[DaveG]

It's time to get a new work jacket. Any recommendations?
Links would be handy.

Cheers

[dazmond]

After working outside for 36 years in all weathers the best gear for keeping me warm and dry is....

Decathlon hiking trousers(£45)
Decathlon half wellies(£20)

Logod polo shirt and fleece

Bergaus and/or northface shell goretex jackets

I know it seems excessive to some but I have 3 goretex shell jackets and I use all 3 on some particular wet days,swap for a dry one at lunchtime and sometimes once before lunch if the rains heavy!

No sweating like a pig like I used to do in cheap,nasty jackets or waterproof overtrousers...do not bother with these...

This works for me....I've also got a heavier goretex sailing jacket but I only wear this over my fleece when the weather gets really cold(hovering around zero or sub zero)

[DJW]

But why three?? Either Goretex works or it doesn’t!

On really wet days I tend to stick with a dressing gown, works for me!

[Bungle]

I'll wear a t shirt, long sleeve thermal top and a hoodie in the cold. A coat would get in the way. If it rains I'll get wet. If it's raining for a long period I'll pack up. I don't understand why people 'clean' windows in 💩weather. I wouldn't want mine cleaned that's for sure.

[britishwill]

Without hesitation I can recommend Montane Gore tex jackets. I have used them since 96 on expeditions, hikes and day to day window cleaning. You do get what you pay for in my experience. I also have goretex trousers which are equally as good and enables you to work in all conditions. I have also found the helly Hansen waterproof trousers from screwfix brilliant as they seem to bit a breathable too and use them for powerwashing.
Most important thing with goretex is its breathable so you don't sweat like Peter storms etc where you get just as wet from sweating!

[Oliver James]

Jacket needs to be long if possible.

British Navy Goretex jacket from - army surplus.

[Oliver James]

With baseball caps on head to keep rain off face.

[AuRavelling79]

With baseball caps on head to keep rain off face.

I wear a wide brimmed summer hat like you might wear watching cricket. (Like a Canadian Mountie might wear.) Sprayed with boot waterproofer. I bought 4 for £20 off the net about three years ago at the end of summer. I keep two in the van.

Keeps the sun out of my eyes and the rain off my specs.

[dd]

With baseball caps on head to keep rain off face.

I wear a wide brimmed summer hat like you might wear watching cricket. (Like a Canadian Mountie might wear.) Sprayed with boot waterproofer. I bought 4 for £20 off the net about three years ago at the end of summer. I keep two in the van.

Keeps the sun out of my eyes and the rain off my specs.

If the brim is too wide you get a crook in your neck when cleaning upstairs windows.

[Stoots]

baseball cap also keeps the hood of the jacket out of your eyes

Id rather have 2 or 3 cheap jackets than one expensive one, ive got a lightweight £20 one and slightly heavier one £50 with zipped in fleece both peter storm from go outdoors. If ive managed to soak both of them through in a day i probably shouldnt have been out.

[dazmond]

But why three?? Either Goretex works or it doesn’t!

On really wet days I tend to stick with a dressing gown, works for me!

Because they get wet after a few hours but are breathable so I don't sweat like a pig,it's always nice to put a fresh dry one on if it's still raining after lunch or a particular heavy spell of rain.

[dazmond]

I'll wear a t shirt, long sleeve thermal top and a hoodie in the cold. A coat would get in the way. If it rains I'll get wet. If it's raining for a long period I'll pack up. I don't understand why people 'clean' windows in 💩weather. I wouldn't want mine cleaned that's for sure.

I like to keep to my work schedule as much as possible all year round.in winter it can rain nearly every day here in the North West,sometimes for a fair few hours per day.

Sod having the time off.id rather be outside earning even in bad weather   so I can have my days off I want...

It makes no difference whatsoever!

What if you clean a customers windows on a dry morning and it rains hard all afternoon?no difference than just cracking on all day in the rain.

[Splash & dash]

But why three?? Either Goretex works or it doesn’t!

