what's the most durable fabric for work clothing

Cotton and polyester are the two most popular materials in the clothing industry, but they couldn't be more different. Cotton is a natural material that's harvested from plants, while polyester is a synthetic (or man-made) material that's derived from a combination of petroleum, air and water. Today we're going to take a look at these two materials closely to determine which is the most durable fabric for work clothes.

Cotton Vs Polyester: What are the key differences?

When comparing these two materials, there are very few similarities. Cotton is known for its natural, breathable, absorbent and sustainable properties, while polyester is non-breathable, water repellent and less sustainable. You can see why these materials are so different when you consider the way that they're made...

How is cotton made?

Cotton is a naturally occurring fibre that's made of 100% cellulose, a plant material that can easily be recycled and reproduced time and time again. Natural cotton is coated with a waxy substance, that's designed to protect the cotton plant from harsh weather and predators, however, this waxy substance can be removed to create a cotton material that's very absorbent. When worn, cotton is soft on the skin, breathable and hypoallergenic, that's why it's used widely across the beauty and hygiene sectors. 

How is polyester made?

Unlike cotton, polyester does not occur naturally. To make polyester fabric, polyester pellets need to be made, these are then melted and forced through tiny holes to create thread-like fibres. Manufacturers are able to change the thickness of the fibres by changing the diameter of the holes that the melted polyester is forced through. Once these fibres have been made, they can be woven into materials and used to create a variety of products including clothing and workwear.

Cotton and polyester blends

Nowadays, it's not uncommon to see garments that are made using a blend of both cotton and polyester. In fact, there are a number of benefits to combining these materials. The resulting clothing can be comfortable and breathable like cotton, as well as having the water-resistant, long-wearing properties of polyester. Understanding how these materials work can help you choose work clothing that fits your requirements perfectly.

Why is material so important for work clothing?

Most people wear their work clothing for at least 8 hours a day, that's a pretty long time to be in something that's uncomfortable or doesn't fit right. Unlike regular clothing, work clothing needs to be durable enough to stand up to the challenges of life on-site. This means, it shouldn't tear easily, it should be breathable and it should enable your workers to work comfortably all day long. 

Above all else, your work clothing needs to keep your workers safe. Whether they're working on their hands and knees, up high, or in poor weather conditions, you want their work clothing to keep them protected at all times. Good-quality, safe workwear and PPE will prevent injuries and will improve efficiency. That's why it's important that you pick a material that ticks all the boxes wherever possible!

Read More: What PPE Should Be Worn On a Building Site?

What fabrics are commonly found in work clothes?

As we've mentioned, work clothing needs to be comfortable and durable, that's why it's common to find blends of both natural and synthetic fibres in work clothing. This can include, polyamide, polyester, natural and specialist fibres. Work clothing manufacturers will tailor their specific material blend to make them fit for purpose.

So, what is the most durable fabric material for work clothing?

If you were looking for clothing that would be the most hard-wearing and long-lasting, synthetic materials like polyester would be the best choice. It certainly is more durable than cotton which is better for keeping you comfortable while you're at work. Ideally, the workwear you choose should contain a combination of both natural and manmade fibres if you want it to be comfortable and last you a long time. 

Here at Class Workwear, we offer a huge selection of customisable workwear and PPE. All of our workwear is made of durable, comfortable materials that will make working in any conditions a pleasure!

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what ppe should be worn on a building site

When working on a building site, there are a number of risks you need to take into consideration. Most builders working on site are at risk of injury from falling debris, heavy machinery and working at height.

In order to minimise the risks, builders are required to wear certain personal protective equipment (PPE) on-site to keep them safe. Today we’re going to take a look at the different types of PPE that should be worn on a building site.

Head Protection

One of the most vital pieces of PPE that should be worn on building sites is protective headgear. The site manager should have already put precautions in place to minimise the risk of falling equipment and debris, but accidents still happen. A good-quality hard hat like our Portwest Endurance Safety Helmet can be work to protect your head on site. This hard hat features a suspension harness, adjustable headband and a generous rim to protect your eyes from the sun.

portwest endurance safety helmet

Portwest Endurance Safety Helmet >

Hi-Vis Clothing

A key part of safety precautions on building sites is making sure that everyone’s visible. Building sites are often vast, and with heavy machinery and vehicles moving around, it’s vital that you can be spotted from a far away. That’s where hi-vis clothing comes in. Most construction sites have their own hi-vis policy, and it’s important that all employees including contractors and sub-contractors comply.

Here at Class Workwear, we offer an extensive range of comfortable hi-vis clothing that you can wear at work. Whether you want a traditional hi-vis vest, a warm hi-vis jacket, or a comfortable hi-vis hoodie, we have something that will suit you and keep you safe on-site. All of our hi-vis products can be customised with a logo of your choosing (see specific products for more details).

hi vis clothing

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Protective Footwear

Another essential part of building site PPE is footwear. Again, falling objects, moving vehicles and heavy machinery can all lead to serious injuries, that’s why it’s important that everyone on-site wears some kind of protective footwear.

It’s important that you check the regulations on the building site you’re working on. Most building sites require staff to wear steel toe-capped boots to protect the toes and feet. As with all the PPE that you’ll be wearing, it’s important that your protective footwear is comfortable. After all, you might be on site for 8-12 hours each day.

dickies medway boot

We offer a great range of protective footwear that can be worn on building sites. If you’re wanting a pair of protective boots that offer both comfort and protection, we’d highly recommend these Dickies Medway Boots. They feature:

  • Steel toe-cap
  • Steel anti-penetration underfoot protection
  • Padded collar and tongue
  • Energy absorbing sole
  • Waterproof membrane

Not only are these boots ideal for use on building site, but they’re also a popular choice for hikers and climbers because they’re comfortable on uneven ground. Not sure these are the right boots for you, check out our other protective footwear.

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Suitable Clothing

The clothing that you wear on a building site should be both suitable and protective. Rules around protective clothing vary depending on the time of year, temperature and working environment. If you’re working on the ground, it’s likely that you’ll be asked to wear long trousers to protect your lower leg from cuts and grazes. Similarly, if you’re working during summer or winter, it’s important you wear clothing that will regulate your temperature.

All of the protective clothing you see on Class Workwear can be customised to suit you. Whether you want to add your initials or your company logo, we can accommodate you. All of our protective clothing is high-quality and designed to be worn in challenging environments like building sites.

If you have any questions about the PPE mentioned, or if you’d like to discuss workwear customisation, give us a call on 020 3730 6663. We look forward to hearing from you!