How to Choose the Right Work Jacket for Your Team
A jacket that works for someone making deliveries may not be the right fit for someone working outside all morning. And the warmest option isn’t always the most comfortable choice for an employee moving between a heated shop and a cold parking lot.
For Wisconsin businesses, choosing work jackets starts with understanding what employees need throughout their day. Warmth matters, but so do fit, movement, layering, and appearance.
If you’re reviewing outerwear for your team this season, here are a few things to consider before placing an order.
Start With the Workday
Think about where your employees spend their time and what they do while wearing a jacket.
Are they outside for extended periods? Walking between buildings? Getting in and out of vehicles? Greeting customers at the front door?
Talk with your team about their current outerwear. A jacket might feel comfortable when someone first puts it on but become bulky, restrictive, or too warm once work gets moving.
A few questions can help narrow down your needs:
- How much of the day does your team spend outdoors?
- Are employees exposed to wind or precipitation?
- How physically active are they?
- Will they keep their jackets on indoors or remove them frequently?
Different roles may call for different jacket options, even within the same business.
Match Warmth to Activity
It’s easy to assume a heavier jacket is the best choice for a Wisconsin winter. But employees who are constantly moving may have different needs than those spending long stretches in one place.
Consider insulation alongside activity level and exposure. Someone who makes short trips outside may prefer a lighter option with room for layers. Someone working outdoors for longer periods may need more warmth and coverage.
When comparing jackets, review the product’s intended use and weather protection. Warmth, wind resistance, and water resistance are separate features, so make sure the option you choose fits the conditions your employees actually encounter.
Leave Room for Layers and Movement
A work jacket needs to fit over the clothing employees wear on the job.
Before selecting sizes, have team members try jackets on over their usual work shirts, sweatshirts, or other layers. Then have them reach forward, raise their arms, bend, and sit down.
Pay attention to tightness across the shoulders, sleeves that pull back too far, or extra material that gets in the way. If employees drive regularly, check how the jacket feels while seated.
The right fit should support the work your team needs to do.
Look at the Everyday Details
Small features can make a difference over a full shift.
Consider whether employees need accessible pockets, closures they can operate while wearing gloves, or cuffs that work comfortably with their other clothing. Think about jacket length and how easily employees can put the jacket on and take it off.
Ask your team which features they use most. Their answers can help you focus on practical needs before choosing a style.
Consider Your Team’s Appearance
For employees who visit customer locations or greet guests, outerwear is part of the company’s first impression.
Coordinated jackets can help create a consistent appearance when winter clothing covers the uniforms underneath. If you’re considering company branding, ask about decoration options for the specific jacket you select.
You can give employees options suited to their roles while keeping a consistent look across the team.
Find the Right Fit With Bay Towel
Choosing work jackets is easier when you start with the people wearing them. Consider their daily routines, ask for feedback, and compare options based on the demands of each role.
Bay Towel can help your Wisconsin business explore outerwear options for the season ahead.
Contact your Bay Towel representative to discuss available jackets, sizing, and options for your team.
