Best New Workwear for Contractors and Tradesmen: Spring 2025

Danner is expanding its work boot offerings with two new BOA Fit System options. If you’re not familiar, BOA uses a cable system that quickly tightens or loosens your boots with the simple twist of a dial.

The system is initially available on the popular men’s Caliper and Vicious models, both of which are waterproof hiker styles. The Caliper comes with an aluminum safety toe, and the Vicious has a composite toe.

The big news for 2025 from our friends up in Milwaukee is that they’re launching a full women’s line of workwear. While they’ve had women’s heated jackets for a while, the expanding line will start by adding shirts, hoodies, and work pants.

The keyword here is “start”. This is only the beginning and we can expect further women’s workwear announcement as the year rolls on.

1620 Workwear’s NYCO material is a blend that offers cotton’s comfort, Cordura’s 6,6 nylon durability, and a moisture-wicking finish to create an outstanding work shirt for tradesmen that’s Made in the USA.

The fit is comfortable, with more room in the chest and shoulders, and a longer length than normal work shirts. Double-check the size chart to see if you need to adjust from your normal sizing.

It carries a UPF 50+ rating, making it well-suited for outdoor wear. Unlike similar designs, it also has stealth hand pockets.

Available in 5 color options, this has been an incredibly popular shirt since its launch, so you may need to wait to get the size and colors you like the best.

I was already a fan of Tecovas’s Pearl Snap shirts, and a new Performance version caught my attention as the weather started its upward trend.

The style includes Tecovas’ class Western yoke coming down across the shoulders and has two chest pockets. The back has generous venting, helping you stay cool and dry.

All four colors are available in a modern fit with a trimmer taper than the classic fit. The short sleeve cut also has a classic fit option.

The long sleeve Pearl Snap comes in Pearl Blue, while the short sleeves are available in Burnt Orange, Jungle, or White.

Spring’s combination of cool breezes and moderate temperatures is great for long-sleeve work shirts. Women on the hunt for a comfortable, yet functional option will love Carhartt’s Loose-Fit Heavyweight Tee.

Made from 100% cotton (heather colors include up to 40% polyester) with side stitching to reduce twist, the cut is distinctly feminine while giving you the room and length you need for a full range of motion while you work.

Simple, classic, comfortable, and affordable, this heavyweight tee should be a staple in your spring workwear wardrobe.

For men dealing with spring’s mood swings, the Oxford Hooded Softshell Jacket is a great move. Breathable wind and rain resistance combines with a stretch softshell material so you have a full range of motion to work. Plus, there’s a removable hood to match the day’s weather.

Inside, there’s a comfortable brushed interior that also makes sliding over base layers easier.

The quality materials and construction get an additional durability boost from ripstop shoulders.

Pair this one with Helly Hansen’s Tech Midlayer and Oxford 4X Work Pants for a solid spring workwear kit.

Spring usually has a few late-season cold front surprises in store, and Helly Hansen Tech Midlayer for men and women is the perfect way to deal with cold starts that require layering or mild days where a lighter jacket is all you need.

Bluesign-certified for sustainability, they’re made from recycled polyester with a slick outer shell that makes layering on a thicker jacket easy. A high neck and storm cuffs fight off the cold that threatens to creep in.

Two hand pockets have fleece linings to keep your hands warm, and there’s a zippered side-entry chest pocket for your wallet or phone.

As we move into spring, we need wind and rain protection, but we don’t necessarily need heavy insulation. Helly Hansen’s Alta Hi Vis Shell Jacket is exactly what you need for Spring, and it comes in a women’s specific fit with a CSA Z96-2022 certification for those of you in Canada.

In addition to safety and weather protection, it has a detachable hood, adjustable cuffs, and an adjustable waist to dial in the most comfortable fit. Durable construction, useful pockets, an ID card loop, and radio loop make this a highly functional addition of your spring workwear.

Grab the matching pants to complete the kit.

