Work Clothing & Footwear Reviews & Buying Guides

We looked at the best work boots to determine which types of work boots make for the most comfortable footwear for various tradesmen and applications. In the end, technology has made several jumps to provide both durability and comfort for workmen and women who spend a lot of time on their feet. We also tested the best heated jacket to find which represented the best value and had optimal heating characteristics. After testing nearly every major brand on the market—for women and men—we have a very thorough perspective on these valuable pieces of heated gear! Another often overlooked piece of workwear includes shirts, work pants, and shorts. We get these in regularly from manufacturers with decades of experience fitting tradesmen with durable, reliable work clothes.

Milwaukee M12 and M18 Black, High Visibility Heated Jackets

Milwaukee Black High Visibility Heated Jackets

At the Milwaukee New Tool event, Cole Conrad, tasked with growing the company’s heated jacket business, demoed the newest product. We reviewed the original M12 Heated Jacket remember requesting a black version two years ago, and Milwaukee came through – and then some. The new models include a black jacket and the new High Visibility model. New features include woven fleece into the lining of the jacket to make them naturally warmer – even before adding the M12-generated heat source. The front icon has also been changed to include a hand icon that provides separately zoned heat to the pockets. This is independent from the core heating zones. In this way, the pockets and core can be independently set to high or low heat.

Milwaukee Realtree AP Camo M12 Heated Jacket Review

Milwaukee Realtree AP Camo M12 Heated Jacket Review

We reviewed the Milwaukee M12 Heated Jacket earlier this year and found it to be an exceptionally warm, extremely durable and comfortable jacket that withstood a lot of our outdoor testing. The jacket can be purchased as a kit, or as a separate SKU for those who already have a set of M12 batteries and a charger. While we loved the jacket, we thought it would be nice to see Milwaukee offer it in something other than their trademark Red color. Now they do. And it’s camo!

Blaklader Bantam Utility Pocket Pants - light duty knee pads

Blaklader Bantam Utility Pocket Pants Review

There are plenty of work pants to choose from and some brands have a very long history and faithful following but they often lack innovation. The Blaklader Bantam Utility Pocket Pants are here to challenge what work pants are all about. With pockets in the right places and details that make life on the job easier, we really could not find any faults. Right out of the box they fit comfortable and did not require multiple wash cycles to get them pliable. While they might not win fashion shows with the outside utility pockets, most guys that actually have to work for a living won’t care. These utility pockets are just the right size and in the right location that they quickly become second nature to utilize them. Just in case you are slightly fashion conscious, there are pockets behind the utility pockets that allow them to be tucked away when not needed. If you ask us, we think that these just might just be the best work pants ever.

Milwaukee M12 Cordless Heated Jacket Review

Milwaukee Heated Jacket Review

The new Milwaukee 58-38-2011 M12 Cordless Heated Jacket Kit features a water and wind resistant outer soft shell and there are sewn-in carbon fiber heating zones that will ensure that you stay comfortably warm in cold weather. The heat can stay on continuously for up to 6 hours and power for the heating zones comes from a M12 Red Lithium battery that fits inside a small pocket that is located out of the way. This jacket looks great and was comfortable to wear all day long, both on and off the job site. a great addition to the M12 line of tools. It is also demonstrated to us that it is very versatile in a variety of weather conditions thanks to the three built in heating zones and its overall wind and water resistant properties.

Timberland PRO Helix Waterproof Safety Toe Work Boots Review

Timberland PRO Helix Waterproof Safety Toe Work Boots Review

Not all work boots are created equal and the Timberland PRO Helix 6″ Waterproof Safety Toe Work Boot might just change the way some folks think of work shoes thanks to their lightweight performance and features. Not only is the leather treated for shedding water but there is an additional waterproof membrane that lines the entire inside of the boot to make sure your feet stay dry. The Helix 6″ Waterproof Safety Toe Work Boot is what Timberland is calling a hybrid work boot because it really combines the best of materials to make it lightweight and comfortable yet meet the safety and performance needs of today’s workmen. To start, the uppers are made of full-grain leather that is treated to be waterproof. Just to ensure that your toes stay dry, there is an additional waterproof membrane inside the boot that completely surrounds your foot. With a watertight boot, there is the potential that your feet might perspire some so they treated the inside Mesh lining with an Agion antimicrobial treatment.

Milwaukee M12 Heated Jacket Kit 2331 Preview

Milwaukee M12 Heated Jacket Kit 2331 Preview

One of the oddest, but strangely compelling products we saw at the 2010 Milwaukee New Tools Press Event was their M12 Cordless Heated Jacket. A battery powered jacket? Oh yeah – and why not, with much of the country (our own Florida excepted) having to deal with freezing temperatures, snow and all manner of uncomfortable working environments. While we don’t envision needing this too often in Southern climates, the jacket was really an effective solution that made unique and clever use of the existing M12 battery technology.