Some brands enjoy a legacy for hard-working, durable goods that helped shape this country back when recreational time was somewhat scarce. As Americans found more free time to spend outdoors, advances in textiles trickled down to work wear. Lighter, stronger, warmer, and just overall better materials and treatments are now found in clothing worn by adventurers out for weekend getaways as well as ranchers, farmers, and even modern day rail workers. American outerwear brand Carhartt caters to both, and while Fall is still many months away, they’ll have some new offerings to keep you warm, dry, and comfortable, whether you’re outdoors for work or play.
We’ll start with the Base Force collection, which are bottoms and crew neck tops constructed of 100% polyester. A good base layer keeps you warm without overheating. Moisture management is important too, as un-evaporated sweat can lead to chills and is also a breeding ground for stinky bacteria. The Force® technology includes both moisture-wicking and anti-microbial properties to keep you dry and fresh even after the longest days. Choose from either Cold Weather or Super Cold Weather varieties, depending on the severity of conditions you’re likely to face.
Top your base layer with a selection from the Force® collection. These 65/35 cotton/polyester shirts offer moisture wicking as well as stain release technologies. Whether lunch is chili around a campfire, a burrito from a street vendor, or sushi at some hole in the wall, these pocket t-shirts should fit right in. Color options for the long sleeve include moss, black, orange, navy, and heather gray. Short sleeves are available in navy, heather gray, moss, black, crimson, and dark khaki. There’s also a Henley in navy, heather gray, and moss.
Once you’ve selected your base layer and a shirt, you’ll want the Pike jean in traditional blue denim from the Rain Defender™collection. As the name implies, these pieces are ideal for rainy days, and combine the durability that Carhartt is known for with enhanced water-repellent qualities. The Pike offers a relaxed fit, perfect for stepping over downed trees, or splitting logs for firewood. Go with the Youngstown Shirt Jac if plaid is your thing, or the Allerton sweatshirt if a hoody is more your style. In areas where summers and winters are both fairly mild, the 3-Season Midweight sweatshirt with quilted lining will keep you warm and dry for most of the year.
A little more work-oriented, the Quick Duck® collection utilizes Carhartt’s exclusive 60/40 cotton and polyester canvas blend. This combination weighs 30% less than traditional canvas, but is every bit as tough. The Quick Duck® 3-In-1 Parka is versatile, full of features, and manages to look like it would be as at home on a ranch or job site as it would on a Friday night in the city. Don’t need anything quite so fancy? The Quick Duck® Roane Hooded Shirt Jac has less storage and utility, but will certainly get the job done. Throw either over the Woodward Bib Overall, and take advantage of the water-repellent finish found on all three to get things done when Mother Nature has her way. Nothing nicer than staying dry when it’s wet and miserable out.
Are you outdoors in the worst conditions? Carhartt’s Storm Defender™collection was created with you in mind. Outerwear for work that will surely cross over into adventure wear, you’ll find the kind of features normally reserved for winter sports. Fully taped waterproof seams and waterproof zippers paired with breathable fabrics that keep you dry and warm without overheating or getting all muggy. The Insulated Bad Axe Jacket and Shoreline Jacket may sport a slim profile, but offer enhanced mobility as they’ve been designed for the highly active man who works hard and plays hard outdoors. You probably won’t see either being worn by someone riding the subway. As expected, Carhartt offers the Shoreline Bib as a companion piece.
With all the design work done at their Dearborn, Michigan headquarters, the original Carhartt DNA is still visible in the details. They’ve done a great job of finding that balance between staying true to their lineage while offering consumers innovative materials and treatments, along with practical enhancements that make each product more useful. Not every company succeeds at heading into the future while also being so mindful of their past. www.carhartt.com
– Brian