When it comes to American workwear, there are two titans who tower above the competition. These are Walls and Dickies. Even for those who are unfamiliar with workwear, these names likely need little introduction, and with over 180 years of combined experience producing rugged, high-quality clothing, they are undisputed masters in the field.
With their formidable reputations, it is a daunting task to identify which brand is best. This task is made even more difficult by their histories; though both brands originated in Texas in the early 20th Century, they have followed very different paths. In order to reconcile these differences, and to answer our question, there is a clear line of interrogation for us to pursue. We must turn to the indisputable cornerstone of workwear, and the item of clothing with which both brands started their stories. The question we must ask is “who makes the better overalls?”. Given that overalls are the central piece of clothing in most worker’s wardrobes, this seems an appropriate place to begin, and in order to do so, we’ll compare both brands’ offerings, in terms of protection, variety and price.
Protection
Out of the two brands, Walls offers overalls which offer the greatest protection. This perhaps comes as little surprise, as amongst their historic clientele, Walls have catered to the toughest of the tough. In fact, Walls overalls were so important to Red Adair, the legendary oil-well firefighter, that Adair insisted that custom Walls were made to fit John Wayne’s enormous frame in the firefighter’s biopic.
Their focus on protection is still clear in their modern range. Their Frost DWR Insulated Duck Work Bib Overalls offer more protection than any other overall offered by Walls or Dickies. Featuring a 12oz Super Duck, a Durable Water Repellent coating, and 6oz polyfill insulation, these Duck Overalls will keep in the heat, and keep water, scuffs, scratches and dirt out. The rest of the Walls range also places a premium on protection and durability, offering thick, double knee patches on many of their items, and triple needle stitching on many more.
In contrast, Dickies overalls tend to be slightly more lightweight, and to have a slightly greater focus on maneuverability when compared to their Walls counterparts. For example, the Duck Insulated Overalls offered by Dickies are made from a 10oz duck, as opposed to the 12oz provided by Walls, yet have been designed with extra room in the shoulders and chest to allow for greater flexibility. Many Dickies overalls also feature carefully tailored elastic straps of insets for greater comfort and control, demonstrating that where Walls may have the competitive edge in terms of protection, Dickies offers a more ergonomic fit.
Variety
Walls know that if it ain’t broke, it don’t need fixing, and this mentality shows up in their range of overalls. For generations, they’ve taken pride in their ability to make simple and effective workwear, and this is still readily apparent in the range they sell today, which effectively covers all the bases needed by workers from a range of environments.
Their range includes two heavy weight options, in the forms of their Frost DWR Insulated Duck Work Bib Overall, and their Plano Insulated Duck Work Coverall. These both offer excellent protection against the cold, and vary in that the former offers premier rain protection, whilst the latter offers long-sleeve protection for total coverage.
Walls also offer two middle-weight forms of protection with their Tatum Long-Sleeve Non-Insulated Work Coverall and their Taylor Twill Non-Insulated Coverall for basic protection from stains, scuffs and tears in a full range of work environments.
Finally, they offer their super lightweight Taft Short Sleeve Non-Insulated Work coverall, which offers utility and clothing protection for those working in warmer environments. Each of their overalls are available in either one or two colors, demonstrating that Walls prioritize simple, functional workwear which can get the job done without fuss.
In contrast, Dickies offer a much wider range of overalls. This comes as little surprise, as their workwear has not only proven popular among laborers, but has also been adopted by different countercultural groups throughout the brand’s history. Worn by ranches, rappers, skaters and ravers alike, Dickies offer a wide range of overalls designed to cater for the functional and stylistic needs of people from all walks of life.
Whether you’re looking for a classic rail worker look with their Hickory Stripe Utility Bib Overalls, an open and flexible social overall cut for women with their Women’s 7” Bib Shortalls, an insulated overall designed for enhanced mobility with their FLEX Sanded Duck Insulated Coverall, or overalls with a more modern cut in their Reworked Coveralls, Dickies are the team to turn to.
Price
A good pair of overalls are worth their weight in gold, and they will quickly pay for themselves. Nonetheless, you always get what you pay for, and whilst both brands offer overalls of exceptional quality, it is sensible to take price into consideration before making a purchase.
Of the two brands, the average cost of Walls overalls is higher. Their lighter-weight overalls cost between ($44.99 and $64.99), and their heavier, insulated items cost between ($109.99 and $129.99). However, considering the exceptional build quality and longevity of their overalls, the slightly higher price tag associated with Walls only represents the strength of their product.
Dickies, in contrast, offers a wider range of overalls within the lower price bracket. Whilst their most expensive overalls, the FLEX Sanded Duck Coveralls can cost ($132.99), they also offer a far wider range of overalls at a lower price. With many of their more fashion-orientated overalls costing between ($33.99 and $59.99), Dickies overalls allow their wearers to express themselves better – or go longer between wash days – for a lower price.
The Verdict
It is impossible to say whether one brand is better than the other. However, there is some clear advice that we can offer you if you’re looking to purchase overalls. If you want to work hard, you know the environment in which you’ll be working, and you want to buy a pair of overalls which will act as a simple, no-nonsense tool, then Walls is the way to go. Arming firefighters, oil workers and ranchers alike, these are overalls which will keep you covered for life.
Whilst Dickies also offer some serious reliability, their overalls are best suited for those who want to express themselves in the workshop. Offering a wide range of styles and colors, Dickies offer the perfect blend of personality and functionality.
Whilst both brands have their strengths, there is only one perfect way to tell which is the better brand for you. Give them a try!
Haven’t found what you’re looking for? There are plenty of workwear options available at the All Seasons Uniforms Website. Equally, follow the ASU blog for more updates and information about the workwear brands around.
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.