Wearing a high-quality, comfy jacket is a must-investment if you’re working in a place with weather-challenging conditions, especially during winter. Your jacket will shield you from the outdoor cold so you can focus on your work easily and avoid getting sick.
But how can you choose the best workwear jacket? What factors should you consider to get the ideal fit while getting your money’s worth? If you want to know the answers, this article will share the importance of wearing the right jacket for outdoor work. So, read on to find out.
Why Wearing the Right Jacket for Outdoor Work Matters?
Most manufacturers have produced the greatest work jackets with materials that haven’t altered much for over a century. For many professions that require strong, long-lasting clothing, traditional cotton duck, a hefty canvas-like fabric, still reigns supreme, especially for colder climates.
Modern materials are likewise particularly sought-after, especially for work requiring breathability, insulation, and resistance to wind and water. So, the type of work jacket you need will depend on your employment demands. You’ll probably need more than one, so you can have a spare over the winter and won’t repeat the same jacket for weeks or months.
When winter arrives, wearing a heavy jacket may hinder your performance, but doing the same when the temperature drops will probably make you sick. In that situation, layering works incredibly well. Additionally, it’s a good idea to choose a one-size larger jacket so you may layer up as much as necessary to stay warm and functional.
Different Types of Workwear Jackets
Not every workwear jacket is created equal. That’s why there are variations you can find to know which ones suit you best and your job. Here are the options when picking out the ideal work jacket for you.
Bi-Swing Back
Your shoulders and back will have more flexibility if you wear a bi-swing jacket. This workwear jacket is the ideal option and alternative if you’re seeking the best one that offers more range of motion. While wearing a bi-swing back jacket, you can guarantee to move freely even when wearing a tough canvas outer shell.
This jacket works best for tasks like shoveling snow and splitting firewood that require a lot of mobility in the shoulders and arms. Also, bi-swing work jackets frequently contain gusset panels on the shoulders, which give your arms more mobility and keep the jacket from feeling rigid.
Drop Tail or Cuffed Waist
Drop-tail work jackets are a great choice if you require protection from the cold below the waist. The purpose of the cuffed part is not entirely to protect your waist but instead to trap heat so you can remain warm. To further maximize this feature, you can wear a tool belt to tighten your waist area securely.
Hood
Consider whether or not your work jacket requires an attached hood. Although many jackets with hoods are available, you may also discover models without them. You can tell this feature by the snap buttons located under the neck. These buttons serve as the attachment of the hood to the jacket.
If you opt for this type of work jacket, you should get the appropriate hood size so it won’t bother you much while working. Partnering the hoodie with a safety helmet will also be useful, especially if your job requires tough labor.
Pockets
Having numerous pockets is probably one of the best features of an ideal workwear jacket. Most work jackets have two front pockets that serve as your hand warmer and two to four inside pockets to keep anything essential. These pockets are necessary for storing necessities like your wallet, keys, and phone.
Zip Design
If you still have to work amidst the coldest days in your place, wearing a workwear jacket with a zip that extends to the chin area is best. So, as you work outside, you have to worry about freezing your chin, neck, and even your ears. You can pair this with your favorite scarf and wrap it around your neck as securely as possible so it won’t bother you as you do your job.
Ideal Features Your Workwear Jacket Should Have
Wearing workwear jackets should keep you warm while facilitating effective and efficient outdoor tasks. So, to help you decide which to pick among the above-listed workwear jacket types, there are also several things to consider before purchasing.
Design
Your outdoor work jacket’s style should be functional while working and not restrict movement. That’s why check those with a pattern that enables elbow, underarm, and shoulder flexibility. Most importantly, work jackets shouldn’t ride up on the back part so that they can keep the cold out of your body.
Durability
No matter where you work, a tough workwear jacket keeps you safe and lasts through physical strain. The fabric is the overall responsible for the jacket’s durability. And among the most robust and long-lasting materials, cotton duck and canvas work best.
However, polyester and ripstop are great choices if you prefer something water-repellent, especially if you often work during the rainy season outside or in the winter. Plus, these materials are also lighter.
Insulation
The jacket’s insulation is essential since it ensures your outdoor workwear can endure freezing temperatures and retain body heat. Due to their ability to keep you warm and withstand intense exertion, down and synthetic blends are popular alternatives for insulation. But keep in mind that these features both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Compared to synthetic insulation, down insulation has a better warmth-to-weight ratio and is incredibly strong and compressible. A down jacket can last for decades with the right maintenance.
The only downside of this insulation type is that it doesn’t do well when it rains or snows hard. Down jackets lose their insulating ability when wet and take a long time to dry. Additionally, washing this jacket requires extra attention and is not hypoallergenic. Moreover, it costs more money too.
On the other hand, synthetic blends are water-resistant and keep insulating even after being wet. They also cost less than down jackets and are hypoallergenic. However, you may notice that this jacket is heavier and thicker. They are also less durable and provide less warmth for their weight than down jackets.
Style
Working clothes went from being big and unsightly to being chic and elegant. And that includes workwear jackets. Now that many styles are available, everyone can choose a work jacket they like and still look presentable and casual.
Weight
The lightest work jacket is the ideal one. Finding a bulky, heavy jacket won’t help you move around quickly. That’s why you should look for one that is light and still offers the necessary level of warmth.
Work Outdoors in Style
Work jackets are made to provide the best comfort and protection possible while allowing for natural movement. With that said, you can choose from Flatspot’s Carhartt collection of high-quality workwear jackets. These jackets won’t just provide you the right comfort you need as you work outdoors but also offer you the most stylish vibe.