Choosing the right workwear, whether it’s for a full construction team or just for yourself, is absolutely essential when ensuring comfort, warmth, and protection whilst on the jobsite.
Whilst it’s usually not anybody's favourite thing to be spending money on, safety footwear, shorts, work trousers, and any other kind of protective wear are not just fashion choices, they’re also important for the safety and comfort of tradespeople.
That’s why we’ve collated our top 5 workwear brands in a simple and easy list for you to make an educated purchase decision.
The importance of quality workwear
Quality workwear is important because of the part it plays in ensuring safety, comfort, and protection across a variety of trades and workplaces.
It’s also often necessary to find the right high quality workwear in order to align with legal regulations. Acts such as ‘The Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992’ outline requirements of employers to provide workwear which is suitable for specific risks involved in the work environment.
The right high-quality workwear also increases productivity of a workforce. Increased safety, protection, and comfort means you’ll get more done and to a higher standard.
What to look for in workwear
What you need to look for in workwear does depend on the industry and purpose of the clothing. But generally, you should prioritise the following:
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Protection certifications - Compliance markings such as CE or UKCA on protective workwear indicate certain regulation compliance.
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Relevant safety features - If applicable, steel toe caps, reinforced areas, flame resistance, and more should be considered.
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Durable materials - Such as polyester/cotton blends, canvas, other strong fabrics.
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Appropriate comfort and fit - For safety and comfort, workwear needs to be not too tight that it’s uncomfortable, but not too loose that it becomes a safety issue.
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Weather resistance - For outdoor workers, insulation and waterproof materials are key.
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Breathability - More important in hot or demanding work environments.
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Strategic pockets - A selection of well-placed pockets is useful for storing tools and equipment.
How to choose the right workwear
Choosing the right workwear isn’t as simple as applying a one-size-fits-all solution. You need to consider the individual demands of your work environment, and prioritise aspects which are most important.
For example, more active, primarily indoor roles necessitate flexibility and breathability above all else. On the other hand, jobsites which are outdoors and involve more hazardous materials demand hi-vis, weather resistant work clothes.
Once you’ve established the right priorities, you should focus on comfort and fit. Workwear is worn all day everyday in most cases. And the demanding nature of most manual labour jobs means sweat, and dirt are likely to build up. Workwear which does not inhibit movement, but is tight enough not to catch on machinery, is ideal.
Our top 5 workwear recommendations
Our first brand recommendation is DeWalt workwear. This is a brand well known for their use of high quality materials and durability, as well as protective features such as steel toe caps and composite shoe midsoles. Our collection of DeWalt workwear also includes a useful variety of pricepoints, meaning there are suitable options for everyone. Check out our top DeWalt picks here.
Next is Skechers workwear, primarily offering a range of composite safety work shoes and boots. Our favourite aspect of this collection is the combination of style and effectiveness often missing in work footwear. Of course, safety features come first, but Skechers have managed to include these features whilst offering a selection of sleek and stylish footwear.
We’re sure you’ve heard of Dickies workwear already, and that’s because this brand offers durability, functionality, and cost-effectiveness thanks to the use of tough and strong materials, and reinforced construction techniques. They’ve also developed a reputation for being exceptionally stylish. Whether it’s work trousers, boots, safety trousers, or hi-vis, Dickies has you covered.
If you’re just looking for work boots and shoes, Grafters is definitely one of our top choices. The main benefit of this collection is the extremely fair pricing. High quality safety footwear beginning at prices around £30 is almost unheard of, which is why you should definitely browse our Grafters range. Check out our thorough review of Grafters boots.
Last, but certainly not least, is Helly Hansen workwear. Our collection of Helly Hansen work shorts and trousers for men and women offers comfort, reinforced areas for protection, tool pockets, and external knee pad access. Don’t hesitate to browse our range today.