Master the Elements: Guide to Workwear Jackets & Workwear Fleeces for 2023
In the face of the elements, whether it's a harsh winter chill or a cool autumn breeze, the right workwear is essential for not just comfort but also productivity. One of the most versatile and essential pieces in any workwear wardrobe is undoubtedly the workwear jacket or
workwear fleece. These garments offer adaptable protection and warmth, making them ideal for various working conditions. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the world of Jackets & Fleeces with a focus on workwear.
Understanding the Importance of Workwear Jackets & Fleeces
Workwear jackets and fleeces are not merely an added layer of clothing but are tailored to specific needs. The design and material of these garments are constructed with the wearer's comfort, mobility, and safety in mind. Workwear jackets and fleeces provide warmth, protection from the elements, and in some cases, increased visibility, making them a vital part of workwear for outdoor workers.
The Versatility of a Workwear Jacket
Workwear jackets are designed to provide the necessary warmth without compromising mobility. The thickness and weight of a jacket may restrict movement, affecting the wearer's efficiency and comfort. Workwear jackets are designed to offer the same level of warmth as a heavy-duty jacket with a thinner, lighter construction. This design ensures the wearer can move freely and comfortably.
The Essential Workwear Fleece
Workwear fleeces serve as a multifunctional layer, providing warmth on chilly days and as an extra layer beneath a work jacket when temperatures drop further. The design of workwear fleeces takes into account their dual functionality, making many models water-resistant, breathable, and excellent at retaining heat.
The All-Round Performance of Security Fleece Jackets
Security fleece jackets are particularly popular due to their adaptability. Security personnel stationed outdoors, where temperature and weather conditions are variable, appreciate the versatility of fleeces. The addition of storm flaps on some fleece jackets also makes them windproof, offering additional protection.
The Perfect Fit: Tailoring Your Workwear Fleeces
Comfort is paramount when it comes to workwear, and a well-fitted fleece jacket is crucial. To facilitate this, many workwear jackets utilise stretch materials, allowing the jacket to mould to the wearer's body. Adjustable elastic drawstrings and inserts ensure the jacket provides a modern, close fit.
Durability and Longevity: The Role of Reinforcements in Workwear Fleeces
Durability is a key concern when choosing the right workwear. Some fleeces, like those from Blaklader, feature Cordura reinforcement in key areas such as sleeves, elbows, and shoulders. This enhances the garment's lifespan and minimises wear and tear.
Practical Features of Workwear Fleeces
Workwear fleeces are not just about comfort and warmth; they also offer practical features like internal pockets, chest pockets, and phone pockets. These additions increase utility, making the jackets more functional for the wearer.
Choosing Your Colour: Aesthetic and Safety Considerations
Workwear jackets and fleeces come in a variety of colours, from conventional blacks and greys to more vibrant hues like cornflower blue and moss green. Hi-vis variants offer enhanced visibility, ensuring safety while working.
Affordable Quality: The Promise of Workwear Jackets & Fleeces
Workwear jackets and fleeces strike a balance between quality and affordability. These garments offer impressive quality at reasonable prices, making them a worthwhile investment.
5 Best Workwear Jackets & Fleeces
Helly Hansen's Magni Shell Jacket is a product of their proficiency in manufacturing outdoor sportswear and expedition outfits, a skill honed over nearly 140 years of creating workwear. The jacket symbolises the pinnacle of protective and comfortable workwear. The 3-layer Helly Tech® Professional, an essential part of the jacket, promises to keep wearers dry, no matter the weather, while maintaining optimal breathability.
The jacket's sturdiness is heightened with Cordura® fabric reinforcements located on the shoulders and elbows, glove-friendly loops, a wind-protected draft skirt, and handy internal adjustments, rendering it a reliable companion even in the most severe weather conditions.
The material predominantly composing the jacket is 100% Polyamide (187g/m²), supplemented with reinforced areas made of 100% Polyamide (280 g/m²). It's effortless to care for, requiring only a lukewarm wash (40°C), no bleaching, low-heat tumble dry, no ironing, and no dry cleaning.
This high-tech jacket comes with adjustable cuffs and a drawcord adjustable hem accessible via the hand pocket. Its tactical design bestows optimal mobility, thanks to its articulated sleeves, and back-collar adjustments. The Cordura® fabric-reinforced shoulders and elbows further enhance the jacket's durability.
