Tested: The 7 Best Chore Coats for Men

When people think of outerwear, they normally think of big, warm coats or hyper-stylish jackets, but there’s an overlooked garment that has long been one of the most useful pieces of outerwear in the modern era. We’re not talking about field jackets, we’re not talking about trucker jackets, we’re talking about the humble chore coat. This lightweight yet durable garment is about as purpose-built as purpose-built gets.

While it got its start as a genuine workwear garment, the chore coat, like many articles of clothing, evolved to become a fashion staple. It’s versatile, comfortable, great for transitioning between seasons, and durable as all get-out. To celebrate this time-honored garment, we put together a guide to the best chore coats, testing out our absolute favorites.

How We Tested

As you’ll see here, chore coats come in different forms. And to help you sift through the crowded market, we’ve done the legwork for you. Prior to testing, we scoured the space to check out popular jacket options from renowned brands as well as options we’ve loved from personal experience. We created a shortlist based on material, weight, color, and pocket orientation, looking at both form and function.

From there, we sourced our units for testing. To come up with the list of our absolute favorites, we rolled up our sleeves, literally, and spent considerable time with each coat, looking at look, feel, fit, and comfort. The results are detailed below.

Measurements: I’m 6’0″ tall and wear an XL on most occasions, and almost every jacket I tested is an XL. My body type is a bit large with broad shoulders, so I also prefer jackets that are a bit slimming, especially around the belly area when the coat is buttoned/zipped up.

What exactly is a chore coat?

The chore coat, as we know it, is one of the first-ever purpose-built jackets. We can trace the chore coat’s lineage to nineteenth-century France, when outdoor laborers such as farmers and railroad workers needed a warm, light, oversized jacket to throw on over their workwear. To this day, chore coats are still made with heavy twill, denim, or canvas fabric, and almost always from cotton. Chore coats typically also have one to two chest pockets, two oversized hip pockets, a pointed collar, and a button front closure. You’ll find different variations on the form here and there, but these are the primary characteristics we looked for when curating our list of best chore coats.

What to Look for

Material: The traditional chore coats are made from cotton, but modern options include leather if that’s what you prefer. Most chore coats made with a cotton fabric are still solid, but if you want a different look, then leather can provide that. And if you want a cold-weather jacket, materials like wool and cashmere are the best choices.

Style: Generally, chore coats will have the iconic two oversized hip pockets and one or two chest pockets, meaning the differences in style come down to the material used and the patterns. So it’s best to determine whether you want the old-school look or something with a modern approach.

Pockets: A chore coat is partially defined by its pockets and typically features four large ones on the outside. However, if you’re into EDC or just like having pocket options, look for a coat with some interior pouches as well.

Fit: The fit of a chore coat will depend on both your body type and comfort level. If you’re a skinny individual, a slim-fit coat might be a favorable option. However, a relaxed fit, which will be less form-fitting and more baggy perhaps, might be what you’re going for stylistically.

Weight: If you’ll be wearing your chore coat all day, you’ll want to be aware of the weight you’ll be carrying on your body. Affecting the jackets warmth, its weight can range from lightweight to midweight to heavyweight.

Insulation: A chore coat doesn’t need to be insulated but the heavier options will indeed have some sort of insulation, whether synthetic or animal down. This will also aid you in keeping warm in colder conditions.

Carhartt Men’s Loose Fit Firm Duck Blanket-Lined Chore Coat

Best Starter Coat: It’s criminally difficult to pick just one example of Carhartt’s stellar workwear, but as far as chore coats are concerned, its Duck Chore Jacket is far too iconic to pass up. This rugged jacket is one of the premier offerings from the brand, featuring a 100% ring-spun cotton duck construction and quilted lining in the body and sleeves to keep you warm, cozy, and insulated. Its corduroy collar with under-collar snaps provides a nice level of textural contrast, while the four front pockets offer both the classic design and useful storage that make this jacket a winner.

The Good

Most “budget-friendly” style brands won’t give you as much cred as Carhartt, who’s built their brand by popularizing lower-end items without sacrificing look or construction in the process. Case in point is this Duck Chore Jacket, which also so happens to be the heaviest option here. It’s also the warmest jacket we tested thanks to the quilted insulation and extra weight. I also loved the pocket selection, which was tied for the most of any chore coat we tested.

Since the price is so accessible here, the actual utility of this chore coat remains intact; you won’t balk at the idea of actually using this for work since it’s what it’s made for. As a bonus, it wears better than most here as well. The extra padding inside helps create a more accessible fit –– something akin to your average quilted down jacket perhaps. And Carhartt’s cotton duck shell is expectedly durable, which is apparent at first touch.

The Not So Good

For $120, there isn’t much to complain about here. A bit long compared to others we tested, the Duck Chore Coat may run a tad bit large, especially in the torso, despite this not affecting the on-body look. The jacket will also not be as welcomed in warmer weather, so keep that in mind. Another issue some may have is the lack of color options available. As of now, there’s only the one brown colorway.

