Jeans and T-shirts, move over

New clothing and glove materials help your crew get more done in warm weather

by Kay Falk

Whether it’s casual attire for a dinner out or clothes and gear for a construction jobsite, people want comfort, durability and value for their dollar.

 “These three factors carry a great deal of psychological weight,” says Ryan Malone, product designer and developer at Youngstown Equipment Co. “They can make it difficult to introduce new high-tech apparel, which often costs more and looks different than traditional work clothes.”

Rick Fecowicz, product manager at Carhartt, agrees. “Construction workers look at their work clothes similarly to how they view their tools,” he says. “They expect them to be durable and to have features that make them comfortable to wear and easy to be used.”

New fabrics gain popularity
The mainstay in the construction industry continues to be reinforced denim jeans and cotton T-shirts. “Denim jeans are durable and break in over time, while never being excessively hot,” Malone explains.  “A loose-fitting cotton T-shirt is comfortable and never hot, but more importantly, it’s inexpensive and accessible — most people have many T-shirts.”

That doesn’t mean that clothing manufacturers are not busy creating new fabrics. “So far, most of the designs have been borrowed from the sporting goods industry,” Malone says, “and new technical materials continue to rise, especially with the advancement of nanotechnology.”

A common material found in today’s work garments is moisture-wicking polyester that moves moisture away from your body. This sounds great for a work crew during the hot and humid summers. The problem is that sometimes this material lacks good stretch and recovery, which translates to less comfort at a higher price than a cotton T-shirt.

 “Technical materials that continue to increase in demand feature antibacterial, antimicrobial, antistatic and waterproof properties,” Malone says. “Workers often need light, waterproof clothing that is breathable. Twenty years ago, this was a big problem, but not today.”

He adds that while odor could be an issue facing jobsite garments and gloves (and those wearing them), anti-odor materials on the market have solved that problem.

“Workers wanting more durable alternatives to jeans and jackets now have the option of durable 600d Polyester or Cordura fabrics that are very pliable, breathable and washable,” Malone says.

Fecowicz agrees that today’s materials and work clothing designs focus on lighter weight and increased comfort. “At the same time, these materials have improved durability,” he says. “In addition, tagless shirts and other apparel are becoming more prevalent in work wear, as well as performance fabrics that wick away moisture. Contractor crews are also considering antimicrobial fabrics.”

“The new, more versatile fabrics cause less fatigue on the wearer and provide great range of movement and improved comfort,” he says.

Work gloves go high-tech
“Fit, feel and function are the determining factors in the success of a high-performance work glove,” explains Bari Waalk, brand manager at Mechanix Wear. “Contractors are smart. They will not buy an over-engineered glove with features that interfere with its performance.”

Wayne Hart, director of marketing at CLC Custom LeatherCraft, agrees. “When crews work in hot weather, they need comfortable, breathable gloves that fit properly,” he says. “They also don’t want to sacrifice durability and function.” 

If you have to take a glove off because it’s too bulky, hot or uncomfortable, then you have the wrong glove for the application. “The right glove will fit tight and perform like a second skin to help you work faster, safer and cleaner,” Waalk notes.  “After a short time, the correct glove will feel like you’re not wearing a glove at all.”

He says his company co-produces many of the innovative materials in its gloves to exacting specification so gloves breathe and protect without feeling loose. Plus, the gloves are all machine washable. That wasn’t always the case.

“Prior to the introduction of the first mechanics-style high performance gloves in 1991, all work gloves were designed as a one-size-fits-all,” Waalk recalls.

Now many companies offer various styles of gloves, so you and your crew are sure to find a glove designed specifically for your job. “You can most likely do your whole job while wearing a pair of gloves that protect your hands from the elements,” he points out. “You don’t need gloves that look good in your toolbox — you need a glove that protects your hands from the elements; a tool that fits like a glove.”

Published in the March/April 2006 issue of Contractor Tools and Supplies magazine.

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