Ensuring that you have workwear for the winter is essential. After all, your clothing will need to not only endure your work, but also the elements this season.

We’re going to take you through the staples you need to make your work as comfortable and safe as possible throughout the winter season, and our recommendations to ensure that you have the quality and durability you need.

Read on to find out more on winter workwear essentials…

What types of workwear clothing are considered essential?

When your job requires you to be outdoors the majority of the time, there are key items that are needed, not only for comfort, but also for your safety.

Of course, this will depend on what the job entails and what’s comfortable for you. Some people who work outdoors might prefer to wrap up with thermals, others will be satisfied with a body warmer and a fleece as their mid-layer.

However, as a rule of thumb, here are the staples of workwear clothing that would be considered essentials by the majority of people:

High visibility clothing.
A waterproof jacket.
Fleeces, hoodies, and sweatshirts.
Thermal wear.
Grip gloves.
Hats and thick socks.
A bodywarmer.
Key accessories such as knee pads and portable work lights.

Factors to consider when shopping for winter workwear essentials

Weather – have you checked the weather forecast? We would recommend doing so before any job so that you can arrive prepared. For example, if it’s going to be a particularly rainy day, wearing waterproof clothing is crucial.
Time of day – if you have a job later on in the day (e.g that’ll run past 4 pm) make sure you’re wearing high visibility clothing so that you are protected once it’s dark.
Risk assessments – ask for the details about the job along with any potential hazards, so that you can establish what it’ll require before arrival. As you’ll know, not all jobs will be the same, and this way, you can begin to build up a staple winter workwear wardrobe that’ll see you through a variety of occasions.
Temperature – if a job requires you to be outdoors all day, thermals will make all the difference in keeping you warm and comfortable. They’ll also help to evaporate any sweat build-ups on a particularly physically demanding job.

Weather – have you checked the weather forecast? We would recommend doing so before any job so that you can arrive prepared. For example, if it’s going to be a particularly rainy day, wearing waterproof clothing is crucial.
Time of day – if you have a job later on in the day (e.g that’ll run past 4 pm) make sure you’re wearing high visibility clothing so that you are protected once it’s dark.
Risk assessments – ask for the details about the job along with any potential hazards, so that you can establish what it’ll require before arrival. As you’ll know, not all jobs will be the same, and this way, you can begin to build up a staple winter workwear wardrobe that’ll see you through a variety of occasions.
Temperature – if a job requires you to be outdoors all day, thermals will make all the difference in keeping you warm and comfortable. They’ll also help to evaporate any sweat build-ups on a particularly physically demanding job.

Safety – ensure that any workwear you purchase is CE-approved. This means that the clothing meets the standards of the UK’s Personal Protective Equipment Regulations (2002), deeming it safe from a health and safety standpoint.
Accessories – do you have the necessary winter workwear accessories? Consider investing in some grip gloves so that you can carry out jobs with your hands protected. A warm hat and extra knee padding for protection and comfort won’t go amiss either.
Physically demanding jobs that’ll build up a sweat – if you’re unsure of what you need, consider layering up your clothing with a base layer, mid-layer and outerwear, so that you can adjust as you see fit throughout the day.
Insulation – consider looking out for winter workwear clothing that has an emphasis on insulation. This will protect you from both warm and cold weather conditions, meaning that you could most likely wear some of this clothing throughout the spring and autumn season.

Safety – ensure that any workwear you purchase is CE-approved. This means that the clothing meets the standards of the UK’s Personal Protective Equipment Regulations (2002), deeming it safe from a health and safety standpoint.
Accessories – do you have the necessary winter workwear accessories? Consider investing in some grip gloves so that you can carry out jobs with your hands protected. A warm hat and extra knee padding for protection and comfort won’t go amiss either.
Physically demanding jobs that’ll build up a sweat – if you’re unsure of what you need, consider layering up your clothing with a base layer, mid-layer and outerwear, so that you can adjust as you see fit throughout the day.
Insulation – consider looking out for winter workwear clothing that has an emphasis on insulation. This will protect you from both warm and cold weather conditions, meaning that you could most likely wear some of this clothing throughout the spring and autumn season.

Staple winter workwear clothing

At Winfields Outdoors, we offer a wide range of high-quality workwear, including an extensive selection for the winter season. However, for this article, we’d like to go over a few pieces of workwear essentials that we think are non-negotiables.

