In this article we discuss the best work jackets for mechanics. Most mechanic jackets tend to be collared jackets. Some jackets for mechanics will have a lightweight warmth, while others will have full insulation and lining for premium warmth.
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Here are the 8 Best Work Jackets for Mechanics:
- Dickies Men’s Insulated Eisenhower Front-Zip Jacket (click here to view)
- Red Kap Men’s Slash Pocket Jacket (click here to view)
- Carhartt Detroit Blanket-Lined Jacket (click here to view)
- Walls Men’s Amarillo Vintage Duck Cotton Twill Jacket (click here to view)
- Red Kap Men’s Perma Lined Panel Jacket (click here to view)
- Dickies Men’s Water Resistant Diamond Quilted Nylon Jacket (click here to view)
- Carhartt Men’s Full Swing Armstrong Jacket (click here to view)
- *Women’s* Dickies Women’s Eisenhower Jacket (click here to view)
This list contains a lot of jackets made by familiar workwear jacket brands. Dickies and Red Kap are very popular brands for mechanics, and they also make several types of industrial shirts and pants that are often worn in mechanic shops.
In this article, let’s take a closer look at the jackets for mechanics on this list so you can have a better idea which one will work for you. Although they all can work as mechanic jackets, they do have significant differences.
Best Work Jackets for Mechanics
Dickies Men’s Insulated Eisenhower Front-Zip Jacket
This is one of the jackets on this list that I personally own. To me, it’s exactly what I think of when I think of an industrial-style jacket for mechanics.
This is what this Dickies Men’s Insulated Eisenhower Front-Zip Jacket looks like:
This is the current price of this Dickies industrial jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). In my experience, this jacket fits true to size.
- Material – The shell of this jacket is constructed of 65% polyester and 35% cotton twill, which makes it wrinkle resistant and easily machine washable with minimal shrinkage. It is also vat-dyed, which gives it excellent color retention. This jacket has a double brass zipper front closure. This is not a flame-resistant jacket.
- Type of Lining – A quilted nylon taffeta lining lends itself to a lightweight degree of warmth. You can also buy this jacket in an unlined version.
- Pockets – Jacket features slash front welt pockets as well as a hidden interior pocket (see photo below). There is also a pencil pocket located on the left sleeve.
- Water Resistance – Yes, this jacket is water-resistant. Don’t expect it to take on a monsoon, but it will repel light precipitation to help keep you dry.
- Fit – A waist-length, classic fit that is cut true to size and generous throughout the chest and shoulders. There are adjustable tabs at the waistband as well as a two-piece sleeve with a one-button cuff. Don’t expect this jacket to go past your waist.
Here’s a look at my Dickies Eisenhower jacket:
Click here to buy this Dickies Men’s Insulated Eisenhower Jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This is not a flame-resistant jacket. To read more about sizing, visit our article about Dickies Jacket Sizing.
Red Kap Men’s Slash Pocket Jacket
Red Kap is a brand that many mechanics prefer to wear, and they make several jackets for mechanics. One thing I really like about Red Kap mechanic jackets is they do a good job of making sure to limit the amount of exposed zippers and buttons. This helps reduce the chance of scratching a paint job.
This is what this Red Kap Men’s Slash Pocket Jacket looks like:
This is the current price of this Red Kap mechanic’s jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This is not a flame-resistant jacket. Expect it to fit true to size.
- Material – Offered in five colors, this jacket’s shell is made with a 65%/35% blend of polyester and cotton. It is both machine washable and wrinkle resistant. It also has a solid brass zipper closure.
- Type of Lining – The quilted lining and insulation of this jacket are both 100% polyester, which makes it excellent for colder temperatures.
- Pockets – There are inset slash pockets as well as a utility pocket on the left sleeve. There are no interior pockets.
- Water Resistance – This jacket is not water resistant.
- Fit – This is a waist-length jacket that is true to size. Adjustable tabs at the waist allow for the perfect fit. The sleeves have a one-button cuff.
Like I mentioned at the top, Red Kap makes a lot of “Zero Scratch” jackets that remove the risk of scratching a paint job. This is an important feature on jackets for mechanics.
That said, because this jacket has a zipper, it is not a “Zero Scratch” jacket. But regardless, it still does a good job minimizing buttons and making sure the zipper isn’t dangling around looking for something to scratch.
Click here to buy this Red Kap mechanics jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Again, Red Kap has several styles of workwear jackets for mechanics.
Carhartt Detroit Blanket-Lined Jacket
Carhartt is a brand that many workers like to wear. Carhartt is famous for their hooded active jackets, but they also have several collared jackets.
This is what the Carhartt Detroit Blanket-Lined Jacket looks like:
This is the current price of this Carhartt Detroit jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This will be more of a heavyweight jacket than the first two options.
- Material – The 12-Ounce, 100% ring-spun cotton duck construction of this jacket lends itself to excellent durability. It is machine washable with a zipper closure and features a corduroy collar with under-collar snaps for an optional hood.
- Type of Lining – This jacket features a blanket lining in the body and quilted nylon lining in the sleeves, allowing for optimal warmth while working in colder climates. To find out where the blanket lining ranks in Carhartt linings, visit our article about the warmest Carhartt jackets.
- Fit – Fits true to size in most cases and is also available in big and tall sizes. To read more about sizing, visit our article about Carhartt Jacket Sizing.
- Pockets – There is a left-chest pocket with a zipper closure in addition to two lower front pockets on the outside of the jacket. Two inside pockets, one with a zipper closure, gives you a place to store essentials.
This jacket uses the traditional cotton duck, which has a durable canvas feel. Many people prefer this cotton duck canvas in a work jacket because it can stand up to a tough environment. If you are looking for a Carhartt bomber style jacket with no attached hood, this is the closest you will get in my opinion.
