The 8 Best Men’s Aprons for Every Activity

Whether it be in the garage, shop, or kitchen, hard work necessitates the right selection of gear. And while a “good carpenter never blames their tools,” having the right equipment on hand can make a monumental difference when working. While a quality workbench, cutting instruments, and hand and power tools are obvious must-haves, there are also some smaller supplementary items that we’d consider to be just as essential.

With work aprons having existed for so long, there are now literally hundreds and hundreds of different models, styles, and materials to choose from, each designed for a specific purpose (or purposes). And while the sheer abundance of available aprons gives buyers an enormous wealth of options to pick from, it can also make it tricky to sort through the seemingly endless sea of items to hone in on the best men’s aprons for every activity that you can currently buy — a few of which we’ve handpicked for this feature buyer’s guide.

What to Look for in an Apron

Material: Most aprons will be made of cotton-based material. Cotton is an optimal fabric because of how easy it washes, along with its breathability, durability, and softness. Many of these aprons will be waxed, which helps deflect stains and foreign substances.

Weight: If you’re going to be wearing it all day, your apron shouldn’t be too heavy. However, since most quality options are made with cotton, this statement is relative. And it should still feel thick and sturdy. On the other hand, if you’re using your apron for shorter periods, such as grilling, you might want to opt for something a bit heavier.

Length: If you’re doing some messy work, you’ll want to make sure more of your body is covered. If this is the case, opt for something that goes to your knees or longer.

Straps: You won’t find any aprons without straps for at least the neck and waist. Experts say that these should be no more than 1″ to avoid unnecessary digging into your skin over the course of the day.

Pockets: Pockets are key to any apron. The placement and number of pockets will largely depend on what you’re using the apron for. Grilling aprons won’t need as many pockets, but those pockets should be deep enough to carry longer tools. Shop aprons may need a few more pockets and ones that are durable enough to handle heavier tools.

Carhartt Firm Duck Apron

Best Budget Apron: Engineered to lend itself to a variety of different applications from woodworking to barbequing, Carhartt’s Firm Duck Apron sports the durability and dependability that one would expect from the American workwear brand. Boasting a 33” length that extends down to just before the wearer’s knees, this apron is cut from the strongest version of Carhartt’s signature cotton duck — a 12oz heavyweight, entirely ringspun firm-hand canvas — and paired with a set of adjustable, crisscrossing polyester strap ties that evenly distribute weight across the wearer’s body. The Firm Duck Apron comes loaded with a bevy of pockets, including a zipper-secured bib pocket, multiple tool and utility pockets, a pair of small accessory pockets, and four large gear pockets. This apron is also offered in a blacked-out colorway or in the company’s signature Carhartt Brown. 

Inside Line Equipment Work Apron

Best for Auto Work: Made by hand in California, Inside Line Equipment’s plainly-named Work Apron is a modern take on a classic shop apron. Extremely rugged, this apron — which sports a 30” length — is crafted from two layers of 500-denier CORDURA fabric and is accented with Dimension-Polyant X-Pac sailcloth trim pieces. Bar-tacked reinforcements at key stress points guarantee years of hard use, while heavily-reinforced pockets allow for the carrying of heavy tools without having to worry about the pockets or seams failing over time. The apron is also bestowed with an adjustable neck loop and an auto-locking cam buckle on the waist strap. On top of being offered in a variety of solid and camo color options, this apron is also offered in several waxed canvas construction variants. 

Patagonia Hemp Denim Chef’s Apron

Best Chef’s Apron: Aiming to deliver an ideal amalgamation of comfort and durability, this apron from Patagonia is made from a rugged yet breathable 7.1oz blend of organic cotton and industrial hemp. This highly abrasion-resistant primary construction is paired with an adjustable neck strap and a tie-able waist strap, allowing for a custom fit that can accommodate a wide variety of body types. In addition to boasting multiple utility pockets and a reinforced loop for hanging a hammer or hand towel, the use of doubled-layered fabric at the midsection also protects the wearer from extreme heat, whether welding or manning the grill. And, while this apron was designed for use in the kitchen, its hardwearing nature makes it suitable to wear in the shop or garage, as well. 

Flint and Tinder Waxed Apron

Best for Outdoor Grilling: Made in America, the Flint and Tinder Waxed Apron is a rugged item that utilizes old-school, tried-and-true construction techniques and materials. The apron is composed of 7oz Martexin Original Waxed Sailcloth made in New Jersey and has been reinforced at all key stress points using metal peekaboo rivets. On top of cotton construction neck and waist straps, this apron features a main chest pocket with two pen holders, a trio of large utensil pockets, and a reinforced tool strap. Sold in black or khaki color options, this apron will also slowly form a unique patina over time with use. 

1620 Utility Apron

Best Do-Anything Apron: 1620’s Utility Apron is an incredibly rugged and versatile item designed for hard work in a variety of different settings. The apron is made in America from a 14oz plain weave STRETCH NYCO construction that was custom-developed by 1620 and inspired by U.S. Military BDUs. On top of being ten times more abrasion-resistant than cotton duck, this material also dries at twice the rate. What’s more, this primary construction is also fortified via a PFC-free DWR coating and meets NFPA1975 standards for melting and dripping. Other details include five pockets, double-stitching on all pockets and hem, heavy-duty elastic cross-back straps, and a micro-snap adjustment system. 1620 also stands behind this product with a lifetime warranty. What’s more, this apron is offered in two custom, made-to-order sizes. 

Iron & Resin Shop Apron

Best Carpenter Apron: In today’s world of “fast fashion,” high-quality, built-to-last items are becoming increasingly rare. Turning its nose at this trend, Iron & Resin has set out to reinvigorate high-quality, American-made apparel and accessories with well-crafted items like the InR Shop Apron. The apron features a primary construction that’s composed of 11oz Martexin waxed canvas and supplemented via crisscrossing premium cowhide leather straps. This apron also boasts a bevy of pockets for tools, and copper rivets and burs at all critical stress points — the latter of which practically guarantees a lifetime of use. InR produces its Shop Apron in black, oak brown, charcoal, or olive color options. 

Red Clouds Collective Winston Apron

Best Vintage-Style Apron: While Red Clouds Collective may not possess the household recognition of workwear brands like Filson and Carhartt, the company — which was founded in 2012 — has nonetheless carved out an impressive reputation for itself with items like the Winston Apron. Handcrafted in Portland, OR, this product takes ample inspiration from vintage aprons, with a 10.10oz waxed canvas construction that’s complemented via 5oz Hermann Oak vegetable-tanned leather straps, trim, and accents, and pieced together using antique brass rivets. This apron also features reinforcements at all critical stress areas, plus crisscrossing shoulder straps and D-rings constructed from solid brass.

Kiriko Made Japanese Selvedge Denim Work Apron

Best for Desk Work: Sometimes it’s nice to have an apron for indoor work as well, whether you’re sketching blueprints or a visual artist. Kiriko Made’s Japanese Selvedge Denim Work Apron is crafted from American-sourced 12oz selvedge denim in the company’s in-house studio in Portland, OR. Designed with a major focus on the apron’s smaller details, this item also boasts an asymmetrical six-pocket configuration that includes a hidden smartphone pocket, plus genuine aged copper rivets and premium shoulder straps. The shoulder straps on this apron are also secured to the main body using leash-style clips that anchor to leather-reinforced connection points. This is another shop apron that will legitimately last a lifetime — if not several. 

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