Carhartt Tech Used in Workwear and Boots Explained

A family-owned American apparel company founded in 1889, Carhartt, Inc. is renowned for its heavy-duty workwear, including hunting apparel, jackets, fire-resistant garments, coats, dungarees, coveralls, shirts, vests, and jeans. It is managed by descendants of the founder Hamilton Carhartt and is headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan.

Carhartt Proprietary Clothing Technology

Carhartt is renowned for its heavy-duty, full-cut, snag-proof, wind-resistant work jackets, popular with hunters, construction workers, miners, farmers, and outdoors people.

Although the company has expanded its manufacturing to general streetwear, the Carhartt quick duck jackets remain their most popular product (manufactured in muted colors such as navy blue, mustard, and khaki).

Usually three-quarters or waist-length, they are made with triple-stitched seams and considerably stiff 12-ounce cotton canvas. These jackets are generally not designed to keep slender or tall men in view; they fit middle to hefty men better.

Let’s take a closer look at some of Carhartt’s other proprietary workwear technologies:

Carhartt Rain Defender

The Carhartt Rain Defender coating is specially manufactured with water-repellant technology allowing them to withstand light rain, whether on the job or after. These highly durable water-repellent garments support comfort and functionality when working, hunting, fishing, or performing any outdoor activity out in the rain.

Carhartt Storm Defender

Carhartt’s Storm Defender technology is applied to manufacture waterproof and breathable outerwear that allows the body’s heat to escape but stops every single raindrop. These jackets are rugged and lightweight, supporting waterproof seams and breathable membranes.

The innovative Storm Defender technology allows these garments to let sweat escape via a breathable membrane but stops rain from seeping in. It is functional in and out of a job, suitable for weekend-ing at campsites or participating in a fun ball game.

Carhartt Quick Duck

Introduced in the fall of 2012, Carhartt Quick Duck supports modern workers through its durability and lightweight nature. It is 30% lighter than the usual sandstone duck and offers the same durability, mobility, and versatility with less bulk.

Carhartt Quick Duck is now manufactured with 3M Thinsulate insulation for additional warmth and less weight. In addition, quick Duck jackets are built with Rain Defender durable water-repellent technology, prompting moisture to collect and roll off.

Super Dux 

The revamped and innovative Super Dux collection supports outdoor workers by allowing them to combat all kinds of weather. It comes equipped with ultra-tough gear to ward off rain and wind and offer abrasion resistance without the additional weight.

Carhartt Full Swing

Carhartt Full Swing offers a higher degree of recovery and stretch for outdoor wear and is fully engineered to enhance mobility. It contains articulation and stretches in the elbows, knees, back, and underarms, all with the traditional Carhartt look. Carhartt Full Swing also boasts the following features:

• Flex Elbow: reduced restriction through articulated seams on the outside and stretch panel on the inside.
• Mighty Back: allows instant recovery through a bi-swing panel attached between the shoulder blades that support everyday work movement.
• Freedom Gusset: allows wearers to lift heavy objects or do a cartwheel without the hassle of their sleeves riding up every time.
• Rugged Flex: allows unrestricted movement through durable stretch technology built into the fabric.

Carhartt Boots Tech

Carhartt Boots boast the same durability, efficiency, and high functionality as its apparel wear. Built-in the non-safety toe and safety-toe styles, these boots are manufactured with multiple innovative features, including electric-shock protection, steel toe, water and puncture resistance, composite toe, and others that promote safety and comfort.

Carhartt also utilizes superior proprietary safety technology from other industry leaders. These cross-collaborations with its safety technology allow the company to maximize the effectiveness of its work boots.

Let’s look at some of the proprietary and non-proprietary tech used in Carhartt boots:

Litefire

Litefire is Carhartt’s answer to the lightweight insulation riddle. With 400 grams of insulation, Litefire is waterproof, breathable, and heat-reflective.

Heel Guard

The Carhartt heel guard gives wearers increased heel stability, protection, and abrasion durability.

Achilles FlexJoints

Achilles FlexJoints is another proprietary tech by Carhartt and works efficiently with the heel guard to increase ankle stability and provide side impact protection.

Storm Defender

This waterproof breathable membrane is also used in Carhartt boots to keep them dry but breathable. In addition, the Composite toe versions of each boot provide additional impact and compression hazard cushioning while meeting ASTM 2413-18 standards.

FastDry

This proprietary water-repellent tech absorbs sweat and prevents odors from lingering, justifying its name.

RuggedFlex Rubber Outsole

Rugged Flex provides optimum flexibility without compromising on the durable traction that Carhartt boots are known for.

Carstrong Fabric

Double-stitched reinforced Car strong fabric increases heat retention while highly resistant to wear and tear.

Ground Force rubber outsole

Ground Force rubber outsole offers a sturdy grip and traction without compromising on flexibility for each step.

