Work wear for outdoor wear?

[Paul_B]

It's been discussed in other in other threads but I don't recall a specific thread about it, but has anyone got work wear recommendations that's good enough for outdoor use?

It seems to me that you can spend a fortune to get tough, outdoor clothing such as fjellraven trousers but work wear brands do something a fraction of the cost that's over 50% of the quality / functionality of the top outdoor brand.

I used to do conservation volunteering wearing my hiking kit but it wasn't really the best idea. Right now I'm curious because I'm close to getting my first garden and it's not small so I'll be working in it a fair bit. To get me out of decorating kit I'm honest about it. So I'm looking at getting safety boots and tough work trousers hence my query.

UK based, I know USA and Canada do really good quality and cheap workwear, but I don't recall seeing much that's good over here.

 

[Billy-o]

Here there is Carhartt, and you should interrogate BrianT on the subject, PaulM.

The only things I have used camping from them is their canvas work jeans. But, they are heavy cotton and agony in the wet. Also, they do focus more on toughness and longevity than mobility and lightness, and that's the main drawback. Doable, but not ideal.

What there also are is companies like Gost/BigBill who make old-school hunting clothes .. not so much realtree camo type, but the kind of wool and cotton you'd maybe want for sitting in a duck blind freezing, butchering and carting out game. Usually cut for big people.

So, maybe it is Harkila you might want to look at.

 

[lostplanet]

Check out dickies, snickers and scruffs. There are reasonably priced clothing available from these brands. You do get what you pay for.
I've got various Dickies gear and its mostly good but no where near 5.11 quality. I would also recommend russell but they tend to be a bit more expensive and the sizing can be odd. safety boots- I have a pair of SWAT size zip, and they do the job but have the most annoying squeak coming from the toe box. Mind boggling amount of safety boot options out there. From Haix, Lowa down to screwfix and B&Q own brands and Mil tec etc. depends on what you intend to do with them ie: waterproof, steel shank, side zip, composite toes, shoes, boots or trainers. as an example https://www.workwearexpress.com/footwear/all-footwear

AFAIK safety boots are VAT free.

 

[Erbswurst]

Workwear I have seen in France and Germany was of course OK for camping but not for hiking.

Have a look at Solognac.

Steppe 300 trousers are comparable with FR Karl, but cost a fracture of the price.

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/hunting-trousers-limited-edition-steppe-300-green/_/R-p-311762

They exist also in reinforced versions.

Fleece jacket 300 is good.
(100 too but meant for summer use.)

https://www.decathlon.co.uk/p/300-hunting-fleece/_/R-p-10618

They also sell warmer versions.

And top secret for garden use:
NATO surplus clothing!

 

[SaraR]

Check out your local farmers' co-op, if you have one.

 

[Mowmow]

150 quid for some fjallraven trousers which will only end up full of holes at the same rate as a pair of work trousers, but just a bit more stylishly.

Honestly any old workwear will do. You're really not getting anything extra for your money.

Edited because i sounded like im up my own bottom but it wasnt how it was supposed to come across

 

[punkrockcaveman]

A few mates use scruffs and Dickies, they seem pretty hard wearing.

I've had some cheap screwfix ones but they were rubbish.

Get down to wickes (they always seem to have a big range) and have a look/feel. You could always return they after trying on if your not keen

 

[demographic]

After using Snickers floorlayers trousers for a few years I got sick of their stitching quality getting progressively worse.
I changes to Blaklader trousers (the ones with the aramid fibres) and so far its been great.
Not cheap though.
They do last well.

 

[Scottieoutdoors]

Hmmm I'm in a similar position - I'm looking for trousers to wear outdoorsy that won't weigh a ton when wet like my work ones do...

They're having a decent sale on now, but I have always found dickies stuff to be really hard wearing. I've been doing a long drawn renovation job, I've been involved in everything from plumbing, painting, leccy stuff, sanding floors, pulling up floors insulating, laying floors, sanding, ummm sanding, and did I mention sanding? scrabbling about on hands a knees has taken it's toll on my first pair, as it's worn holes in the knee pad retaining areas (like a fold of material over the actual trousers that you slide foam pads into. But they're my go too painting trousers. I ordered a second pair which I've used as my more respectable work trousers...

Anyway - https://www.dickiesworkwear.com/uk/dickies-industry-two-tone-work-trousers-in30030?colour=Khaki these are exactly what I use.

I am limited in choice however as I think these are the only ones that have my leg length.

As others have said, given the hard wearing nature, they do tend to weigh a ton when wet...

 

[Silverclaws2]

Blue Castle M65 BDU style work trousers, did me for years, what ten years plus and would have done longer if I had maintained my waste line. Just got a pair of the same by Mil-tec, for about the same price as the Blue Castles, will see how they do, but already, don't like the button fly.

 

[John Fenna]

OG brand combat trousers from my local surplus store have done me well for years - available in cotton or poly cotton. They stood up well to expeds in the mountains and savanna of South Africa and in Thai jungles so should be fine for most UK work

 

[Oliver G]

I've got a stash of the Karrimor Panther trousers, they're smart enough to bimble about the office in but weather fairly well outdoors. After a couple of years the elastic starts to go and they soften up to make lovely trousers for knocking around at home.

 

[SaraR]

Has anyone suggested 5.11's trousers yet? Despite their "tactical strap" and "action waist" rolleyes2 and odd pocket designs, they are made of really sturdy, yet comfy-looking, fabric. No idea about model names or prices, but DH hasn't worn out his pair yet, and not for lack of trying.

 

[John Fenna]

5.11 trousers really are excellent - but I think of them as a little more than "work wear" as specified by the OP

 

[Scottieoutdoors]

Has anyone suggested 5.11's trousers yet? Despite their "tactical strap" and "action waist" rolleyes2 and odd pocket designs, they are made of really sturdy, yet comfy-looking, fabric. No idea about model names or prices, but DH hasn't worn out his pair yet, and not for lack of trying.

Thanks for suggesting these. I'm looking for some outdoorsy trousers that are hard wearing and won't break the bank, my issue is leg length and it seems 5.11 offer some decent lengths for those of us who are stupidly tall...

 

[fenix]

OG brand combat trousers from my local surplus store have done me well for years - available in cotton or poly cotton. They stood up well to expeds in the mountains and savanna of South Africa and in Thai jungles so should be fine for most UK work

I pretty much live in a variety of 5.11 trousers, have found them to be comfortable an long lasting. The range of materials and styles can be a tad confusing, the last couple of pairs came from ebay at £20 each in a sale. They are reasonably water repellent, but the coating will degrade over time, might try a reproofing some of them. I ware them to work, they look tidy enough for management stuff but have plenty of pockets for tools. About the only other brands I ware regularly are Rohan and Craghopper. Just about to get some shooting / stalking trousers from either Deerhunter or Percussion, they are in the £30ish price bracket.

 

[MikeLA]

Dickies are good why pay more, used OG Trousers or old DPM trousers for the woods

 

[chimpy leon]

Ive worn out a loads of work trousers marketed as “hard use“ and “tough“ etc and I’ve found snickers to be consistently poor, or should I say absolute crap!
Best I’ve used is black knight - very durable and comfortable. That said I still have a pair of Arco essentials that are still going strong after 7 years - got them next to nothing. It seems the less gimmicky they are, the longer they last. For me at least.

 

[Jared]

Have 5.11s too, think they are 100% cotton canvas. Paid £25 a pair from https://www.mandmdirect.com/ several years ago, now wish I bought more.