In this article we discuss work jacket brands comparable to Carhartt so that you know what Carhartt alternative brands you have to choose from if you are shopping for tough work jackets like Carhartt. I personally like the Dri-Duck Cheyenne Jacket which has an ultra-comfortable pre-washed canvas shell that doesn’t feel stiff to wear.
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These are my choices for the best Carhartt alternatives:
- DRI-DUCK Men’s Cheyenne Jacket (click here to view)
- Filson Lined Tin Cloth Cruiser Jacket (click here to view)
- Tecovas Men’s Buckaroo Duck Canvas Jacket (click here to view)
- Dickies Men’s Sanded Duck Sherpa-Lined Hooded Jacket (click here to view)
- Berne Original Hooded Duck Jacket (click here to view)
- Walls Super Duck Bomber Jacket (click here to view)
- Caterpillar Men’s Heavy Insulated Parka (click here to view)
- Wolverine Overman Fleece Lined Duck Canvas Jacket (click here to view)
- Round House Duck Hooded Jacket (click here to view)
- Red Kap Men’s Blended Duck Zip Front Hooded Jacket (click here to view)
- Wrangler Riggs Workwear Men’s Utility Hooded Jacket (click here to view)
- *Women’s* Dickies Insulated Eisenhower Jacket (click here to view)
- *Women’s* Dickies Sanded Duck Hooded Jacket (click here to view)
There are several brands like Carhartt, but of course it is important to understand that Carhartt is widely considered to be one of the most premium brands for winter workwear. Choosing to buy a Carhartt winter jacket is never a bad idea.
That said, there are other brands that also make quality and dependable outerwear, and depending on your budget and specific needs, some of these brands might make more sense.
My favorite Carhartt alternative brand is DRI-DUCK (based in Kansas). Their Cheyenne Jacket is very similar in build to Carhartt jackets (same canvas bomber style). Here I am wearing my DRI-DUCK Cheyenne Jacket:
In the article below, we discuss some of the best Carhartt alternatives so that you can decide if any of these brands will work for you. Although there are many types of work jackets and coats on the market, Carhartt is famous for the tough Duck canvas outerwear that is both warm and dependable. They are especially famous for their duck active jackets:
In this article, let’s focus as much as we can on Carhartt brand alternatives that also produce these tough cotton canvas work jackets like Carhartt does, many of which have a similar style to the hooded active jackets that Carhartt makes. For more options, visit our article about the best winter work jackets.
Best Carhartt Alternatives
Brands Like Carhartt
Again, we are in search of brands like Carhartt, that specialize in making tough, dependable canvas work jackets. There is no doubt that Carhartt is a premium brand for work outerwear, but there are some very good alternatives brands.
As I mentioned earlier, I like Dri-Duck. It is based in Kansas and has a very comfortable hooded work jacket (called the Cheyenne Jacket) that doesn’t feel stiff to wear. Let’s start by discussing mine.
#1 DRI-DUCK
DRI-DUCK is an outdoor and work apparel company headquartered in Kansas (source). In regards to work jackets, they hang their hat on making durable canvas jackets that also have a worn-in comfort from the very first time you put it on. They don’t believe in stiff outerwear.
Their most popular jacket, the Dri Duck Cheyenne Jacket, is very similar in appearance to the famous Carhartt Active Jackets. Here’s what mine looks like:
This is the current price the Dri Duck Cheyenne Jacket at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). The Cheyenne jacket is a full front-zip jacket that has a comfortable, but durable outer canvas, warm inner-lining, insulated hood, and a cuffed waist that traps in warmth and pairs easily with a tool belt.
This DRI-Duck Cheyenne Jacket is my favorite Carhartt alternative. It is worth noting that, in my experience, the Dri Duck Cheyenne Jacket doesn’t fit quite as loose as Carhartt Jackets do.
Here is a look at my Dri Duck Cheyenne Jacket sitting on top of my Carhartt J140 Jacket:
As you can see above, the Dri Duck Cheyenne Jacket isn’t quite as bulky as the Carhartt J140 jacket. If you like a baggy fit for your work jackets, it might be best to size up the Dri Duck Cheyenne Jacket.
I also like the Dri Duck Outlaw Jacket. The Dri Duck Outlaw Jacket is jacket is one of those versatile jackets that can be used both on and off the clock. It is a canvas jacket with a sort of trucker-style design.