The wearer's comfort is ensured by the extended back. What sets it apart is its hand pockets with YKK® zippers, ID card loop, easily accessible internal stash pockets, and a loop at the storm flap compatible with gloves. Unique to the jacket's design is a Napoleon pocket, aptly positioned for easy access without needing to open the jacket. Reflective details boost visibility, ensuring safety.
Additional comfort is offered through a padded collar with no shoulder seams. The jacket features vertical and horizontal hood adjustments, a comfortable YKK® front zipper with a chin protector, a water-resistant YKK® zipper on the chest, and a YKK® zipper for underarm ventilation. It adheres to the EN 343 3,3 standards, underscoring its superiority in workwear.
The Snickers FlexiWork Stretch Waterproof Shell Jacket-1300 allows for relentless work effort even in heavy rain. This waterproof jacket by Snickers Workwear encompasses a 3-layer design and taped seams for optimal water resistance. This protective outerwear adheres to the EN 343 standards.
The jacket is specially engineered with pre-curved sleeves and mechanical stretch, ensuring the highest degree of movement flexibility. The material reinforcements consist of a 3-layer Cordura® at the elbows, offering increased protection and resilience.
This functional gear features dropped sleeve ends, offering additional safety without obstructing your work performance. The jacket design includes a dropped back offering complete protection regardless of your working postures.
For added convenience and comfort, the jacket design includes generous front pockets, which can additionally act as ventilation openings.
The jacket incorporates YKK AquaGuard® Vislon 2-way zippers, facilitating flexibility and ensuring the highest level of weather protection.
The jacket comes in a broad range of sizes from XS to XXXL. The material composition primarily consists of 100% Polyamide as 150g/m². The reinforcement areas are fabricated with 100% Polyamide CORDURA® with a density of 315g/m², making it a durable workwear choice.
Don't sacrifice comfort for warmth with the Helly Hansen Kensington Warm Winter Jacket-71345. Our exclusive LifaLoft™ insulation weighs less while offering more warmth than conventional insulation. The Kensington Winter Jacket flaunts both our innovative LifaLoft™ technology and Primaloft®'s Black Eco Insulation, ensuring sustained warmth in extremely cold conditions.
The Helly Tech® Professional membrane endows the jacket with excellent water resistance and breathability properties. Crafted with adjustable cuffs, a removable hood, and articulated sleeves, it promises an ideal fit for every wearer.
The jacket meets the EN 343:2019 Class 4,1 and EN 14058 Class 3 standards, underlining its high-performance capabilities. Its construction is fully sealed for added durability, and the detachable hood offers both vertical and horizontal adjustments for greater convenience.
Enhancing the overall comfort, the padded collar is lined internally with brushed polyester. There are no shoulder seams for a smoother fit, and the YKK® front zipper comes with a protective chin guard. A special Life Pocket™ feature allows for additional utility space.
Hand pockets feature YKK® zippers and are lined with a soft brushed fabric, further enhancing comfort. The jacket also has an underarm ventilation zip made by YKK® and internal stash pockets for keeping essentials securely.
An embellished zipper adds to the aesthetics, and the adjustable wrist gaiters and hem with an elastic drawcord inside the hand pocket ensure the best fit. The sleeves are articulated for optimal movement, and the extended back offers improved comfort.
Reflective details boost the jacket's visibility while strengthening the overall safety features. Always go for Helly Hansen's Kensington concept to make the most of your winter outdoor adventures.
4. HELLY HANSEN PRIMALOFT INSULATED ARCTIC WINTER PARKA- 71336
The Helly Hansen Primaloft Insulated Arctic Winter Parka- 71336 is a premier winter parka that boasts a soft and comfortable fabric. A Helly Tech wind and water-resistant fabric is engineered to keep you dry throughout the day, while the Primaloft® insulation is designed to provide optimal warmth on colder workdays.
This jacket's standout features include a detachable hood with faux fur, making it an ideal choice when working in harsh conditions. This parka conforms to EN 343 3,1 standards and has an air permeability class 3 rating of EN 342 0,348m2 K/W (2,2 clo).
