How to Layer Workwear for an Australian Winter
The three-layer system that keeps you warm, dry and seen from a frosty start to a sweaty midday.
Staying warm on an Aussie winter site isn’t about one heavy jacket — it’s about layers you can add and shed as the day swings from a frosty 6am start to a sweaty midday graft. Get the three-layer system right and you’ll be comfortable from smoko to knock-off.
The Three-Layer System
Each layer has one job. Together they keep you warm, dry and seen.
The three-layer system
1. Base layer — move sweat away
Against your skin, wear a wicking base — merino or a synthetic thermal. Its job is to pull sweat off you so it can escape. Skip cotton here: it soaks up sweat and then chills you the moment you stop moving.
2. Mid layer — trap the warmth
This is where most of your heat is held — a fleece, hoodie or warm jumper that traps a layer of warm air. The warmer the mid layer, the less you’ll feel a cold wind get through.
3. Outer shell — block wind and rain
On top goes a waterproof, windproof shell. The Blizzard Hood waterproof jackets double as mid and shell in one at 360gsm — warm enough to skip a bulky jumper, with a waterproof outer built in.
Don’t forget you still need to be seen
Winter means darker mornings, low cloud and headlights on at knock-off — exactly when visibility drops. Make your outer layer the hi-vis one, ideally a day/night garment with reflective tape, so you’re seen no matter how many layers are underneath. A bright base layer hidden under a dark jacket does nothing.
Getting the weight right
More isn’t always warmer. Pile on too much and you’ll sweat through the morning, then freeze when you stop. The point of layering is control — peel a layer when you’re grafting, add it back at smoko. A 300–400gsm outer hits the sweet spot for most Australian winters.
Common winter mistakes
- A cotton base layer that holds sweat and chills you.
- One giant non-breathable jacket with no way to regulate.
- Hi-vis hidden under the outer layer in low light.
- No hood — a huge amount of heat (and rain) goes straight down your neck.
Build your winter kit
Shop the Winter RangeFrequently asked questions
What should I wear under a work jacket in winter?
A wicking base layer (merino or synthetic) against the skin, then a warm mid layer like a fleece or hoodie. Avoid cotton next to your skin — it holds sweat and chills you.
Is one heavy jacket enough?
Layers beat a single jacket because you can add and shed them as you heat up and cool down. One thick jacket tends to overheat you while you work, then leave you cold when you stop.
How do I stay hi-vis in winter?
Make your outer layer the hi-vis one — ideally a day/night garment with reflective tape, since winter light is poor and you’re often working at dawn or dusk.
Merino or synthetic base layer?
Both wick well. Merino resists odour and feels warmer when damp; synthetic dries fastest and costs less. Either beats cotton for winter work.