The Outlaw jacket is not hooded, featuring instead a corduroy collar that gives it a bit more style. This jacket does have the heavyweight nylon quilt lining to keep you warm and a cotton canvas exterior to stand up at a work site.
Ultimately, if you are looking for brands like Carhartt, my suggestion is to start with Dri-Duck. They produce a wide range of workwear that can fit very specific needs.
Click here to buy the Dri Duck Cheyenne Jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). If you want to read more about how Dri Duck compares to Carhartt, visit our article Dri Duck vs Carhartt.
#2 Walls
Walls originally began in the 1930’s as a company specializing in coveralls for the US oil industry and has transformed into one of the most dependable workwear brands on the market (source). Their jackets are tough, warm, and versatile.
One of their most popular jackets is the Walls Vintage Amarillo Jacket.
This is the current price of this Walls Amarillo Jacket avaialbe at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This jacket is designed very similarly to the Carhartt Detroit Jacket, and might be a nice Carhartt alternative.
This jacket has a durable canvas shell that has been pre-sanded and pre-washed to help break it in so it isn’t stiff. There is a warm fleece lining and corduroy accent collar. This is a nice option for those of you looking for something tough and warm without a bulky hood in the way.
I also like the Walls Super Duck Bomber Jacket that is designed very much like the Carhartt Active Jackets (best Carhartt Bomber Jackets). Ultimately, when looking for brands like Carhartt, Walls tradition will always make it a nice alternative to Carhartt. You can buy from Walls with confidence knowing they’ve spent decades perfecting their craft.
#3 Berne
The Berne brand of workwear has been around since 1915. Founded in the small town of Berne, Indiana, they set out to make comfortable and dependable workwear for American farmers. Today they’ve evolved into a company that supplies all sorts of workwear, and they offer tough jackets like Carhartt does.
The Berne Original Hooded Duck Jacket is as clean and classic as it gets.
This is the current price of the Berne Original Hooded Jacket at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). If you are just looking for a Carhartt alternative that is tough and dependable, but also just has a clean, simple, classic look, then this is the jacket for you.
Just like the Carhartt Active Jackets, this Berne Jacket is a full-front zip, hooded, with heavyweight insulation, handwarmer pockets, and a cuffed waist. It has the triple-stitched main seams for durability, an inside zip-pocket to store essentials, and just the classic work-jacket style which makes it a fine Carhartt replacement.
#4 Dickies
Dickies is a well-known name in workwear, and since its beginnings as a small Texas-based bib company in the 1920’s, has now grown to become the largest workwear manufacturer in the entire world (source).
In my opinion, Dickies’ best outerwear is their lightweight jackets, which are perfect for spring/fall temperatures and/or if you plan to layer a hoodie underneath for winter temperatures. They make several nice mid to light-weight work jackets that are perfect both for work and casual settings (more on that in a second).
The Dickies coat that most resembles the iconic Carhartt winter active jackets is the Dickies Sanded Duck Jacket. Click here to view it available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This jacket has a durable duck cotton canvas shell and has a Sherpa fleece lining for warmth, and is a full front zip with attached hood.
As I mentioned earlier, Dickies makes several popular types of mid to light-weight work jackets that can also double as casual jackets. One of the most popular versions is their iconic Insulated Eisenhower Jacket. Here’s what mine looks like:
This is the current price of this Dickies Eisenhower Jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This jacket has a trucker style that might be a nice fit for mechanics and service technicians. It is a collared jacket with a clean front (no hood). It doubles perfectly as a jacket you can wear for a casual night out.
To read more about how Carhartt and Dickies jackets compare, visit our article Carhartt vs Dickies. Ultimately, when looking for brands like Carhartt, it is hard not to consider Dickies. These brands both make dependable workwear, but if you look closely, there are significant differences in style and products.
#5 Wolverine
When looking for brands like Carhartt, it is hard not to mention Wolverine. When you think of Wolverine, you may think first of work boots, but they also do make a Cotton Duck Canvas work jacket that is a great Carhartt alternative.
This is the current price of this Wolverine Lockhart Jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). If you are just looking for a Carhartt alternative that is tough and dependable, but also just has a clean, simple, classic look, then this is the jacket for you.
The Wolverine Lockhart Jacket combines the durable duck canvas shell with Wolverine’s MotionMAX fabric and a bi-swing paneled back to make this jacket not only tough, but very easy to move around in.
