Carhartt vs Cabelas vs Walls....best work coat

[davesl708]

I favor Carhartt for durability. I have a Dickey mid-weight coat I use around the yard that works well too.
However, I would make sure he wants a coat vs what he wears now. Maybe talk to your daughter and see if he wants the heavier clothing. The way he dresses now gives him good flexibility to deal with the temps and freedom of movement. It would be sad if the coat ended up laying in the truck or hanging in the closet.
Picking clothing for others is always a gamble. You know them better than any of us so hope the gift is a hit.

 

[TCJatko]

I'm a huge fan of American-made coats by a company called Refrigiwear. They are still made in Georgia, I believe (they used to manufacture on Long Island). They make nylon or nylon-like shell winter coats that wear for a decade of constant use.

 

[WoodChuckDad]

I appreciate all the feedback. I just ordered a Carhartt full swing Caldwell jacket. It should give decent range of motion. It has a removable hood and he could add a layer or two under it on very cold days. My daughter says he he struggles with the cold all day and comes home exhausted. Multiple sweatshirts over thermals and a "ninja hood" I know he also can't seem to find work gloves that keep his hands warm but allow him to have enough grip and tool control. I bought thru gander mountain. They live in a higher elevation with mountain valley weather. Colder and more snow than a lot of the state. If he tries it on and doesn't like it he can swap it out at Gander mountain. I suspect he will use it.

 

[TheMan419]

That is a good father to your grand kids and you are a good father in law! Hope he likes the jacket. I am sure he will absolutely appreciate the thought behind it.

 

[Paddy]

woodchuckdad,

If the low is lower 20's, I'm not sure he needs that heavy a coat. When working hard, two layers is often enough. As it warms up, you can peal away the layers. The only time I ware my bibs is tractor time moving snow because I'm not moving/working hard.

I'd flat out ask him if he wants a heavy coat

 

[Egon]

For cold weather work a durable one layer outer jacket/pants work well. Back them up with thermal layering underneath. No cotton. It just gets wet and cold.

Heavy and warm is nice if one is not moving much but as soon as the body works hard and produces heat lighter type clothing is desirable.

I guess it's all about letting moisture wick away from the body and covering layers so you can stay dry and warm.

 

[hawkeye08]

For the kind of money you are talking about, I would suggest taking him shopping to find what he wants that will work for him. Or get something and save the receipts so it can be returned if needed.

 

[Tomtint]

My preference is Carhartt,I have a couple of their jackets. One is a very heavy weight quilted liner,thigh lehnth coat that is very warm. The other is a hooded sheep fur type lined coat that is good for temps to about 30*. The other one.. If I have a hoodie under it and a pair of Carhartt lined overalls.... I have never been cold even sub 0*

 

[Rustyiron]

You gotta remember that he needs to wear a tool bag and that complicates things as far as a heavy coat. I always did the layers including a sweatshirt with a hood usually topped with a Carhartt vest. I've been working with some young guys (framing) and they are all into the "under armor". Last winter, refusing to buy $100 underwear, I checked into it, underarmor is basically tight fitting plastic. I found some $10 plastic long johns and a zip up hoodie, also plastic and I am totally sold on this polypropelene, rayon, and what ever other plastic they make it out of. This from a die hard 30 year 100% cotton or wool guy!
Way less bulk and much more comfort. Now I still usually top out with a pair of bibs and a vest, but a whole lot less layers underneath. The vest & bibs allow for great arm movement & bending over, critical in construction.

 

[joeyd]

I've been pretty happy with my Duluth items but I really like Super Casuals for their prices on Carhartt and their seconds. I usually don't even see the reason for the seconds classification.

 

[newbury]

My son in law is a construction worker. Temperatures outside have been harsh, often in the low 20's each morning, with some wind. <snip>

For many of us temps in the low 20's can be down right balmy.

Some people are cold at 60 and comfortable up to 90, others are overheated at 80 and comfortable down to 40.

I appreciate all the feedback. I just ordered a Carhartt full swing Caldwell jacket. It should give decent range of motion. It has a removable hood and he could add a layer or two under it on very cold days. My daughter says he he struggles with the cold all day and comes home exhausted. Multiple sweatshirts over thermals and a "ninja hood" I know he also can't seem to find work gloves that keep his hands warm but allow him to have enough grip and tool control. I bought thru gander mountain. They live in a higher elevation with mountain valley weather. Colder and more snow than a lot of the state. If he tries it on and doesn't like it he can swap it out at Gander mountain. I suspect he will use it.

