Construction Gear Guru Blog

Dickies is a long time favorite of our brands on three of our sites: Construction Gear, Safety Girl and Discount Safety Gear. We are constantly adding new items from them because of how hot they are on our sites and we like to listen to the customers. Dickies initially started out only manufacturing bib overalls and now are the largest work wear manufacturer in the world. We sell pants, shorts, shirts, outerwear, coveralls, overalls and so much more in both men’s and women’s styles. They are durable and meant for the American worker and not to mention stylish….I mean, check out the inventors of Dickies: C.N. Williamson and E.E. Dickie

Ever since 1922, they enjoyed the steady growth of the company. They conquered the Great Depression and World War II. They produced uniforms for millions of the nation’s armed forces. They now sell to countries all over the world.

As you can tell, we are a huge supporter of this company because we believe in their apparel and accessories and know they can stand the test.

BEST SELLING MENS PANTS: Dickies Regular Straight Fit 5-Pocket Denim Jean

“The quality and price of these jeans cannot be beat. They are rugged and hold up to washing and drying time and time again. I have purchased them before and will continue to do so. Am totally satisfied. Thank you, Construction Gear!” – Barb, a CG Customer

BEST SELLING WOMEN’S PANTS:  Dickies Relaxed Fit Straight Leg Cargo Pants

“Great pant for work. Would highly recommend!” – Tonyad, a CG Customer

BEST SELLING MEN’S SHIRT: Dickies Short Sleeve Work Shirt

“Great work shirts! My husband had some of these that he wore daily for years! But after so many years of wear and tear, he needed a few new ones. Very happy with the new shirts! :)” – HRothstein, a CG Customer

Up next in the series: KEY Industries!

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Our BRAND NEW boots are just in! We received them in the warehouse just last week and they are each in need of a hard-working owner. These boots have received an extreme amount of attention to detail to best fit our hard working customers that need durable and reliable footwear. Rugged Blue is an Online Stores exclusive that only invests in producing products we know you need and want. AKA: We design them for you! Our original work boot is NEW and IMPROVED. It is not only available in tan but in a brown, nubuck leather also. And our personal favorite, the Jackson is also up for grabs. So let’s get into it:

Rugged Blue Original Steel Toe Work Boots – Dark Brown

This boot stands up for the name, it is an extremely rugged and heavy duty boot that is made to stand the test of any workplace you place it in. It is made of a brown nubuck leather and steel shank upper for extreme durability. It is also water resistant for those wet workplaces such as construction or any other outside job. The outsole is oil-resistant and PU injected. It will not let you down. PU injection simply means that it is made of polyurethane. This ensures millions of tiny bubbles so that the boot is lightweight, thermal-insulating and lasts longer than rubber or PVC. PU is considered the most suitable material for producing dependable and comfortable safety boots. As for the inside of the boot, there is a mesh lining for breathability and a removable poly insole. Don’t just take our word for it, try them out for yourself.

This boot is available in SOFT OR STEEL toe.

(The steel toe option is ASTM F2413-11 I/75 C/75 Rated)

You can also purchase the Original Work Boot in tan:

This boot is available in SOFT OR STEEL toe.

(The steel toe option is ASTM F2413-11 I/75 C/75 Rated)

Last but definitely not least is our personal favorite, the Rugged Blue 8″ Jackson Boot.

This boot is also available in a SOFT or STEEL toe option to best fit your needs. The oily tumbled leather is the perfect addition to your boot collection. This boot has an 8″ steel shank upper. It is water, oil AND slip resistant. So don’t be afraid to get dirty. The reinforced leather heel and toe make this boot the most tenacious and heavy duty boot you could imagine! It has a goodyear welt and mesh lining. This boot is so comfortable, you won’t even want to take it off when you get home from an 8 hour work day. It is available on our site in sizes ranging from 7-14. Seriously…don’t miss out on this deal!

We spent time to determine what makes a work boot great. We wanted to give you boots that are comfortable, durable, heavy duty without sacrificing your wallet. We designed them with other popular boots in mind and completed the task with these three crazy good work boots.

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We want to start a new series called “Let’s Talk Brands”, where we go in depth on some of the hottest items from specific brands that we carry and the customer reviews that these items get. Carhartt is perfect to start with because it is one of our top brands in general.

Carhartt was founded way back in 1889 when only two sewing machines were used to make overalls in a small Detorit loft. It grew and grew until now, Carhartt has produced over 80 million articles and accessories in the United States.

