In this article we discuss the best work jackets made in the USA. In recent decades, most work apparel companies have moved their productions overseas. This may reduce cost, but it often also reduces quality. The good news is, there are still a few work jackets made in the USA.
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Here are my choices for the best work jackets made in the USA:
- Carhartt Men’s Quilted Flannel-Lined Duck J140 Jacket (click here to view)
- Filson Mackinaw Wool USA Cruiser Jacket (click here to view)
- Tellason Stock Made in USA Chore Jacket (click here to view)
- Carhartt Men’s Thermal-Lined Duck J131 Jacket (click here to view)
- Filson Flannel Lined Denim Cruiser Jacket (click here to view)
- Ciano Farmer Denim Co. Handmade Jackets (click here to view)
- Railcar Fine Goods USA Wax Duck Chore Coat (click here to view)
- Filson Mackinaw Wool Work Jacket (click here to view)
- *Women’s* Railcar Fine Goods USA Chore Jacket (click here to view)
- *Women’s* American Giant Roughneck Jacket (click here to view)
Although the selection of USA work jackets is limited, it’s nice to see well-known workwear brands like Carhartt and Filson make the list. I personally have owned several versions of the Carhartt J140 jacket over the years.
Not all Carhartt jackets are made in the USA, but the three listed above are. Carhartt makes an attempt to still produce some of their workwear jackets here in the USA.
Although all of those three Carhartt jackets are work jackets, there are significant difference between the three as far as warmth. I will explain in further detail below as well as give you an idea what to expect from the other brands on this list.
Best Work Jackets Made in the USA
Carhartt USA Work Jackets
Carhartt is a well-known name in workwear and a brand that many workers already trust. Perhaps you already wear some Carhartt apparel.
It’s nice to have a major brand like this still produce some of their products here in the USA. Carhartt currently produces 2 different work jackets here in the USA:
- Carhartt J140 Firm Duck Quilted Flannel Hooded Jacket
- Carhartt J131 Duck Thermal-Lined Hooded Jacket
The first thing you need to understand about Carhartt jackets is they have a wide range of inner linings that all vary in warmth. This is a good thing so that you can pick a lining that best fits your climate.
We won’t do a deep dive in this article on the inner linings (if you want to read more, visit our article about the warmest Carhartt jacket). But I do want to just show you a table to give you a better idea how the linings differ in warmth (my opinion):
| Carhartt Lining | Warmth |
| Thermal | Lightweight Warmth |
| Fleece | Lightweight Warmth |
| Blanket | Medium Warmth |
| Quilted-Nylon | Medium Warmth |
| Sherpa | Warm |
| Quilted-Flannel | Very Warm |
| Arctic Insulation | Warmest |
The 2 Carhartt jackets made in the USA all have different linings. This is how they will rank as far as warmth:
- Carhartt J140 Firm Duck Quilted Flannel Hooded Jacket
- Carhartt J131 Duck Thermal-Lined Hooded Jacket
The J131 jacket is a thermal-lined jacket, and is best for mild winters. I wear the J140 jacket, and it is the warmest Carhartt jacket made in the USA. The quilted-flannel lining is both warm and comfortable. The J001 Detroit jacket has a blanket-lining, and it falls somewhere in between these other two jackets as far as warmth.
Carhartt also varies the outer shell fabric in its jackets, which can also impact the warmth of a jacket, but because these jackets all use a similar type of firm duck canvas fabric, we won’t go into detail on the outer shell fabric in this article.
You can expect the duck canvas to be tough and dependable. It may feel stiff at first, but it will break in over time.
Carhartt J140 Jacket
As I mentioned above, this is the Carhartt jacket that I wear the most. It is one of Carhartt’s warmest jackets, and it is the warmest work jacket that Carhartt makes here in the USA.
If you need an ultra-warm, tough work jacket, and want it to be made here in the USA, this is the jacket for you. Here’s a look at mine:
The quilted flannel lining is Carhartt’s second warmest lining and it is warm enough to take on most all US climates. I wear it for Kansas winters and it is plenty warm. Here’s what it looks like:
This is the current price of this Carhartt J140 jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). That quilted-flannel lining is very soft to the touch.
The outer shell fabric is a firm duck canvas. Yes, it will be a bit stiff at first, but give it time and it will break in and loosen up. That firm duck does provide some wind-resistance and is also water-repellent.
Don’t expect this jacket to hold off a monsoon, but it will repel light to moderate rain and snow:
This jacket has a built-in hood and a cuffed waist. The cuffed waist is particularly helpful if you plan to pair this jacket with a tool belt. There’s also an internal zip-close chest pocket so you can safely store essentials.
Overall, this is a great jacket and a great option if you’re looking for a work jacket made in the USA.
Click here to buy this Carhartt J140 jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). In my experience, this jacket fits true to size. To read more about this jacket, visit my Carhartt J140 Review.
