If you work outside in all weathers, you need workwear you can rely on. Having well made, durable and warm jackets, bibs, overalls and trousers will help to protect you from the elements and make it easier to get the job done. Two of the best known names in workwear are Carhartt and Walls. Both based in the US, these two brands have been supplying workers with reliable and comfortable clothes for decades.
Found at many of the same workwear outlets, these two brands have different looks and offer different strengths. Workers want to know if their hard-earned money spent on Carhartt is worth it. They want to know if Walls is really Walmart’s own brand of workwear.
At the end of the day, good money invested in quality clothes is worth it. What we want to know is how these two brands stand up to the tests… all of them.
How do they perform in comfort metrics, especially fit? How do they take the cold, and what about heat? Also, how do they stand up to the years?
If you’re currently looking to invest in some new workwear, you may well be deciding between these two legendary brands. To help you make up your mind, we’re taking a look at Walls workwear vs Carhartt to see who comes out on top.
A Little Background
Like all the workwear brands found on all the hardest working sites on the planet, Walls and Carhartt both bring rugged histories to the table.
Each has stood the test of time, clawed their way through wars, crawled over borders, demonstrating over-and-over to the whole world that they can take anything. But, they are not roughly the same, not even close according to their fans.
Carhartt remains one of the most venerable brands, as much the logic behind its exaltation as its derision. When Hamilton Carhartt forged the first overalls of the Carhartt brand, it was 1889.
At that time, society was horse-drawn, industrialized, and tough. The hottest ticket in town was the rail so that’s where Hamilton laid down his tracks. He was almost five decades in the business before Walls workwear popped up in Texas.
Although Walls now belongs to the Williamson-Dickie manufacturing company, the same folks who own Dickie’s, the Walls brand predates that transaction.
The first Walls brand of workwear emerged in 1938, crafted by the brand’s namesake, George Walls in Dallas, Texas. Mr. Walls’ first customers were the hard-working folks in the oil and gas industry.
It turned out that George had something special. Demand for his no-nonsense tough coveralls blew through the roof. He was forced to expand, adapt, and grow.
Walls may have started in the fuel mining business, but they’ve made quite a name in the hunting gear industry too.
Fit Comfort Test
The general reaction to Walls’ line of workwear is that they fit “comfy” off the rack. Most of that attribution comes from the textiles used by Walls, but some of it is the cut. Walls’ apparel tends to fit loosely compared to Carhartt’s.
Whereas Carhartt’s jackets can ride when reaching up, even Walls’ short jackets come well below the waistline. For this fact alone, many feel the Walls line of jackets is more comfortable.
It’s true, Carhartt tends to be more stiff off the rack, but over time their apparel wears in like any article of clothing. It softens.
As a retort, critics of the Walls brand claim that their softer textiles cause durability issues, but critics of Carhartt counter that all that stiffness doesn’t necessarily equate to a longer life.
[Cue: Eye roll combined with a long sigh.]
The key to understanding fit is to recognize that from design-to-design, any brand can fit slightly better on a given body. One must measure these brands not against the critics or the fact that one has already purchased a particular brand. Each garment must stand up to the personal preference test.
One has to try on these jackets and overalls, move around, reach up and down to know how any item will accommodate a given body. A mirror test simply won’t do.
Do this, give any new garment some time for objective review, and the obvious will become clear. You will know which brand fits you best. You may find that one brand fits better on top, and the other fits better on the bottom.
Do the right thing and wear what fits most comfortably regardless.
Cold Weather Test
On the Walls workwear lineup, they offer their trademarked Zero Zone level of protection. Walls designed these items to take the bitter punishment of a cold gig.
Front zippers block the worst drafts with storm flaps. Sleeves conceal secret storm cuffs crafted from comfortable knits, and the back of Zero Zone wear hugs the waist with elastic.
Every potential egress comes with an additional flap, pocketing or whatever it takes to keep out the cold. Zero Zone wear employs quilted lining designed for wicking away moisture like a boss.
Some Zero Zone wear also comes with a coating of water-repellent finishing. When it comes to fighting the cold, Walls isn’t playing around.
That doesn’t mean Carhartt has been sleeping on the job. Their Firm Duck Insulated Bib Overalls are as sharp as they are functional.
The only thing Walls’ coverall has on the one from Carhartt is that the Carhartt version is less likely to stay dry under oppressively wet conditions. That said, no article of clothing — unless we’re talking about a scuba diving dry suit — will keep out the pouring rain.
Moisture aside, both will keep users as warm as a baby duck, but Walls version may fit more buyers comfortably.
Heat Test
Both brands can take the cold, how does each brand hold up against the heat of a smelting pot? Both brands offer flame resistant (FR) workwear, ensuring protection from heat and sometimes electrical arcs risks.
The question for these brands is can they take the heat and stay in the kitchen?
