People always ask the team at All Seasons Uniforms (ASU), which brand is the best brand of workwear? Our answer is always the same—it depends.
That’s not an attempt at being cryptic. It really does depend on what you’re looking for in your workwear. Whether its bib overalls, work coats and pants, short-sleeve t-shirts, or a pair of rugged work boots, every workwear brand ASU carries is one we feel is worthy of your consideration—and each has its own selection of top-quality garments and accessories.
When it comes to choosing the perfect work clothes for your needs though, all of our brands offer something slightly different than the rest, and it’s up to us to help you see through those variances. If it takes a million blogs, we’re gonna help you pry apart our workwear brands, we promise.
We’ve covered top brands in our head-to-heads, with Carhartt versus Dickies and Red Kap versus Dickies among them—and they’re a worthy read for anyone stuck making a choice between the two.
In this next instalment, we’re gonna throw Berne in the octagon with Carhartt. Don’t worry, Carhartt can take it. In the end, you’ll understand that the answer to which is best comes down to matching your needs with the right brand.
For the record, both brands are great, manufacturing the very best outerwear and professional work clothes for a range of professions. Here then, we take a deep dive into the two brands to highlight their differences. Read on to learn more.
Berne vs. Carhartt – Tradition
Part of the reason folks like Carhartt is the history of the brand. Started by the Carhartt family, the company’s claim to fame is that “Carhartt has been outworking them all since 1889.”
Few workwear brands can claim this same heritage of Carhartt. That said, Berne is no slouch when it comes to creating a rich history…
In 1915, the Berne company formed in Berne, Indiana. They started by producing a line of competitive workwear, appealing to locals, and branching out from there.
At the time, Berne, Indiana was a community of Swiss immigrants and the Berne bear, taken from the Swiss coat of arms, is still associated with the brand. The founders of Berne may have been immigrants, but they were Americans, and the brand they created reflected those details.
From the beginning, Berne brand clothes could stand up to everything the Swiss Alps had to throw at them while being tough enough to stand up to the Rocky Mountains—put simply, they were made to withstand the most demanding conditions
Where these two brands can be distinguished for many buyers is not so much where they started, both in the States, but where they ended up. The Carhartt brand expanded so far it made inroads into the international community, while Berne is very much an exclusively American brand.
As such, today Carhartt produces workwear both inside and outside the United States. Berne, on the other hand, does not exclusively produce an American product, however, the brand remains a brand sold mostly in America.
Neither brand can claim made in the USA, not 100 percent, but Carhartt does label their products made in the USA as such.
Berne vs. Carhartt – Quality & Durability
A quick search online and deliver opinions vary wildly on quality and durability between Berne and Carhartt.
Both Berne, and Carhartt offer high-quality products made from materials which almost beg for punishment—natural fibers and synthetics matched in perfect pairings. They both feature triple-reinforced seams, bolted together with rivets where necessary. But, the experience of each brand will vary from person to person.
As the expression goes, It’s a matter of perspective. My perfect bed might be your rock hard sleeping place, whereas your perfect mattress might feel like a hammock to me.
People have different preferences so they have different perspectives of quality. What one person feels is a measure of high-quality, a stiff, heavyweight fabric, for example, may indicate of poor quality to someone else.
Speaking of which, many find that a brand new item from Carhartt can be stiff at first. However, once those duck jackets and work pants wear-in, they grow more comfortable. That said, jacket to jacket, pant leg to pant leg, Carhartt works with a variety of textile combinations so some may seem softer at first for that reason alone.
Neither of these indicators, however, arrive at the question buried in the implications of the word quality. A better word to use is durability, as in the durability of a brand. What one really wants to know is how long Carhartt or Berne apparel will last?
Although milage may vary depending on the user, Berne and Carhartt will outlast any non-workwear brand out there by a long shot. That said, neither will last forever, a decade or two if you don’t mind replacing the cuffs or living with rough edges, but more like five years with heavy usage. Remember, even the best materials wear under the strain of labor, especially at the points where one does the most work.
No manufacturer has cracked the code of forever yet. Most experienced purchasers will swear that Berne workwear is softer than Carhartt, but as mentioned, that doesn’t inform the long-term durability of their pieces.
Piece-to-piece, some items may seem softer, others stiffer. These indicators do not inform the quality of the materials, but simply the materials of the weave.
Berne vs. Carhartt – Selection
When it comes to selection, the comparisons are somewhat unfair. Few brands [none, really] in the workwear sphere can match Carhartt on sheer choice. It comes with being one of the most venerable brands in the market.
All Seasons Uniforms carries some 55 jackets alone from Carhartt. For Berne, we only have 32. We carry 22 overalls from Carhartt, 15 from Berne. You get the idea.
Despite fewer options, Berne offers enough options to cover most worker’s needs. They offer several good cold weather versions of both mentioned subcategories, color options including camouflage, and at least one flame-resistant version.
Carhartt’s massive line of options almost completely fills every need. When all other searches come up short — because another manufacturer can’t offer the right combination of flame-resistance, camo, and 10 pockets — folks usually find something in the Carhartt lineup which fills their unique needs.
When specific features matter that much, all other factors take a backseat, price, history, whatever. For this reason, if one has a specific need, chances are good that Carhartt can fill it.
Berne vs. Carhartt – Cost
Whereas Berne has to take a backseat to Carhartt’s massive catalog of options, they beat Carhartt on price in almost every case. You may find discount prices in sales, but the general cost of goods for Berne is less than Carhartt.
