In this article, we cover the basic winter outdoor workwear items of clothing you need, along with the three-layer principle, so that you can work warm and safe!
Wintertime means snow, temperatures below freezing, and dark days – a real challenge for everyone who works outside. That’s why the right work clothing is a must during the winter – and not just when working outdoors.
All those who work in unheated halls or workshops also know how important warm and water-repellent clothing is. Craftsmen shouldn’t freeze at their work, but at the same time you shouldn’t work up a sweat from clothing that’s too warm.
Here, breathable materials such as softshells and fleece offer a high level of comfort with good protection against the cold at the same time. The so-called “onion look” is the method of choice. It simply means wearing several layers on top of each other (like an onion) that can be removed if necessary. In any case, the work clothing should be windproof and water-repellent.
Winter Work Clothes Ideas
The basic equipment of winter work clothing should include the following:
- Work jacket
- Work pants
- Shoes
- Gloves
Outdoor Winter Work Jackets
Functional winter work jackets not only offer optimal protection against the cold but also a variety of practical functions and they also look stylish. Blouson-style winter work jackets with cuffs or parka-style winter jackets made from weatherproof Oxford polyester with PU coating are particularly popular.
With a well-padded, high-quality coating and a longer cut in the back area, it effectively protects the worker against the wind, water, ice, and cold.
When you start work during the winter, there’s light later in the morning, and becomes dark earlier in the afternoon. Therefore the work jacket should ideally be in clearly visible neon colors, as this is the only way to guarantee good visibility.
If you don’t like neon colors, the jackets should at least have reflective inserts on the front and back. Or you can put on a warning vest.
Winter Work Trousers – Stable & Weatherproof
Winterproof work trousers should keep the cold and moisture out while offering a high degree of freedom of movement.
A comfortable fit is also important when you keep moving all day long. Warmly lined and breathable winter work trousers reliably protect your legs from the freezing cold and from getting wet.
Since the look should not be neglected here either, winter-proof trousers are not only available in gray or black, but also in many other colors, such as red or blue. Neon-colored pants are also popular because of better visibility. Whether you prefer trousers or comfortable dungarees is a matter of taste.
Both variants are hard-wearing and weatherproof, even in sub-zero temperatures. An ideal and very popular material is a polyester twill fabric.
Winter Work Gloves – Only Warm Fingers Can Move
When temperatures drop in winter, hands, and fingers must be optimally protected from the cold weather when working outdoors. They get cold very quickly and then effective work is no longer possible.
Winter work gloves are an indispensable accessory for construction work clothes. A balanced mix of materials is required for maximum protection against the cold and grip with every movement. In fact, extra reinforced fingertips make work easier.
Winter Work Shoes – Sure-Footed Through Frosty Times
Suitable shoes are essential when temperatures are low in the cold season because conventional work or safety shoes are usually not sufficient to protect against the cold. Here the feet need special protection.
Water resistance, a non-slip sole, and a warm inner lining are just some of the requirements that they must meet. In addition, the shoes must meet the relevant safety requirements.
These include the protection class prescribed for the working environment, the temperature specifications specified by the manufacturer, and step safety, especially in snow and ice.
The Three-Layer Principle For Winter Workwear
Being prepared for winter is crucial. The three Layer principle is a sensible and practical approach to dressing so that you can stay warm and dry when working outside. A base layer, a mid-layer, and an outer layer make up this layering system for winter outdoor workwear. When used properly, it offers an appropriate level of comfort, warmth, breathability, water resistance, and wind resistance.
Layer 1: The Base Layer
This is the layer that wicks moisture away from the skin and aids in controlling body temperature. This layer of clothing is permeable to sweat, keeping the body dry. Being one of the most crucial pieces of clothing, the base layer forms the foundation of the layering system and ensures that workers stay warm and dry.
A thin layer of warm air is created against the body when this layer is worn next to the skin. It aids in transferring sweat and moisture from the skin to control body temperature.
Layer 2: The Insulation Layer
Mid-layer clothing has insulating qualities that hold in the heat produced by the body. An insulation layer is one that is worn on top of the base layer and works to drain away perspiration to keep the person dry and warm. The mid-layer may serve as the outer layer in milder weather, but keep in mind that these clothes aren’t made to withstand rain, wind, or other external effects.
Layer 3: The Protection Layer
This serves as the first layer of defense against outside forces and bad weather. When the worker requires defense against the weather—including wind, rain, and snow—the outer layer is essential.
This layer is typically thin and waterproof, and it is highly advised that it has breathability. These clothes let heat and moisture escape from the body, protecting the person from the environment while preventing overheating.