Work Clothing for Landscapers: A Buying Guide
By BRUNT Workwear on October 11, 2024
You spend your day in the sun, in the brush, and on your knees. Your gear should keep up, not quit on you at hour three. Here's how to dress for the landscaping grind and the BRUNT pieces built to handle it.
THE JOB
Landscaping is a full-body, all-day grind under an open sky. You're mowing, edging, hauling, and running trimmers and blowers through peak heat. Per the CDC and NIOSH, outdoor workers face a real risk of heat-related illness and should wear lightweight, breathable clothing. Add relentless UV, brush and debris that shred cheap fabric, constant kneeling and bending, and shifts that don't end when the sun does. Your clothes take the same beating your body does.
WHAT YOUR GEAR NEEDS TO DO
Every hazard on the job maps to a feature you should demand. Sun means you need UPF 50+ fabric. Per the CDC, UPF 50 blocks about 98% of UV radiation, so only about 1/50th gets through. Heat means moisture-wicking, quick-drying material and ventilation that moves air instead of trapping it. Brush and debris mean ripstop construction that resists tears. Kneeling and reaching mean four-way stretch, articulated knees, and a gusseted crotch so nothing binds when you move. Sprinklers and morning dew mean a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) finish that sheds water. And if you're near roads or machinery, you need hi-vis so the crew can see you.
| Need | Why It Matters on the Job | What to Look For |
|---|---|---|
| Sun protection | UV exposure adds up over every shift | UPF 50+ fabric that blocks about 98% of UV |
| Breathability | Trapped heat drains you fast | Moisture-wicking, quick-drying fabric plus mesh vents |
| Abrasion resistance | Brush and debris tear weak fabric | Mini ripstop nylon construction |
| Mobility | You kneel, bend, and reach all day | Four-way stretch, articulated knees, gusseted crotch |
| Water resistance | Dew and sprinklers soak you early | DWR finish that sheds water and stains |
| Visibility | Roads and machinery are close | Safety Yellow / Hi-Vis options |
RECOMMENDED GEAR FOR LANDSCAPERS
Here's the head-to-toe kit built for your day. Start up top with the McKenna tech shirt line: 4.87 oz, 88% polyester and 12% spandex, four-way stretch, moisture-wicking and quick-drying, with UPF 50+ sun protection and side mesh ventilation panels. Grab the Long Sleeve Tech Shirt or the Sun Hoodie, which has a lightweight three-piece hard hat-compatible hood, and take Safety Yellow / Hi-Vis when you're near traffic. For your legs, the Costello Tech Pant runs an ultra-light 5 oz mini ripstop nylon with 12% spandex, four-way stretch, articulated knees, a gusseted crotch, and a DWR finish that sheds water and stains. We built it with an experienced landscape curber who works through brutal heat, so it's tuned for exactly your day. When the temperature drops, layer the Allard Tech Hoodie at 9.5 oz with TurboDry® moisture-wicking and a hard hat-compatible three-panel hood.
| Product | Key Feature | Why It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| McKenna Tech Shirt | UPF 50+, 4.87 oz, side mesh vents | Blocks about 98% of UV and moves air on hot shifts |
| Costello Tech Pant | 5 oz mini ripstop nylon, DWR, articulated knees | Resists brush tears and moves when you kneel |
| Allard Tech Hoodie | 9.5 oz, TurboDry wicking, hard hat-compatible hood | Adds a warm layer that still breathes and clears sweat |
GEARING UP BY SEASON
Your kit should shift with the calendar. In summer, lead with the McKenna line. A UPF 50+ Long Sleeve Tech Shirt or Sun Hoodie covers your skin and blocks about 98% of UV while side mesh vents keep you cool. In spring and fall, add a hoodie over your tech shirt. The Allard Tech Hoodie brings TurboDry moisture-wicking and runs 1.5+ inches longer than a standard hoodie so it stays put when you bend. The Levin Hoodie is a 9.7 oz cotton-poly French terry comfort layer for the mild days. When it turns cold and wet, reach for the Shevlin Full-Zip Hoodie, a 10.5 oz brushed fleece with a DWR finish that repels water, mud, and oil, or throw on the Wright Tech Vest with 80g quilted insulation to stay warm with your arms free. Pair either with a Costello HD for double-layer knees or the 8.5 oz Torra Pant.
LANDSCAPER WORKWEAR FAQ
What do professional landscapers wear? You want UPF 50+ tops, ripstop pants, and layers you can add or shed as the day heats up and cools down. Every piece should breathe and take abuse.
What's the best clothing for landscaping? Look for moisture-wicking, quick-drying fabric with four-way stretch and abrasion resistance, like the McKenna tech shirt line up top and the Costello Tech Pant on your legs.
What are the best pants for landscapers? Reach for the Costello Tech Pant: 5 oz mini ripstop nylon, four-way stretch, articulated knees, and a DWR finish. Choose Costello HD when you kneel all day and want double-layer knees.
Why do landscapers wear long sleeves in hot weather? Because UPF 50+ long sleeves block about 98% of UV, per the CDC, and quick-drying fabric with mesh vents keeps you cooler than bare skin baking in the sun.
What rain gear should landscapers wear? Start with a DWR finish that sheds water, like the Shevlin Full-Zip Hoodie's finish that repels water, mud, and oil, or a Costello Tech Pant that sheds dew and sprinkler spray.
TRY IT RISK-FREE
You shouldn't have to guess whether gear holds up. Try it where it counts. Every order comes with a 14-day risk-free trial, free shipping, and free exchanges, so you can put it through a full week on the job. If it doesn't earn its spot in your rotation, send it back. Gear up.