Pro Tool Reviews: One trend I’m really excited about when it comes to workwear is the move toward more performance-oriented gear. New options like the Milwaukee WorkSkin Cold Weather Base Layer are making us more comfortable on the jobsite, while at the same time allowing us to maintain the same kind of productivity we enjoy during the summer months because we can move easily.
5 comments:
I always remember my dad being a plow guy when I was younger and he also worked mostly in open-framed houses, so the winter was a particularly rough time for him weather-wise. He was never really an advanced technology person, so he often was bundled up in multiple fleece-y layers and flannel long johns. And while these garments may feel super cozy, they ultimately do not preserve heat and keep sweat off of you as well as these engineered garments. I personally have always preferred thin to fluff when it comes to cold gear, and it’s definitely cool to see gear being made specifically for jobsites, especially at such a competitive price in comparison to the major athletic gear providers. And I just have to say it – while looser base layers often do not need to be gendered, there are still no women’s options for this specific gear (that I can find).
I am surprised to see a tool company producing a jacket without the classic tool company jacket feature…the battery. I thought a battery powered heated jacket was a genius idea and I thought these tool companies would start putting this tech in all sorts of apparel (I hoped for socks and shoes). But is seems as though for this jacket, they are taking it out and focusing on other technologies (your standard jacket technologies). This is by no means a problem and these aren’t bad jackets, but someone might be upset if they order this Milwaukee jacket without doing a ton of research assuming that a tool company who made a big deal about heated jackets would not be making all their jackets with the heated tech. I think at this point it is a name brand recognition ploy. Carpenters wearing a jacket that says Milwaukee are automatically cooler than carpenters who wear a jacket that says Harbor Freight. But jokes aside, if you are going to be buying a jacket, why not buy it from a jacket company instead of a tool company (L.L. Bean/Carhartt for life)
Wow! What a shirt! Most of my work probably won't be outside, but if I was, this would be the performance oriented shirt that I would want. I agree with Drew that I'm surprised in the decline of actual new technology in the jacket, but what Milwaukee is lacking in cool innovation they are making up for in good, old-fashioned, fresh outerwear. I've been looking for a durable, warm base layer for my outfits, and it looks like this just might be the layer I'm looking for. What is impressing me is how high the marks are in every category for this jacket, since it is not only warm, but it is also so versatile. From walking to hiking to hanging around at home, this base layer seems like it would be suitable no matter what. I'm not a personal fan of loose layers, since I find compressions shirts provide me more warmth, but when something seems this comfortable and so highly rated, I feel as if I'd be remiss to throw this one piece of clothing out the window. The price tag does seem a little on the high side, but when it is so multipurpose, it's like buying 5 t-shirts for the price of 2. Hard bargain to pass up.
While it make me happy that tool companies seem to be make and effort to making work easier and more comfortable I'm not completely sold with this base layer shirt. As one who is a avid backpacker and has over the years tried multiple types of base layers for the winter I wouldn't say that this base layer is all that. I generally lean more towards using wool blends as they are hands done better for moisture wicking and also keeping you warm. Even the design of the shirt with moving the seams off the shoulders is something that the hiking community has done years ago. In conclusion I would rather good and spend my money at EMS or REI and get better gear, nice idea though just late to the game
Who knew a tool company would branch out into the apparel side retail, however, it does make a lot of sense. To the best of my knowledge, there are only a few companies that are making high-end work gear. In my experience, the winter months can get pretty harsh especially in the Pittsburgh area but that has never stopped people from working outside. One question that I have is why Milwaukee decided to take on this challenge. As it says in the article, Nike, and other athletic wear providers are making the same products and have been for several years. If I was in the market for base layer clothing I would probably go with a different brand like Nike because of the experience they have and the fact that some of the gear is less expensive. My last question is where will they sell this merchandise? I can’t imagine my local Home Depot selling this clothing next to Milwaukee’s impact drivers.
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