Spring is a great time of year to have a vest on hand, and Dickies’ Fleece Lined Duck Canvas Vest has the wind protection and insulation to help keep your core warm while a relaxed fit allows your arms to move freely and layer easily.

The shell material is 8.5-ounce 100% cotton duck canvas. Inside, 200 gsm of 100% polyester high pile fleece lining insulates you from chilly temps. Lined front pockets keep your hands warm while an inner pocket keeps things under wraps.

Triple stitching and rugged hardware ensure this vest will be around for years to come.

1620 Workwear’s Double Knee Utility Pant is built from NYCO material that combines the durability of Cordura 6,6 nylon and the comfort of cotton. Applied to work pants, its stretch offers comfort and ease of movement along with 10x the abrasion resistance, up to 5x the life, and 2x faster drying than cotton duck pants. Plus, the material has a water-repelling finish and durable construction.

Helpful design features are everywhere you look, including:

• Stealth entry knee pad pockets
• Yoke welt pockets above main back pockets
• Dual watch pockets that fits an XL phone
• Dedicated phone pocket that fits an XL phone
• Secure zip key pocket
• Hammer loop on both sides
• Leg utility pocket

You can grab these in either a regular or slim fit to match your style.

If you’re looking for a work pant that can handle warm spring days and take you through summer, Brunt Workwear’s Costello work pant is high on our list. The 88% nylon/12% spandex material blend is super-lightweight and stretchy with a mini ripstop stitch that makes it more durable than you might think and a DWR coating to repel water.

The front pockets are pretty standard, though both sides are reinforced near the top to hold your pocket knife without damaging the material. The rear pockets feature an easy-entry design and the right thigh has a bonus drop-in pocket that’s perfect for your cell phone.

It’s a solid warm weather pant that’s durable enough for the jobsite and comfortable enough for all your outdoor adventures.

Dickies’ 874 is the original that’s been a classic for decades, but the 874 Pro ain’t your daddy’s work pants. Made from a 67% cotton/31% polyester/2% elastane blend, the updated materials offer better comfort and movement. Modern treatments make the fabric stain releasing, fade resisting, and quick-drying. Plus, there’s a Flex waistband that moves better with you as you bend and twist.

The style gets an update as well. The waist isn’t quite as high as the original and the legs have a taper that gives this regular fit work pant a more modern look. While the pocket loadout is fairly standard on the front and back, there is a zippered side pocket to keep your wallet or phone from wandering off.

As part of the FreeFlex line, Milwaukee’s new Tech Pants have movement at the heart of the design. They’re made from a 7.5-oz blend of 92% nylon and 8% spandex to give you that flexible freedom. The material is also wind and water-resistant, and sports a moisture-wicking waistband.

Of course, these pants are also built for the jobsite with a durable construction, functional pockets, and reinforced tool clip points.

Gone are the days of uncomfortable, hardly functional women’s work pants. Dickies Women’s Everyday FLEX Cargo Pants start with a 7.25-ounce brushed twill material that’s a 65% polyester/35% cotton blend. The material stretches and moves while the design incorporates a higher waistline to keep you from feeling exposed no matter what the job throws at you.

There are eight pockets to work with. Aside from the standard front and rear pockets, there’s a ruler pocket, cell phone pocket, and bottom loading knee pad pockets that ensure these pants are ready to work as hard as you do.

Ergodyne’s Skullerz AEGIR safety glasses offer outstanding coverage with its generous wraparound design, giving them a style that’s in line with popular athletic brands.

As expected, the lenses are ANSI Z78.1+ rated. They also feature an anti-fog and anti-scratch design. Plus, they’re polarized to help reduce glare, and block 99.9% of UVA, UVB, and UVC light.

Not every job requires a hard hat, but I know I’m not the only who’s walked away rubbing my head where I knocked against something I didn’t expect.

Milwaukee’s new Bump Cap Insert helps protect against those kinds of minor accidents. Fitting inside a standard snapback cap, it features 360° protection, plus venting to help keep your head cool.

