Work is not fun. We all know this. But work can become absolutely brutal if you’re not comfortable. The good news is, there are several ways to help improve the comfort of your work day. Let’s take a closer look at 10 options you have to make your work day more comfortable.
Crotch Gusset
A crotch gusset is a diamond-shaped piece of material that is sewn into the crotch area on a pair of work pants. The gusset provides extra space through the crotch area so that when you bend and crouch, you won’t feel the pinch.
Here’s a look at a crotch gusset in a pair of summer work pants I own:
Crotch gussets also make driving a bit more comfortable and can help the seems of your pants hold up longer over time.
If you are interested in using a crotch gusset for your job, visit our article about the best gusseted crotch work pants. If you prefer to wear jeans on the job, visit our article about the best gusseted crotch jeans.
Stretch Fabric
Buying work pants and work shirts that use a stretch fabric blend is another way to add some comfort to an active work day. There are actually a lot of work pants on the market today that use a stretch fabric blend.
These pants often have a small amount of spandex blended in with cotton to give them that flexible feeling. Even some types of canvas work pants have spandex blended in. Here’s a pair of flex Carhartt pants that I own:
I like these pants because they give you a compromise between toughness and comfort. The fabric still holds up on the job, but the stretch blend allows for easier bending and crouching. It also makes the waistband more comfortable.
To read more about flexible work pants, and what types might be best for your job, visit our article about the best stretch work pants.
Relaxed Fit
Wearing work pants that have a relaxed, loose fit is another important way to ensure that you have plenty of space to move around and operate while working. Tighter pants can restrict your freedom of movement and be a nuisance while making you feel uncomfortable.
Although the majority of work pants come in a loose or relaxed fit, there are some popular options that might work best. To read about loose fit work pants, visit our article about the best loose fit work pants.
Wedge Sole Boots
Wedge sole boots (also known as flat sole boots) use a flat outsole to help evenly distribute stress across the bottom of the foot. One drawback to traditional square-heel work boots is the elevated heel causes stress to centralize on the heel and toe pad of your foot.
One way to combat this is to use these wedge sole boots. These boots are really helpful if you spend all day standing on a factory floor. Here’s a look at a pair of my wedge sole Thorogood moc toe boots:
Here’s the thing with wedge sole boots: they’re not made for rugged terrain. If you work on uneven terrain, you will probably want to stick with a square heel that can help you find traction in case of a slip.
Wedge sole boots are best used on smooth surfaces like concrete, tile, plywood or packed dirt. But if you work on a factory floor, this is a great option to help take some of the stress off your feet during a long day of work.
To read more about wedge boots, visit our article about the best flat sole work boots.
Hiker boots
Modern day, many companies have started to make work boots that are a sort of hybrid between a hiking boot and a work boot. They kind of have the appearance of a sneaker, but have more durable material and outsoles than regular sneakers.
I actually wear the Danner Vicious boots a lot, and they are a sort of hiker work boot. They are flexible and don’t feel like a bulky, traditional work boot.
If you absolutely cannot stand traditional work boots, buying a hiker work boot can often give you a boot that weighs a little less, has more flexibility, and still provides you with the toughness needed for most jobs.
Seasonal Pants
If you work in a climate that has harsh seasons, it’s very important to find work pants that match the season. Here’s what you need to know:
- Summer – If shorts won’t work for your job, summer can be brutal. The good news is there are pants out there that are built for summer work. In fact, I own several of them. To read more, visit our article about the best summer work pants.
- Winter – You have two options for pants to help you warm up during winter work. You can buy a pair of flannel-lined work pants, or a pair of fleece-lined work pants. In my experience, fleece is warmer, but flannel is more breathable. To read more, visit our article about the best winter work pants.
Seasonal Shirts
Likewise, it’s just as important to make sure you are wearing a work shirt that is appropriate for the season. For winter, having a solid work hoodie that you leave in your truck for when the weather turns bad is important.
For summer, there are certain types of shirts that are more suited for hot weather work:
- Short Sleeve – I prefer to wear a Dickies cooling shirt in the summer. There are several companies that provide either a cooling t-shirt, or a breathable moisture wicking t-shirt for work. To see our full list of recommendations, visit our article about the best work t-shirts for hot weather.
- Long-Sleeve – You also have several quality options for summer even if you prefer a long sleeve work shirt. There are quality long sleeve t-shirt options, and quality long-sleeve button up shirt options. To see our favorites, visit our article about the best long sleeve work shirts for summer.
Cooling Vest
Cooling vests might not work for all jobs, but if you are outside in the baking heat, and need some relief, these can help. Here’s a look at the cooling vest that I own:
In short, these types of vest help regulate your body temperature through the evaporation process. No, these won’t make a 100 degree day feel like spring, but they will provide a little relief, and we all know a little bit can go a long ways on a brutal summer day.
Knee Pad Inserts
Have you considered using knee pads on the job? For some people, wearing strap on knee pads can be a huge nuisance. They often don’t stay in place and constantly need to be adjusted.
If you don’t want to wear strap-on knee pads, but would like knee pads for when you work on your knees, consider buying work pants with knee pad pockets. These pants use knee pad inserts to bring relief when you work on your knees.
I tend to prefer these types of knee pads because I don’t have to adjust them as often. If you want to read more, visit our article about the best work pants with knee pads.
Shoe Inserts
I’ve made the mistake over the years of wearing work boots way too long. One thing that wears out all too quickly in work boots are the inserts. Buying gel inserts can be a life saver and add extra comfort to your boots.
How much this helps will depend on the quality of work boots you bought in the first place. For cheap boots, it can dramatically improve the comfort by adding in a simple gel insert to provide extra relief.