Popular Mechanics - USA (2019-05)

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58 May 2019 _ PopularMechanics.com

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Why You Should Be Wearing Coveralls

You like working on projects. You also like not

ruining your clothes. You can easily do both.

/ BY ROY BERENDSOHN /

PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE

GREAT MOMENTS IN COVERALLS

CARHARTT MEN’S

QUILT-LINED DUCKCOVERALLS

Even uninsulated coveralls provide

a warm layer in the winter. But an

insulated pair like this one feels like

pulling on a protective snowsuit.$120

DICKIES SHORT-

SLEEVE COVERALLS

These lightweight poplin coveralls

are ideal for summer: enough material

to protect you, not enough to give

you heatstroke. $32

DULUTH TRADING COMPANY

DULUTHFLEX FIRE HOSE COVERALLS

These tough coveralls are based on

the ones worn on World War II aircraft

carriers. They flex where you need them

to and have plenty of pockets. $120

WEIGHT

Coveralls typically

come in five-, six-,

seven-, eight-, and

ten-ounce (per yard)

fabrics. Heavier

fabrics are more

expensive, more

durable, and warmer

in the winter, but

they’ll also make

you uncomfortably

hot in the sum-

mer. Even though

they’re a little hot-

ter in the summer, I

like a seven-ounce

in long sleeves. You

ESPITE THE JOKES and frequent questions about how

I go to the bathroom, I like coveralls. They’re the one

garment I have that I know will get trashed—so I don’t

mind when they do. Coveralls provide great protection

when I’m crawling through attics, or when I throw them

on in the shop instead of changing into work clothes. In

the spring and fall, I wear mine in place of long johns.

They keep me warm in the cool mornings, but by afternoon I can

change out of them and be comfortably cool in my jeans and T-shirt.

A few years ago working with a licensed electrician, I spent

each day boring holes in floor joists and wall studs. Wood chips,

dust, splinters, and dirt rained down on me. No problem. I was

protected by my covera lls. Yes, my work wear drew jokes from the

crew, but I had the last laugh. At day’s end, I peeled off the cover-

alls and drove home in clean clothing. Here’s what you should

know to pick the best pair for you.

may sweat a bit, but

you’re protected.

CUT

Coveralls with a

slimmer fit can

be worn as your

primary garment.

They make getting

dressed simple.

But if you want

something that fits

over your clothing,

look for a boxy cut.

FEATURES

Pass-through

pockets let you

access your pants

pockets through the

coveralls, which is

nice. Zip-to-knee

legs let you put your

coveralls on without

taking off your

boots. (If you choose

insulated coveralls,

find a pair with

zip-to-waist legs,

which let you get

the thicker material

off with a lot less

hassle.) And a two-

way zipper on the

front answers those

bathroom questions.