As the calendar turns to winter, itโs a challenge for many professional tradesmen and tradeswomen. Commuting and transporting gear to and from indoor jobsites is bad enough, but working outdoors can be downright awful. To help you find the gear no matter version of Old Man Winter youโre dealing with, weโve collected some of the best workwear for contractors that caught our attention for the season. Whether youโre after new work pants, shirts, outerwear, eyewear, footwear, or something else, this guide has something for every man or woman who works the trades for a living.
Jump to These Top Workwear Sections
- New Workwear Lines
- Work Shirts
- Work Pants, Shorts, and Belts
- Work Outwear
- Safety Glasses and PPE
- Work Boots and Footwear
Best New Workwear Lines
Dickies Tradebuilt Line for Men: $44.99 โย $92.99
Dickiesโ Tradebuilt line launched with four pieces designed to meet the needs of tradesmen. Theyโre designed to be tough enough for any jobsite, offer functional pocket storage, and keep you comfortable. Made with stretch materials that are soft right out of the package, theyโre ready to work on day one without the need for a long break-in period. As you expect from Dickies, they also come at a price that wonโt break the bank.
Hereโs whatโs included in the initial offering:
- Utility Long Sleeve Work Shirt
- Shirt Jacket
- Duck Canvas Cargo Pants
- Duck Canvas Double Knee Pants
Carhartt Crafted Series for Men: $39.99 โย $199.99
Carharttโs Crafted series is a special edition online exclusive that you can only get through the Carhartt website. Focusing mainly on outer layer tops and pants, the line is defined by a high construction quality with purposeful enhancements and archival details that set them apart from Carharttโs regular lines. If youโre the type of person who appreciates true craftsmanship, the Crafted line was made for you.
The plan is to launch limited seasonal batches, so even though weโre focused on winter workwear right now, you can expect new styles with each season change.
Best Winter Work Shirts
Tecovas Vintage Weight Pearl Snap for Men: $95
Iโm a fan of Tecovasโ Pearl Snap shirts, and I get excited almost every time they announce a new one. One of the latest is the Vintage Weight Pearl Snap.
On the surface, it has the western style you expect from Tecovas, along with a few new color schemes to freshen up your closet.
Digging deeper, itโs a 100% cotton material, so itโs soft and comfortable right out of the package. Itโs a lightweight design, though, and while itโs technically new, itโs going to be best for milder climates like we have here in Florida during the winter. For the rest of the country, youโll want to save it for the warmer months.
Brunt Long Sleeve Pocket Tee for Men: $29.99
No matter what part of the country you live in, a good long-sleeve work tee is a must-have for your base layer. As the element that sits against your skin, it needs to be comfortable and allow you freedom of movement.
Thatโs what you get from Bruntโs Long Sleeve Pocket Tee. Boasting a 60% cotton, 40% polyester blend, you get an excellent combination of durability, comfort, and sweat-wicking. Plus, its midweight construction is ideal as a base layer.
With seven color choices and a price tag just under $30, you can outfit your entire crew without busting your Q4 profits.
Dickies Thermal Crewneck Shirt for Women: $39.99
For women seeking a comfortable yet functional base layer this winter, check out Dickiesโ Thermal Crewneck Shirt.
Itโs made from a blend of 58% cotton, 39% polyester, and 3% elastane woven into a 330gsm weight with a relaxed fit. That in itself makes it comfortable for lounging or relaxed social settings.
However, itโs built to work, featuring outstanding mobility that makes it a great choice as a base layer under your work jacket or hoodie. Thanks to sizing that ranges from XXS to XXL, it fits a wide variety of body types as well.
Best Winter Work Pants, Shorts, and Belts
5.11 Peak Cargo Pant for Men: $130
For days that donโt dip down quite as cold, 5.11โs Peak Cargo Pants are a highly functional choice.
While the style is straight leg, the fit is loose, working with the material to allow for easy movement. Thereโs some nice flex in the waistband as well, making for a more comfortable shift if youโre working at floor level or accessing crawl spaces.
The pockets provide ample storage with extra security from zippers on the rear pockets and hook and loop closures on the cargo pocket flaps. I enjoy them even more for Florida winters thanks to the zippered air vents built into the sides. Combined with the leg cuffs open to their widest, they promote a refreshing airflow that can be closed back off once the sun starts trekking back down.
Duluth Trading Co. DuluthFlex Fire Hose HD Relaxed Fit Ultimate Pants for Men: $104.50
Duluth Trading Company probably doesnโt get as much credit as they deserve compared to other brands, but their work pants hold up better than most.
