Overalls/ Work Bib Recs?

Darkbloodmon

Darkbloodmon

Active Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2020
Location
Concord, NC
Shipping out too Columbia for TMC, Looking over the orientation checklist I saw they had an appearance policy against shorts and sleeveless shirts.

I thought I was being proactive when I previously bought $78 worth of work shorts between two Goodwills and a Salvation Army, in addition to a bulk order ($80) of sleeveless high vis, breathable work shirts. That's all out the window now.

Called my recruiter to confirm and ask about exceptions because I "sweat" sure enough the answer I got was "a lot of old heads in the industry and our clients find shorts and sleeveless shirts unprofessional". I'd need a doctors note for my heat related illness history for a shorts and shirt exception which I intend to try to get. As I was told by my recruiter "Sweating is apart of flat bedding" A bit dismissive in tone, but I can empathize in the amount of stupid questions recruiters get coming from AAA and trying to help the ignorant. I don't have any misconceptions about the job, and at this point I'll just have to prove that with my work experience and ethic, either way im going to bring the rain and blow Larry Sprinkle's forecast out the water; because I "Sweat"

Recruiter said overalls were fine, anyone have recommendations? Preferably durable but breathable and flexible. High vis and optional pads a plus.
 
If you're looking for more breathable clothes / shirts, look into synthetic / polyester shirts. They won't prevent you from sweating but they are way more breathable and the moisture will wick away and evaporate way faster.
 
RatLabGuy said:
If you're looking for more breathable clothes / shirts, look into synthetic / polyester shirts. They won't prevent you from sweating but they are way more breathable and the moisture will wick away and evaporate way faster.
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Stay away from heavy cotton content I assume?
 
RatLabGuy said:
If you're looking for more breathable clothes / shirts, look into synthetic / polyester shirts. They won't prevent you from sweating but they are way more breathable and the moisture will wick away and evaporate way faster.
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Darkbloodmon said:
Stay away from heavy cotton content I assume?
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This goes for underwear and socks too.

Also, how are overalls going to be cool? Seems like that adds a layer around your torso.
 
Darkbloodmon said:
Stay away from heavy cotton content I assume?
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RatLabGuy said:
100%
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And this is why I look like a wet dish rag. Poly and sparks don't last. I can tell you overalls are more breathable then coveralls and I've tried both.
Buy a size or so bigger than normal attire. You can add a layer underneath and they want get as bound up. Coveralls that fit me make me look like a circus animal getting them on....I don't know why the appropriate pant and waist fit never fits my shoulders.......


And for fancy I love all things Blaklader for trades and cannot afford any of it. I worked around a few fellas from Germany. They looked comfortable all day right beside me and was sharp. Built in knee pad pockets and durable light weight fabrics.
 
Idk what tmc is but the only place sleeveless shirts and shorts are acceptable is if you're a raft guide or a roofer, that being said I'm not sure why you're going straight from that to overalls. Buy some cargo pants and work shirts and comfortable boots and be done. What do the other drivers wear?
 
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VortecJeep said:
This goes for underwear and socks too.

Also, how are overalls going to be cool? Seems like that adds a layer around your torso
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WARRIORWELDING said:
I can tell you overalls are more breathable then coveralls and I've tried both.
Buy a size or so bigger than normal attire.
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Up size than my actual for a bit more room was my line of thought on breathability in addition to the materials.
 
braxton357 said:
Idk what tmc is but the only place sleeveless shirts and shirts are acceptable is if you're a raft guide or a roofer, that being said I'm not sure why you're going straight from that to overalls. Buy some cargo pants and work shirts and comfortable boots and be done. What do the other drivers wear?
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Durability for work was the reason for the jump. Previously my uniform as a roll back driver was Cintas work shorts, a high vis AAA breathable work shirt, my own additional 187 Killer knee pads I wore with the shorts and black no slip steel toes. Shorts lasted for at least 2 weeks, shirts about a week with Lysol if they weren't sweat soaked and still wet by the time I got home.

Without the shorts and knee pads I figured my cloths would be coming in contact with more surfaces as I move around, bend, squat, and crawl. For reference these are my knee pads after about a year with AAA.

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Jeans and high vis T's are what im seeing alot of other drivers wear. Jeans just feel like a heat sink, haven't worn them in years.
 
If your heart set on overalls (bib style) go with liberty! I wear them ever damn day here on the farm. Buy them 2 sizes on waist and height and go. Stick to the stone wash. Walmart yourself a few packs of the standard pocket work shirts from Hanes or whoever. Also 2x over your normal size. TMC has the rep and clientele they do because they, unlike so many others, actually hold their drivers to a solid standard. Gorgeous trucks and immaculate maintenance! You will be held to a standard far above anybody else. You will see this on the road as a Company driver but you will also come out of there with a better résumé to move on to something bigger, and better because companies around the industry understand that they ask more of their drivers!

Oh, and don’t be all stuck up like the rest and keep your CB on to listen to the “road”.

Don’t take the heat about Too Much Chrome (TMC). Earn it and you’ll go far with them!!

Good luck man and check in often they’re a good company but don’t get pushed around as a new driver!!
 
VortecJeep said:
This goes for underwear and socks too.
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Yup. I really love my Izod synthetic boxer briefs. They breathe so well but the legs are just tight enough that bugs can't fly up.

