Waterproof professional clothing: for professions exposed to the elements

Winegrower, construction worker, farmer, maintenance worker, fisherman, all these professions have in common that they are exposed to variable weather conditions throughout the year. More or less exposed to cold, abrasion, humidity and dust, some professions are known for their difficulty, especially when the personal protective equipment is not up to the constraints encountered.

If all exposed professions are often well equipped with safety shoes or boots, this is not always the case for the other equipment necessary for a perfect personal protection against water.

The boot is a basic piece of equipment which, if well chosen, provides 80% protection due to its high cut and its capacity to protect against shocks and abrasion. A 600gr waxed boot will allow you to kneel in any extremely humid terrain without any water infiltration and without any major risk of piercing it. The top-of-the-range models can be fitted with adjustable straps, a fly and easy access to the pockets, or even be made partly of breathable fabric and partly of ultra-resistant waxed fabric, such as the Drembib from Guy Cotten.

Hand and head protection:

If in some environments helmets are compulsory, when they are not, it is difficult to find head protection that is less disabling than an oilskin jacket hood, which is impractical for active use in working conditions. It is sometimes necessary to switch to a Suroit or Terre Neuve type of protection, or even a waterproof and breathable cap.

For the hands, it is advisable to use professional waterproof gloves in simple or thermal lining depending on the desired protection. The Showa gloves distributed by Picksea have the advantage of being low cost and extremely durable.

Professional and waterproof gloves

Oilskin or Jacket :

The jacket is to be chosen with care depending on the degree of freedom chosen and the speed/ease of donning. The higher the protection, the more difficult it will be to put on and take off the equipment. For example, if you put on a jacket or even a dry suit, it takes a few minutes to get out of it. On the other hand, jackets with zip + velcro closures are easy to remove and put on, but by definition offer an increased possibility of water entry, because of the front zip.

Secondly, the coating of the material making up the oilskin is important. The thicker the oilcloth, the longer it will resist the aggressions of strong and intensive exposure. It is therefore advisable for intensive use to go for this type of thick waxed material, which will meet the durability requirements. However, if you are on occasional use, choose a lighter coating to promote more flexibility and comfort in the use of the rain jacket.

Warm under my raincoat and my raincoat

Of course, waterproof clothing should be worn over other warm and protective layers that will guarantee thermal comfort, to be adapted according to the ambient working temperature. For winter or work in a cold environment, the thermal layers are a fleece jacket or primaloft jacket, second layer trousers (fleece), a set of technical underwear allowing good evacuation of perspiration in all circumstances. A hat, neck warmer and warm socks will complete the set and should not be neglected because it is through the extremities that you catch cold!