Workwear; or, Dandy rigouts in which to perform manual labour.

I have SIP canopy w air trousers. Were a gift and so much better than my cheap first pair. They are light, breathable and I don’t over heat the moment I put them on. Get ones which take braces, as most are heavy with elasticated waist bands which is not a recipe for them staying up.

https://www.frjonesandson.co.uk/products/pfanner-gladiator-ventilation-chainsaw-trousers-type-a-grey/?attribute_pa_clothing-size=medium&utm_source=google&utm_medium=shopping&utm_campaign=clothing&utm_term=all-others&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIm4SbuMqv8QIVRe7tCh1WYAV6EAQYAyABEgJYtfD_BwE

The only ballistics I’d wear.
I’d get 18months daily wear out of them. The outer is bombproof and you can wade through brambles with impunity. They’re also the closest I’ve had to waterproof of any keks. As the outer is tougher than most they’re not the best for climbing but I could scoot around trees for 6-8hrs in them with no complaints.
Arbortec is just a knock off, my old firm used to get them, they’d be in tatters after less than a year on most lads despite the price tag. The stitching just isn’t as good it seemed.

Obvs commercial wear and tear is more intense than domestic use but if you want the longest possibly life span I’d always go pfanner. Their forestry jackets are great too.

Strap on knee pads are annoying as fuck IME. Pinch behind the knee, give you sweaty patches as they press your trousers on your skin and stop them breathing.
In trouser knee pads are annoying, but less so than strap on ones.

Thanks, I'll soldier on then.

I use Stanley stella ones

Agree with that, they are annoying as fuck the strap on ones and can chaff too.

Great advice there thank you

No worries. Other ballistic top tips:
-If they’ve not been rained on then hang them inside out to breath when you’re not wearing them.
-Repair any rips asap- melt the frayed edges with a lighter and stitch them well. They used to include a patch kit with them, assume they still do.
-Talcum powder is your friend in the summer- coat your legs and shake a little down each leg. Your davinas will thank you for it.
-If you’re in the habit of resting your saw on your right thigh while cutting(usually only if you’re using big saws logging all day) then stitch an extra layer of material/thin leather over the top of the front thigh.
-Try not to spill fuel on them.
-Remember that no ballistics have any protection over the family jewels. There have been accidents over the years, many of which get trotted out during the chainsaw courses.
-If you rip thru to the ballistic material for any reason then strictly speaking it’s time for a new pair.
-Don’t wash them too often and use minimal detergent.
-Don’t scrimp on your helmet/ear protection. I wore chipper spec with earplugs underneath but still deaf as a post after years of daily abuse.

I’m sure I’m teaching you to suck eggs here but I spent years hammering these basics into my apprentices!

Echoing some earlier comments, I was given some engelbert Strauss trousers today. Great fit, tons of pockets but somehow manage not to look like 90s cargo pants. Rather impressed

Need some s3 safeties for site work. Often muddy or wet. Like the look of these:
https://www.misupplies.co.uk/footwear-c18/mens-footwear-c650/boots-c501/lace-up-safety-boots-c503/snickers-solid-gear-gore-tex-insulated-sg81002-tigres-gtx-ag-s3-mid-safety-boots-with-boa-lace-fit-system-p64700

But even with a £30 contribution from work, that’s quite a whack!

£30 contribution?! If you are an employee, you have a legal right to suitable PPE free of charge. It's illegal to make you pay for it.

I imagine work says that you can buy suitable stuff for £30.

yeah, I guess.

might be worth asking what the £30 is supposed to get you and whether is is actually suitable for the tasks being undertaken.

a broken ankle will set them back a lot more than £30...

You can buy perfectly suitable rigger boots for £30. I value my feet more than that. And I like nice boots…

Engineer/surveyor etc? Aren't Rigger boots still the go-to?

If not, whatever flavour of £40 boots are in stock will be fine for occasional use (they're largely all rebrands).

If you want boots made by the people who's name is on them, look at Magnum. I paid £80-odd for my Summer pair and around £110 for the Winter ones.

£180 is ridiculous unless you have specialised requirements.

rigger boots have no ankle support which makes them unsuitable for a fairly wide range of activities.

They are not permitted on site where I work.

Site electrician. Needs composite sole and toe rather than metal, above ankle cover. I want waterproof and not overly heavy (but non metallic toe and sole plate go a long way with that).

I’d never wear rigger boots if I could avoid it! Like my shoes snug and precise if I’m going to be balancing on stuff. Hence not minding buying nice boots.

I think the point about boots is that they can provide them, or you can get £30 off a pair you actually want. Everywhere I’ve worked has offered boots that are suitable for free or some cash towards - no one ever takes the free boots.

Composite hardware is fairly common, genuinely waterproof boots, less so. But unless you're stood in ankle-deep water for any length of time, you don't need it.

Toe caps wouldn't be a bad idea if you're kneeling a lot, but wouldn't swing it one way or the other for me.

Honestly, you'll be fine with whatever your local merch has in stock around the £45 mark (but Magnum if you want a specific recco).

I’ve been wearing safety boots for over a decade and I’ve only ever regretted buying cheap ones tbf, and that’s working in dry internal environments. Figured if I’m gonna be wet and cold a lot of the time I’d probably benefit from decent boots.

Ah gotcha!

Often worn both pairs +10 hours (with Merino socks) in complete comfort: the soles are quite springy.

Only had bad experiences spending good money (£80-120) with DeWalt, Cat etc: theirs are made by Wolverine, who also churn out branded tat for Harley Davidson etc. Same shit QC, different customers.

No idea about Snickers, but you don't put Boa, Gore Tex etc on clogs so you'd think they'd be tip-top.

But I’m sure you can understand my desire for feedback if I’m about to drop £180 on a pair!

PS Magnum are true to UK sizes, not EU: min are UK10, but EU 44 when I'm 46 in everything else.

Feedback? You need an intervention mate 🤣

Feedback is the wrong word, owner experience perhaps.

I want to know if someone’s tried Solid Gear footwear (I seem to remember someone had recommended them on here as a worthy investment).
But £180 is a bit mental.