Work Jackets for Men

A softshell is a stretchy, wind-resistant outer layer with little or no insulation, built for movement and for temperatures where you generate your own heat. An insulated jacket adds fill or quilting for warmth when you are standing still or working in genuine cold. If you are active outdoors in shoulder season, a softshell over a fleece usually beats a single insulated coat, because you can shed a layer instead of overheating.

Waterproof means a sealed barrier built to keep rain out through sustained exposure. Water resistant sheds a shower or wet snow but will eventually wet through given enough time and volume. Match it to how long you are actually out in the weather rather than to how heavy the rain looks.

A shirt jacket, such as the Mill River fleece, sits between a heavy shirt and a light coat. It works as a standalone outer layer in mild weather and as a mid layer under a shell when it turns cold, which makes it one of the more versatile pieces to own. It suits anyone moving in and out of buildings all day where a full jacket is too much.

The Ariat Rebar Hi-Vis softshell here, and a much larger class-rated range through Portwest, including bombers, parkas and 3-in-1 systems. If your site specifies a hi-vis class, confirm the garment carries it, since a bright color is not the same as a rated garment. See our Portwest jackets range.

Size for the layers you will actually wear underneath, not for your bare measurements. A jacket that fits over a t-shirt will bind across the shoulders and back once a hoodie goes under it, and restricted reach is worse than a slightly loose coat. Check the size chart on the product page, since outerwear sizing varies more between brands than shirt sizing does.

A moisture-wicking base layer and, in colder weather, a sweatshirt or fleece as a mid layer. Layering lets you adjust through the day instead of choosing between too hot and too cold. See our work sweatshirts range.

A jacket that is itself flame resistant rated, since a standard synthetic jacket over FR clothing can melt or ignite. Check the rating in the product title. See our full flame resistant apparel collection.