We love the durability, comfort and effort that these clothes and accessories offer and that’s why we sell them to our loyal customers. So lets begin:

The Famous K87 Tee is and will probably continue to be one of our greatest sellers for a very long time. We offer it in 11 different shades and it is a simple, 100% cotton jersey knit. The Carhartt symbol is sewn on the left chest pocket.

“Been wearing them for 35 plus years. Still they look good and fit just fine. Long lasting too.” -Gary, a Construction Gear customer.

The Relaxed Fit Tapered Leg Jean (B17) is a great choice for those who work hard and need a durable, lasting pair of jeans. They are available in two washes, dark stone and stone wash. They sit right above the waist, so they won’t slip down and are relaxed in the butt and thigh for sitting and standing. You can also order your true size because they have minimal shrinking.

“The jeans I had ordered were just what I was expecting. This is the 4th or 5th set of 4pair I have ordered. I’m a dairy farmer and they usually last about 4yrs a set.” – Christopher G, a Carhartt Customer

If you need a top and pants all in one, try these awesome overalls, the Carhartt Men’s Duck Bib Unlined Overall (R01). They are available in both duck brown and black. They are 12 oz. heavyweight with double knees for further durability. See our website page for a sizing chart to get your best fit.

“Local area store no longer carries Carhartt Bibs. I had never ordered from construction gear before. Found company online, good price, and Free Shipping!! And now 5% off next purchase for my review. GREAT!!” – Rick, a Customer at Construction Gear

Our last hot ticket item is a pair of super dependable work gloves, the Carhartt Men’s Grain Leather Safety Cuff Work Gloves. They are made of cotton duck and have grain cowhide palms and suede palm patches. The Carhartt Logo is across the knuckles, providing extra safety. Seriously, try these!

“I use these gloves from everything like throwing hay, to light duty mig and tig welding. They are the best pair of gloves I have ever gotten.” – Tristan, a Carhartt Customer

As you can tell, we love Carhartt as much you do. There are so many other products that are great and too long of a list so check them out. No matter what you’re in the market for, we can find something of awesome quality for you from this brand. Watch out, Dickies is up next!

“I believe that when a man wears an article that I manufacture, his self-respect is increased because he knows that it is made by an honest manufacturer, who is honest with his employees” – Hamilton Carhartt

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Ergonomic products are sold by Construction Gear to help those be more efficient and comfortable in their working environment. If you lift heavy items, bend a lot, reach overhead or push/pull heavy loads, you may be at risk for injuring your musculoskeletal system.

Back supports are a type of ergonomic product that is commonly misunderstood. They act as a external stabilizer for your back when you are working. You only want to tighten your back support when you are doing strenuous activity. When you are simply walking around or not using your back muscles, loosen the belt. You must use the back support ALONG WITH proper posture technique for it to work properly. The belt is NOT going to make you stronger, so only lift what you can and do not overdo it. The Ergonomic Program is a great place to start if you need help!

Tips for lifting:

1. Put one foot slightly in front of other and at a diagonal
2. Be as close as possible to what you are lifting
3. Test the weight first!
4. Carry at waist level

We have some new back supports at Construction Gear for you to work on practicing safe habits:

Economy Spandex Hi-Vis

Economy Spandex Support

Economy Elastic Support

Standard Elastic Support

Standard Spandex Support

High-Performance Support

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We’re bringing you our top 5 best seller logger boots. We simply want to help our customers choose what is best for them. So here is some more in depth information. Whether you need logger boots for work or simply prefer them for the work you do around the house, they are great for surface grip and non-slip. Therefore, these top five boots are very durable and hold up in many environments.