This jacket has a brushed polyester lining that also continues into the hood. It is a front-zip jacket with a drop tail back for added coverage. One very cool detail about this jacket is it has magnetic pockets, which make them easy to open and close even with work gloves on.
#6 Levi’s
Levi’s is an established and trusted name for American workwear, namely jeans, but they do offer workwear jackets, including a duck cotton canvas work jacket.
Their Cotton Canvas Hoody Bomber Jacket with full Sherpa lining gives you a warm, Carhartt alternative duck canvas jacket from a trusted brand like Levi’s. Click here to view this jacket at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Another very popular Levi’s jacket is the Levi’s Four-Pocket Hooded Jacket, that comes with a built-in hoodie layering. This is one of those versatile type jackets that can function both as a work and as a casual jacket. Very warm with full-front zip. The inner lining is actually removable so this jacket can be used in the spring/fall also.
#7 Red Kap
Red Kap is another brand like Carhartt. They have been focused on making high-quality workwear since the early parts of the 20th century. They got their start in bibs, but have transformed into all areas of workwear, including jackets.
The Red Kap Duck Zip-Front Hooded Jacket gives you a traditional alternative to Carhartt. Click here to view this Red Kap Jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
This Red Kap jacket is a classic take on workwear. Clean, simple, and dependable. This isn’t the jacket for all the bells and whistles. This is the jacket if you are just looking for a dependable brand to help you get the job done.
Classic styling on this cotton canvas jacket, features the front zip, traditional hand-warmer pockets, and an insulated hood. The outer shell is the dependable, stain-resistant, 10-ounce duck that can stand up to harsh work conditions.
#8 Wrangler
When you think of Wrangler, you think of denim, specifically jeans. Wrangler does also have a wide range of outerwear, including the Wrangler RIGGS collection which is a specific type of outerwear geared towards workers.
The Wrangler RIGGS Utility Jacket is a very similar style to Carhartt’s active jackets. Click here to view this Wrangler Jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
The Wrangler RIGGS Utitlity Jacket is a full-front zip, with an insulated hood and a cuffed waist. It is made with ripstop fabric and has 100g Polyfiber Insulation. If Wrangler is a name you trust for jeans, then consider this jacket if you are searching for Carhartt alternatives.
#9 Catepillar
Like Wolverine earlier in the article, Catepillar is a name very familiar to workers, but mainly for their boots. Catepillar does make a lot of outerwear for workers also. The only reason they aren’t higher on this list is they make a different style of workwear jackets compared to Carhartt.
Most Carhartt jackets and coats have that tough, duck cotton canvas outer shell fabric. Caterpillar is a bit different. Many of their jackets have a polyester outer shell (which some people actually prefer over the stiff canvas feeling). If you prefer this style, visit our article about soft shell work jackets.
Caterpillar jackets are still very dependable and quite popular, but if you are looking for a jacket very similar to Carhartt (with the canvas feeling) these jackets won’t give you that. But if you are just looking for ultra-warm workwear, then Caterpillar does have several options for you to choose from.
One very popular option is their Heavy-Insulated Parka. Click here to view this Caterpillar Parka Work Coat available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This parka has heavyweight, quilted insulation. It is wind-proof and water-resistant. It comes with a detachable hood and has a drop tail that gives you coverage past the waist.
This parka also has several pockets both inside and out to give you plenty of storage space. For safety purposes, it also has reflective webbing on both the front and back in case you will be working in low-light conditions.
Ultimately, when looking for brands like Carhartt, even though Catepillar makes a different type of work jacket, they are still worth considering. Many workers actually prefer this style of outerwear.
#10 Cornerstone
Cornerstone is a relatively new name in workwear, having launched in 2005. They do make a cotton canvas hooded jacket that is very similar in style to the Carhartt active jackets.
It has 12-ounce, 100% cotton duck outer shell fabric, and has polyester tricot lining for insulation and warmth. This jacket has the classic cuffed-waist, front-zip style famous to active workwear.
It has the triple-stitched main seams and features an interior zip-pocket to store essentials. If you are turning over every stone in search of Carhartt alternatives, it is worth at least checking this jacket out and seeing where its price point fits in your budget.
***Do you need summer work pants? Visit our article about the best work pants for hot weather.