Duck cotton canvas can take a while to break in due to stiffness. If you want to skip that process, you can look for a pre-washed Sandstone duck cotton shell. The Sandstone duck by Carhartt is pre-washed to help break it in.
Click here to buy this Carhartt Detroit Blanket-Lined Jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Again, expect this jacket to fit true to size. This is not a flame resistant jacket.
Walls Men’s Amarillo Vintage Duck Cotton Twill Jacket
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 their Vintage Amarillo jacket. This is what it looks like:
This is the current price of this Walls Amarillo workwear jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This jacket fits true to size.
- Material – This is a sanded, stonewashed cotton duck material. It has a vintage, years-old appearance, which is cool. Triple-needle stitching gives it durability that lasts. A corduroy collar tops off the look. This is not a flame resistant jacket.
- Type of Lining – There is a polyester plaid printed fleece lining which is warm enough to take on winter. It’s also machine washable.
- Pockets – A notable feature is the dual chest pockets with pencil sheath. The right pocket has a snap closure for storing essentials. There are two interior pockets on the upper and lower left side. One thing I really like about this jacket is it has insulated hand pockets (too many work jackets don’t have insulated pockets).
- Fit – This jacket falls just below the belt buckle. Sturdy metal snap buttons make up the front closure as well as the cuff closures, which are adjustable.
The outer shell is a pre-washed cotton duck fabric. As we discussed earlier, the benefit of a pre-washed shell is it has a more broken-in feeling on the first wear.
Click here to buy this Walls Amarillo work jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This jacket is triple-needle stitched for durability. This article is property of workwearcommand.com.
Red Kap Men’s Perma Lined Panel Jacket
As we discussed earlier, Red Kap is a great brand for mechanics and other types of industrial labor. Their jackets have a professional appearance, and limit zippers and buttons.
This is what the Red Kap Men’s Perma Lined Panel Jacket looks like:
This is the current price of this Red Kap mechanic’s jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
- Material – A blend of 65% polyester and 35% cotton make this jacket ideal for those who value the convenience of easy care. Machine washable and wrinkle-resistant, it also has a brass ratcheting zipper closure.
- Type of Lining – The quilted lining and insulation of the jacket are both 100% polyester, which making it a superb option for spring and fall.
- Pockets – Two hand pockets on the seams along with a utility pocket on the left sleeve help give this jacket a very streamlined appearance. This style does not have any interior pockets.
- Water Resistance – This jacket is not water resistant.
- Fit – Available in sizes up to 6XL and regular, long, and extra-long lengths, there is something available for just about anyone. A roomy fit in the chest and arms makes it ideal for layering in the colder months. Hip-length jacket.
Click here to buy this Red Kap Men’s Perma Lined Panel Jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This is not a flame-resistant jacket.
Dickies Men’s Water Resistant Diamond Quilted Nylon Jacket
This is another jacket that I own. This jacket is more of a softshell jacket than the other jackets on this list. If you prefer something lightweight and super comfortable, this is a nice option. It does have decent warmth too.
This is what this Dickies Men’s Water Resistant Diamond Quilted Nylon Jacket looks like:
This is the current price of this Dickies jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). In my experience, this jacket fits true to size.
- Material – This jacket’s shell is made of nylon. The collar, cuffs, and back waist are constructed of a comfortable rib knit. A zipper front closure rounds out the look. This jacket is not flame-resistant.
- Type of Lining – A polyester/cotton jersey knit blend makes the inside of this jacket comfortably soft and warm. It’s also machine washable, so laundering away the day’s mess is a breeze.
- Pockets – This jacket offers two generously-sized hand warmer pockets. I like these pockets because they are sort of pouch pockets. There are no interior pockets.
- Water Resistance – A key feature of this jacket is its ability to repel water. This jacket will stand up to light precipitation and help keep you dry.
- Fit – A spacious fit with plenty of room for layering underneath. In my experience, this jacket fits true to size.
I own this quilted bomber jacket in a couple different colors. This is my go-to soft-shell work jacket.
Click here to buy this Dickies Men’s Water Resistant Diamond Quilted Nylon Jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). As you can see, this jacket will fall to about your waistline.
Carhartt Men’s Full Swing Armstrong Jacket
Carhartt has a line of “Full Swing” jackets that use stretch panel gussets to open up freedom of movement through the shoulders and arms. This may come in very useful in a mechanic’s jacket.
This is what the Carhartt Men’s Full Swing Armstrong Jacket looks like:
This is the current price of this Carhartt Men’s Full Swing Armstrong Jacket (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
- Material – A heavyweight, 12-Ounce 100% ring-spun washed cotton duck gives this jacket durability that lasts. It has a corduroy-trimmed collar and internal rib-knit storm cuffs.
- Type of Lining – This jacket features a warm, 100% polyester fleece lining. A full front zipper closure with inner storm flap gives extra protection from the elements. Everything is reinforced by triple-stitched main seams.
- Pockets – There are a total of four pockets. One left chest pocket with zipper and two lower front pockets as well as an interior pocket.
- Water Resistance – This jacket is not water resistant. This is also not a flame resistant jacket.
- Full Swing – This is a Carhartt Full Swing Jacket, which means it uses gusset panels to add range of motion. There is a stretch panel between the shoulders for increased ability to use your arms. Additionally, there is more room to bend in the elbows and stretch panels under the arms.
Click here to buy this Carhartt Men’s Full Swing Armstrong Jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Not all jackets for mechanics have a bi-swing back, so this is a nice option if you prefer a lot of freedom of movement through your shoulders.
**In this article we discussed the best jackets for mechanics. To read about work shirts, visit our article about the best shirts for mechanics. To read about coveralls, visit our article about the best jumpsuits for mechanics.