JCB Workwear – Well


Independent Review by Peter Brett


It is rare these days to see workpeople in the old “uniform” of scruffy stained jeans and a sweatshirt with painty fingermarks down the front. Even “one man bands” now try to


capitalize on the look of extra professionalism and extra practicality that purpose-made work clothing provides. I guess that they have also realized that much modern work clothing is practical, flexible, and easy to take care of and appeals to clients too. So I was very pleased to


receive a carton full of JCB work clothing to try out in more than enough time to try it in a variety of scenarios and weather conditions. Since the September


weather was a glorious Indian summer down here in Sussex, I was mostly able to get away with dressing in the work trousers, polo shirt and safety shoes. Starting from the bottom


– and I am very fussy about all my footwear – were the model 4CX/T safety shoes. These are solidly made in nubuck leather with a high ankle and flat rubber soles. The soles have some nice grippy rib patterns underneath, and are oil resistant, shock absorbing and anti-slip. Since the lacing pattern is quite


wide, the shoes are easy to slip into, with a pull-tab on the heel if needed. I didn’t use the JCB socks I had been sent because the weather was too warm, but ordinary cotton socks proved to be very comfortable. The nylon laces are easy to adjust and tighten with the option of going to the very highest lace holes for a tight fit around the ankles or a looser fit using the next eyelet down. A pair of rivets at the stress points of the upper provide good reinforcing and strength. The black leather toecap


provides a contrast to the brown nubuck upper with the composite protective toecaps concealed underneath. Inside, the trainers are lined with a


padded nylon inner that keeps feet warm and dry in cold, wet weather as well wicking away sweat. Inside, the protective toecaps are also well lined and do not impinge onto the toes at all. I think these shoes have become


my favourites because they proved to be comfortable – whatever the conditions I wore them in. It really


8 ToolBUSINESS+HIRE


highlighted panels on the tops of each of the rear and leg pockets as well as on the knees and rear ankles. All the pockets are roomy with the rear ones gusseted for extra space in them. The black covering flaps help to keep


helps that they are easy to unlace and step into because sometimes clients don’t want work shoes in the rest of the house…… Next up are the work trousers. I


am a standard size 30 and the standard size 30 JCB Max work trousers fitted me perfectly. The trousers fit on the hips and are helped to be comfortable while moving by the addition of a couple of elasticated panels on each hip. The belt loops will hold a slim canvas belt of up to 40mm or so wide. They are quite stylish in work trouser terms because they have black


working. The waterproof nylon material helps to keep knees dry too. Another very practical touch is the


two panels of waterproof nylon material at the heels of the trousers. They stop the inevitable creep of damp up the back of trouser legs if you are working in damp conditions. The trousers are made in a very practical, tough and washable blend of 65% polyester and 35% cotton and they match very nicely with the nubuck brown of the safety trainers. I am sure that some workers would


like more pockets on their work trousers - I don’t because there is only so much weight and stuff they will carry before it becomes impossible to bend over without sticking yourself with some of the objects in the pockets. To complete my


“summer” outfit I wore the Fenton JCB Polo Shirt. Made in heavy-duty pique fabric in 50% polyester and 50% cotton, it is comfortable and strong too. All the seams are triple stitched and along the shoulders and sleeves there is a silver reflective piping for visibility.


The shirt is mainly black but with


contrasting grey sides. And it goes very well with the Max trousers! I found that the fabric was pretty strong because inevitably when lifting or carrying, the front of the shirt comes into contact with the material being carried. Although there were a few “pulls” on the cotton threads from some unplanned planks, the shirt actually provided some good protection for me.


As October hit of


course, the weather took a nosedive – time to get out the rest of the JCB kit – the socks, hoody, bodywarmer and waterproof jacket. On balance, my


favourite of these is the bodywarmer – in almost daily use now, but the rest are all necessary parts of my site wardrobe now, depending on conditions.


sawdust etc. out. My elderly knees demand kneepads and the Max trousers have waterproof nylon pockets into which slim Cannock Kneepads can be inserted. Perfect for me and much appreciated that JCB supplied the kneepads too! The kneepad pockets have a hook and loop retaining cover on them so that the kneepads don’t come out while you are


The socks are great – they have


Kevlar reinforced heels and toes and the terry loop shock absorbing makes for comfy and blister free feet. With a blend of Lycra and wool the socks are warm and fit well to the feet and I found the ideal companions for the safety shoes. They also come up well past the ankles too, for that extra bit of warmth and comfort.


www.toolbusiness.co.uk The Sudbury Bodywarmer is


brilliant – comfortable, just the right length for me to have good movement from the waist, and very warm too. It will stay on comfortably with or without the front zip done up and the two lined zip pockets on each side are a cosy haven for cold hands when necessary. The fleece inner also contains two zipped pockets for mobile phones etc. Practicality is ever present as usual


– the shoulders are effectively waterproof via the nylon Oxford weave material and the rest of the outer is made of coated ripstop nylon material that is what is says – ripstop. I unloaded bricks and timber without scarring the material. The Horton Hoodie is a perfect fit


under the bodywarmer for cold weather conditions. In 80% cotton and 20% polyester it has snood type hood that fits closely round the neck – effectively keeping draughts out even


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32