How to Choose Winter Protective Workwear (Based on Your Job)

By Gilly Blackburn, Procurement Framework Director, Banner UK

Winter is no time to leave your staff shivering or unprotected. From frosty moorings to cold warehouse aisles, the right winter workwear ensures safety, comfort, and productivity.

In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to select the best winter protective workwear based on the job role and what’s best suited to your team.

Understanding Your Winter Workwear Needs
Before rushing to purchase workwear this season, it is important to start by understanding the demands your workforce faces. As a procurement professional, here’s what I always advise you to consider:

• Indoor vs outdoor exposure: Is your team outside all day, or do they alternate between indoor tasks and fieldwork? If your team is regularly exposed to the elements, you’ll need heavier outer shells. On the other hand, if the majority of time is spent indoors, then the mid-layers may do the trick.
• Level of physical activity: A static role in freezing conditions requires more insulation, whereas a role with constant movement risks your team overheating if the clothing is too bulky.
• Regulatory and visibility requirements: Certain industries require high-visibility or protective clothing that meets EN/ISO safety standards.
• Layering strategy: Rather than one heavy “all-in-one” jacket, a layered system (base + mid + outer) provides flexibility to adapt to changing conditions.
• Budget & procurement simplicity: Ordering from fewer, trusted suppliers streamlines procurement, returns, and consistency.

Once those considerations are covered, you can map the job types to the appropriate winter workwear needs.

4 Different Types of Jobs and the Winter Workwear You Require

1. Outdoor jobs in harsh weather
Roles: construction, road and utility maintenance, rail teams, civil engineering crews.

In these environments, workers are fully exposed to elements. Your protective workwear should deliver:

• Waterproof, windproof outer shells (with taped seams)
• Adequate thermal insulation (synthetic fill, fleece liners, quilted linings)
• High-visibility panels or fully hi-vis versions (as required by regulation)
• Durable lower-body protection: waterproof over-trousers or lined work trousers
• Reinforced specifications: elbows, cuffs, high-abrasion fabric in wear zones

Banner’s Workwear & PPE category offers a full spectrum of outerwear, trousers, hi-vis gear, and protective layers. For example, we carry
Trojan lined action trousers, which are suitable for colder conditions.

When placing orders for field teams, I always recommend ordering a small buffer of outer shells, as damage, loss or extreme wear is common in harsh environments.

2. Warehouse & logistics roles
Roles: picking and packing, forklift drivers, loading dock staff and internal delivery teams.
These roles spend most time indoors or partly sheltered but still struggle when moving between zones or during loading/unloading in cold ambient areas. The key is to maintain warmth without restricting mobility:

• Warm but slim insulating layers (fleece, quilted jackets)
• Breathable fabrics to avoid overheating when active
• Insulated, dexterous gloves so handling items remains safe
• Footwear that is waterproof, insulated, and slip-resistant
• Comfortable base layers to help trap heat

Our comprehensive workwear range includes base and mid-layers, softshell jackets, and work trousers. In my experience, I’ve found that using this layered approach works well, allowing workers to start off cold and peel off layers as they warm up indoors.

3. Mixed indoor and outdoor roles
Roles: site supervisors, service engineers, maintenance staff, surveyors.
These roles often shift between indoor facilities and exposed sites. Their clothing must balance professional appearance with practicality:

• Softshell or hybrid jackets that look tidy but resist wind and light rain
• Insulated gilets or bodywarmers that can layer under or over shirts
• Stretch fabrics for mobility
• Branded outer layers that maintain a professional look

You may choose, for instance:

• A fleece or softshell jacket worn over business attire
• A branded insulated bodywarmer as a mid-layer
• A light waterproof outer shell carried as backup

These combinations help staff present well while staying warm when they step outside.

• Branded fleece jackets, overcoats or soft-shell coats that match corporate dress
• Optional outer shells for walking between buildings or transit
• Light thermal accessories (scarves, gloves) provided as optional extras

Banner’s corporate and workwear ranges are suited to these environments. For example, a fleece jacket emblazoned with the company logo offers warmth without compromising the uniform look.

Workwear Safety Accessories to Consider for Winter

Even when core clothing is carefully chosen, teams often find that cold hands and feet are still the biggest sources of discomfort. These areas are usually the first to feel the chill and, unsurprisingly, the first to trigger complaints.

That’s why the smaller accessories can make such a big difference. Investing in insulated gloves with a good grip and touchscreen compatibility where needed keeps staff both warm and productive. Thermal socks, available in a range of thicknesses, help to retain heat through long shifts, while balaclavas or fleece hats protect against biting winds.

Waterproof, insulated boots such as the Alaska freezer boots, with slip-resistant soles, are another must for anyone working outdoors as they offer stability as well as warmth. And for those spending extended hours in the elements, accessories like neck gaiters or hand warmers can make all the difference to morale and comfort through the coldest months.

My winter workwear expert tips

Speaking as someone who sees procurement decisions across sectors, here are my practical tips:

• Plan ahead – once the weather turns colder, demand for winter gear spikes. Order ahead so you’re not left with limited sizes or out-of-stock items.
• Pilot with a sample group – supply a small team first, get feedback on fit, warmth, ease of use. That helps refine sizing, style, or fabric decisions before bulk ordering.
• Check compliance carefully – especially for hi-vis or protective workwear, ensure they meet the relevant EN/ISO standards for your industry.
• Consolidate your sourcing – sticking with a trusted supplier like Banner means consistent quality, streamlined returns, easier reorders and uniform branding.
• Always keep a buffer stock – front-line outer shells or gloves wear out or are lost; having backups ensures no staff are left without adequate protection

Banner’s corporate and workwear ranges are suited to these environments. For example, a fleece jacket emblazoned with the company logo offers warmth without compromising the uniform look.

Final thoughts

Choosing the right winter protective workwear isn’t about picking the thickest coat, it’s about matching garment types to roles, climates, and productivity needs. When you tailor outerwear, mid-layers and accessories to each job type, you create a safer, warmer, and more effective work environment.

If you are looking to upgrade winter-ready workwear and PPE tailored to your roles, we can help. Get in touch, and we can support you in finding the best winter workwear to suit your team.