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

[IslandTractor]

Love my Carhartt coat. It is much warmer than you'd think given that it doesn't have any down insulation. I wear mine interchangeably with a similar size full down jacket (covers butt) and both keep me warm but the Carhartt is way tougher. Down jacket is for trail walks and city. Carhartt for brush and getting work done.

 

[oosik]

I wear my Carhartt jacket and long johns under jeans if its going to be cold - down to about zero. If its below that I have a full set(jacket/pants/gloves) of down by Eddie Bauer. I'm like Island Tractor - can't do much heavy work in the down stuff or I get too hot. Besides the down stuff has a nylon shell and not made for the heavy stuff. The down stuff is good for being out in the really cold and not doing a lot - walking the property, just checking on stuff/things and riding the ATV down to check the mail. I can layer under the Carhartt if I have to do real work and its really cold. I'm retired - so if its really cold - I find its a lot better to stay indoors and drink "spiced" coffee and look out the windows.

 

[radioman]

well -- i am on my second carhartts. am i happy? yes and no. i say yes for the most part since its the ONLY jacket that has arm cuffs and bottom at waist that is stretchable. where i live is windy in the fall, winter, spring alot so its important for me to keep every possible way to keep wind out. after my brown carhartt plumb wore out after 5 years , i needed a replacement and tried on ducks, walls, schidmt. they either didnt have the stretch cuffs or it was uncomfortable in the arms for movement. i do handyman stuff all the time so movement is important to me so got a green carhartt again. I think its a tad overpriced by 20-40 bucks and my second is 2 years old now and im starting to see slight wear now. I saved my brown carhart for those greasy work and i can post a pic of this sorry piece of clothing is anyone wants to see how worn out it is.

 

[DrRod]

I might suggest looking at Dickies and Aramark. I bought a Dickies winter work coat years ago for $25 and it is bomb proof. Tough as nails, warm, roomy, and washes easily. I've also been happy with anything I've bought from Aramark/WearGuard. I find the design of their overalls -- especially the lined ones -- far superior to all others. Thinner but warmer lining that goes all the way up the bib. Longer zippers on the legs, better hardware, bigger pockets, etc. I've always found anything from Cabelas to be first rate but much more expensive.

 

[aczlan]

I buy Carharrt irregular coats/bibs and the price is much better than the regular ones.
Look at Super Casuals ~ Brand Name Work Clothing and Footwear For Less for good prices.

Aaron Z

 

[Al 2]

I don't remember names for sure but I think the Tough Duck were very stiff as compared to other brands. I found another pair that were very flexible and easy to move in but no idea the name. Nice to have access to inside pant pockets via extra zipper on the side of the coveralls.
Al

 

[Birdhunter1]

I have one Carhartt coat I've worn to work in and it's going on 18+ years. It is quite worn, has many grease stains, burn holes and thread bare areas... but the zipper still works and it keeps the cold out to an extent.
I have another just like it but flannel lined, its almost too warm for me which is why it still looks really nice after 15 years.

 

[Gary Fowler]

Carhartt was the only outerwear that would stand up to welding sparks back 40 years ago when I welded for a living. It is a bit too stiff for any thing requiring agile movement but very warm and mostly fireproof. The last time I bought a work jacket it was a Carhartt with a removable hood. I pretty much quit wearing it after I retired and no longer HAVE to be out in the cold for hours. Now I just throw on a light lined jacket with a pull over hood when I go out the play Frisbee with the dog and or feed my poultry which usually only takes 15 minutes or less. My warmest jacket is a duck down filled one with nylon outer shell and a hood. I have been comfortable in it when it was -40F. You cant do any strenuous work in it though because you will overheat quickly. It wont take rough treatment though like the Carharrt will.
I don't think you would go wrong with Carhartt or Walls as they both seem to be about the same quality and material of construction (at least years ago they were, haven't had the need to look at them in decades)

 

[EddieWalker]

I'm a contractor and I prefer layering multiple sweatshirts over a heavy jacket. Most of the year I'm just in shorts and a t shirt, then when it's cold I'll add a sweat shirt. When it gets colder, sweat pants, a beanie, wool socks and another sweatshirt works great. Really cold, I'll add another sweatshirt and another beanie. For this latest cold snap that had a low of 18 and a high of 31, that was plenty.

I have a heavy 20 year old Carhartt jacket that I might wear half a dozen times a year to work. Usually it's too bulky and heavy to keep long longer then setting up my tools or unloading my truck. It's a great jacket that's nice and warm, but I don't like how much it weighs.

My wife likes to give me jackets for Christmas. I try to wear them just to make her happy, but now I'm having to deal with all the space they take up in my closet. I hope I don't get another jacket this year. She also likes to give me gloves, beanies and wool socks. Winter is only two months here at the most, and even then, we have plenty of days in the 60's that I end up in just a T shirt and shorts.

Will your son wear a new heavy jacket? Does he want one? Or would a good set of boots be more useful? I go through shoes quickly.

 

[LD1]

I have had several carhartt knock-offs as well as the real deal. Walls, berne, rural king brand, TSC brand, dickies, etc. Couldnt really tell a difference in any of them. They are all basically the same material. I have ruined a few pair with battery acid, changing a battery on a cold day and getting it on the legs of the bibs.

Only real differences I saw was in the hardware. Different zippers, buttons, and buckles for the bib straps. But not really any one better than another.

Only thing I like about the "carhartt" style (including knockoffs) is that they are the only outerwear I have owned that dont have zipper issues. I HATE plastic zippers. And thin little wind flaps that always get hung up, or zipper gets stuck, etc. I like the heavy metal zippers.