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Anatomy of a Hi-Vis Winter Work Jacket

While it’s true that we can’t change the weather, we can be prepared for whatever Mother Nature throws our way. In our previous blog, we listed some of the important considerations for choosing the right jacket for the conditions you face while outdoors in cold weather. Today, we’re going to show specific examples to help you decide between the myriad choices available.

Jacket Type

The first, most basic decision is jacket type. We group jackets into two basic styles, the Bomber Jacket and the Parka.

Bomber Jackets are shorter and lighter, with elastic at the waist to seal out cold air. They are a great option for daily wear, and in extreme weather they work very well over insulated bib overalls. Styles US363 and US365 from Portwest are our top selling bomber jackets, as well as GSS 8001 and 8003.

Parka jackets are longer, typically down past the crotch which makes them ideal for taller people. The Portwest US427 is our most popular parka, and we also have style 8505 from GSS. Most of the features we’ll look at below are common to both types.

Material

Hi vis winter jackets are typically made from polyester thread. This allows for a tight weave that makes the jackets water-repellant without the need for a PVC coating on the inside. This letsthe jacket “breathe” while still protecting from moisture. Some jackets are described as “rip stop.” This is the same thread, but woven into an Oxford pattern. If a jacket gets hooked on a sharp point, the Oxford weave prevents the outer shell from ripping open. The Onyx products from GSS all feature ripstop fabric.

Hood

Dry body but wet head? Not on our watch! Our winter jackets have hoods to keep you protected from the elements. Some brands like GSS have hoods that snap on, and others are permanently attached. All hoods on these jackets tuck into the collar to keep them secure when not in use. The GSS bomber and parka jackets have a lining in the hood for extra thermal insulation. Hoods are typically sized big to fit over a hard hat.

Liner

A liner is what makes a jacket a winter jacket. A basic jacket has a permanent, quilted liner filled with hollow polyester fiber (such as Thinsulate) which is excellent for warmth but it cannot be removed on warmer days. US363, 8001, 75-1313 are our top choices. Our 3-in-1 jackets have a removeable fleece liner that will keep you warm, and it can be removed so that the jacket becomes more of a windbreaker or rain jacket and the liner can be worn as a zippered sweatshirt. US365, 8003, and 75-1311 are the best examples.

Some jackets employ both for maximum warmth, such as the GSS 8511, 8513, 8505, and 8507. These jackets will keep you warm in the most frigid conditions, such as a Polar Vortex.

Pockets

Pockets are essential to a jacket. In addition to the slash pockets for your hands, we offer an inside pocket or two, a cell phone pocket, a radio pocket, and a newer feature that has been adopted by most manufacturers is a clear ID pocket to make security on job sites and access to restricted areas easier without fumbling for credentials. Many styles also have pen pockets. Finally, a tablet pocket inside (see the Portwest US427 from Portwest) helps keep your tech warm and dry as well as easy to reach.

Storm flap

A storm flap uses snaps or Velcro to cover the front zipper and protect against rain.

Black color blocking

You just got a new jacket and you’re psyched to wear it to the job. Five minutes after you start working, you look down and you got dirt all over the bottom! We’ve got you covered- black color blocking is used to hide the dirt and grease that you come into contact with every day and keep your new jacket looking good. There is still enough fluorescent background left to keep the jacket compliant with ANSI visibility standards (view our previous article on ANSI Standards).

Radio mic tabs

Usually located on the top front on or near the vertical reflective stripes, these are used to securely clip radio microphones for hands-free, hassle-free communication.

Waist cinch

Because parka jackets don’t have elastic at the waist like a bomber jacket, a cinch cord at the waist can be used to keep cold air from flowing up from the bottom. The Portwest US427 has this feature.

Removeable sleeves

We explained above what a 3-in-1 jacket is, but what’s a 7-in-1 or 8-in-1 jacket? It’s all in the sleeves. Removeable sleeves allow a jacket to be worn as a winter coat, a windbreaker, rain coat, or a vest in multiple configurations. The Portwest US427 gives you options to wear the liner as a vest, reverse it so the black side is out, wear the jacket and liner as an insulated vest, wear the jacket with liner sleeves only, it’s truly our most versatile jacket.

That was a lot, wasn’t it? We hope we’ve made it easy to pick the right winter gear for you and your team. If there’s anything we haven’t covered, or if you have any other questions, comments, or concerns please give us a call, submit them through our web site Q & A (available on every product page on our site), or email us. And remember, every jacket we offer can be customized with your company name or logo, it’s easier than ever.

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