Gilets & Body Warmers
Work gilets keep your core warm without tying your arms up on the tools, so you can keep moving when the temperature drops on site.
When you're in and out of buildings all day, a good work bodywarmer is the easy layer that stops you sweating like a coat, but still takes the edge off cold starts. Go for hard wearing workwear gilets with proper pockets, a decent zip, and insulation that doesn't go flat after a fortnight.
What Jobs Are Work Gilets Best At?
- Working through first fix and second fix in unheated plots where you need warmth on your chest and back but full arm movement for drilling, fixing, and lifting sheets.
- Outdoor snagging and site walkarounds on cold, breezy mornings when a thermal work bodywarmer under a shell keeps you warm without overheating once you're moving.
- Loading the van and shifting materials in the yard where a heavy duty work gilet takes scrapes and knocks and keeps your core warm while you're in and out of the cab.
- Layering up for winter jobs by running a padded work bodywarmer as a mid layer under a waterproof, so you stay warm even when the weather turns and you cannot stop.
- Day to day maintenance work where breathable work gilets stop you getting sweaty indoors, but still give you that bit of insulation when you step back outside.
Choosing the Right Work Gilets
Pick a work gilet like you pick boots: it needs to match the graft and the weather, not just look the part.
1. Insulated vs Lightweight
If you are outside early doors or on exposed sites, go insulated work gilets or padded work bodywarmers to keep your core heat in. If you are mostly indoors with quick trips outside, a lighter mid layer work bodywarmer stops you overheating and still takes the chill off.
2. Fit and Layering Room
If you want it as an everyday layer over a hoodie, size it so the zip closes without pulling across the chest when you bend and reach. If it is going under a shell, keep it closer fitting so it does not bunch up and ride when you are climbing ladders or working overhead.
3. Fabric Toughness and Zip Quality
For builders work gilets and site work gilets that live against blockwork, scaff, and rough timber, prioritise hard wearing outer fabric and a zip you can grab with gloves on. If the zip is flimsy in the hand, it will be the first thing to fail on a cold morning.
4. Pocket Layout That Actually Works
If you are on tools, look for secure chest pockets for a phone and deep hand pockets that do not spill fixings when you kneel down. If you are in and out of the van, an internal pocket is worth having so keys and cards are not getting soaked or lost.
Work Gilets and Work Bodywarmers FAQs
Are work gilets actually warm enough for winter site work?
They are if you use them properly. A thermal or quilted work bodywarmer keeps your core warm, but your arms are still exposed, so on proper cold days you will want it over a base layer and under a waterproof or jacket when the wind and rain kick in.
What is the real difference between a work gilet and a work bodywarmer?
On site they are used the same way. Most people call the lighter, layer-friendly ones work gilets, and the warmer padded options work bodywarmers, but the key is the insulation level, outer fabric toughness, and pocket setup.
Do padded work bodywarmers get in the way when you are on the tools?
A good one should not. The whole point is keeping your arms free, but if you go too bulky or too tight, it will ride up when you bend or reach. If you are doing overhead work or lots of kneeling, pick a fit that stays put and does not pull across the shoulders.
Are work gilets waterproof or just shower resistant?
Most trade work gilets are not fully waterproof because they are designed for layering. They will usually handle light drizzle, but for proper weather you want a waterproof shell over the top, especially if you are on exposed scaff or open groundworks.
Should I size up to wear a hoodie underneath?
If you know it will live over a hoodie, yes, give yourself room to move and zip it up without it going tight across the chest. If it is mainly a mid layer under a jacket, stick closer to your normal size so it does not bunch up and feel bulky.
Will a durable work gilet stand up to site abuse, or will it snag and tear?
The better ones will take a lot of punishment, but they are not indestructible. Look for hard wearing outer fabric and solid stitching around pockets and zip ends, because that is where cheaper gilets fail first when you are brushing past blockwork, rebar, and scaffold.
Who Are Work Gilets For on Site?
- Chippies, dryliners, and joiners who want a warm core without sleeves catching on fixings, doorsets, or sheet material.
- Sparks and plumbers doing first fix runs in cold voids and lofts, where a quilted work bodywarmer keeps heat in but still lets you reach, bend, and pull cable.
- Groundworkers, landscapers, and construction teams who need durable work gilets that stand up to mud, abrasion, and constant in and out of plant.
- Site managers and supervisors who are outside a lot and need a smart, professional workwear gilet that layers over a hoodie or under a jacket without bulk.
Layering Kit to Make Work Bodywarmers Earn Their Keep
A gilet works best as part of a simple layering setup, so you stay warm outside and do not end up drenched in sweat indoors.
1. Base Layers
A decent base layer stops you getting clammy under insulated work gilets, which is what makes you freeze the moment you stop moving or step into a drafty stairwell.
2. Hoodies and Fleeces
Throw a hoodie or fleece under your workwear bodywarmers for proper cold weather work gilets performance without needing a bulky coat that catches when you are lifting sheets or reaching into tool bags.
3. Waterproof Shell Jackets
Keep a lightweight waterproof in the van and use the gilet as the warm mid layer, so you are covered when the rain turns up and you still need to finish the job.
Shop Work Gilets at ITS.co.uk
Whether you need lightweight workwear gilets for layering or heavy duty work gilets for cold, rough site days, we stock the full range in mens work gilets and womens work gilets. It is all held in our own warehouse, ready for next day delivery so you can get kitted up before the weather turns.