You can grab the Insert on its own and use your favorite cap, or grab Milwaukee’s Snapback Cap with the Insert already in it.

Wiley X is launching two new styles for Spring—the WX Axe and the WX Apex (shown). Similar to the Founder style we reviewed last year, they have a square frame design, and the Apex incorporates metal arms like the Recon.

The lenses set these apart from other brands with similar styles. Wiley X’s Captivate polarized lenses offer incredible clarity, UVA/UVB protection, and meet ANSI Z87.1+ safety standards when you use the side shields.

Grab the Apex if you prefer a M/L fit, or the Axe for a S/M fit.

If your work boot needs don’t involve laces, but a tall Wellington isn’t appealing, check out Brunt’s Ohman Chelsea. Its combination of mid-height protection, slip-on convenience, and wedge sole makes it a natural for shops and interior jobs.

Beyond the basics, the Ohman is designed for all-day comfort with a breathable build, cushy midsole, and Brunt’s Cush’n triple-layer insoles. It’s built for jobsite environments, too. The leather sourced from Texas steer is barnyard chemical-resistant, while the heat and oil-resistant outsole provides excellent traction on concrete surfaces.

Grab the Ohman with a soft toe, composite toe, or composite Brunt Toe.

Keen Utility’s Gibson is a mid-height moc-toe with a traditional wedge outsole and is perfect for those of you working on hard surfaces like concrete and steel. The KEEN.ReGEN midsole is lightweight and has 50% better energy return than standard EVA. This is also one of the lightest mid-height full-grain leather boots we’ve seen—just 18.5 ounces for the soft toe or 21.2 ounces for the carbon toe.

You can get the Gibson in soft toe, carbon toe, or carbon toe with ESD certification.

Red Wing’s Apex boot isn’t new, but the BOA Fit System on it is. Set to the side of the ankle instead of at the center, it’s more convenient to make quick adjustments on the fly.

Its cement construction requires no break-in and helps keep the boot’s weight down while mesh in the upper makes it super-breathable. Plus, the Apex uses post-consumer recycled plastic in the outsole, midsole, bootie, footbed, and laces.

We loved the design, and now, there’s a women’s specific fit as well.

The Tecovas LongHaul Roper might just be the most versatile ag-focused boot on the market. Its roper design and wedge outsole make it a solid choice whether you’re walking, driving equipment, on horseback, or mucking stalls. With its composite toe, it’s just as comfortable on jobsites and warehouse floors as well.

The boot is made from a waterproof cowhide and uses a durable Goodyear welt to connect its dual-density outsole. A breathable, waterproof bootie helps keep your feet dry while Tecovas’ Total Energy Command insole ensures your feet are comfortable from sunup to sundown.

Timberland’s Tempe work boots pack a ton of features into a 6-inch hiker style. The build starts with a leather upper supported by a cushy Hover Spring foam midsole that sits on a heat and slip-resistant wedge outsole with direct attach construction.

Focused on flexible comfort, the design incorporates flex grooves that promote easier movement as you step, yet it doesn’t sacrifice stability with its non-metallic shank.

A waterproof bootie, EH rating, Ortholite insoles, Microban odor control, and optional alloy safety toe are among the other highlights of this full-featured boot that comes in at an affordable price.

Timberland Pro’s XR-1 combines the comfort of an athletic shoe with the safety of an alloy toe. The Dynamic Natural Fit is a design that includes more room in the toe box so your toes have room to spread out and the safety toes are asymmetrical for a more natural fit.

Timberland’s HoverSpring foam midsole offers a much more plush feel as you step or stand, an Ortholite insole enhances the comfort while reducing odor, and enhanced arch support works to reduce pain and fatigue.

With its flexible cement construction and heat, oil, and slip-resistant athletic-style outsole, it’s a great option for working in warehouses and other environments with hard surfaces.

These are also available in a men’s fit.