Its body lining is composed of 100% Polyamide, with Primaloft® Black insulation - offering 133g for the body, 80g for the sleeves, and the hood. The Helly Tech® fabric used is not only windproof and waterproof but also breathable for maximum comfort.
The parka has been fully taped in terms of construction, while other impressive features like the drawcord hood adjustment, reflective elements, and a comfortable chin guard with brushed Tricot in the neck region are included. It does away with shoulder seams for added comfort.
Further, the cuffs can be adjusted with Velcro, and there are multiple pockets - two chest pockets, two hand pockets, and a Napoleon pocket, all with water-repellent YKK® zippers. For improved flexibility, it features a two-way YKK® zipper and a storm flap with Velcro closure.
Under the arms are ventilation zippers, and there is also a zipper for entry inside the garment for logo applications. The waist and hem feature drawcord adjustments, with a button-up safety option also included.
Lastly, it comes with an ID card loop located under the flap, making it highly practical for workwear use.
This highly functional winter jacket is crafted to provide optimal warmth and protection, with its wind and waterproof properties and sealed seams. It comes with an adjustable, detachable hood and a fleece-lined collar, enhancing the comfort during the cold winter days. Mesh panels strategically placed in high perspiration areas help wick away moisture, keeping the wearer dry and comfortable.
This jacket is furnished with numerous pockets, including a chest pocket suitable for pens and mobile phones, as well as a hidden inner pocket, and front fleece pockets complete with zippers. Further, discrete yet eye-catching reflective details are present on the front, back, and sleeves. The sleeve ends are tailored with Velcro for adjustability and inner cuffs feature a thumbhole for better hand coverage.
Complying with EN 342 and EN 343 standards, this jacket, when coupled with winter trousers 1810, offers optimal protection against cold and adverse weather.
Composed of 100% laminated polyester twill with mechanical stretch, this jacket features 10000mm waterproofing, 4000g/m2/24H breathability, windproof properties, and weighs 150 g/m².
With its quilt lining for warmth and breathability, it gives protection against wind and water. Specific details include a fleece-lined collar, a removable and adaptable mesh-lined hood, as well as a removable ID pocket. Other features include a fitting for transfer facilitated by a zipper within the lining.
The jacket sports a hidden one-way plastic zipper in the front for closure. The pockets are plentiful and conveniently placed, with a zippered chest pocket, front pockets with zippers lined in fleece, and several internal pockets.
The jacket's hem is adjustable, with an inner wristlet at the sleeve end offering a thumb hole. The adjustable sleeve end comes with Velcro and is thumb-indexed.
The reflective details on the front, back, hood, and sleeves add an element of safety by enhancing visibility. In essence, this jacket is designed to endure and protect in harsh weather, ensuring warmth and comfort.
In conclusion, workwear jackets & fleeces are a staple in any outdoor worker's wardrobe. Offering warmth, comfort, and practicality, these versatile garments are designed to withstand challenging weather conditions while ensuring the wearer can work efficiently and safely. Whether you're braving the cold on a construction site or patrolling as part of a security team, a well-chosen workwear jacket or fleece can make a significant difference in your working day.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WORKWEAR JACKETS & FLEECES
What is a fleece jacket used for?
A fleece jacket is typically used as outerwear to provide warmth and insulation during cold weather conditions. It is made from synthetic polyester fleece fabric, which is highly breathable, lightweight, and quick-drying. Fleece jackets are known for their soft, cozy texture, while also being moisture-wicking and retaining heat even when wet. They are often worn as a mid-layer garment, between a base layer and a shell or waterproof outer layer, to provide thermal insulation and protect against wind and cold temperatures. Fleece jackets are commonly used for outdoor activities like hiking, camping, skiing, and other winter sports, but they can also be worn casually in everyday situations when extra warmth is needed.
Are fleece jackets appropriate for work?
The appropriateness of wearing a fleece jacket for work largely depends on the dress code and specific expectations of your workplace. In some professional settings, fleece jackets may not be considered appropriate as they are more commonly associated with casual or outdoor attire. However, in workplaces with a more relaxed or casual dress code, fleece jackets may be acceptable.
If you are unsure whether wearing a fleece jacket to work is appropriate, it is best to consult your company's dress code policy or ask a supervisor or HR representative for guidance. In situations where fleece jackets are not suitable for work, you might consider opting for more formal outerwear options such as blazers or wool coats to maintain a professional appearance.