Take, for example, each brand’s insulated, quilt-lined cotton duck coverall option. They offer many of the same features, and at a glance, they appear about the same, but the Berne version comes in with more than $40 in savings.
This is an extreme example, but it illustrates the argument made by Berne fanatics that one’s dollar goes much further with the Indiana brand.
That’s when Carhartt fanatics point out Carhartt’s history and selection. It’s also where the conversation usually starts to get ugly. No need for all that.
There are a lot of reasons why similar products can vary in price, none of which has to do with compromising quality as some might erroneously assume. Berne might save you money, but it won’t be at the expense of your patience for a quality product.
Berne vs Carhartt – Top Picks
So, while we’re here comparing the two brands, let’s look at some of the top picks for each and how they compare.
Carhartt Active Jacket
- 12.0 oz., firm-hand, 100% ring-spun cotton duck, Water-repellent and wind-resistant
- 100% polyester thermal lining
- Attached thermal lined three-piece hood with drawcord closure
- Two inside pockets
- Two large lower-front pockets
- Triple-stitched main seams
- Rib-knit cuffs and bottom band – long sleeves
- Size Large back length: Regular – 29″, Big & Tall – 31″
Berne Work Jacket
- Super-duty 12.0 oz. 100% cotton sanded duck
- Heavyweight 100% polyester fleece lining
- Pleated bi-swing action back
- Pleated elbows
- Two angled welt pockets
- Three inside chest pockets, right with zipper closure
- Edge stitched corduroy collar with snaps for optional hood
- Triple-needle stitched main seams
- Heavy-duty brass front zipper
- Adjustable snap cuffs and side tabs
- One-piece back for easy embroidery
Carhartt Bib Overall
- 12.0 oz., firm-hand, 100% ring-spun cotton duck
- Nylon lining quilted to midweight-polyester insulation
- Zipper fly
- Adjustable front-elastic suspenders
- Multi-compartment bib pockets with zipper closure
- Two large lower-front pockets
- Hammer loops on the left and right legs
- Chap-style double front construction
- Double knees with cleanout bottoms that can accommodate knee pads
- Ankle-to-hip leg zippers with storm flaps and snap closures
- Triple-stitched main seams
- Metal rivets at vital stress points
- Chap-style double-front with cleanout bottoms that can accommodate knee pads
- Cordura® back-leg kick panels for extra durability
Berne Brown Duck Bib Overall
- Heavy-duty 10.0 oz. 100% cotton duck
- Knee-length brass leg zipper with outside storm flap
- Water repellent finish
- Triple-needle stitched seams for added durability
- Generously sized for maximum comfort
- Brass rivets at all stress points
- Side utility pockets
- Hammer loop
- Adjustable elasticized bib straps
- Reinforced knees
Carhartt Hoodie
- 10.5-oz., 50% cotton/50% polyester fabric**
- **Heather Gray fiber content is 70% cotton/30% polyester
- Spandex-reinforced rib-knit cuffs and waistband
- Attached hood with adjustable drawcord
- Front hand-warmer pocket
- Carhartt logo sewn on pocket
Berne Hoodie
- 9.0 oz. 60% cotton / 40% polyester fleece
- 5.0 oz. 60% cotton/40% polyester thermal lining
- Raglan sleeves
- Oversized for comfortable fit
- Two-needle stitched main seams
- Knit cuffs and waistband
- Large front pocket
- Double-layered three piece hood with drawstring
- Reinforced bartacks at stress points
Carhartt Jeans
- 15 oz., 100% cotton garment washed denim
- Sits at the natural waist
- Slim seat and thigh
- Two front scoop pockets
- Right front has coin pocket
- Back yoke
- Two reinforced back pockets
- Zipper fly
- Antique brass logo rivets
- Tapered leg opening
- Relaxed fit
Berne Tough Duck Pants
- 10.0 oz. 100% cotton sanded duck
- Relaxed fit
- Triple-needle stitched main seams
- Button front with brass fly zipper
- Side utility pockets
- Hammer loop
- Two tape measure loops
- Reinforced bartacks at stress points
So who wins?
This is why I can type with an absolutely deadpan face, “it depends. ” Let’s review the parts…
One can’t really compare these brands on venerability, even though Carhartt has technically been around longer. They’re both older than anyone reading this blog.
Also, each brand’s quality measures up about the same when all said and done. Some wearers will swear a Carhartt jacket lasts longer than a Berne chore coat, but those findings usually have more to do with body-type, and the way one moves or treats his work wear.
Truly, it comes down to selection and cost. Berne can’t take Carhartt on the sheer volume of options. They simply offer more combinations of features for buyers who have specific needs.
That said, for buyers shopping with savings as a primary guide, Berne is the way to go. Carhartt offers a quality product for the cost, much better than any mall brand, but they can’t beat Berne’s low-cost options.
The deciding factor, in case you haven’t figured it out yet, is the most important one. It’s you.
Speaking of you, if you have more questions, we want to help. Reach out to the ASU team via phone or email. We love helping.
About the Author
Nick Warrick
Nick Warrick is the Sales Manager at All Seasons Uniforms. With over 15 years of experience in the work uniform business, he has worked with hundreds of clients across 20 different industries. Holding bachelor’s degrees in both Business Administration and Information Technology, Nick revamped the company’s online presence, offering its customers a new uniform shopping experience.