Pulsion Rebound Foam

Pulsion Rebound Foam uses engineering technologies to prevent workday fatigue by offering maximum rebound. In addition, its Single Density PU Foam works efficiently with Pulsion foam for additional comfort.

Tetrapod Anti-Fatigue Technology

The innovative tetrapod anti-fatigue technology uses its unique design and ergonomic shape to dissipate foot compression in several directions, simultaneously maintaining its proper shape.

EVA Midsole

This tech applies cushioned polyurethane for shock absorbance and additional support, along with an abrasion-resistant rubber heel and molded rubber toe bumper.

Swen Flex Puncture Resistant Plate

The Swen Flex Puncture Resistant Plate offers protection against puncture hazards to foot bottoms. It also satisfies ASTM 2413-18 standards and provides CSA electrical shock resistance of 18KV under dry conditions and CSA Grade 1 toe protection!

Comfort Footbed by Ortholite

This composite insole is lightweight, provides breathability, and boasts antibacterial properties. In addition, the Comfort Footbed wicks moisture, provides a clean airflow, and prevents odor and fungus.

Insite Technology

Insite Technology is tailored to align the foot in the most natural position for additional comfort and grip. Its embedded Insite footbed arch support also minimizes foot fatigue during long workday hours.

AX Suede Cover

This specially engineered suede top cover material reduces heat build-up and increases slip resistance, making it highly efficient for extensive outdoor tasks.

Goodyear Welt Construction

A traditional method of attaining a mechanical join by attaching a shoe’s sole to its upper portion, Goodyear Welt Construction allows wearers to replace their soles however often they like. This flexibility enables them to build the highly sought-after “patina” effect, generally achieved from several years of wear. In addition, the high-quality material component and efficient construction method increase the durability of these shoes to more than 20 years, depending upon the uppers’ condition and treatment.

Vibram Static Dissipative OutSoles

The Vibram Static Dissipative OutSoles are specially manufactured to prevent static build-up around them if a person works in a heavily loaded static environment. Wearing work boots or shoes with these outsoles offers protection against hazards related to static charges.

3M Thinsulate Insulation

3M Thinsulate is infused with xerogel – a solid over 99% air – to preserve warmth even at maximum compression. It is breathable, lightweight in construction, and highly sustainable, containing over 60% of recyclable content.

Personal Testing Experience

We’ve been lucky to experience some of Carhartt’s remarkable technologies when we used the brand’s high-quality work footwear and gear. Like all Carhartt Force gear, the Women’s Force Nano Composite Toe Work Shoe used FastDry technology to wick away moisture and keep our feet comfortably dry all day. In addition, we enjoyed the same moisture-wicking technology in the Rugged Flex 6-Inch Comp Toe Work Boot, which also featured the Rugged Flex technology on the outsole, offering superior grip and flexibility that enabled us to move more freely and safely over different surfaces. Meanwhile, the 6-Inch Waterproof Wedge Soft Toe Boot and 10-Inch Steel Toe Wellington Boot proved more than suitable for wet conditions as they both had the proprietary Storm Defender waterproof technology to block wetness and maintain a breathable environment.

Carhartt’s workwear line also showcased remarkable technologies that boosted performance and comfort. The Men’s Big Tall Storm Defender Loose Fit Jacket used Storm Defender and Rain Defender technologies, keeping us protected in rainy conditions while allowing the heat to escape quickly. We liked the Duck Sherpa-Lined Utility Jacket engineered to deliver medium warmth for moderately cold settings. The Firm Duck Insulated Flannel-Lined Active Jacket provides superior warmth for even colder environments. The Quick Duck Full Swing Cryder Jacket used Rugged Flex and Full Swing technologies that helped us move easily, with the Rain Defender technology working to repel water for comfy dryness. Finally, we’re impressed with the Men’s Ripstop Cargo Work Pants and Steel Rugged Flex Relaxed Fit Cargo Work Pants, as both use Ripstop fabric for superb abrasion and tear resistance, with the material also offering enough stretch for unrestricted movements.

Alternatives to Carhartt Wear

Although other outdoor wear options are available in the clothing industry, Carhartt is the only one to boast these innovative proprietary technologies and materials in outdoor workwear.

Future Light by North Face and GoreTex use waterproof technology in their garments, but they are better suited for outdoor gear as opposed to workwear garments. Similarly, Dickies and Helly Hensen manufacture water-resistant garments from rugged materials. Still, they are less advanced, durable, and strong than Carhartt’s.

Caterpillar, however, manufactures proprietary tech comparable to that of Carhartt; the Cat H20 Defender Waterproof Work Jacket is an alternative to Carhartt’s Storm Defender line.

Conclusion

Carhartt wear is specially designed and manufactured to support professionals performing arduous outdoor jobs, whether work-related or recreational. The specialized manufacturing processes used in their production incorporate water-repellent and mobility-enhancing technologies to make lightweight garments with breathable and waterproof seams, highly functional and efficient for the outside world.