Winter workwear mid-layers

It’s no secret that investing in a superb mid-layer will ensure that you stay warm on an outdoor job this season.

Mid-layers are perfect for outdoor use, as high-quality options will be fully insulated, whilst also providing a superb level of warmth. What’s more, you’ll be able to use them as an outer layer throughout the milder months – so you’re guaranteed a wide range of use when you invest in a staple mid-layer for work purposes.

Key features to look out for in mid-layers:

Provides superb insulation.
Low maintenance workwear – easy to care for and quick-drying fabric.
Superb quality (e.g 100% polyester).
Ultra-comfortable.
Provides a superb level of warmth.

Bodywarmers

A bodywarmer will undoubtedly ensure comfort, warmth and durability throughout any outdoor job.

Bodywarmers for winter outdoor work are firm staples for most, as a high-quality option will be ultra-durable, fully insulated and fully waterproof – without hindering your mobility. Perfect for harsh weather conditions!

Key features to look out for in workwear body warmers:

Suitable for all weather conditions.
Provides a superb level of comfort and warmth.
Zipped pockets for storing away valuables on the job.
Polyester lining with strategic warm fleece panels.
Reflective prints to the back.
Fully waterproof (PU coated polyester).
Fully windproof (PU coated polyester).
Includes an inner zip and chin guard.
Warm and super soft (e.g Atomlight insulation).

High-visibility workwear

With the days being much shorter in the winter, investing in high-visibility clothing should be considered essential for safety. For example, if you’re on a job where you’ll be close to incoming traffic or heavy machinery in general – ensuring that you and your team can be identified is paramount.

When you’re looking for a high visibility jacket that’ll stand the test of time, there are certain features and requirements that you should consider.

For high visibility work trousers, ensure unparalleled comfort with a relaxed fit so that movement isn’t restricted. Any type of high visibility workwear should abide by PPE requirements so that workers can carry out their jobs with confidence, comfort and ease.

Key features to look out for in high-visibility workwear:

Reflective detailing incorporated into the design.
Ideally, a quilted inner that could be fleece-lined to ensure warmth in any environment.
Lightweight.
Highly durable.
Waterproof and offers superb insulation.
Fully certified for professional use (e.g CE approved).
Numerous pockets for storing valuables safely and securely.
The inclusion of additional waterproof features – for example, taped seams, concealed hood and storm cuffs may be present on a good quality high visibility jacket.

Safety footwear

When working outdoors, safety footwear should be considered a top priority.

A great pair of workboots should contain additional safety features, such as a steel toe cap, anti-slip soles and a secure lace fastening for stability and comfort purposes.

Additionally, a great pair of footwear for work purposes should also offer shock-absorbing cushioning and a robust outer (e.g leather), so that they can be deemed an extremely reliable footwear option for any outdoor work.

Key features to look for when purchasing safety footwear for work:

Ensure that they have potential impact protection (ideally somewhere around 200 joules).
Ensure that they offer compression protection (ideally somewhere around 15,000 Newton).
A robust upper.
Ultra-comfortable.
Highly durable.
Low heel height.
Shock absorption technology.
Steel toe cap for additional protection.
Lace-up fastening.
Water-resistant.
Oil resistant.
Fuel resistant.
Meets the high standards required to be considered workwear PPE.
Padded collar and tongue for optimal comfort on the job.
Breathable mesh lining.
Underfoot protection as an additional safety feature.
EN ISO rated.

Accessories

It’s no secret that outdoor work will require you to be agile, (e.g spending time working on your knees) and having access to workwear accessories can make all the difference.

Specially designed workwear accessories for craftsmen can come in the form of knee pads, grip gloves, LED beanies and so on. Think of workwear accessories as equipment that’s specially designed to help with making mobile work as comfortable as possible, along with providing an extra level of protection.

For example, if someone is frequently kneeling on a job, added knee protection that is specifically designed to be lightweight and flexible, whilst also providing a guard against any uneven ground or debris that could be potentially harmful, will never go amiss.

Or maybe you’re working on a job that requires you to work past 4.30 pm. Having access to a handy LED beanie will not only keep you warm, but it’ll allow you to maintain visibility (which is essential for outdoor work), whilst also providing you with illumination to focus in on a particular spot.