1. Our TOP seller, which we are very proud to say, is our own brand of Rugged Blue. They are the Rugged Blue Pioneer II boot. They are currently $61.99. You can choose from sizes ranging from 5-16 and whether you prefer medium or wide. We also offer the option of unlined or sheep skin lined. (We recommend trying the sheep skin lined for colder months.) They have an 8 inch shank and have a steel safety toe. They are both oil- and slip- resistant.
2. Next up, we have the Carolina Lined Waterproof Boots. Actually, the last four boots are all Carolina! We love this brand as much as our customers. These boots are not only durable but they are stylish and comfortable. The copper crazy horse leather is absolutely beautiful! Being outside in the logging industry can sometimes be a sloppy mess, so you may need a waterproof lined option like this one! They have an 8′ steel shank and are available in a soft ($134.99) or steel ($139.99) toe option. They are electrical hazard rated. The steel toe option is ASTM rated.
3. The next boot is similar to that above besides the color and insulation. They are the Carolina Waterproof Insulated Boots. The sleek black full grain leather gives this boot a clean look. They are also waterproof lined like #2 but there is 600g of Thinsulate insulation to keep your feet warm and comfortable (that is where the extra $10 is going to). They have an 8′ shank and are available in a soft ($144.99) or steel ($149.99) toe option. They are electrical hazard rated. The steel toe option is ASTM rated.
4. We’re doubling up. The fourth top logger boot is the same at above, just in copper crazyhorse leather instead of black!
5. And lastly, we have the Carolina Lace to Toe Waterproof Boots. They are also in the color copper crazyhorse and have the same features as #2 but they lace the whole way up to the toe to get a more snug fit. They are available in soft ($149.99) or steel toe ($154.99).

There are a lot of very similar boots in this list but to loggers insulated, non-insulated, waterproof, non-waterproof, etc. means all the difference. We wanted to let you know with a little top 5 list of what our customers have enjoyed most. We are ALWAYS adding more boots so be sure to sign up for our newsletter on the website.

And LADIES, please check out our sister website, Safety Girl, for the latest updates on womens work boots, work shoes, work clothes and so much more!

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Did you ever wonder if ear muffs or ear plugs would be a safer/better option for you. Well we’ve received a few questions and concerns regarding this area of interest. First of all, hearing protection is extremely important in general. If your workplace requires ear protection, there is most likely a really good reason.

Creighton University published a study saying that a good “rule of thumb” for knowing whether or not you should be protecting you ears is if you have trouble hearing a normal tone of voice at about three feet away.

• 85 dB is when hearing protection is required
• 90 dB is considered an 8 hour average limit
• 100 db is considered a 15 minute average limit
• 110 dB can result in hearing loss if exposed to for more than 1 minute

When we talk about hearing protection, we are talking about the sound that actually reaches the drum of the ear. We simply want to reduce that as much as possible.

Ear Plugs:

• THE GOOD:
  • Greater protection than ear muffs due to being tightly inserted into the canal
  • Lightweight
  • Easy to carry and transport
  • More comfortable with hard hats and glasses
• THE BAD:
  • It can be difficult to find a pair that fits well
  • Difficult for those with ear infections to wear

Here at Construction Gear, we carry corded and uncorded ear plugs.

Ear Muffs:

• THE GOOD:
  • Universally fit everyone
  • Usually adjustable for maximum comfort
  • Comfortable in cooler climates to keep ears warm
• THE BAD:
  • Usually offer less protection than plugs

We sell cap-mounted, over-the-head and multi-position ear muffs.

OSHA

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Not everyone works in an air conditioned office with water at arms reach at all times. Some of us work on construction sites or other outdoor jobs that require long hours in scorching temperatures. Here at Construction Gear, our main goal is safety and we want to inform you of some tips to stay safe in those hot summer months!

First, let’s talk about the excess stress that heat puts on the body. When we overheat, our body takes care of us. We sweat to compensate for that excess heat the body is taking in. If we cannot cool ourselves down, body temperature rises and heart rate increases. If your body is put under these conditions for too long, it becomes over stressed and can cause you to become dizzy or in worse cases, lose consciousness.

Now that you know what is happening when your body overheats, lets talk about HOW you know you are overheating.

There are many common signs that you should be looking for whether you are working outside or just having fun outside, but here are just a few to keep in mind:

1. Heavy Sweating
2. Faintness
3. Goose Bumps
4. Weak, Rapid Pulse
5. Muscle Cramping
6. Fatigue
7. Headache

However, our goal is to prevent heat exhaustion before it begins. We’ve gathered some top tips from websites such as U.S. Department of Labor and Mayoclinic to help you out!

• Air Flow – if there is no wind or air flow, you are more likely to become overheated
• Loose Fitting, White Clothing – dark, tight clothing holds in heat
• Sunscreen – sunburn also holds heat in your body
• Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate – this is the most important, helps maintain body temperature
• Avoid Caffeine – it dehydrates the body
• Take Breaks – also helps regulate body temperature

**You can also download OSHA’s app, Heat Safety Tool, that will help you determine the risk of heat exhaustion in your area.

OR

Check out what we have to offer in cooling products at Construction Gear. We have cooling towels, vests, and more!

STAY SAFE AND COOL OUT THERE!

http://www.osha.gov

http://www.mayoclinic.org

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