How to Select the Best Winter Jacket for Your Job

No matter what time of year it is, as you read this, you can probably feel the sharp winter winds and the icy snowflakes attacking you at every angle. You can imagine being out in the snow, with a job that has to get done and no sign of the weather clearing. And you can probably imagine how much easier it is to deal with those things when you have a warm and durable high visibility winter jacket to protect you. 

That’s why it’s so important to choose the best winter jacket for you. HiVis Supply offers a long list of high visibility winter jacket options that includes the perfect winter work coat for you. To know which one is made for you, you’ll need to know the basics of how to choose the best winter jacket. As you browse the best winter jackets, think about all of the factors we’ll discuss here. They’ll help you find the features you need to tackle the job site hazards; while staying warm and productive through the coldest weather.

Ultimately, your job will be one of the biggest determining factors in which kind of winter jacket you’ll need. Someone working in Alaska’s Prudhoe Bay Oil Field will need a very different winter jacket from a receiving dock worker in California. That’s because of inherent factors in your workplace environment, such as:

• Average winter temperatures at your workplace
• Typical length of time you spend outside while at work
• Whether your job functions involve a lot of physical activity or are mostly stationary
• Whether your winter weather conditions are usually wet or dry
• How much flexibility and range of physical motion your job duties require

Each of these factors will affect the decisions that we’ll discuss next.

To get the best winter jacket for your needs, you need to find one that keeps you at the perfect level of warmth. You can often get a ballpark idea of a jacket’s warmth level just by looking at its style—jackets like parkas and bomber jackets tend to have a high warmth level, while lighter jacket models have a lower warmth level.

Look for a jacket that’s warm enough to tackle the coldest temperature levels you’ll encounter at your job, but not one that’s too warm. An overly warm jacket will make you sweat more on the job. When that sweat cools on your skin, it can quickly steal a lot of heat from your body. 

Dressing in layers is a great idea for regulating your warmth level at work. Purchasing a heavier outer winter jacket and lighter underlayer can be a great way to stay comfortable. Some of the best winter jackets even have multiple removable layers (often called a 5-in-1 or 3-in-1). These innovative jackets come with removable liners, removable outer shells, and even removable sleeves for customizable warmth level. 

Fabric materials for hi vis winter jackets usually fall into three basic categories:

• Oxford Cloth Polyester: Oxford cloth is a weave style that uses thick, heavy threads and has a highly textured feel. Most winter jackets made from this material also feature a polyurethane (PU) coating on the backside to offer wearers protection from wet weather conditions.
• Ripstop: Ripstop is another weave style that uses special reinforcement techniques to create extremely tough fabric which is durable without being bulky. It tends to be more breathable and flexible than oxford cloth. 
• Softshell: Softshell is a soft but still durable polyester fabric that’s perfect for a lighter-weight outer shell. This material is wind resistant, but still breathable. 

No matter which option you choose, make sure to choose a material that’s waterproof unless your area has extremely dry winters. In addition, if your job functions require extensive upper body motion (such as loading and unloading vehicles), choose a material like ripstop or softshell that offers greater flexibility. 

Insulation materials, meanwhile, mostly fall into one of these three categories:

• Fleece-Lined: Fleece or imitation fleece is one of the oldest and most reliable insulation materials. It’s lightweight, breathable, and dries quickly—perfect for lining any type of jacket. 
• Thinsulate™: 3M™ Thinsulate™ is a synthetic insulation material used in many different kinds of insulated goods. It offers great performance in wet environments and is extremely light. 
• Quilted Liners: These sewn liners use poly-fill insulation and a quilted design soft, comfortable, and warm. They’re popular for lining heavier jackets or on their own.

Many jackets feature more than one of these insulation materials. Choosing a winter jacket with a combination of materials can give you the best of all worlds and a more versatile garment.

A jacket needs to fit you correctly. It should be comfortably snug without being too tight. When you’re wearing the jacket:

• You should be able to raise your hands completely above your head without exposing your abdomen.
• Your sleeves shouldn’t leave your wrists exposed or cover part of your hands.
• You should be able to comfortably swing your arms back and forth and from side to side.

