Work Hoodies, Work Fleeces & Sweatshirts
Work hoodies keep you warm on cold starts without getting in the way when you're lifting, drilling, or working overhead all day.
On site, a decent hoodie, fleece, or sweatshirt is your go-to mid layer: warm enough for early mornings, easy to peel off when you're grafting, and tough enough to handle dust, snags, and van life. Pick the right weight for the season, make sure it layers under a coat, and grab a couple so you're not stuck wearing yesterday's plaster.
What Jobs Are Work Hoodies and Work Fleeces Best At?
- Working through cold first-fix mornings where you need a warm mid layer that still lets you reach, stretch, and work overhead without feeling bulky.
- Outdoor maintenance and snagging where work fleeces give quick warmth under a shell, then pack down in the van when the day warms up.
- Warehouse, yard, and loading work where hard wearing work sweatshirts take the knocks from straps, pallets, and rough handling without tearing up straight away.
- Refurbs and indoor fit-outs where breathable work sweatshirts stop you overheating once the heating is on and you're moving room to room.
- Wet and windy days where insulated work hoodies and thermal work fleeces make a proper layering system with a gilet or jacket, instead of relying on one heavy coat.
Choosing the Right Work Hoodies, Fleeces, and Sweatshirts
Sort the right one by treating it as a mid layer, not a fashion top, because fit and weight matter more than the logo.
1. Hoodie vs Fleece vs Sweatshirt
If you want a tough, everyday layer that feels like a jumper and takes abuse, go work sweatshirt. If you need quick warmth with less bulk under a coat, pick a work fleece. If you want the hood for wind and cold starts, a work hoodie is the one you'll grab first.
2. Weight and warmth
If you're on exposed jobs or starting early, look at insulated work hoodies or thermal work fleeces. If you're mostly indoors or you run hot, stick to lighter, breathable work sweatshirts so you're not sweating five minutes into the shift.
3. Fit for layering and movement
If it's going under a jacket, don't buy it too baggy or the sleeves will bunch and snag. If you're in and out of a harness or tool belt, make sure the hem sits right and the shoulders aren't tight, especially on mens work hoodies and womens work hoodies where cuts can differ.
4. Pockets, zips, and site practicality
If you're constantly grabbing a phone, tape, or gloves, a zip hoodie or zipped fleece is easier than pulling a layer over your head. If you're doing dusty work, simple pockets are better than fiddly ones that fill with muck.
Work Hoodies, Fleeces and Sweatshirts FAQs
Are work hoodies actually hard wearing, or do they go baggy and bobbly fast?
A proper workwear hoodie is built from tougher fabric and stitching than a high-street one, so it holds its shape better and copes with snags and dust. They will still show wear if you are constantly rubbing on brick, Velcro, or rough straps, so keep one for site and one for clean days.
What is warmer on site, a work fleece or a work sweatshirt?
For pure warmth under a shell, a thermal work fleece usually wins because it traps heat well without a lot of bulk. A warm work sweatshirt feels tougher and blocks a bit more breeze on its own, but it can get heavy if you are sweating and then cooling down.
Do hooded tops get in the way with jackets, harnesses, or hard hats?
They can if the hood is thick or the fit is too baggy. If you are wearing a harness or a shell jacket, go for a slimmer mid layer and a hood that sits flat so it does not bunch at the back of your neck when you are looking up or working overhead.
Should I buy a zip work hoodie or a pull-over?
If you are on and off site, in and out of vans, or constantly changing temperature, a zip is easier because you can vent fast without stripping layers. Pull-overs are simpler and often feel warmer with fewer draught points, but they are a pain if you are swapping PPE or getting dusty.
Are there proper mens work hoodies and womens work hoodies, or is it all the same fit?
They are not always the same. Womens work hoodies are often cut differently through the shoulders and waist, and sleeve length can vary, so check the size guide and think about whether you are layering underneath. If you are between sizes, size up for winter layering and tool belt movement.
Who Uses Work Hoodies and Work Fleeces?
- Builders, chippies, and labourers who want durable workwear hoodies that stay comfortable when you're carrying sheet goods, setting out, and cleaning down.
- Sparks and plumbers who live in mid layer workwear because it keeps you warm in lofts and voids but still fits under a jacket when you're outside.
- Groundworkers and landscapers who lean on construction work fleeces for outdoor work, especially when you're in and out of machines and the weather turns.
- Site managers and supervisors who need professional workwear hoodies and sweatshirts that look tidy enough for walkarounds but still handle site dust and daily wear.
The Basics: Understanding Layering Workwear
Work hoodies, work fleeces, and work sweatshirts are your mid layer. Get the layers right and you stay warm without feeling wrapped up or soaked in sweat.
1. Base layer, mid layer, shell
A base layer manages sweat, your hoodie or fleece workwear holds warmth, and a shell keeps wind and rain off. If you skip the shell on bad days, even the warmest top will feel cold once the wind gets through.
2. Breathability matters as much as warmth
If you're carrying gear, climbing ladders, or working fast, you need a breathable mid layer so heat can escape. That's why a warm work sweatshirt that vents well often beats a thick one that leaves you damp by break time.
3. The hood is a tool, not a gimmick
On windy scaffolds and open sites, a hooded top takes the edge off without stopping you working. Just make sure it sits flat under your outer jacket and doesn't bunch behind your neck when you're looking up.
Cold Weather Add-Ons That Work With Hoodies and Fleeces
These are the bits that stop you messing about with the wrong layers when the weather changes mid-job.
1. Base Layers
A decent base layer stops you getting clammy under sweatshirt workwear, which is what makes you feel cold later on. It is the difference between staying comfortable all day and freezing once you slow down.
2. Waterproof Shell Jackets
A shell over work hoodies or work fleeces blocks wind and rain so your mid layer can actually do its job. Without it, you will feel the cold straight through on exposed sites.
3. Work Gilets
A gilet adds core warmth without restricting your arms, which is ideal when you are lifting, fixing overhead, or driving between jobs in winter.
4. Beanies and Neck Warmers
If you are relying on the hood alone, you will still lose heat around the neck. A simple beanie or neck warmer keeps the draught out and lets you drop the hood when you need better hearing or visibility.
Shop Work Hoodies and Work Fleeces at ITS
Whether you need heavy duty work hoodies for winter starts, lightweight work sweatshirts for indoor fit-outs, or durable work fleeces for outdoor work, we stock the full spread of fits, sizes, and styles. It is all held in our own warehouse, in stock and ready for next day delivery so you can get kitted out before the next shift.