Who wears a fleece?
Fleece jackets are popular among a wide range of people due their versatility, warmth, and comfort. Here are some examples:
1. Outdoor Enthusiasts: People who enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, camping, or mountaineering often wear fleece jackets due to their warmth and lightweight properties.
2. Athletes: Runners, cyclists, and other outdoor athletes may wear fleece jackets for warmth during colder seasons.
3. Casual Wearers: Many people wear fleece jackets in daily life because they are comfortable, easy to care for, and come in a variety of styles and colors.
4. Workers: People who work in colder environments or spend a lot of time outside, such as construction workers or farmers, may wear fleece jackets to stay warm.
5. Children: Fleece jackets are popular among children due to their warmth and softness.
6. Elderly: Older people, who may feel cold more easily, might wear fleece jackets for extra warmth.
Overall, anyone who needs a comfortable, warm, lightweight, and easy-to-care-for jacket might wear a fleece jacket.
Why do people wear fleece?
People wear fleece for several reasons:
1. Warmth: Fleece is an effective insulator, making it a great option for staying warm in colder weather.
2. Comfort: Fleece is soft and cozy, making it comfortable for everyday wear or for more physical activities like hiking or skiing.
3. Light Weight: Despite its warmth, fleece is a lightweight fabric. This makes it ideal for layering and outdoor activities where you don't want to be weighed down.
4. Moisture Wicking: Fleece has the ability to wick away moisture from the body, making it a popular choice for exercising or participating in outdoor activities. It keeps the wearer dry and comfortable.
5. Easy Care: Fleece doesn't wrinkle and is machine washable, making it easy to care for.
6. Versatility: Fleece can be used to make many different types of clothing items - from jackets to sweaters, beanies, blankets etc.
7. It retains heat: Even when wet, fleece can still provide warmth, a feature that makes it popular among outdoor enthusiasts and people residing in damp climates.
8. Cost-effectiveness: Fleece garments are typically less expensive than those made from natural fibers like wool or down.
Is A fleece jacket comfortable?
Yes, fleece jackets are typically very comfortable. The fabric is lightweight and soft to the touch, which makes it comfortable to wear. It also has good insulation properties, providing warmth and coziness in cooler temperatures. Furthermore, fleece is breathable and can wick away moisture, which adds to the overall comfort during physical activity or in warmer conditions. However, comfort can also depend on the fit and design of the jacket, so it's always a good idea to try on a fleece jacket to ensure it fits properly and feels comfortable.
When should you wear fleece?
Fleece is typically worn in cooler temperatures when extra warmth is needed. Here are some situations when you might want to wear fleece:
1. Outdoor Activities: Due to its insulating properties, fleece is great for outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and skiing. It's also lightweight and breathable, perfect for layers of clothing.
2. Casual Wear: Fleece can be worn in daily life, especially in cooler seasons like fall and winter. It's great for leisure activities or running errands around town.
3. Cold Work Environments: If you work in an air-conditioned environment, or in an outdoor job during colder seasons, a fleece can provide much-needed warmth.
4. Transitional Weather: Fleece can be worn during spring and autumn when the weather can be unpredictable.
5. Travel: Fleece is great for travel, especially to colder destinations or for long flights. It is light, compact to pack and easy to clean.
It is generally recommended to avoid wearing fleece in hot or humid weather, as it may make you feel uncomfortably warm.
How long do fleece jackets last?
The lifespan of a fleece jacket can vary greatly depending on several factors including the quality of the fleece, how often it's worn, and how well it's cared for. High-quality fleece jackets that are well-maintained can easily last for several years.
To prolong the life of a fleece jacket, it's important to follow care instructions carefully. Most fleece jackets can be machine washed in warm water and tumble dried on low, but always check the garment's specific care label. Promptly treating any stains, avoiding unnecessary exposure to harsh chemicals or extreme conditions, and storing the jacket properly when not in use can also help extend its lifespan.
Occasional pilling may occur with fleece jackets, especially in areas subjected to frequent friction, but this can be easily managed with a fabric shaver or sweater comb and doesn’t necessarily mean the jacket is wearing out.
With good care, you can expect a high-quality fleece jacket to last anywhere from 5 to 10 years or even longer.