With this launch, DTC is taking their reputation for toughness to a whole new level. Theyโre capable of 4X better abrasion resistance than classic cotton canvas work pants, and theyโre up to 350% better at resisting tears than the original DuluthFlex Fire Hose fabric.
Toss in a DWR treatment, 13 total pockets, Duluthโs extra-long crotch gusset, and knee pad compatibility, and itโs a darn good work pant built to outlast the competition.
These arenโt lined, so youโll need to go with a base layer in cold climates. Those of use in the south with milder winters wonโt need one, though.
Truewerk BC3 Boot Cut Werkpants for Men: $119
If youโre familiar with Truewerkโs temperature coding system, youโve probably guessed that the BCS Werkpant is a cold-weather pant. Leaning on a 3-layer hex lining design, itโll keep you working comfortably down to freezing temps and slide easily over a base layer when itโs colder.
While thatโs great, itโs not new for Truewerk. What sets these apart is that they have a true boot cut leg design. Whether you prefer Western-style work boots or you wear tall loggers, youโll get an easier fit that doesnโt bunch up around your ankles.
Duluth Trading Co. AKHG Boundary Line Fleece Pants for for Men or Women: $99.50
If you love Duluth Trading Company work pants and need something to take you down to colder temps, the AKHG Boundary has a fleece lining that fits the bill.
The design shifts from DTCโs traditional work pants, which are primarily cotton, though. With a 93% polyester, 7% spandex blend, it makes some big gains in flexibility thanks to a 4-way stretch weave. Thereโs also Duluthโs extra-long crotch gusset to promote easier movement and a DWR treatment to shed light moisture.
This pant isnโt as tough as some of Duluthโs dedicated work pants. If you work in environments with a high risk of snags and tears, you might want to look at some of DTCโs other lined options.
Best Winter Work Outerwear
Sitka Grindstone Work Jacket for Men: $380
Sitka might not be the first name you think of when it comes to workwear, but theyโre steadily expanding into the space and bringing their legendary reputation for outdoor gear with them.
For warmth, Sitka packed 100 grams of Primaloft Silver synthetic insulation and designed features around all the openings to keep the wind out. They even added Gore-Texโs Windstopper treatment to ensure itโs 100% windproof while remaining breathable.
But what makes this jacket so impressive is its durability. The shell is made from 100% nylon Cordura Oxford fabric. It certainly seems tough from my experience so far, but I tend to take pretty good care of my gear. Perhaps the best testimony comes directly from Sitka: the Grindstone is part of โa workwear collection so tough, our product team ran out of durability tests.โ
Carhartt Rockford Loose Fit Lightweight Insulated Jacket for Women: $99.99
For days when the temperatures donโt drop below freezing, Carhartt has an excellent mid-weight jacket for women.
The Rockfort Loose Fit Lightweight Insulated Jacket offers level 2 warmth with a fit designed to move with you as you work. Thereโs even extra length built into the back to keep any wind from sneaking in.
Itโs a solid option thatโs more versatile than most. A DWR coating helps light precipitation roll off like a jacket, while side zippers open up to allow more airflow like a hoodie. When the weather is annoyingly unpredictable, itโs a steady friend to have by your side.
If youโre looking for something to carry you into much colder weather, thereโs a level 4 extreme warmth hooded coat version as well.
Tom Beckbe Kinsman Vest for Men: $345
If you appreciate premium quality, Tom Beckbeโs Kinsman vest is a must-have for milder days and transition seasons.
The Kinsman is made in the USA with imported materials and features a durable, weatherproof 6-ounce waxed cotton shell with an interior cotton lining inspired by Alabama red clay. As you wear it over time, it develops a patina that makes it look even better than it did when it was new.
Originally designed as a hunting vest and boasting a classic, high-mobility fit, the same durability that handles trekking through the brush transitions well to tough work environments as well, especially in farm and ranch roles. For construction, this statement piece is a great fit for project managers who need a durable vest for site visits that also looks great in meetings and client presentations.
KUIU Workgrade Signal Hoodie for Men: $79
KUIU is another outdoor brand well-known for its backcountry hunting gear thatโs moving into the workwear space, and Iโve been impressed with what Iโve worn from them so far.
The Workgrade Signal Hoodie is an essential piece of gear for cooler weather for two reasons. For one, itโs a hoodie, so itโs great on its own or as a midlayer. Also, because it comes in either hi-vis yellow or high-vis orange, so youโre more visible on site.
Made from a 10-ounce polyester/cotton blend, you get the best of both worlds wrapped into a classic, comfortable style thatโs purpose-built to handle construction environments.
Tecovas Puffer Jacket for Women: $325
Not every jobsite is suitable for a puffy jacket, but if your josbite is the ranch, or you just want something thatโs crazy-comfortable and looks great, check out Tecovasโ new Womenโs Puffer Jacket.
