Boiler suit advice

[Roysy]

I am looking at buying a reasonable boiler suit. I am only 5ft4in so my legs are short by comparison to most of you so I may have to take the legs up, so zipped leggings to accommodate boots would not be practical. Can anyone give advice or indeed personal experience in this area as there are so many on the market with conflicting views. To date I have used army surplus but I do feel some discomfort wearing these as I have never been in the forces and fell somewhat disrespectful.

Any advice on preferred brands always helpful

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

I use the hazmat white type which I have to cut the legs off, can you expand on what and why you are looking.
As for using ex forces. In my humble opinion as long as you are not claiming to be force personnel I can’t see any reason not to use them
Block out anything that says army/other armed forces.
I used to buy the hi vid that the medics use. I just removed the patches and blocked out what I could remove

 

[robgul]

If you have an agricultural/farm supplies merchant near you go and have a look - farmers wear boiler suits (they call them overalls!) - mine came from such an emporium. Really great for a) keeping yourself clean, and b) working outside as cold spots are minimised (and in the summer just boxers and T-shirt and overalls!)

. . . and just remembered Toolstation sells poly-cotton boiler suits/overalls

 

[Etaf]

i use a company in Lavant - excellent for all sorts of work cloths
https://lavantworkwear.co.uk/
But not really local for you, maybe somewhere like this will help
I know there was a workcloths place also in Maidstone I used in the late 80's

 

[Roysy]

I use the hazmat white type which I have to cut the legs off, can you expand on what and why you are looking.
As for using ex forces. In my humble opinion as long as you are not claiming to be force personnel I can’t see any reason not to use them
Block out anything that says army/other armed forces.
I used to buy the hi vid that the medics use. I just removed the patches and blocked out what I could remove

Thanks for your reply. My current overalls are ex forces and are great for keeping me warm when working outside. They also serve well with pockets etc. I have no doubt my discomfort is my own owing to a healthy respect for our veterans. I am looking for reasonably sturdy overalls with (good) zips ideally but poppers would do. My army surplus gear tends to deteriorate most at the zips.

 

[Roysy]

If you have an agricultural/farm supplies merchant near you go and have a look - farmers wear boiler suits (they call them overalls!) - mine came from such an emporium. Really great for a) keeping yourself clean, and b) working outside as cold spots are minimised (and in the summer just boxers and T-shirt and overalls!)

. . . and just remembered Toolstation sells poly-cotton boiler suits/overalls

I noted toolstation supply but not sure which ones would be good; reviews were very mixed. The farm supplies shop would be a good call and will look into it. Thanks.

 

[Roysy]

i use a company in Lavant - excellent for all sorts of work cloths
https://lavantworkwear.co.uk/
But not really local for you, maybe somewhere like this will help
I know there was a workcloths place also in Maidstone I used in the late 80's

Thanks, may be something more local but not found such as yet

 

[Hypnotic Chimera]

Thanks for your reply. My current overalls are ex forces and are great for keeping me warm when working outside. They also serve well with pockets etc. I have no doubt my discomfort is my own owing to a healthy respect for our veterans. I am looking for reasonably sturdy overalls with (good) zips ideally but poppers would do. My army surplus gear tends to deteriorate most at the zips.

Currently Serving here.

Please do not feel in any way uncomfortable about wearing army surplus gear. It really isn't a problem for anyone sane.

Anyway, I believe that MoD recoup a small amount of money from selling surplus gear - maybe knowing this will take the edge off your discomfort.

 

[Roysy]

Currently Serving here.

Please do not feel in any way uncomfortable about wearing army surplus gear. It really isn't a problem for anyone sane.

Anyway, I believe that MoD recoup a small amount of money from selling surplus gear - maybe knowing this will take the edge off your discomfort.

You are assuming I am sane

 

[Katomi woodsmith]

Sane what’s that.

 

[Seascaper]

Hello,
I have been wearing Dickies navy boiler suits for years, comfortable to wear lots of good pockets with brass zips and they have extra materials around the knees. Unfortunately Dickies have become a fashion item and it would seem youngsters are falling over themselves to find used ones splashed with paint and holes so don’t throw away as they are on the rail used in London for incredible prices.

 

[Bingy man]

I’m 6’ 2” and I brought a pair from Toolstation. They only did one type at time so don’t recall the brand but really comfortable and warm . I wear a fleece underneath so even warmer.. they were dark blue .

 

[pe2dave]

Boiler suit (one piece) vs overalls (trousers with bib and braces) + jacket? I've always found the latter more
convenient.

 

[Roysy]

Boiler suit (one piece) vs overalls (trousers with bib and braces) + jacket? I've always found the latter more
convenient.

I prefer the boiler suit for outside work as I find them warmer as they exclude draughts more effectively but many thanks for your valued thoughts

 

[macetownhouse]

Hello
I find the Blaklader range of work ware very good. Beware of the cheaper nylon ones, have set a few on fire with Angle Grinders.

 

[Drifter2406]

I have a similar problem other than I am 5-10 with a 31" inside leg but a 50" chest, I buy to fit my chest and get the missus to to take them up buy cutting the excess off and taking them up.

 

[XTiffy]

One thing I would caution with overalls is lack of fire proofing. I have a pair of Dickies padded overalls, these are not Nylon but some sort of a cotton mix (for working outside!) and set fire to them from sparks from an angle grinder, I still have them complete with burn hole in one leg! Now for welding I have a pair of fire proof overalls. Also as a veteran I can't see the problem with army surplus.

 

[Agent_zed]

One thing I would caution with overalls is lack of fire proofing. I have a pair of Dickies padded overalls, these are not Nylon but some sort of a cotton mix (for working outside!) and set fire to them from sparks from an angle grinder, I still have them complete with burn hole in one leg! Now for welding I have a pair of fire proof overalls. Also as a veteran I can't see the problem with army surplus.

I had a cotton one that was very old. Was grinding and realised my crotch was getting warm. Looked down to see it was on fire. It burned through my overalls and shorts. Luckily managed to put it out before it got to my boxers.

Now I pretty much always wear a leather apron when welding and grinding.

 

[Roysy]

I had a cotton one that was very old. Was grinding and realised my crotch was getting warm. Looked down to see it was on fire. It burned through my overalls and shorts. Luckily managed to put it out before it got to my boxers.

Now I pretty much always wear a leather apron when welding and grinding.

I think that is indeed sound advice and will probably get a fireproof apron for such tasks

 

[gregmcateer]

I noted toolstation supply but not sure which ones would be good; reviews were very mixed. The farm supplies shop would be a good call and will look into it. Thanks.

TFM shouldn't be too far for you - they've probably got a good selection