Peter Dumigan, managing director of the Hultafors Group UK, discusses workwear trends and the need for eco-friendly, technically advanced work clothes that are built to last.

In today’s climate of carbon footprints and wastefulness, environmental considerations are more important than ever for workwear brands. Snickers Workwear develops long-lasting, functional garments and this is also the cornerstone behind its sustainability work. Every product has an impact on the planet – the longer workwear lasts, the less our environmental impact.

Snickers Workwear clothing has been tried and tested in extreme environmental conditions – cold, heat, wind and rain. But not only are these working clothes tested for performance, they’re now tested for ‘environmental sustainability’. What makes these garments so appealing to forward-thinking individuals and corporates alike is not only the comfort, functionality and ergonomic body mapping designs but also the 21st century fabrics found in the latest in sustainable, organic and sports fabric technologies.

Snickers Workwear’s product design and development has always been driven by a continual investigation of user needs and experiences in as wide a range of working environments and weather conditions as possible. But nowadays, recyclability and carbon footprint impact is a key part of that evaluation. So, it’s not just workwear functionality and physical demands on the body that’s researched, it’s also the physical demands that product manufacturing and waste disposal place on the world around us that matters too.

Fabric technology and sustainability

Contractors who want to be more than just cool and comfortable at work and do their bit for saving the planet will be interested to hear about the ‘verifiable sustainability’ in the new Snickers T-shirts and polo-shirts. The brand aims to be at the forefront of sustainability in workwear which is why the new lightweight polo and T-shirts are made of 100% recycled polyester with a bio-based, anti-odour finish, plus a smooth texture and efficient moisture transport for great working comfort.

Sustainable Merino wool mid and base layer clothes are ‘mulesing-free’ and will help installers stay warm or cool because of the nature of their 100% all-natural Merino wool fabric that delivers optimal comfort for all kinds of working environments and leisure activities. Designed by nature for excellent ventilation and insulation, Merino wool is extremely soft and naturally odour-preventive for an all-day fresh feel. It’s also temperature-regulating, repels water, dirt particles and is anti-static.

Where recycling is concerned, the AllroundWork hoodies and gilets are a sustainable choice. Made from 100% recycled polyester, the clothes are comfortable and lightweight, offering great freedom of movement. They’ll also deliver just the right levels of warmth and comfort to keep your body warm in chilly early mornings or comfortably cool in the warmer evenings.

Workwear choices in summer

To stay cool and comfortable in warmer weather, workwear choices matter a lot. For optimum performance, workwear needs to deliver great ventilation, have a fabric that dries fast while still offering protection.

When temperatures are on the up, ventilation is crucial. It can be achieved in different ways, either by how the workwear is designed or the functionality it delivers. Two of the main features Snickers workwear integrates into its workwear to offer great breathability are the 37.5 technology for cooling comfort and mechanical air flow.

The fabric in your workwear affects how comfortable you’ll be throughout the workday. Cheap workwear that features poor quality fabrics might be easy on the wallet, but it will wear easily, cause discomfort and chafing, affecting your mood and wellbeing. Good quality lighter fabrics – especially those with good stretchability and those that offer UV protection – offer more ventilation and they dry quickly. While cheaper cotton-based fabrics absorb moisture and dry slowly, Snickers Workwear’s LiteWork collection is specially developed for warm days at work, offer good-looking, quality clothes made in lighter fabrics to ensure great ventilation and comfort.

The LiteWork collection is specially developed for warmer weather. It features the revolutionary 37.5 technology and stretch fabrics for the best in mobility, moisture transport and ventilation. What’s more, advanced functionality and great fabric technology will ensure cool and dry working comfort, no matter what the weather conditions are.

The upgraded lightweight and breathable 37.5 fabric technology in Snicker’s Workwear’s shirts and base-layer clothes are great for demanding tasks on site as well as high intensity gym work, circuit training, jogging, hill walking and mountain-biking. Look out for styles made from the highly functional 37.5 fabric for optimal ventilation, cooling and moisture transport.

Dual-purpose

While style, comfort and functionality have been key drivers in Snickers Workwear clothing development over the last 50 years, fabric technology, performance and sustainability is now central to the technical design of the brand’s clothing, just as it is in performance sports and leisurewear.

The result is environmentally friendly, ergonomically designed dual-purpose working clothes that are not only designed to meet the physical demands that tradesmen and women face at work but are also ideal for some sports and leisure activities.

To see the full Snickers range, click here