Itโs made with a 100% recycled polyester shell and insulated with water-repellent 90/10 DownTek to protect you from the cold.
The design is unmistakably Western with a removable faux fur collar, a lamb leather yoke, and snap closures. Itโs a look that goes great with jeans and boots, with the functional performance to keep you comfortable when the temperatures plummet.
Mossy Oak Campfire Full Zip Fleece for Men: $99
When the weather calls for a fleece, Mossy Oakโs Campfire Full Zip Fleece offers the insulation you need to stay warm with functional pockets for your hands and essentials close by.
It uses 100% polyester made into a high-pile fleece that makes it soft and comfortable to wear with just the right amount of airflow. For most construction and trade jobs, itโs best as a midlayer underneath a tough outer shell that can handle snags. It can stand on its own for equipment operators, warehouse workers, and other jobs that have a lower snag/tear risk.
For work or everyday casual wear, the Charred Oak color is an excellent fit. For sitting around the campfire or lounging on the front porch watching the sun come up with a cup of coffee, the new Fall Foliage pattern is tough to beat.
Best New Safety Glasses and PPE
Klein Tools Flame Resistant Hard Hat Liner for Men or Women: $19.99
Some hard hat liners are made to help keep your head cool in the summer, but this one from Klein is designed to keep it warm in the winter. This certainly isnโt the only warming hart hat liner available, but this one comes with a twistโitโs made for environments that require FR-rated workwear.
From a design perspective, itโs low-profile, so it fits easily under hard hats and safety helmets without a ton of adjustment to the fit youโre used to. It also holds its shape well and avoids bunching, so itโs less frustrating to wear over the course of the day.
Plus, itโs only $20, so itโs a low-risk trial if youโre not sure. If you like it, itโs not terribly expensive to grab several and do laundry a little less often.
Best Work Boots and Footwear for Winter
Kingโs Camo Heavyweight Merino Wool Socks for Men: $32.99 โ $34.99
If you havenโt jumped on the merino wool bandwagon for your socks yet, what are you waiting for?
For winter, Kingโs Camo is eliminating your excuses with a boot-friendly heavyweight design thatโs as perfect on construction sites as it is in the backcountry.
The socks are made from a 60% merino wool, 38% nylon, 2% lycra blend that leans into high performance while taking advantage of merino woolโs low-odor characteristics. The material promotes moisture wicking to keep your feet dry and is sewn to provide arch support as well. Plus, the flat knit toe seam helps you avoid those irritating hot spots that traditional sock designs often create.
CAT Invader Max Thinsulate Work Boot for Men: $184.95
New from CAT, the Invader Max Thinsulate Work Boot offers a compelling design for the winter months.
As you expect from any proper work boot, it features a slip-resistant outsole, but this one is different. Inspired by the tread of CAT heavy equipment, the tread on these boots is more aggressive than most. Thatโs key when youโre dealing with snow or slush combined with soft ground.
Made for cold climates, thereโs 400 grams of insulation built in to keep your feet warm and comfortable. Itโs also EH rated and has a composite safety toe for jobsites that require it, along with a pro-biotic odor-controlling layer to help keep the stink to a minimum.
Meindl USA Lillehammer GTX Winter Pac Boot for Men: $290
If your outdoor winter work demands high traction but not a safety toe, Meindl USAโs Lillehammer GTC Winter Pac Boot is a great choice.
With a Vibram Cleats Grip outsole built for traction in wet or snowy conditions, it offers excellent stability along with Gore-Tex insulation and a faux fur layer to keep your feet warm down to -13ยฐ F. Waterproofed to keep your feet dry and with an EVA midsole that offers excellent cushioning, your feet will be comfortable all day.
While the lack of a safety toe keeps this one off of many construction sites, itโs a great fit for landscaping companies that offer winter services as well as agricultural environments.
Red Wing Traction Tred Lite Work Boots for Men or Women: $254.99
While Red Wingโs Traction Tred Lite Work Boots arenโt new, there are a few new versions now available.
Starting with the ladies, thereโs a womenโs specific 5-inch safety toe version thatโs a little lower profile than the full six-inch boot and may be a more comfortable fit if youโd like something a bit lower around the ankle.
Men now have a 6-inch waterproof version that comes with CSA certification and comes in a couple of different colors.
While these are new for the season, theyโre not true winter work boots. Theyโre not insulated, and they donโt have as aggressive a tread as Iโd prefer for grip on bare winter ground. Still, theyโre excellent general work boots. Just be sure to pick your battles if youโre in colder, snowy environments.