The process of finding the best winter jacket size for you, thankfully, isn’t as complex as sizing a suit jacket. Generally, you’ll wear the same size as you wear in t-shirts. Winter jackets come with a little bit of extra room built into them for the clothing you’ll be wearing underneath.

You’ll want to choose a hi vis winter jacket design that feels comfortable and presents the look you want. Here are some of the best winter jacket designs commonly available today: 

• Hi vis Parka: These large, heavy-duty winter jackets are designed for the nastiest conditions out there. They often feature a long design that provides great coverage that will extend past your waist and fall just below the back pockets of your pants.
• Hi vis Bomber Jacket: Bomber jackets have a slimmer and more athletic cut than parkas, but they still offer excellent protection against cold and wet weather. Sometimes also called a short waist coat, this style will still leave you access to your pant pockets.
• Hi vis Puffer Jacket: The puffer jacket is a contemporary style that combines a slim profile with a puffed-out outer shell. 
• Hi vis Windbreaker: Windbreakers are lighter jackets designed to keep you safe and warm in blustery weather without being overly hot. 
• Hi vis Hooded Sweatshirt: For fall conditions or areas with warmer winter weather, a hooded sweatshirt is a great option.
• Hi vis Multi-Layer Jacket: Multi-layer jackets combine multiple styles into a single jacket. A multi-layer jacket will usually feature snaps or zippers that allow you to remove certain parts of the jacket to make it warmer or cooler.

ANSI high visibility winter jackets come in colors such as hi vis orange, safety yellow, and even black that can all make you easy to see while you’re on the job. Depending on their rating, they may also use reflective strips to further increase your visibility. 

High visibility winter jackets may need to meet certain ANSI visibility rating standards to comply with the rules and laws in your industry. For example, if you work in road construction or are a first responder who works on highways at night, OSHA requires certain levels of visibility. 

The three ANSI hi vis categories are: 

• ANSI Class 1: The lowest level of protection, designed for jobs such as roadwork on residential streets. 
• ANSI Class 2: A moderate level of protection, designed for jobs in more complex environments such as airport runway personnel and forestry professionals. 
• ANSI Class 3: Designed for the most complex, hazardous, and high-traffic work, including highway maintenance workers and railway employees. 

It’s also perfectly fine for a winter jacket to be non-ANSI-compliant as long as your job doesn’t require an ANSI-rated jacket. Enhanced visibility jackets are jackets designed to provide extra visibility in settings like warehouses and factories. Although ANSI-compliant gear isn’t required in these settings, it can still help prevent accidents and save lives. (Make sure to read up on the ANSI standards before choosing a hi vis jacket, to make sure you understand the relevant standards for your job.)

We’ve got a full range of the best hi vis winter jackets on deck and ready to keep you warm. These eight jackets are some of our most popular, and they’re in stock now at HiVis Supply.

1. Hi Vis Class 3 Thermal Waterproof Safety Bomber Jacket

A classic cold weather mainstay, this jacket has covered more blue-collar backs than any other jacket in the market. The Hi Vis Class 3 Thermal Waterproof Safety Bomber Jacket is durable enough to work as hard as you; but also has the essential features to make your work day easier. It’s a stylish bomber design that’s ANSI Class 3 compliant, and its 4.75-ounce polyester fill is the perfect thermal barrier against frigid temperatures.

2. Work King S426 Class 3 Hi Vis Contrasting Thermal 5-In-1 Safety Jacket

The Work King S426 Class 3 Hi Vis Contrasting Thermal 5-In-1 Safety Jacket is a multi-layer coat system that will keep you covered no matter what inclimate weather you face. The versatility of its design gives you many ways to wear the coat; but put them all together and you will have the strongest force field against anything Jack Frost can throw at you.

3. ML Kishigo JS135/JS136 Black Series Class 3 Hi Vis Ripstop 3-in-1 Safety Parka

Whoever said that a work coat cannot look cool has never seen this jacket. The ML Kishigo JS135/JS136 Black Series Class 3 Hi Vis Ripstop 3-in-1 Safety Parka is an ideal choice for varying weather. Wear the ANSI Class 3 hi vis, waterproof, ripstop shell for brisk weather or for wet work days; but you can also zip in the heavy-weight fleece hoodie for an added layer of comfort and warmth. The coat comes with pockets galore. It also includes tons of features you’ll love like easy-to-reach ID and tablet holder pockets, plus adjustable cuffs and black trim that helps present a clean-cut look.