Carhartt J131 Jacket
The Carhartt J131 Duck Thermal-Lined Jacket is similar in design to the J140 jacket we just discussed, only it uses a thermal-lining that is more suitable for mild winters.
Here’s what the J131 jacket looks like (multiple colors available):
This is the current price of this Carhartt J131 jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). Just like the J140 jacket we covered first, this J131 jacket has a built-in hood, a cuffed waist, an internal zip pocket, and a duck canvas outer-shell fabric.
Again, the difference comes down to the lining. Carhartt doesn’t assign a temperature rating to their jackets, so this is strictly my opinion from using Carhartt jackets and gear over the years.
I personally would call this a “mild winter jacket”. This is a nice winter work jacket for those who live in the southern US and experience some cold mornings and cold days, but very few extreme cold temperatures.
If you live in the northern US, and are looking for an everyday winter work jacket made in the USA, I’d personally stick with the warmer J140 jacket we covered first. This jacket, although warm, is not intended to be used in extreme conditions like some of Carhartt’s other jackets are (J140, J133).
This jacket does make for a perfect winter work jacket for southern US winters. Click here to buy this Carhartt J131 thermal-lined jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). To read more about fit, visit our article about Carhartt Jacket Sizing.
Carhartt J001 Detroit Jacket
Update – As of 2022, the Carhartt Detroit Jacket is no longer made in the USA
The Carhartt J001 Detroit jacket is designed a bit different than the first two Carhartt jackets we discussed. This Detroit jacket does not have a built-in hood or a cuffed waist. This is a collared jacket that is styled like a trucker jacket. Here’s what it looks like:
This jacket has that same firm, heavyweight duck cotton canvas outer shell fabric as the J140 jacket, which provides wind-resistance and also repels water.
This Carhartt Detroit jacket has a blanket-lining, which is warm enough for most US winters. It won’t be as warm as the J140 jacket, but it is going to fall in-between the J140 and the J131 jackets we discussed above (warmer lining than J131, not as warm as J140).
If you are facing extreme winter conditions in the northern US, I’d probably stick with the J140 jacket. But it also might come down to how you like a jacket to look. If you prefer a collared jacket, this is one of the few options you have that are made in the USA.
Ultimately, this is still a warm jacket. It may not be Carhartt’s absolute warmest, but it is still blanket-lined and quite warm.
Filson USA Work Jackets
Filson is a clothing company based in Seattle WA that has a deep-rooted tradition in providing heavy-duty dependable workwear. Their founder, C.C. Filson, opened shop in 1897 and, at that time, specialized in making ultra-tough, ultra-dependable clothing for stampeders heading north for the Klondike Gold Rush.
Making clothes that could hold up in the sub-freezing wilderness meant C.C. Filson couldn’t cut corners, and had to emphasize toughness and dependability. And although the Klondike Gold Rush has long since passed, that tradition of toughness and dependability has carried over to Filson’s current collection of workwear.
Filson has several USA made work jackets (not all Filson jackets are made in USA). I’d suggest considering the Filson Mackinaw Wool Jacket.
This Filson wool work jacket is made using 24-ounce Mackinaw wool. Filson’s Mackinaw wool comes from a small herd of sheep in the northwestern United States and Canada. Filson claims that their wool will absorb as much as 30% of its own weight in moisture without becoming damp, and they say the wool can be bent and flexed 20,000 times without breaking.
Round House American Made 12 oz Duck Jacket
Round House is the self proclaimed “largest and oldest maker” of American made overalls and jeans, and they also make a dependable work jacket. Round House was founded in 1903, and to this day, they still run their operations in the state of Oklahoma.
Here’s what their 12-ounce cotton duck work jacket looks like:
This is the current price of this Round House USA work jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). This jacket has a built-in hood, a cuffed waist, and is lined with a thermal lining. This article is property of workwearcommand.com.
King Louie Sportsman Lined Canvas Duck Jacket
King Louie is not as well-known as some of the other brands on this list, but they make a wide range of USA-made apparel. They have several jackets that can function as work jackets.
I’d suggest considering the King Louie Sportsman Lined Canvas Duck Jacket. Click here to view this King Louie Canvas Duck Jacket at Kig Louie’s website.
This jacket has a sturdy cotton duck canvas shell and has a quilted-lining for warmth. It has a built-in hood and a cuffed waist.
Best Women’s Work Jacket Made in the USA
If you are a woman searching for a work jacket made in the USA, unfortunately you don’t have as many options. Carhartt does not currently make any of their women’s jackets here in the USA.
I would recommend considering the American Giant Women’s Roughneck Jacket – this is what this jacket looks like. American Giant is a US-based apparel company that believes in American quality and building clothes that last.
This American Giant Women’s Range Jacket is made with a durable cotton duck canvas, is windproof, and has a water-repellent finish. This jacket falls near the hips, and has a snap-front design.