A work jacket has one job: keep you working when the weather would otherwise send you home. What you need depends on whether you are fighting cold, wet, wind or all three — and whether you have to be seen while doing it.
Waterproof or water resistant
These are not the same thing and the difference matters. Water-resistant fabrics shed light rain for a while, then wet out. Waterproof jackets use a membrane or coating with taped seams to stop water getting through the stitching. If you work in sustained rain rather than showers, taped seams are the feature to look for.
Softshell, puffer or wet weather
Softshells are wind-resistant and breathable — the best choice for cold, dry, active work where a heavy jacket would leave you sweating. Puffer and insulated vests trap warmth without restricting your arms, which suits cold-storage and early starts. Full wet weather jackets prioritise waterproofing over breathability, so they are what you pull on when it is genuinely raining.
Breathability and working hard in the cold
The most common mistake is buying too warm. If you are moving all day, a jacket that does not vent will soak you from the inside, and damp is what makes you cold. Look for pit zips, back vents or a breathable membrane if your work is physical.
Hi vis and taped jackets
We stock day-only and day/night jackets, including biomotion taping for road, rail and traffic work. Reflective tape performance drops as it wears and delaminates — worth checking jackets at the start of each winter rather than assuming last year’s is still compliant.
The brands we stock
We carry jackets and vests from Bisley, Syzmik, FXD, Hard Yakka, KingGee and Biz Collection across softshell, puffer, fleece and wet weather ranges, in men’s and women’s fits. Logo embroidery and printing are done in-house. Come into our Banksmeadow warehouse or the Bondi Junction outlet to try layers together before you buy.