4. GSS Safety 8505 Onyx Series Class 3 HiVis Thermal 3-In-1 Ripstop Utility Safety Parka

The GSS 8505 Onyx Utility Safety Parka is big and tough enough for the worst winter conditions, but comfortable enough to bring you through them without breaking your stride. On the outside, you’ll find an ANSI Class 3 hi vis thermal insulated ripstop outer shell with four ounces of thermal insulation, and inside is a 7.4-ounce removable fleece liner that can also be worn by itself. You will not find a more insulated jacket combination anywhere.

5. Tough Duck SJ25 Class 1 Premium Cotton Duck Contrasting Safety Bomber Jacket

Tough Duck brings you the new Tough Duck SJ25 Class 1 Premium Cotton Duck Contrasting Safety Bomber Jacket. The ANSI Class 1, enhanced visibility safety jacket with a super rugged 10-ounce cotton duck shell may not technically be bullet-proof; but it will stand up to rocks, lumber, or whatever else your job will throw at it. This jacket also features a 6 ounce quilted polyester lining for extra warmth and a plethora of pockets for all of your work gear.

6. Radians SJ12 Class 3 Hi Vis Multi-Color Thermal Bomber Jacket

The unique, double-colored Radians SJ12 Class 3 Hi Vis Multi-Color Thermal Bomber Jacket is sure to make you the most visible person on any job site. With its ANSI Class 3 design and 300 denier Oxford polyester shell, it’s the perfect combination of visibility, warmth, and distinctive visual styling. 

7. Blaklader 4789 Class 3 Hi Vis Polyester AirMesh Lined PU Coated Safety Jacket

The Blaklader 4789 Class 3 Hi Vis Polyester AirMesh Lined PU Coated Safety Jacket is designed from a combination of materials and features to help it maintain a lightweight feel, but with all the thermal protection you need to stay warm. The ANSI Class 3 safety jacket features a super unique open-weave air mesh fabric that retains your body’s own heat for warmth, but also makes it incredibly breathable while still retaining its protective qualities. Includes a fleece-lined collar, adjustable hood for ultimate comfort on the job, and many reflective accents that further enhance the coat's visibility in low-light conditions.

8. ML Kishigo JS130/JS131 Class 3 Hi Vis Fleece Lined Ripstop Bomber Jacket

Here’s another great option for a sharp-looking and versatile hi vis bomber: the ML Kishigo JS130/JS131 Class 3 Hi Vis Fleece Lined Ripstop Bomber Jacket. You’ll enjoy the warmth of a fleece-lined body and thermal quilted sleeves that makes this jacket a snap to layer with other garments; and keep you comfortable all day long while on the job. A 300 denier seam sealed ripstop shell gives this model serious water resistance and makes it an ideal choice for tough outdoor work. 

9. Tough Duck SJ26 Class 3 HiVis PU Coated Contrast Ripstop Sherpa Lined Safety Bomber

Sherpa lining is widely known as one of the softest and most comfortable insulation fabrics, and the Tough Duck SJ26 Class 3 HiVis PU Coated Contrast Ripstop Sherpa Lined Safety Bomber brings you every ounce of comfort you deserve on the job thanks to this cozy technology. A double-stitched 3M Scotchlite reflective material and contrasting stripe background keep you safe and compliant, and a 300 denier polyester ripstop coating keeps your jacket in great shape.

10. GSS Safety 8515 Class 3 Heavy Duty Canvas Sherpa Lined Safety Jacket

The outer shell of this jacket is so tough, it’s hard to believe it’s fabric.  The GSS Safety 8515 Class 3 Heavy Duty Canvas Sherpa Lined Safety Jacket is a rugged jacket with a high visibility color for ANSI compliance when combined with the double-stitch, reflective striping. A super thick sherpa liner help trap the heat and provide a barrier of warmth around you.Stay safe and sound while still being able to stiff-arm the cold right out of your way.