Choosing The Right Winter Workwear From Drizzle to Deluge

When the weather turns, choosing foul weather workwear can appear straightforward: find something waterproof, put it on and get to work.

In reality, the right solution depends on the job being done, the conditions the wearer is likely to face and how long they will be exposed to them.

Someone moving between a vehicle and site buildings in occasional showers has very different requirements to somebody working outdoors for an entire shift in driving rain. Likewise, a worker carrying out a highly physical task may need a very different combination of warmth and breathability to somebody working in a more static role.

The answer is not simply more protection. It is the right protection for the job at hand.

Start with the weather

Leo Workwear categorises foul weather protection according to the level of exposure it is designed to deal with:

Drizzle, Rain and Deluge.

Drizzle

For lighter, intermittent conditions, a full waterproof outer layer may be unnecessary.

The Buckland Softshell (SJ01) provides a versatile option for changeable weather, offering protection against light showers while remaining comfortable and flexible enough to wear throughout the working day.

A softshell can be particularly useful for active roles, where comfort and freedom of movement are just as important as protection from occasional wet weather.

Rain

When exposure becomes more sustained, it is time to move to dedicated foul weather protection.

The Leo range available through Lyreco Intersafe includes the Tawstock Anorak (A01) and Chivenor Bomber Jacket (J01), which can be paired with the Appledore Overtrouser (L01) when lower-body protection is also required.

These garments provide a practical solution for workers who regularly encounter wet weather without necessarily needing the higher-performance fabrics designed for prolonged exposure to the most demanding conditions.

Deluge

For workers who cannot simply head indoors when the rain becomes heavier, foul weather protection needs to work considerably harder.

Leo’s Deluge range includes higher-performance options such as the Clovelly Anorak (A04) and Marisco Anorak (A20), together with complementary lower-body protection including the Instow (L02) and Lundy (L20) overtrousers and Northam Bib & Brace (BB01).

The range also includes full-body coverall options CVL03 and CV02, while the Rosemoor Women’s Jacket (JL04) and Hannaford Women’s Overtrouser (LL02) provide foul weather protection specifically designed around a female fit.

The important point is that the level of protection should reflect the expected exposure. Specifying the highest level for everybody regardless of the task can add unnecessary weight, insulation or cost; under-specifying protection can leave workers wet and uncomfortable long before their shift has finished.

Waterproof doesn’t necessarily mean warm

One of the most important distinctions when selecting winter workwear is between weather protection and thermal protection.

They are not the same thing.

An outer layer’s primary job is to provide a barrier against wind and rain. Warmth can then be adjusted underneath it according to the temperature, the activity level and the individual wearer.

This is where a proper layering system becomes particularly effective:

Base layer: manages moisture next to the skin.

Mid layer: provides insulation and helps regulate body temperature.

Outer layer: provides protection from wind and rain.

Rather than relying on one very heavy winter coat for every situation, layering allows wearers to add or remove insulation as conditions and activity levels change.

A worker carrying out strenuous activity may be comfortable in an uninsulated or mesh-lined waterproof shell with a relatively light layer beneath it. Someone spending long periods working more statically in cold conditions may require considerably more insulation.

The waterproof requirement could be exactly the same. The warmth requirement is not.

Build a system, not just an outfit

Some Leo garments have been designed specifically to make this approach easier.

The Buckland SJ01, for example, can be worn independently as a softshell in lighter weather or used as a mid layer with compatible Leo foul weather garments. Selected outer layers, including the Clovelly A04, incorporate Leo’s interactive zip system so compatible mid layers can be zipped directly into the outer shell.

This creates flexibility across the season.

A single outer jacket can provide wet-weather protection, while the insulation underneath can change as temperatures rise and fall. It can also help organisations avoid issuing multiple bulky jackets intended for slightly different conditions.

The principle remains the same whether the mid layer is zipped into the jacket or worn independently: separate the requirement for warmth from the requirement for waterproof protection.

Don’t forget the lower half

Foul weather protection should also be considered as a complete system.

A highly waterproof jacket can only do so much if trousers underneath become saturated during prolonged rain. For more exposed roles, waterproof overtrousers or bib-and-brace garments can be just as important as the jacket itself.

Factors such as the amount of movement required, ease of getting the garment on and off, the need to wear it over work trousers and the level of coverage required should all form part of the specification.

Protection matched to the job

There is no single perfect winter jacket because there is no single winter working environment.

The right questions are:

How much rain will the wearer realistically face?
How long will they be exposed to it?
How active will they be?
How much warmth do they need?
Do they require upper-body protection only, or complete foul weather coverage?

Answer those questions first and selecting the right garment becomes much easier.

From a versatile softshell for the occasional shower to high-performance waterproof clothing for workers facing the worst of the British winter, Leo Workwear and Lyreco Intersafe offer protection designed around the conditions people actually work in.

Content created in partnership with Leo Workwear.