Work Jackets
Work jackets keep you warm, dry, and moving when the weather turns and the job still needs doing.
When you're on exposed scaff, in a wet trench, or doing snagging in an unheated shell, a proper workwear jacket stops you losing time to cold hands and soaked layers. Choose the right cut for your trade, get the warmth you need, and make sure it's tough enough to live in the van.
What Jobs Are Work Jackets Best At?
- Working on exposed site days like roofing, steel, and scaffolding where wind-chill ruins your hands unless your core stays warm and covered.
- Keeping dry on wet groundworks and civils jobs where waterproof work jackets stop you ending the day soaked through from spray, rain, and kneeling in muck.
- Grinding through first fix in cold shells and refurbs where insulated and thermal work jackets let you keep dexterity without piling on bulky layers.
- Doing daily van-based maintenance and call-outs where breathable, comfortable work jackets stop you overheating between driving, lifting gear, and quick fixes.
- Taking the knocks of rough handling on construction sites where hard wearing, heavy duty work jackets resist snagging on boards, rebar, and sharp edges.
Choosing the Right Work Jackets
Pick your work jacket for the worst hour of the day, not the easy bit in the cabin or canteen.
1. Waterproof vs Weatherproof
If you are out in proper rain for hours, go waterproof with taped seams and a decent hood you can actually work in. If you are mostly in and out with the odd shower, a weatherproof shell is lighter and less sweaty, and it will get worn more often.
2. Insulated, Padded, or Layering Shell
If you are standing still a lot, like setting out, traffic management, or waiting on lifts, insulated and padded work jackets earn their keep. If you are constantly on the move, a lighter shell over a fleece keeps you warmer overall because you can vent and adjust without soaking yourself in sweat.
3. Fit and Movement for the Trade
If you are reaching, climbing, or working overhead, look for a cut that gives shoulder room and does not pull tight across the back. If you are bending and kneeling all day, make sure the hem stays down and the cuffs seal properly, otherwise you will just funnel cold air up your sleeves.
4. Durability Where It Actually Fails
If you are hard on kit, check the high-wear areas first: cuffs, zip, pocket edges, and shoulders where you carry boards or a tool bag. A jacket can be warm and still be a waste of money if the zip gives up or the cuffs fray after a month.
Work Jackets FAQs
Are these work jackets actually waterproof, or just showerproof?
It depends on the jacket type. A proper waterproof work jacket will usually have sealed or taped seams and a storm flap or water-resistant zip, so it holds up in sustained rain. A weatherproof or showerproof jacket is fine for short spells, but it will wet through if you are out in it all morning.
Will an insulated jacket make me sweat when I am on the tools?
If you are active all day, heavy insulation can overheat you fast, especially when you are carrying materials or working indoors then stepping out. For moving trades, a lighter shell with a fleece or base layer underneath is usually the better setup because you can vent and adjust as the day changes.
What parts of a work jacket fail first on site?
Cuffs, zips, and pocket edges take the hammering, along with the shoulders if you carry boards or a tool bag. If you are hard on kit, look for reinforced wear areas and a zip that feels solid, because a warm jacket is no good if it will not fasten after a few weeks.
Do mens and womens work jackets fit differently, or is it just sizing?
Many womens work jackets are cut differently through the shoulders, waist, and sleeve length, which stops excess bulk and improves movement. If you are layering underneath, check you have room for a hoodie or fleece without the jacket pulling tight across the back when you reach or climb.
Can I wear these as an everyday jacket off site as well?
Yes, plenty of trade work jackets double as everyday work jackets because they are built tougher and have useful pockets. Just be honest with yourself about colour and bulk, because a heavy duty construction work jacket is brilliant on site but can feel overkill for quick trips if it is too padded.
Who Are Work Jackets For on Site?
- Builders, chippies, and brickies who need durable work jackets that handle repeated abrasion against blocks, timber, and scaffold without tearing at the cuffs.
- Sparks and plumbers who want trade work jackets with enough stretch and room through the shoulders for overhead work and crawling voids, without the hem riding up.
- Groundworkers and landscapers who rely on waterproof work jackets for long days in rain and spray, especially when you cannot just down tools and wait it out.
- Site managers, supervisors, and delivery teams who need professional workwear jackets that look tidy but still stand up to daily site wear and constant in and out of the van.
- Anyone buying mens work jackets or womens work jackets who needs a proper work cut that layers over a hoodie or fleece without feeling like a sail in the wind.
The Basics: Understanding Workwear Jackets
Most site work jackets fall into a few types. Get the type right and you stay dry and warm without feeling wrapped up like a sleeping bag.
1. Shell Jackets (Rain and Wind Protection)
A shell is built to block wind and rain, then you add warmth underneath. It is the practical choice for changeable UK weather because you can layer up for cold mornings and strip back when you start grafting.
2. Insulated and Thermal Jackets (Warmth Built In)
These use padding or thermal lining to keep heat in, so they are best for cold weather work and long outdoor days. They are spot on when you are not moving much, but they can feel too warm if you are lugging materials all day.
3. Breathability (Staying Dry From the Inside)
If your jacket does not breathe, you sweat, then you chill the moment you stop. For active trades, breathable work jackets and decent venting make a bigger difference than extra thickness.
Work Jacket Add-Ons That Make Winter Easier
The right extras stop you fighting the weather and keep your jacket doing its job all day.
1. Midlayers and Fleeces
A decent fleece or thermal midlayer lets you tune warmth without buying a jacket for every season, and it is the difference between staying comfortable and sweating yourself cold when the pace changes.
2. Work Gloves for Cold and Wet
Even the best insulated work jacket cannot save you if your hands are numb, so pair it with proper cold weather gloves for handling wet fixings, scaffold clips, and tools without losing grip.
3. Base Layers
A good base layer keeps sweat off your skin, which stops that cold, clammy feeling when you step outside or slow down, and it helps any waterproof or weatherproof jacket work better.
4. Beanies and Neck Warmers
Most heat goes out your head and neck on windy sites, so a beanie and a neck warmer make a lighter jacket feel warmer without restricting your arms or adding bulk under a harness.
Shop Work Jackets at ITS.co.uk
Whether you need waterproof work jackets for wet site work, insulated padded work jackets for winter, or everyday workwear jackets that just take abuse, we stock the full range in mens and womens fits. It is all held in our own warehouse, ready for next day delivery so you can get kitted out before the weather turns.