On really wet days I tend to stick with a dressing gown, works for me!

Because they get wet after a few hours but are breathable so I don't sweat like a pig,it's always nice to put a fresh dry one on if it's still raining after lunch or a particular heavy spell of rain.

So you only work 5-6 hours a day so must be changing your coat every 2 hours ?…. Doesn’t sound very water proof to me

[DJW]

Must be wearing them inside out?

[dazmond]

I've designed and honed my work life over many years of experience to make it as easy,comfortable and pleasant as possible.

If that means changing my rain jackets every 2 hours on occasions they so be it....it makes my work days better....

Same as heated drivers seat,hot water,xtreme poles,electric reel,etc,etc

All these things add up.thats why I go about my work with a smile on my face!

Window cleaning is easy these days for me.👍

[Simon Trapani]

Whatever tablets Daz is on I want some. I been doing this sh*t 32 years in May & I f*ckin hate it lol.

[dazmond]

Whatever tablets Daz is on I want some. I been doing this sh*t 32 years in May & I f*ckin hate it lol.

Really?why?

When I think back to my trad days climbing ladders 100 times a day,collecting money for hours on a Friday and Monday night there's no comparison to how easy this job is now....

Also we have a limitless supply of music,audiobooks,etc to choose from to listen to while we clean!

I also work shorter days,earn a lot more money,have better equipment and van,decent waterproof clothing...the list goes on!

There's never been a better time to be a window cleaner in the history of the trade

[Simon Trapani]

I agree with all you say. I don’t really know any different it’s been so long now. I do pretty much the same regarding podcasts, equipment etc. Even have an employee in another van. But the novelty of new toys is only temporary. I get peed off with the heat, the wet, the mud, dog mess, texting, plant pots, flat roofs & just most customers in general etc etc. I’m ready to retire but what on I’ve no idea lol. And yes i do have a small pension pot so far & will have a paid for house. 32 years is a long time to be doing any job & i was cleaning Saturdays for
 2 years before that! If i switch career though it would be a reality check. Yes, we have it easy really. Just lost my mojo for it at the moment.

[Ascjim]

Whatever tablets Daz is on I want some. I been doing this sh*t 32 years in May & I f*ckin hate it lol.

Really?why?

When I think back to my trad days climbing ladders 100 times a day,collecting money for hours on a Friday and Monday night there's no comparison to how easy this job is now....

Also we have a limitless supply of music,audiobooks,etc to choose from to listen to while we clean!

I also work shorter days,earn a lot more money,have better equipment and van,decent waterproof clothing...the list goes on!

There's never been a better time to be a window cleaner in the history of the trade

That’s church, yo.

[Stoots]

Whatever tablets Daz is on I want some. I been doing this sh*t 32 years in May & I f*ckin hate it lol.

Really?why?

When I think back to my trad days climbing ladders 100 times a day,collecting money for hours on a Friday and Monday night there's no comparison to how easy this job is now....

Also we have a limitless supply of music,audiobooks,etc to choose from to listen to while we clean!

I also work shorter days,earn a lot more money,have better equipment and van,decent waterproof clothing...the list goes on!

There's never been a better time to be a window cleaner in the history of the trade

When you are out there in heat, rain, mud, dark, cold not to mention customers, dogs, dog muck, aches, pains, lack of brain stimulation to name a just few of the downsides it can all get a bit depressing and monotonous.

Then on the flip side when you get home at 2pm and finish on a thursday for the week you can reflect and think ive got it pretty good really things could be a lot worse and you get a bit of motivation and enjoyment back.

I think the lack of social interaction isnt good for the mind, we can all listen to podcasts but its not the same as having a laugh with your work mates or flirting with some bit of skirt in the office.

Lets face it none of us would do it as an employee working 40 hours a week, id rather stack shelves or be on the dole. We only put up with it because the hours are short and we can have random days off when we like. Its poope but that doesnt mean it doesnt have upsides which make it worth enduring.