Tool Review: Dickies 874 FLEX, Multi-Pocket Performance Shop Pant and WorkTech Short Sleeve Premium Ventilated Performance Shirt
The Dickie's Flex Work Pant, No. 874 FLEX, is made of a flex fabric designed for ease of movement, comfort and durability. A mechanical stretch gives additional movement. The fabric is wrinkle resistant, is moisture wicking and has an "easy care stain release," according to the company. This pant has a traditional fit in the seat and thigh, has welt back pockets, hook and eye closures and longer tunnel belt loops.
The Dickies Multi-Pocket Performance Shop Pant, No. LP605, was designed specifically for the automotive worker to deliver comfort and durability. Strategically placed utility pockets were designed to keep tools close at hand while the ergonomic waistband allows bending and stretching. With StayDark technology and wrinkle-resistant fabric, this pant withstands the demands of a hard day’s work. This pant is available in black and dark navy.
The Dickies WorkTech Short Sleeve Premium Ventilated Performance Shirt, No. LS516, is specifically designed to withstand hot working conditions and deliver cooling comfort. AeroCool mesh is strategically placed near the body’s natural heat zones, and provides ventilation to cool the wearer and help prevent heat stress. The shirt is engineered with easy-care stain release technology and moisture wicking fabric to keep workers comfortable and is available in black, dark navy and light blue.
The Review
When working in a busy shop environment, personal comfort may sometimes take the 'back seat,' so comfortable apparel can be an important factor in increasing technician efficiency.
Eric Moore of DeMary Truck in Columbus, Ohio, says his Dickies apparel allows him to have full mobility, keep from overheating and, most importantly, they're "easy to wear." Moore says his Dickies work clothes have already softened after a few washes and he hasn't found the need to iron them.
Moore wore two different styles of Dickies work pants, the Flex 874 and the Multi-Pocket Performance Shop Pant, as well as the WorkTech Short Sleeve Premium Ventilated Performance shirt.
"I really like these articles [of clothing], and I will continue to wear them for some time to come," Moore says.
When it comes to the work pants, Moore says both styles were comfortable to wear. They "breathe well, fit and move with [him] easily." Both pants also feature deep pockets.
Moore describes the Flex 874 pants as more of an "executive style" compared to the Multi-Pocket Performance Shop Pant, which are a "cargo style."
Flex 874 offers a flat hook-style fastener, and come in black and charcoal. Moore says these pants can easily transition to daytime wear outside of the shop.
"I actually wore the [Flex 874] several times out in public and liked the way they blended seamlessly when paired with a pullover shirt, or just a tee shirt," Moore says.
The "cargo style" Multi-Pocket Performance Shop Pant was designed specifically for automotive technicians with features like a reinforced knee and a rubber coated button, which Moore says is nice for preventing scratches on vehicles.
"The navy cargo pants hide a lot of the evidence that they are work pants, not showing dirt and grime as obviously as jeans might," Moore says.
While the overall fit of both styles of work pants were comfortable, Moore notes that throughout the day the waistband seemed to "roll just a bit at the closure." He wore a belt with both styles.
In addition to the work pants, Moore also wore the WorkTech Short Sleeve Premium Ventilated Performance Shirt, No. LS516. This shirt, which comes in both black and navy blue, features pockets on each breast and a collar, which Moore says doesn't lose shape even after several washes.
"The shirts were very much easy to wear, they have ventilated panels under the arms and on the yoke between the shoulders that keeps them comfortable," Moore says. "Even wearing an undershirt, I didn’t feel overheated like with most uniform-style shirts I’ve worn."