Re: socks - you'd be surprised how much cooling and heat retention happens through you feet. Comfy dry feet lead to a much more comfy body. And for that... wool all the way. This is where Darn Tough socks really shine. Because they naturally wick the moisture away from your feet they dry way faster than cotton, and don't stink. Even in summer I'm happy with mid-weight socks.

That doesn't help OP with the knee protection problem, but just a thought about helping deal with the naturally expired moisture.
 
RatLabGuy said:
Yup. I really love my Izod synthetic boxer briefs. They breathe so well but the legs are just tight enough that bugs can't fly up.

Re: socks - you'd be surprised how much cooling and heat retention happens through you feet. Comfy dry feet lead to a much more comfy body. And for that... wool all the way. This is where Darn Tough socks really shine. Because they naturally wick the moisture away from your feet they dry way faster than cotton, and don't stink. Even in summer I'm happy with mid-weight socks.

That doesn't help OP with the knee protection problem, but just a thought about helping deal with the naturally expired moisture.
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x2 on a wool or wool blend sock. Lived in em for 20+ yrs in the service. They are a game changer!! Used to wear my point6 morino wool socks for darn near a week and they never stank or got stiff like a cotton based sock. Pricey, but well worth the investment.

Heat=sweat=bacteria=stank and foot rot.
 
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Thank you all for the feedback and advise. Greatly appreciated.

skyhighZJ said:
Oh, and don’t be all stuck up like the rest and keep your CB on to listen to the “road”.
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Any guides or articles you'd recommend for CB radio operation? I don't have any experience with one but information and awareness beyond my line of sight is priceless and something id like to take advantage of. I'm not sure what units TMC uses but I'll as plenty of questions at orientation.
 
Darkbloodmon said:
Thank you all for the feedback and advise. Greatly appreciated.


Any guides or articles you'd recommend for CB radio operation? I don't have any experience with one but information and awareness beyond my line of sight is priceless and something id like to take advantage of. I'm not sure what units TMC uses but I'll as plenty of questions at orientation.
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Just leave it on and learn what it is to manage your volume and squelch. I’m not sure what radios they have in cab but set it on ch. 19 and listen to those around you. Mostly is chatter but it can be info to save your day or your life in limited vis situations or small 2 lane driving scenarios. A few months ago I called out to a guy (not a TMC truck but a company driver just the same) as I passed him north bound about a wreck he would be approaching around a blind corner. No response. I passed went up and dumped my sand and was on my way back south and sat for a good long while at a wreck site. When I was able to come through his truck was in the ditch and the trailer he was hauling had severed and cleaved the cab of the truck smooth off. I have no idea of his status but based on the skid marks he could have easily slowed down and been prepared to stop but he was too busy doing whatever he was doing. I’ll remember that for the rest of my days. It’s the most simple form of comms but so many drivers just don’t seem to use it anymore. Many folks on here are very well versed in CB operations and could help you way more than I can. My truck is just a simple cobra 29 ltd with the trick kit for a bit of extra power (range) and a pair of firestick antennas (very simple).

@JSJJ388 is a great dooder with a lot of radio knowledge! He may could shed some light although from what I have read he is more HAM based.

Also I don’t know what TMC will allow for mods to your radio or truck.
 
Noted, Thanks for the info!
 
I wear wool socks in the winter, but the rest of the time I wear cycling socks. My favorite are the Aireator line from defeet.com. And they are local, they are made in Hildebran, NC. They also do wool socks which are great too. Sockguy has some cool designs, but their quality went way down hill.
 
I've worn overalls exclusively every day of my work life for the last 10+ year. I will wear shorts at home or so but always work in overalls. I only wear carhartt force flex overalls anymore. Way lighter and cooler than any other I've ever used and they have elastic in the sholder straps so your voice doesn't change when you bend over. They are not super durable compaired to the duck style overalls, but its a trade off for lighter weight and cooler.

YotaOnRocks said:
Duluth flex cargo pants. They are light weight, they breath fairly well and they take a beating. They also resist water fairly well. I have worn nothing but them for the last 8-10 years and I couldn't imagine finding anything more comfortable.
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Having said all that about the Carhartts, I tried on a set of Duluth overalls this spring and really like them. I'm definably going to get a set to try out.
 
NCJeeplover said:
I've worn overalls exclusively every day of my work life for the last 10+ year. I will wear shorts at home or so but always work in overalls. I only wear carhartt force flex overalls anymore. Way lighter and cooler than any other I've ever used and they have elastic in the sholder straps so your voice doesn't change when you bend over. They are not super durable compaired to the duck style overalls, but its a trade off for lighter weight and cooler.


Having said all that about the Carhartts, I tried on a set of Duluth overalls this spring and really like them. I'm definably going to get a set to try out.
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Climbing in/out of equipment and climbing around on buildings, I used to rip the crotch in a pair of pants in no time. I've yet to rip the crotch out of a pair of the duluth pants, they just stretch with you.

I don't climb around on buildings for work anymore but these days I spend a lot of time cutting trees and climbing in and out of ditches and they have really surprised me with there resistance to tearing when getting snagged on limbs and roots.

I've only ever owned 1 pair of overalls, I tend to only wear them when riding in wet weather. When I wear them out, I plan to pick up some duluth ones.
 
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