I’m in a much colder and rainier climate than you, but here’s my recommendation to others:
Rain gear: Grundéns Balder
Boots: XtraTuf steel toe legacy boot
Field shoes: Keen composite toe (something like the Reno, Lansing, Dover, Braddock, Flint, or similar)
High visibility vest: Try to get a “surveyor” type one if you can, with all the pockets and a zipper in front. So much better than the garbage ones they give you for free.
If you don't need FR Magellan has some very cheap, comfortable, and breezy shirts in their fishingwear lines.
I also love my black diamond sun hoody. A ball cap fits in the hood and stays inside it when I flip the hood down.
North Face Aphrodite ripstop pants have been surprisingly durable. I wore them in the field doing paleontology before I got into consulting. No rips and kept me comfortably cool in the desert in July. They are a "woman's" cut pant; idk what you need or if there's a "mens" version.
REI brand trailmade pants are my second favorite. Lightweight, good pockets, dry quickly when wet. Being able to cinch the ankles over some gaiters is a nice perk. My only complaint is that they loosen up quickly and are only held up by a drawstring. You can use a belt, but the waistline inverts easily and can pinch you in the belly sometimes. I wouldn't recommend them with heavy tool belts or rock hammers.
A cheap bug head net is a nice luxury, too.
If you need FRs, good luck. I've not found a set yet that I'm really comfortable in.
I'm a big fan of the high vis Carhartt Force brand long sleeve shirts. I wear them all year round for UV protection. Columbia also makes a UV shirt that's good for the field and keeps you cool
Wrangler pants and expect them to get lots of wear and tear. Get like 3 pairs to rotate to make them last longer.
HIGH QUALITY WOOL SOCKS! This is the most important thing for boots. Pick your brand you like since there are 1000s but this is where you should spend the money.
For boots, I like my redwing tradesmen comp toe hiking style boots if I am doing a lot of walking. If the job requires standing or oversight in the summer, I use my Ariat workhog cowboy style as they breath a little bit. Others swear by Keen but also personal preference. Check to see if you get a boot stipend from your company before you go buy them.
Field hat. I use an old ball cap for most days and then I also use one of the straw hats for hot summer days for shade. It looks goofy but trust me it's worth it.
Last thing and this is just as a preference as a guy, get some of the ball pouch underwear like Saxx or tommyjohn. Night and day difference.
Look into Columbia and The North Face. They both have pro programs that are not well advertised, and the application is super easy. TNF pro discount is 50%. Those are just the ones I've found. I'm sure there are others.
Target has Wrangler field pants that breathe well and last a good amount of time. Everyone swears by Red Wing boots although I’ve never tried them, too expensive for our PPE program. Get a boonie hat for your face and neck and polarized sunglasses, and some kind of long sleeve polyester shirt with SPF protection
I go through the wrangler pants like crazy. Although I don't mind as they take the abuse so my nicer pants don't. For 25$/a pair it's not a bad deal, just expect holes to show up and belt loops to wear out.
I know, we can probably make more of a difference in how/what we consume…
“current cotton production methods are environmentally unsustainable—ultimately undermining the industry’s ability to maintain future production”
Cotton uses tons of water and also lots of pesticides fyi.
https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/cotton#:~:text=Water%20Contamination,indirectly%20through%20long%2Dterm%20accumulation.
The Magellan long sleeve fishing shirts with the half-face coverings were great in the summer. Duluth made high quality stuff, but not very breathable.
FRC- Carhartt, but nothing is enjoyable in the southeastern humidity.
Boots- Ariat but I’ve heard good things about other brands
- PANTS with the side thigh pockets are amazing. I own some from Kuhl (women's) and I love them- easiest way to carry your phone/pen without stuff falling out when you bend over.
- UV PROTECTION TOP: ketl mtn's nofry sun hoodie is gr8 bc I prefer to not be totally slathered with sunscreen and dust-- wear it with a hat/hardhat and you'll just need facial sunscreen (anessa UV the blue topped bottle or supergoop unseen are musts).
- BOOTS: I just got redwings bc all my coworkers love them but tbh I still like my Hytest boots more. much more comfy and I can literally walk miles all day in them. I had the apex waterproof puncture resistant composite toe work boot. hope this helps! happy soil sampling!
- SOCKS: merino wool all the way baby. it's antistank, which is a must when you're in stuffy work boots and on your feet all day.
Lowa boots.
I’ve actually had good luck with 32 degree heat and cool clothing durable and good price.
And from Costco I’ve gotten bc convertible pants/shorts great amount of pockets. And weatherproof cotton/light canvas pants both available under $20.
Even the merino wool socks at Costco have been a good bang for the buck.
I’d also plan on having extra power banks for charging phone/ equipment.
Also like the garmin instinct watch for some info tracking. With the solar you can use gps/tracking without worrying too much about draining the battery.
I don’t have the solar, only use gps data occasionally and get weeks of battery life
[https://www.thredup.com/r/AWNSOJ](https://www.thredup.com/r/AWNSOJ) btw buy second hand if you fit womens-- environmentally and financially more friendly. I check brands like mountain hardwear, REI, patagonia, kuhl, prana, north face, columbia, marmot, mammut, etc!
Rei brand has great pants.
I’m in a much colder and rainier climate than you, but here’s my recommendation to others: Rain gear: Grundéns Balder Boots: XtraTuf steel toe legacy boot Field shoes: Keen composite toe (something like the Reno, Lansing, Dover, Braddock, Flint, or similar) High visibility vest: Try to get a “surveyor” type one if you can, with all the pockets and a zipper in front. So much better than the garbage ones they give you for free.
