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

I have some cheap Dickies rigger boots that are keeping me pretty toasty.

They are a loose fit so there’s plenty room for thicker socks and air that gets warm.

These ones,

https://www.charlies.co.uk/dickies-men-s-dixon-rigger-safety-boots-tan.html?utm_source=google_shopping&aid=90704&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2NaNBhDvARIsAEw55hhuANXYUNBRPeYf2yv71OSu1TP94tjQs-EI8MzP_Vv63OdWQfP-0zkaAmPwEALw_wcB#267=1797

Yeah I think something along those lines with some of those wellie liners might be a shout.
I looked up Baffin boots and although my feet get super cold I don’t have the budget/need for -40°c boots..

Also, do waterproof work trousers exist?

No. Not really.

Even full-on mountaineering kecks aren't fully waterproof. Get a pair of Berghaus Deluge if you want cheap but I wouldn't use them for a worksite personally.

[berghaus-mens-deluge-pro-2-0-overtrousers-A1A14106.html) https://www.cotswoldoutdoor.com/p/berghaus-mens-deluge

Or look at what North Sea Fisher Crews use but they won't be breathable in the slightest.

Personally, I'd be asking your employer to provide proper PPE for the environment they are asking you to work in.

They are legally obliged after all.

I’ve got a set of high vis over trousers that come out in extremis.

What I want is something that is at least water resistant, stretchy and takes a knee pad, mascot make some really nice trousers that almost fit the bill, but they’re such a skinny fit that they fit around my bits so precisely that nothing is left to the imagination with regards to my anatomy.

High thread count trousers might be water-resistant, just because of the tight weave, but won't stretch.

It's like walking trousers. Make a choice.

1. Lightweight and stretchy.

2. Water resistant/windproof but not stretchy.

3. Waterproof but solid PVC.

I'd love to see something that fits all in workwear, there may well be, but it'll be eyewateringly expensive and knackered really quickly when onsite.

Work uniform isn't meant to last for long after all. It gets chucked in a washing machine at least once a week and is worn 5 days a week.

I go through at least 3 or 4 sets every year.

Snickers trousers fit that bill will eventually get wet but not really from spray.

Also @edmundro avoid rigger boots, one rolled and snapped ankle away from a serious situation in A&E, I’ve banned them in every department I’ve ran and know they’re banned on a few more forward thinking sites and most oil rigs.

Snickers trousers fit that bill

Which type? Because they make an awful lot of versions after all.

Work provides basic Snickers. I've bought the 'posh' ones before but they don't last any longer than the basic version.

Just more loops and pockets to be honest. And the chance to show an Elephant 'impression' with the flappy hip pockets...

The posh flappy pockets one, think they’re called rip stop? They’re pretty good at keeping spray and walking in light rain off.

I have zero use for the flappy pockets, actually really have zero use for snickers trousers since only took time now is diy but always have to be flappy pockets for amusement more than anything and they stop shanking yourself with a forgotten pocket screwdriver.

To be honest. I gave up on the idea of using pants as toolbags years ago.

Buy a decent tote [Magma is favourite at the moment.] and let your pants swing free!
(https://www.toolstation.com/ck-magma-open-tool-tote/p66162)

Waxed cotton leggings fastened to my belt have always worked for me, they're waterproof and if you're not kneeling down constantly they last a long time. If you are constantly kneeling, change religion. On wellies, I spend a fortune, Le Chameau neoprene lined at £150 a pop if you're lucky, but I wear them all day every day in winter and they last a minimum of 2 years.

Filson double tin cloth bib trousers ftw

Look like bollock boilers to me and £140 as opposed to £30 for leggings.

Waxed cotton leggings

Like these:

Or these:

?

Hmm, source of waxed cotton leggings?
Sometimes need that kind of protection on conservation tasks.

I used to have a pair of snowboots I bought in the States that all the lift workers wore. The two main features that I think made them so warm were; thick soles, and a floating fleece liner.

A quick Google shows you can buy fleece boot liners. So I'd go with something with thick rubber soles sized up - like those dickies - plus a fleece liner.

Edit: I noticed Sorel sell them ~£25, they'll defo be decent. Although I can imagine for your stated use AliExpress or ebay will probably do the same job.

Heavy cotton doesn’t work as they’re a fucking nightmare once they’re wet. Soft shell with some level of water resistance is the way, but I’m not aware of anything suitable.

I wonder if you could get some xl army goretex then get a tailor to take them in while leaving the knees baggy and adding some articulation. Wear those with running legins underneath.

@hugo7: both, example b for weekend use.

@mespilus: FleaBay, or any country/shooting store.

Left field, but snowboard trousers might be worth looking at. They won't be waterproof as they're designed for snow, but they will be a bit and you could add waterproofing spray on the key areas. The areas where you'd normally have abrasion resistance are similar to workwear. Plus the knee articulation is good as are the pockets.

The Goretex idea would work, as would breathable waders, both if used with strap on kneeling pads. Unfortunately, both would be expensive and last for a very limited time, waterproof membranes don't like being knelt on.

In all honesty, if it's going to rain hard enough to soak you to the skin, you're better off staying at home as you'll turn the site into a second Somme anyway. Easy for me to say, it's my company...

if it's going to rain hard enough to soak you to the skin, you're better off staying at home

First sensible thing I've read, this morning.

Just popped in and sadly it’s too large for my bird bones… lovely jacket though. It’s the Westlake extra long if anyone is interested

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I'm guessing that the extra long is in relation to the sleeve length?

I wear snowboard trousers if i have to over my jeans for work