PANTS OR BIB OVERALLS: WHICH IS BEST FOR WORKING IN THE COLD?

When your work keeps you in temperatures that make other folks stay wrapped up in blankets in front of the fire, you need the best insulated workwear to get the job done. And when the temps drop to freezing or even below-zero, you need full body protection, so you can't skip insulated gear for your legs.

Look, we dig denim, but jeans just don’t stand up to long shifts in the cold. Denim overalls might feel comfortable, but those button-up sides don’t do anything to keep the cold from creeping down your crack. You need tough, insulated workwear to stay warm and productive.

So, when the time comes to cover your lower half with cold weather gear, is it better to choose insulated work pants or insulated bib overalls?

Pros and Cons of Insulated Work Pants

Insulated pants for working in the cold have a strong "pros" list. They are versatile and pair well with many different types of upper body protection. Pants can be worn with sweatshirts, long jackets, multiple layers—whatever you need to be warm and still work hard.

Plus, pants are more practical for wearing on breaks, for commuting in the cold and they’re easy to put on and take off. They also take up less space when transporting to and from work. Pants are also a great substitute for those who currently wear low-cut bib overalls.

Insulated work pants might be the best choice for you if:

• Your lower half tends to feel colder than your upper body. Insulated work pants let you add warmth where you need it, not where you don’t.
• You spend most of your shift walking. Generating body heat through frequent movement means you don't need as much core protection as those who aren't as active.
• You spend most of your shift bent over boxes or equipment. For example, selectors and production employees in cold storage environments are often more comfortable in pants because they are frequently bending at the waist.

You might want to consider other options if:

• You find that wearing a jacket limits your movement. If you’re always lifting supplies or tools, you might find that wearing a jacket with your work pants keeps you warm, but it slows you down. An insulated sweatshirt under insulated work overalls would give your arms and shoulders a greater range of motion.
• You are less active on the job. For example, those who sit to operate machinery may find cold creeping in the gap between their jacket and pants and need greater protection for their core.
• You have health issues that make you more vulnerable to the cold. People with poor circulation, for example, feel the cold more intensely.

Pros and Cons of Insulated Bib Overalls

Insulated bib overalls, or bibs for short, offer lower body protection *and* core protection. Unlike pants, which are just for the lower body, or coveralls, which offer full-body protection, work bibs stretch from your legs to your chest while leaving your arms or shoulders free. You get unbroken protection for your chest, back, and waist all the way down to your ankles.

This continuous coverage means no cracks for cold to creep in and better protection for your core and vital organs.

Insulated bib overalls might be the best choice for you if:

• You really need your arms free. If you still need protection from the cold but jackets aren’t the most comfortable for you, a thick hoodie under work bibs gives you warmth for your upper and lower body without limiting use of your arms.
• You’re short…or you’re tall. Most work bibs have adjustable straps, so you can tighten them up if the pants feel a little long or loosen the straps to make sure you’ve got enough length for a good seal around your work boots.
• You are less active on the job. If you’re driving a forklift or operating heavy machinery, your body is too still to generate much of its own heat, but you’re also feeling the wind chill from moving equipment. Insulated bib overalls paired with an insulated jacket will block out cold from neck to ankles.

You might want to consider other options if:

• You spend your entire shift bent over boxes or equipment. Wearing insulated bib overalls adds protection for your upper body, but some folks find them constricting when frequently bending over. Look for low-bib overalls that are lower in the front and higher in the back, or stick to insulated work pants.
• You spend most of your shift walking or working up a sweat. When your body generates it’s own heat, you don’t need as much insulated workwear to stay warm.

Shop Insulated Work Pants

RefrigiWear offers work pants in several material types and temperature ranges, so you can find what works best for you.

Shop Insulated Bib Overalls

Like our insulated work pants, RefrigiWear offers a range of bib overalls for work so you can find the best one for the job.

Ultimately, the best protection depends on your preferences. Choose the fit and warmth that helps you stay a rockstar at work, no matter the conditions.