5 Men’s Canvas Utility Jackets to Keep You Warm
There’s a jacket for every occasion and a utility jacket is no exception. Every man should have one in their closet.
We’re talking about a classic, rugged aesthetic that looks good and performs better even in poor weather.
WHAT IS A UTILITY JACKET?
Traditionally made from denim, waxed canvas, and duck cotton these utility jackets are built with tenacity. They deflect water, stand up against heavy abrasion, and have large, accessible pockets for tools and hands with gloves on. They’re today’s men’s workwear for those who work with their hands from construction, to transportation, to home services.
Utility jackets also take on the following names: chore coat, chore jacket, workers jacket, duck canvas jacket, duck cotton jacket, waxed canvas jacket, and tin cloth jacket.
Phew! That’s a mouthful.
Just know that a utility jacket is a tough, timeless garment that can be easily dressed up or down depending on the occasion. And most importantly they provide protection against harsh work conditions and weather.
EVERYONE CAN USE A UTILITY JACKET
So how do utility jackets find their way into We Who Roam? Not only do I love the aesthetic of utility jackets, but I truly love their function.
When Shelby and I are pulling up to a campsite and it’s cold out I reach for a utility jacket. Because I know the next 1-2 hours will be me unloading the truck with abrasive camping gear, picking up awkward pieces of downed wood, using an axe to split wood for a fire, and then hanging out next to that fire that every so often sends embers into the air.
If you camp often then you probably know at least one person whose ripped their lightweight puff jacket by snagging it on a piece of gear, punctured a hole in a fleece by picking up or splitting wood, and or even burned a hole in a synthetic jacket by a rogue ember popping out of a fire you’re trying to cozy up next to.
This is just a few of the mishaps that can happen when camping. If it’s been a wile since you’ve camped or you’re a first timer be sure to brush up on these 18 Camping Mistakes and How to Avoid Them.
Our expensive, compressible layers like down jackets, fleece, and synthetic puffs are made to keep us warm, but they’re not made to withstand manual labor.
With a utility jacket, you can get work done without any worry of damaging your specialized garments used for hiking and backpacking.
It’s a great campground jacket that I can also casually wear in and around urban settings.
Let’s recap all the great and then address some of the not so good.
UTILITY JACKET – PROS
- Extremely Durable
- Highly Weather Resistant
- Large, Spacious Utility Pockets
- Dress Up or Down – Timeless Design
UTILITY JACKET – CONS
- Stiffer Material – Not as Comfortable
- Heavy – On Your Body and in Your Bags
- Not Ideal for Backpacking or Long Hikes
- Large Footprint – Takes Up a Lot of Space when Traveling
5 BEST MEN’S CANVAS UTILITY JACKETS
Now that you know some history and have some knowledge let’s check out 5 of the best selling men’s utility jackets available today!
The following list is in no particular order.
🌻 Our content may contain affiliate links. If clicked through to make a purchase, the price remains the same for you and we will earn a small commission. This helps us to continue creating useful and valuable content for you and other visitors. 💜1. Carhartt Washed Duck Bartlett Jacket
If you’ve never heard of ‘workers wear’ clothing you’ve probably still heard of Carhartt. They’ve been in business for over 125 years!
Since day one they’ve produced tough clothing for ranchers, linemen, and anyone who works outside. The Carhartt Duck Barlett Jacket hits so many awesome points it just had to be on this list.
This utility jacket sports washed cotton duck cloth, which is water repellent and wind resistant and has a sherpa lined body and hood. We’re talking maximum comfort, warmth, and mobility.
Any weak points, such as the cuffs, have been reinforced with Cordura® fabric, a renown nylon in the outdoor and tactical community known for it’s incredible strength and durability.
For us organization freaks, you get 6 pockets including 2 hand warmer, 2 snap chest pockets, and 2 internal pockets. Yeah…I like that.
While the materials are imported, Carhartt is proud to make these utility jackets here in the United States.
The only real draw back (for some) may be the price tag. Carhartt is a lifelong, quality brand and you pay for it.
FEATURES
- Heavyweight, 12-Ounce 100% ring-spun washed cotton duck
- Sherpa-lined body for warmth; Quilted nylon sleeve lining for warmth and easy on-and-off
- Reinforced Cordura® at cuffs; Internal rib-knit storm cuffs help keep out the cold
- Carhartt-strong, triple-stitched main seams
- Pleated bi-swing back for extra stretch across the shoulders
- Attached adjustable hood
- Full-zip front with inner and outer storm flaps and snap-button closure
- Drawcord-adjustable droptail hem for added coverage
- Two snap-button chest pockets; Two lower front pockets
- Two inside pockets
2. Dri Duck Cheyenne
Okay, admittedly I did say that canvas is typically pretty stiff therefore not as comfortable, but the Dri Duck Cheyenne arrives completely worn in.
What does that mean? Dri Duck being well aware of how stiff tough cotton can be, they built this utility jacket from sturdy 12 oz. Boulder Cloth™ canvas that is washed and peached so it’s as soft as can be from day 1.