For those who need it, FR workwear cannot fail. It’s one thing for a little cold to seep in, but spikes in heat could cause immediate harm to the wearer. This lack of room for error means that reputation is everything in the heat test.
This is an area where Carhartt shines. While the Walls brand of workwear includes a line of flame-resistant apparel, one they’ve been manufacturing FR workwear for decades, the Carhartt reputation with flame resistance remains unparalleled.
Durability Test
This is the test where determining a winner gets tricky. Ask 100 laborers which last longer, Carhartt or Walls, and 50 will go one way, 50 the other.
Fans of Walls brand often cite that their Walls overalls and jackets last as long as their Carhartt versions, but for a fraction of the cost. Perhaps…
Diehard Carhartt fans will say they know exactly where their extra cash goes when buying Carhartt items, into a garment that lasts three times as long.
These opinions all vary from person to person. One thing’s for sure, Carhartt’s reputation for repairing their garments is as solid as their heritage. In most cases, they’ll repair what they can for free.
What may affect some of the disparity with durability reviews is where the reviewers purchase their workwear. Discount retailers are notorious for selling factory seconds, clothes with minor flaws preventing them from hitting the racks of reputable workwear retailers.
Carhartt vs Walls Coveralls
While offering a selection of coveralls, Carharrt has chosen to focus on individual pieces of workwear like jackets, bibs, and jeans. Putting these items together allows you to create a resilient, durable and stylish outfit that works for you.
Walls on the other hand has developed a dedicated range of coveralls. The brand offers long-sleeved, short-sleeved and insulated coveralls. These are all specifically designed to protect your undergarments from dirt, grime and damp.
Carhartt Jacket vs Walls Jacket
Carharrt is known around the world for the quality of its jackets. Trusted by people working in the most extreme conditions, as well as those who enjoy spending time in the great outdoors, they offer excellent protection against rain, wind and cold. Most of Carharrt’s workwear jackets, like the Arctic Traditional Coat, are insulated and made from hardwearing materials. In order to ensure the wind doesn’t find a way in, seams on most Carharrt jackets are triple stitched, zips are fitted with storm flaps and collars are lined with insulating fabrics.
While definitely less stylish and less iconic, Walls jackets do offer a good level of protection from the elements. The brand also has a wider range of jackets than Carharrt, giving you a good choice when it comes to color, look and price point.
Walls vs Carhartt Bibs
Although they won’t protect you from cold or wet conditions, bibs are very useful for a variety of outdoor jobs. Good quality bibs are comfortable and durable and can be combined with jackets, shirts and vests to create a more protective outfit.
Carharrt bibs, like the Carhartt Duck Unlined Bib Overalls are designed to be hardwearing and durable. Offering a great choice of pockets, loops and compartments, they’re ideal for when you’re out on a job. Carharrt bibs are reinforced at all stress points to ensure they last as long as possible.
Most Walls bibs are made from denim. This means that, while they might protect your clothes, they won’t keep you especially warm or dry when you’re out and about. The brand does make some insulated bibs, although these aren’t quite as hardwearing as the Carhartt alternatives.
Carhartt vs Walls Protection
While the look and feel of workwear is important, the protective qualities of your outfit will probably be your top consideration, especially if you work outdoors in all conditions. Good quality workwear should be specifically designed to block out the cold and keep you dry, warm and comfortable.
Carhartt has a reputation for making high quality, weather resistant work wear. Many of the brand’s products, like its Arctic Vest, are specifically designed to keep the wearer warm in bad weather. A lot of Carhartt outerwear, like its Duck Active Jacket, are made with insulating materials and finished with a water repellent coating. This ensures they’ll keep you nice warm even in the worst winter conditions.
Not to be outdone, Walls has created a number of workwear items that are specifically designed for extreme weather. These jackets, coveralls and shirts will protect you in cold, wet or hot conditions. Like Carhartt, Walls uses specialist materials in its jackets and insulated coveralls to help keep the wearer warm and protected from the elements.
Carharrt vs Walls Value
When it comes to workwear, cheaper isn’t necessarily better. If you’re going to be outside in all weathers, you need garments that are going to protect you and keep you warm. So it’s well worth investing in the best quality items you can afford.
In general, Carharrt workwear is more expensive than Walls. This is partly because the company has better brand recognition than its rival and partly because Carharrt clothing is slightly higher quality. Carharrt clothing often has triple stitching at the seams while zips, textiles and accessories are all generally made from hardwearing, durable materials.
Walls workwear is also built to last. However, the brand’s garments are cheaper than Carharrt’s designs and this may be reflected in the quality of the clothing. Having said that, Walls is still a trusted brand and its clothes are a good option for anyone looking for affordable workwear.
If you still have questions, contact us. Let the crew at All Seasons Uniforms answer all your questions until you feel confident you’ve got the right purchase in mind. We love helping.If you liked this post, check out our Carhartt and Dickies comparison and our review of when Carhartt climbed in the ring with Berne.
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.