Temperatures around the country are cooling down and winter will be here before we know it. It’s time to decide if you’re in the market for a new jacket this year and you have some decisions to make beyond just ensuring the design is tough enough for the jobsite. There is a new solution on the market this season with the new Milwaukee Hooded Jacket.
Milwaukee has been making a name for themselves in the heated jacket market, but this model moves away from it and focuses on traditional design with Nothing But Heavy Duty stitching it together. Let’s take a look at who you can expect.
Design
Style
You can tell from the name that the Milwaukee Hooded Jacket is, well, a hooded jacket. It’s straight black, including the Milwaukee logo on the outside. The only red you’ll find is on the label on the inside.
You can certainly wear this jacket anywhere, though you’re not going to win any style points out on the town. Its traditional design means it’s not going to look like a jacket fit to your figure. On the other hand, it doesn’t really stand out as being out of place either. Just keep in mind that this is designed first and foremost around function – and it does that very well.
Pockets
Pockets are a really big deal for the jobsite. I don’t know that you can have too many, but you can definitely have too few and the wrong type. Milwaukee gives you a variety of functional ones. A pair of kangaroo pockets are where you’d expect to find them. There’s also a knife and pen pocket on the left sleeve. I have found this style of pocket to be a favorite of mine and can keep my tactical pen and Inkzall close at hand yet out of the way on any jobsite. All the outer pockets are reinforced at the edge and the kangaroo pockets are riveted at the corners.
Moving to the interior, you’ll find a large, stretchy pocket on the right hand side. It’s great for storing your work gloves or ski cap when you don’t need them. The size and stretch isn’t conducive to carrying a weighty object though. On the left is an inner chest pocket. This is the only one that zips closed and is a good weather-resistant place to keep your phone. There’s a pass through near the top designed to run earbuds or a headset. Just do us all a favor and keep the earbuds out while you’re on the job and need to hear what’s gong on around you.
One more pocket I’d love to have is an outer zipping chest pocket. It’s just one of those things that I’ve come to really like, so I want it on all my shirts and jackets.
Hooded Figure
The hood sits more securely than most I’ve used and really does a nice job of staying out of my field of vision. The secure fit does mean you won’t be able to wear you hard hat underneath though.
Working in Cuffs
Rib knit cuffs are a must for working in cold weather. The elastic nature pulls them against your wrists to keep the cool air from blowing up into your sleeves. These also help secure the cuff from moving around on you and drawing your attention away from the job at hand.
Materials
Aside from the zippers, the Milwaukee Hooded Jacket is made completely from 100% polyester. The outer shell, inner lining, and insulation all have a difference feel, but it’s all polyester. There’s 100 grams of insulation provided that keeps me comfortable well into the low 40’s (it’s tough to find much cooler weather than that in Florida) and I expect would be good on its own in the mid to upper 30’s before I needed another layer.
Outer Toughness
The outer is woven into a tough GridIron Ripstop design. It doesn’t have a soft look and feel like cotton duck, but it does create a water and wind resistant barrier. The square ripstop pattern keeps a rip that starts from travelling and ruining the jacket. While it’s very tough, it’s not going to stop everything. Full disclosure – I was the only one able to rip the material during this test.
Zip it Up
The main zipper seems a bit robust for a jacket, but this additional strength is warranted considering where the Milwaukee Hooded Jacket is expected to live. Debris is less likely to get it jammed up and it will resist breaking better if something gets in the way. The inner zipper is also a tough design, though it’s an obvious step down from the outer.
Cleaning
Because of the material choice, the jacket is completely washer and dryer safe. Just be sure to use the gentle cycle with either cold or warm water and tumble dry with low heat.
Fit
The fit is roomy, as is characteristic of Milwaukee’s jacket lineup. I found the sizing chart on the product page to be dead on, so be sure to double check your measurements. Slim guys like me will need to order a size down from their typical T-shirt size. I normally wear a large, but I sport a medium in my Milwaukee gear.
Don’t worry too much about the sleeve length. I’m 6’2″ with a wrist to shoulder length at about 26-1/2 inches and the sleeve length is perfect. Overall jacket length is sometimes a concern for tall guys. Like the sleeves, there’s plenty of length here even in the medium size.
Milwaukee Hooded Jacket Key Features
- GridIron Ripstop Polyester Outlasts 12oz cotton duck by 3X
- FreeFlex Mobility Gussets provide enhanced mobility
- Wind and water resistant
- 100g of high-loft insulation
- Riveted and reinforced pocket edges, and tarnish resistant metal zippers
- Fitted hood provides full range of vision
- Rib knit cuffs and waist keep cold air out
- (2) large outer pockets, (1) quick-access sleeve pocket, (1) inner zip pocket
Milwaukee Hooded Jacket Specifications
- Model: Milwaukee 252B
- Style: Hooded Jacket (non-heated)
- Material: 100% Polyester
- Cleaning: Washer/Dryer Safe
- Warranty: 1 Year
- Price: $149
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a wind and weather resistant jacket that will take you down near freezing, you’ve got a compelling option with the Milwaukee Hooded Jacket. The design lends itself well to a grab and go style you can really get away with wearing anywhere and you don’t have to worry about whether or not the battery has been charged.
By going with polyester for the entire design, Milwaukee has created a tough, warm jacket that still offers plenty of movement freedom. You can even work overhead without feeling stuffed like the Michelin Man, though the bottom of the jacket will rise up on you. $149 may be a bit higher than you’d pay for similar jacket, but the design offers an additional layer of toughness that should make it last longer.
While you may need to have another jacket for extreme temperatures, the Milwaukee Hooded Jacket is an excellent solution for a wide range of cooler temperatures with the toughness to thrive on the jobsite.