Reads like a good choice. I'd suggest also a good warm beanie to complement the "ninja hood", giving some options. If his feet get cold try some battery powered socks.

 

[two_bit_score]

I've been looking at getting a new work coat when things go on sale. Been impressed with the Carhartt Full Swing stuff.

Full Swing | Carhartt

One thing I have found to watch out for with carhartt is they will have a great jacket except the outside pockets will be just thin unlined material. I like to have lined pockets to warm my hands.

Also keep in mind the battery heated jackets available now from Milwaukee and Bosch etc.

Milwaukee 21R-22X M12 12V Lithium-Ion Heated Jacket

Haven't found exactly what I want yet. May have to start my own company.


TBS

 

[dirt ditch]

For forty years I have worn KEY Polar King brand insulated duck bib overalls and duck hooded jackets in winter.

keyapparel.com - premium insulated bib overall waist zip

keyapparel.com - fleece lined hooded jacket

 

[MF283]

Egon hit the nail on the head, the proper base layer is the ticket. I wear a poly propelene for the real active days & wool base when it's really cold.
These base layers come in different densities from light to heavy, it's easy to get what you need. Base layer, Carhartt bibs or pants(even a fleece over the base) & a wool shirt on top, couple that with the jacket & extremely comfortable, whether working on the farm or minus the bibs, wading waters in the winter while fishing.
They make Gore Tex gloves for the hands now, in lighter weights, they can be worn under the work gloves.
Once again, it's all about wicking, the poly or wool will wick out& help keep you warmer.
Now, the bad part, you're looking at an average of $70 for each piece, well worth the price for someone out in the element's.
There are a number of brands, i prefer Patagonia or Icebreaker myself.

Ronnie

 

[smstonypoint]

Think like an economist -- give your SIL cash and let him decide.

Steve

 

[WoodChuckDad]

He is very frugal. If he thinks another coat, or some under armor would be better, he can exchange it. I'll provide the receipt. Gander Mountain is located close enough and he and my daughter bring my granddaughter for visits to my SIL's house which is just 3-4 miles from Gander Mountain.
I also like the under armor and similar products. I use layers of them and a few thin wool sweaters on the farm. If I'm going to be working, I will wear a one or two thin layers and my coat in the morning....and usually will take the coat off after I warm up because I don't want to sweat. But I keep it the coat close, because there are always lulls in the activity and even after the sun comes up, on a day where the temps are in the 20's with some wind, you can get cold real fast. In the last few years, they have come up with "wicking cotton". I assume it is a chemical treatment of the cotton. I was raised with the mentality that "cotton kills". You get sweaty, the cotton holds the sweat, then it chills you. In extreme circumstances, it can actually freeze to you and tear your skin. I have a couple cotton hoodies I wear around the house in the winter time but I don't take them outside. As some mentioned, different people are affected by temperatures differently. My brother lives in Texas. The last time he visited was Winter two years ago and he was miserable. My son in law is from Honduras. He has been here long enough to acclimate to the cold, but he doesn't like it, and I would imagine that his body is genetically tuned for a warmer climate. I won't see them again until a week or two after Christmas, so I will give the gifts then. Either way I will give some feed back.

 

[hawkeye08]

Quick story, back when we were first married, my wife wanted to learn to snow ski since it was something that I enjoyed. She did great and we went skiing a number of times... One night going up the ski lift, my wife looks over at me and wonders why I am so warm and she is so cold. We were dressed similar, except I had outwear (bibs, coat and gloves) that had thinsulate. Her setup did not. We got her some gear with thinsulate and she enjoyed skiing and snowmobiling with me.. we haven't skied for years, but still remember that night when she discovered thinsulate...

 

[Red Horse]

All my Carhartt products are old, tattered but serviceable. And I can still read the "Made in USA" label. Unfortunately you can't say that about all their new items. Seems like the only people earning a check today at Carhartt are marketing types. Yet they love to wave the flag with all their hype about "building America". But let's face it-20 years ago they sold to the American worker. Today I bet they sell more to yuppies who like to "pose" in their Carhartts.

 

[KennyG]

There is a Carhartt store in downtown Chicago, next to designer clothes stores. When I saw that, I decided they had "jumped the shark". Still good clothes just overpriced.

 

[dodge man]

I prefer the Carhart stuff over the knock offs. If you really want something warm try Filson wool coats. They also make a lot of other coats but the wool stuff is worth the money. Its also expensive, with a lot of the wool stuff costing over $300. Filson wool coats are almost the exact oppisite of a down parka. There wool coats seem very thin, almost like a heavy shirt. If you get it large enough so you can layer under it, they are good to below zero.