to need to get yourself kitted out with some decent outdoor workwear. The weather conditions seem to be getting worse every year, with extreme downpours and storms being the norm. I always found when I was a workwear retailer that buying waterproof clothing for many builders was a reactive purchase. They would leave home in the morning in a body warmer and hoodie and by lunchtime they would be in for a cheap waterproof jacket to get them through the afternoon. Quite often though these sorts of purchases are just a waste of money, buying a cheap packaway jacket wouldn’t stand up to anytime working on a building site and would probably be in the bin ripped by the end of the day.

Selecting the right workwear

Selecting workwear with a high level of protection would often mean purchasing some of the premium brand name products and this would mean often carrying a high price tag, however as we are all feeling the squeeze on our wallet, let’s take a look at how to stay warm, dry and seen and get great value for money.

Firstly, let’s look at the different types of layers that you should be wearing to regulate your body temperature. To work comfortably outside, a layering system should be applied to you all over, from head to toe. It all starts with a wicking layer to remove moisture from skin, this needs to be a close fitting undergarment. I would recommend a long sleeve top and leggings. One of the best value products on the market I have seen is the TuffStuff base layer system, you really can’t go wrong for the money and ticks so many boxes from a high abrasion, fast moisture wicking and are a nice weight at 220gsm. Another option is a polo or T shirt that is close fit and has wicking properties. I have been wearing the TRS202 Polo Shirt from Regatta’s Tactical Threads range. I love the styling of their range and they have plenty of great products to match for all the layers.

From there it builds into heavier and more durable fabric to keep you warm, these are called the mid-layer. These light insulation layers are usually a thin fleece or a quarter zip sweatshirt. We don’t want to be wearing anything too heavy here, and one product that works nicely for me is the Dewalt Jonesborough 1/4 zip top, this is very practical. I like the fact that it is well fitted and the arms are not baggy and keep falling down when I am working with my arms over my head and additionally it has a high collar too for those windy days. If you are a fan of a hoodie then you should also check out the Men’s Major Full Zip Hoodie from Regatta, pound for pound you won’t find better for its price in my opinion.

I wouldn’t recommend a heavier fleece or wool sweater, these items begin to trap heat in the body, and will make you sweat so try to keep it around 280gsm.

Finally, you need a decent outer-layer skin, this protects your body from a variety of weather conditions, from wind to rain or wet snow.

I recommend taking a look at the 295 Sutherland Windbreaker from TuffStuff. I really like its very modern styling; it is very practical as an over the head jacket minimising the way water can ingress and making it quick to put on and off. I also like the big kangaroo pocket; this jacket has a fleece lining and a good waterproof rating.

The Dewalt Storm jacket, this is great value and has exceptional build quality. You will stay dry and work in comfort with this waterproof jacket. It has a Rip-Stop PU coated outer shell that is both waterproof and durable, but yet is lightweight. A back vent and mesh lining maintain breathability, while an adjustable hem and cuff ensure the perfect fit.

Whatever you choose to stock for your customers this winter, I recommend taking a look at some of these brands. They will help you keep your stock value down, increase some cash flow and save your customers some money too.