I can attest to this as I own this jacket and love it for that reason! Along with broken in comfort I also enjoy the padded insulation and roomy front pockets. You also get 2 sizeable left internal pockets, large enough to fit a smart phone.
The only drawback with this jacket (and with every jacket on this list) is that it’s not compressible so you can expect this jacket to eat up a ton of space if trying to pack it in a backpack, duffel, or suitcase.
I typically just wear it when traveling to avoid this.
FEATURES
- 12 oz., 100% cotton Boulder Cloth™ canvas with diamond-quilted brushed tricot lined body and hood
- 3 oz. polyfill insulation
- Rib knit cuffs and waistband with 6 rows of spandex for superior memory retention
- Three-piece hood
- Cotton braided drawcords
- Inside cell phone and patch pocket with snap closure
- Articulated elbows
- Heavy-duty, YKK zipper with easy-grab zipper pull (we LOVE YKK zippers)
3. Legendary Whitetails Men’s Rugged Full Zip Dakota Jacket
Looking for something a little more versatile? The Legendary Whitetails Men’s Rugged Full Zip Dakota Jacket is a mix of form and function.
It’s key feature being the removable hood. You can easily dress up and dress down this jacket with a single zip!
It also just looks bad ass with the cotton suede material giving it that aged leather look.
I love my pockets and this utility jacket has 5 of them. Two hand warmer pockets, a zippered chest pocket, and 2 internal pockets on the left side. Enough for any man’s edc (everyday carry).
This jacket is not 100% cotton which means 2 things. It may not be as durable as our 100% counterparts, but it will wear a bit lighter and feel more comfortable.
The con is simply a trade off.
FEATURES
- Cotton suede shell
- Full front zipper, snap cuffs
- Removable Hood
- Signature Buck logo on hood
- 5 Pockets: 2 Front, 1 Zippered Chest, 2 Inside
- Body | 63% Cotton and 37% Polyester
- Hood and Hood Lining | 70% Cotton and 30% Polyester
- Body Lining | 100% Cotton
- Sleeve Lining | 100% Polyester
4. Dickies Duck Blanket Lined Jacket
You’ve surely heard of Dickies as their products tend to be more accessible and affordable for work wear. But don’t fret quality as they’ve been around the block, for nearly a century too! The Dickies Duck Blanket Jacket is a utility jacket that should definitely be on your radar and here’s why.
A blanket liner and corduroy collar means all day warmth and comfort whether you’re choppin’ wood in the back country or enjoying a cup of coffee at a local diner.
Since the outer jacket is 100% duck cotton you now know that this jacket not only looks great, but keeps water and wind at bay.
Not overly crowded with pockets, this jacket is has a more sleek, minimalist look.
Coming up with cons is not easy for this one, but I have read some reviews regarding sizing issues. Just be sure to check the sizing chart and measure yourself accordingly!
FEATURES
- Shell: Duck, 100% Cotton
- Lining: Acrylic/Polyester/Nylon
- Water repellent
- Warm blanket lining and corduroy collar
- Corduroy collar
- Front chest pocket
- Slash-front pockets
- Inside pocket
- Bi-swing back for ease of movement
- Triple-needle felled seam construction
5. WenVen Men’s Canvas Military Lapel Jacket
Prior to brushing up on top canvas jackets I’ve honestly never heard of WenVen.
With that said this company has sold 22 thousand pieces of this utility jacket and that has absolutely peaked my attention! Numbers like this mean you can confidently grab the WenVen Men’s Canvas Military Lapel Jacket and go.
This is the only utility jacket on this list I would recommend for spring and fall, not so much winter. It has a thin polyester liner making this a great piece for cooler weather, but not necessarily frigid.
A slim fit means this piece can easily be dressed up for a night out on the town. This could also be a con as you may sacrifice some mobility when it actually comes down to working in this jacket.
Despite range of motion being a potential concern, this utility jacket has a gang of pockets. Six total including 2 hand warmers, 2 snap chest, 1 zipper chest, and 1 internal pocket.
Not bad huh?
FEATURES
- Material: Shell: 100% Cotton
- Body Lining: 100% Polyester
- Full-length zipper enclosure
- Full-length button enclosures
- Adjustable snap cuffs
- 2 Breast Pockets
- 2 Slant hand pockets
- Upper left zip pocket
- Interior pocket
Add a Utility Jacket to Your Closet
In this article you’ve learned what a utility jacket is used for, all the names it can fall under, and some of the top choices available today.
There’s no reason to stress about ruining ‘nicer’ outer wear when you’re equipped with a quality utility jacket. Tough materials and smartly designed features means these jackets will endure any work you put them through.
It’s best to have the right tool for the right job and the same rule applies to various outerwear and conditions.
Make sure to check out the Top 3 Men’s Packable Down Jackets for the Outdoors & Travel.
If you’re in need of a mid layer fleece you need to see these 3 Men’s Fleece Jackets: Incredibly Warm and Stylish.
We Who Roam never roams without a complete set of layers, each with their own purpose for the right adventure and occasion.
Do you already own a utility jacket on this list? Is there a utility jacket you feel should be on this list? We’d love to know in a comment below!
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