As fall turns to winter, making home calls becomes challenging. HVAC technicians, plumbers, and other workers find themselves transitioning from their vehicles into cold environments, into warm houses and workplaces, and then back again. The external temperatures are too cold for just a lightweight warm jacket, but most building interiors are too warm for heavy clothing.
Cold weather layering offers a solution, allowing technicians to adjust lightweight warm clothing to fit their environment without sacrificing the range of motion needed to complete their tasks. Below is a winter layering guide and some of the best clothes for working outside in the winter.
Winter Layering Guide
While many people assume a heavy parka is needed to keep winter at bay, cold-weather layering is often a better solution, especially for technicians. The concept is simple enough: dress in layers of lightweight warm clothing to trap body heat between the layers. Cold weather layering allows you to put on and remove layers as needed to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Cold-weather layering has four possible options. They include:
- The base layer: The layer of clothing close to the skin. Choose materials designed to wick moisture away from the body.
- A light insulating layer: Choose lightweight warm clothing such as a light fleece pullover or thin woolen sweater.
- A heavier insulating layer: Choose a second, heavier fleece or wool sweater that’s easy to pull on and off.
- A waterproof/windproof layer: Instead of a parka, choose a lightweight warm jacket designed to fend off water and wind.
Always be aware that, in extremely frigid weather or in situations when working in the cold for longer periods of time is unavoidable, doubling up on some layers (especially the base and light insulating layers), or resorting to a bulkier outer layer, may be necessary. Whatever the cold-weather circumstances, adjust your clothing layers as necessary so you stay warm without getting so hot you sweat excessively. You’ll want to choose lightweight warm clothing that retains warmth even when wet, such as wool and polyester fleece. Clothing made from 100% cotton isn’t recommended for cold-weather layering, as wet cotton pulls heat from the body.
Best Winter Workwear For Outdoor Workers
To help you choose the best clothes for working outside in the winter, we’ve gathered a collection of lightweight warm clothing suitable for cold-weather layering. Here they are, organized by layering levels:
Base Cold Weather Layering Garments
- Port and Company’s Long Sleeve Performance Tee is a polyester tee with Dry Zone® moisture-wicking technology to wick sweat and moisture away from your body.
- The Men's Tech Polo by Under Armour is a 100% polyester polo which makes a great base for a work uniform, especially when its moisture transportation system and anti-odor properties are considered.
- The Ladies' Corporate Rival Polo by Under Armour is a light, breathable polyester polo that wicks away sweat and dries quickly to keep your employees comfortable.
Light Insulating Layer Clothing
- The Lightweight UPF pullover by Adidas is a 100% polyester pique with hydrophilic finish and a 100% recycled polyester insert.
- Caterpillar’s Flex Layer Quarter Zip offers moisture control, anti-odor technology, and four-way stretch fabric to ensure ease of movement while working.
- The Ladies PosiCharge Competitor 1/4-Zip Pullover by SPORT-TEK is a versatile garment that can be used as a layering option during cold weather or by itself in the spring or early fall.
Heavy Insulating Layering Options
- The Half-Zip Hooded Pullover by Berne Apparel is a thermal-lined pullover that’s well-suited for layering, either as an external layer or under a waterproof jacket.
- Caterpillar’s Basin Zip Sweatshirt has a zip-off, three-piece hood with drawcord, making it a versatile layering choice.
- Under Armour’s Ladies' Storm Armour® Fleece Hoodie includes Storm Armour® Fleece with a water-repellent exterior and adjustable three-piece hood with scuba collar.
Lightweight Warm Jackets for Top Layers
- CROWN’s Ladies' Black Diamond Soft Shell Jacket constantly ranks as our #1 selling lightweight warm jacket. The outer shell is windproof, waterproof, and allows for ease of movement, while the jacket’s lightweight microfleece keeps you warm.
- Under Armour’s Men's UA Porter II 3-In-1 includes a durable water-resistant outer finish with windproof construction shields. The liner jacket is removable and can be worn alone or with the outer shell.
- The DryVent Rain Jacket is made from 100% windproof fabric and features a breathable, waterproof membrane to keep you — and other clothing layers — warm and dry.
Customizing Lightweight Warm Clothing
While you might be tempted to customize only your employees’ lightweight warm jackets with your logo, remember layering is meant to be adaptable. Deeper layers of clothing may be on display in milder weather, so it makes sense to customize all layers of winter clothing. That way, your brand is easily recognizable no matter what the weather’s like.