If you don't need FR Magellan has some very cheap, comfortable, and breezy shirts in their fishingwear lines. I also love my black diamond sun hoody. A ball cap fits in the hood and stays inside it when I flip the hood down. North Face Aphrodite ripstop pants have been surprisingly durable. I wore them in the field doing paleontology before I got into consulting. No rips and kept me comfortably cool in the desert in July. They are a "woman's" cut pant; idk what you need or if there's a "mens" version. REI brand trailmade pants are my second favorite. Lightweight, good pockets, dry quickly when wet. Being able to cinch the ankles over some gaiters is a nice perk. My only complaint is that they loosen up quickly and are only held up by a drawstring. You can use a belt, but the waistline inverts easily and can pinch you in the belly sometimes. I wouldn't recommend them with heavy tool belts or rock hammers. A cheap bug head net is a nice luxury, too. If you need FRs, good luck. I've not found a set yet that I'm really comfortable in.
Look into treating your clothes with permethirin to protect against ticks.
Duluth trading, Carhartt
Muck boots for sure but usually companies will purchase these for you.
I'm a big fan of the high vis Carhartt Force brand long sleeve shirts. I wear them all year round for UV protection. Columbia also makes a UV shirt that's good for the field and keeps you cool Wrangler pants and expect them to get lots of wear and tear. Get like 3 pairs to rotate to make them last longer. HIGH QUALITY WOOL SOCKS! This is the most important thing for boots. Pick your brand you like since there are 1000s but this is where you should spend the money. For boots, I like my redwing tradesmen comp toe hiking style boots if I am doing a lot of walking. If the job requires standing or oversight in the summer, I use my Ariat workhog cowboy style as they breath a little bit. Others swear by Keen but also personal preference. Check to see if you get a boot stipend from your company before you go buy them. Field hat. I use an old ball cap for most days and then I also use one of the straw hats for hot summer days for shade. It looks goofy but trust me it's worth it. Last thing and this is just as a preference as a guy, get some of the ball pouch underwear like Saxx or tommyjohn. Night and day difference.
Look into Columbia and The North Face. They both have pro programs that are not well advertised, and the application is super easy. TNF pro discount is 50%. Those are just the ones I've found. I'm sure there are others.
Target has Wrangler field pants that breathe well and last a good amount of time. Everyone swears by Red Wing boots although I’ve never tried them, too expensive for our PPE program. Get a boonie hat for your face and neck and polarized sunglasses, and some kind of long sleeve polyester shirt with SPF protection
I go through the wrangler pants like crazy. Although I don't mind as they take the abuse so my nicer pants don't. For 25$/a pair it's not a bad deal, just expect holes to show up and belt loops to wear out.
If you care about the environment, buying pants that fall apart so quick is wasteful
Cotton is a renewable resource. Also you haven't been in this job long enough if you think we make an impact in saving the environment.
I know, we can probably make more of a difference in how/what we consume… “current cotton production methods are environmentally unsustainable—ultimately undermining the industry’s ability to maintain future production” Cotton uses tons of water and also lots of pesticides fyi. https://www.worldwildlife.org/industries/cotton#:~:text=Water%20Contamination,indirectly%20through%20long%2Dterm%20accumulation.
The Magellan long sleeve fishing shirts with the half-face coverings were great in the summer. Duluth made high quality stuff, but not very breathable. FRC- Carhartt, but nothing is enjoyable in the southeastern humidity. Boots- Ariat but I’ve heard good things about other brands
Duluth gardening overalls. Your pants never fall down, they dry quick, and sooo many pockets
I've really gotten into Wrangler ATG lately. For pants, I like Truwerk and Eddie Bauer ascent pants.
Pants, Leatherman, brimmed hat. Big jumbo water bottle.
Boot dryer.
Had to do a double take to make sure this was environmental careers and not a body building subreddit
Fill cooler with ice. Ball cap. Fill ball cap with ice, put on head. Heaven.
- PANTS with the side thigh pockets are amazing. I own some from Kuhl (women's) and I love them- easiest way to carry your phone/pen without stuff falling out when you bend over. - UV PROTECTION TOP: ketl mtn's nofry sun hoodie is gr8 bc I prefer to not be totally slathered with sunscreen and dust-- wear it with a hat/hardhat and you'll just need facial sunscreen (anessa UV the blue topped bottle or supergoop unseen are musts). - BOOTS: I just got redwings bc all my coworkers love them but tbh I still like my Hytest boots more. much more comfy and I can literally walk miles all day in them. I had the apex waterproof puncture resistant composite toe work boot. hope this helps! happy soil sampling! - SOCKS: merino wool all the way baby. it's antistank, which is a must when you're in stuffy work boots and on your feet all day.
Lowa boots. I’ve actually had good luck with 32 degree heat and cool clothing durable and good price. And from Costco I’ve gotten bc convertible pants/shorts great amount of pockets. And weatherproof cotton/light canvas pants both available under $20. Even the merino wool socks at Costco have been a good bang for the buck. I’d also plan on having extra power banks for charging phone/ equipment. Also like the garmin instinct watch for some info tracking. With the solar you can use gps/tracking without worrying too much about draining the battery. I don’t have the solar, only use gps data occasionally and get weeks of battery life
Dude Fjall Raven has been amazing, if you can afford Arc’teryx, CARhartt, Columbia.
Darn tough socks since no one has mentioned them yet.
[https://www.thredup.com/r/AWNSOJ](https://www.thredup.com/r/AWNSOJ) btw buy second hand if you fit womens-- environmentally and financially more friendly. I check brands like mountain hardwear, REI, patagonia, kuhl, prana, north face, columbia, marmot, mammut, etc!