Work Hoodies
Work hoodies are the mid-layer you live in on site when it's too cold for a tee but too warm for a coat.
On early starts, draughty refurbs, or outdoor work, a proper workwear hoodie keeps your core warm without choking your movement. Go hard-wearing fabric, decent cuffs, and a hood that actually sits under a lid when you need it.
What Jobs Are Work Hoodies Best At?
- Working through cold morning set-ups and first fix, where you need warmth on your torso but still need full arm movement for lifting, drilling, and fixing.
- Outdoor shifts on scaff, roofing, and groundworks, where a warm work hoodie layers under a waterproof and stops the wind cutting through when you are stood around between tasks.
- Refurbs and maintenance in draughty houses and empty units, where an insulated mid layer keeps you comfortable without constantly on and off with a big jacket.
- Van runs, yard loading, and snagging days, where a durable work hoodie takes knocks, dust, and regular washing without going baggy or losing shape.
- Site welfare and handover clean-down, where breathable workwear hoodies stop you overheating when you are in and out of buildings and shifting gear all day.
Choosing the Right Work Hoodies
Pick it like you pick boots: match the weight and fit to the job, because a hoodie that's wrong just ends up in the van.
1. Heavyweight vs Midweight (Warmth and Wear)
If you are outside most days or on exposed sites, go heavyweight or insulated work hoodies so the wind does not cut through. If you are mainly indoors or constantly moving, a midweight, breathable work hoodie is better so you do not end up sweating then freezing.
2. Fit for Layering (Over a Tee, Under a Coat)
If you wear it as a mid layer under a shell, do not buy it skin-tight or the sleeves will bind up. If you are wearing it as your outer layer in mild weather, keep it closer so it does not snag on materials or catch on door handles and scaffold.
3. Hood and Neck (Works with PPE)
If you are in a hard hat most of the day, you want a hood that sits flat and does not bunch at the back of your neck. If you are in and out of the rain, a higher neck and a hood you can actually pull up quickly makes a bigger difference than you think.
4. Cuffs, Hem, and Pockets (The Bits That Fail First)
If your hoodie lives on site, check the cuffs and hem are firm so they do not stretch out after a few washes. Pockets want to be deep enough for gloves and a phone, and if you carry fixings or a tape, a sturdier pocket edge stops it tearing out.
Work Hoodies FAQs
Are work hoodies actually hard-wearing, or do they go bobbly and baggy after a few washes?
The decent ones are built for regular washing and site abuse, but fabric weight and cuff quality matter. If the cuffs and hem are flimsy, they stretch first and the hoodie loses shape, so look for a firmer finish if it is an everyday site layer.
Do hoodies get in the way with a hard hat and hi vis?
They can do if the hood is bulky. For site work, you want a hood that sits flat under a lid and does not bunch at the back of your neck, and a fit that layers cleanly under hi vis without pulling tight across the shoulders.
What is better for winter, a heavyweight hoodie or an insulated hoodie?
If you are outdoors in wind, insulated work hoodies usually feel warmer when you stop moving. If you are active all day or mostly indoors, a heavyweight hoodie can be enough, and it is often more breathable so you do not end up sweating then getting cold.
Are there proper options for womens work hoodies, or is it just unisex sizing?
You will find both. Womens work hoodies are worth it if you want a better shoulder and waist fit for layering, because a baggy unisex hoodie can ride up when you are reaching, lifting, or working overhead.
Can I wear a work hoodie as an outer layer on site?
Yes on dry days, especially for refurbs and indoor work, but it is not a waterproof. For proper outdoor construction work, treat it as your mid layer and keep a shell in the van, because once a hoodie is wet through it will drag the heat out of you.
Who Are Work Hoodies For on Site?
- Chippies, sparkies, and plumbers who need a warm mid layer that does not snag or restrict you when you are up steps, in lofts, or working overhead.
- Brickies, labourers, and groundworkers who want heavy duty work hoodies that stand up to grit, mortar dust, and being dragged in and out of the van daily.
- Maintenance teams and fitters who need everyday work hoodies that look tidy enough for occupied sites but still handle proper graft.
- Anyone buying mens work hoodies or womens work hoodies for construction work, where fit matters for layering and you cannot afford sleeves riding up or hems pulling out.
How Work Hoodies Work for You
A work hoodie is not just a warm top, it is a proper mid layer that manages heat while you are moving, then keeps you warm when you stop.
1. Mid Layer Warmth Without Bulk
The fabric traps heat around your core, which is what keeps you comfortable on cold weather work. You stay mobile for lifting, drilling, and fixing, without the stiff feel of a thick jacket.
2. Layering That Actually Works on Site
Over a tee, it is your everyday work hoodie for mild days. Under a waterproof, it becomes the insulation that stops you getting chilled when the rain and wind hit, especially on exposed construction work.
3. Breathability Matters When You Are Grafting
If you are constantly on the move, a breathable workwear hoodie helps shift heat so you do not soak yourself in sweat. That is the difference between being comfortable all day and feeling cold the moment you stop.
Work Hoodie Add-Ons That Make Winter Easier
If your hoodie is your daily mid layer, these extras stop you getting caught out when the weather turns or the site is rough.
1. Base Layers
A decent base layer under your work hoodie keeps warmth in without adding bulk, and it stops that clammy feeling when you are in and out of buildings all day.
2. Waterproof Shell Jacket
Throw a lightweight waterproof over your hoodie and you have a proper cold weather system that blocks wind and rain, without needing a massive coat that gets in the way on ladders and scaffold.
3. Work Gilets
A gilet over a hoodie is a solid option for dry, cold days when you want your arms free but still need your core warm, especially for first fix and outdoor set-out.
4. Beanies and Neck Warmers
If you are working outside, keeping your head and neck warm does more than another thick layer on your body, and it is easier than constantly pulling your hood up and down.
Shop Work Hoodies at ITS.co.uk
Whether you need heavy duty work hoodies for site graft, a smarter professional workwear hoodie for maintenance, or mens and womens work hoodies for the whole team, we have the range ready to go. We stock it all in our own warehouse, so you can order by 5pm for next day delivery to site.
