Recommendations for workwear and work waterproofs.

[gazzarose]

Morning,

I know Saturday isn't a day for talking about work, but tough, I'm in work and need some help. I dont know if this is the right place to ask but the PH collective is all knowledgeable and can solve any problem, but this time MX5, sausages, custard or bulbs on a stick arn't needed.

Essentially in April I got promoted to workshop manager in a small firm, only 6 people in total, 3 in the office doing the sales stuff and 3 of us doing the real work (sorry if I upset any office people). I'm now essentially the go between and having work with the other 2 for 5 years or so, I know what p*sses them off so want to try and help. There have been a couple of rumblings about jumping ship, and because we've all got our own bits to do it would cause massive problems if one does. The major problem, as ever as far as I can tell in any business, is that the bosses don't understand the workers outside, and the workers outside don't understand the bosses.

A lot of the downers seem to come from not having the right clothing and waterproofs for when the weather is crap. The last time we had waterproofs bought for us they were boil in the bag type suits that were sweaty and uncomfortable and ripped easily rendering them useless. I need some recommendations for full body suits that will last a while even when kneeling down in our gravel yard working. The one guy who does spend the most time kneeling down does tend to wear knee pads but when he rolls around under vehicles the ar$es of the waterproods get ripped, so they need to be quite tough 'workwear' rather than just big macs.

We also seem to eat through polo shirts. All the ones we get given just fall to bits. All apart from a couple from when I started 11 years ago, so it seems to be a problem with the shirts rather than the taking care bit. The same goes for normal overalls. I know dickies stuff used to be the daddy of workwear, but I've heard some bad things about cutting costs, which ok makes them cheaper to buy, which the bosses like, but also means they fall to bits.

Any recommendations would be great, there has been a few moaning this week, and its only me in today so it gives me a chance to try and get things sorted and boost moral a bit.

Sorry for the ramblings and thanks in advance, there will be virtual beers for you all!

[Willy Nilly]

I can'r help you much with waterproof clothing, but I have been buying my workwear from here https://www.engelbert-strauss.co.uk/?refcode=UKac1... it's very good stuff and knocks Dickies into the weeds. Some of their stuff is waterproof I think.

There was another thread on here a while ago on this supject and some other brand were mentioned, possibly that were used in the oil industry.

[exportman]

I would agreed in the UK Englebert are pretty good and not too expensive. I use their stuff for site work also occasionally on the bike too

[Collectingbrass]

Can you get the outside guy a creeper to roll under the vehicles on? I appreciate you may have to make an off road one with gravel suitable wheels but the only way you'll stop the abrasion ripping his kit is to get him off the gravel.

[hairyben]

I like the snickers craftsman shirts for comfort/pro image balence; I can be pretty hard on stuff and some of the last batch are starting to look a bit tired after about 4 years. Found their trousers always went on the crotch though.

Finding workwear thats durable but light, breathable and smart is a proper challenge.

[gazzarose]

Sorry for the late reply, I've been busy the last couple of days.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll try and have a chat with the boss sometime this week and see if we can sort something out.

It's not until you think about that you realise what you put work gear through. Assuming 2-3 polo shirts a week they get washed probably 10 times more often than even you most favourite casual T shirt.

Cheers

Gareth

[Willy Nilly]

Strauss have multi buy discounts, so if you buy 10 pairs of trousers for example, they are cheaper per unit. You spend more hours in your work gear than your causal clothers, so they might as well be smart and comfy.

[Sway]

My old man was a back street motor mechanic - he would go out of his way to find overalls and polo shirts that were made from hemp rather than cotton.

Massively hard wearing, washes really well, lasts for years.

Lads at work wear motorbike waterproofs, not cheap but very warm, comfy and hard wearing.

[Antony Moxey]

gazzarose said:

Sorry for the late reply, I've been busy the last couple of days.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'll try and have a chat with the boss sometime this week and see if we can sort something out.

It's not until you think about that you realise what you put work gear through. Assuming 2-3 polo shirts a week they get washed probably 10 times more often than even you most favourite casual T shirt.

Cheers

Gareth

Get five shirts instead of two or three. Saves midweek washing, you’ve always got a clean shirt and each shirt is used less. It’ll work out cheaper in the long run. I get M&S polos, I’ve got a couple that are at least a year old and look as good as the new ones I bought a week or so ago.

[JimmyConwayNW]

Antony Moxey said:

Get five shirts instead of two or three. Saves midweek washing, you’ve always got a clean shirt and each shirt is used less. It’ll work out cheaper in the long run. I get M&S polos, I’ve got a couple that are at least a year old and look as good as the new ones I bought a week or so ago.

I did this for a rather 'fragrant' employee of mine to ensure he was fresh and pleasant as he seemed to struggle with washing himself and his workwear