Verdict: Par for the course for Carhartt, this Duck Chore Jacket is incredibly warm and is “cheap” enough that you won’t be afraid to actually use this for what it’s intended for. It may run a bit large but the insulation inside will keep you plenty warm for working in the wintertime –– and without breaking the bank in the process. A plethora of pockets will also ensure that you’ll have plenty of options when in the field.

Patagonia Men’s Iron Forge Hemp Canvas Chore Coat

Best Sustainable Coat: Most people don’t think of Patagonia when they think of traditional workwear, but it’s an undeniable truth that if the Ventura-based company is going to make a garment, it will knock it out of the park. Such is the case with its Iron Forge Hemp Canvas Chore Coat, which, aside from having the coolest name ever, is one of the best chore coats on the market. This functional work of art is made from 12.9-oz Iron Forge Hemp canvas, which is “25% more abrasion resistant than conventional cotton.” What’s more, the coat also contains recycled polyester for a welcomed touch of sustainability. Add in its left drop-in pocket on its chest, the two front snap-fastened pockets, zippered interior pocket, and two hidden side-entry pockets, and you have a wondrous piece of workwear.

The Good

If you’re into pocket options, the patagonia Iron Forge chore coat is a good choice. Almost every chore choat has a pair of large waist pockets but few of them feature a button closure, let alone have side-entry slots, which serve as extra pockets. Here, these compartments are lined with fabric that’s especially soft on the hands.

The hemp fabric might not be everyone’s cup of tea but it does offer an extra level of durability, which is instantly obvious to the touch –– another surprise from patagonia, whose outdoor gear can be durable but not necessarily this overtly rugged. I thought that, due to the thicker material, this coat would be boxy on my body but it was actually rather slimming, even in the rear, which formed pretty well there. You’ll also get nice freedom of movement with the bi-swing back and shoulders, along with the relaxed fit of the silhouette.

The Not So Good

While there’s only the single pocket at the breast, it’s a lot less practical than average breast pockets due to the restriction of the shell material. Tangentially, the button holes are also pretty stiff, making it a tad more challenging to push the buttons through –– which already don’t feel great against the skin due to their sharper edges. It’s also important to note that the Iron Forge coat ran a little large. For an XL, there was a lot of space and bunching in the torso, which admittedly helped reduce the boxiness but also made it look baggier (albeit this is a relaxed fit).

Verdict: Sporting 6 pockets in total, the patagonia Iron Forge Hemp Canvas Chore Coat benefits from its material makeup, which is pretty darn durable. However, with that durability comes an extra level of thickness. Fortunately, patagonia makes up for this with increaed freedom of movement and a relaxed fit that gives you some decent space inside, which can admittedly be viewed as running large. It also looks surprisingly slimming on the body which is an added bonus.

Taylor Stitch The Ojai Jacket

Best Shirt-Like Chore Coat: Taylor Stitch built a well-earned reputation by reinterpreting timeless classics through a modern, rugged lens, and its Ojai Jacket is proof the brand has mastered its craft and then some. This handsome piece of workwear features a washed organic cotton construction that feels broken in on its first wear. While the Ojai is definitely faithful to classic chore coats, its dual-entry front patch pockets, and dapper ring-back buttons are subtle yet nuanced additions that add style and versatility to this staple garment. Simple in concept and masterful in execution, the Ojai Jacket truly elevates the chore coat.

The Good

Incredibly soft, the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket does feel more like a shirt jacket than a straightforward coat. And while this is furthered by the silhouette’s tighter fit, it’s also highly comfortable and can easily be worn as your sole layer. I loved the agreeability of the buttons, which didn’t come undone too easily either. There are also some decent pocket options, which don’t feel phoned-in. As for the top compartments, they’re a bit purpose-built with a dedicated pen slot and another that could fit something slim like a comb or a paintbrush.

In terms of style, Taylor Stitch adds versatility to the utilitarian structure of the shirt. I’m talking comfort and look. Not only do you get eleven different colorway options (as of this writing) but you can get by wearing this with or without something underneath.

The Not So Good

One thing I noticed when rolling up the sleeves is that the base of the cutout seam dug into my forearm a good deal. However, this only occurred if I rolled the sleeves up only partially. When I gave it the full roll, this seam got buried within the fabric and was fine. Likewise, the sleeves, being pretty darn tight, didn’t roll up much in general. And when it came time to take this off, I had trouble getting my arms out of the sleeves without unbuttoning them first.

The chore coat was a bit boxy in the back, especially when unbuttoned. Quite slim-fitting otherwise (although it’s unspecified), the coat finds some issues when it’s buttoned up and you try to use the pockets while sitting down. The waist pockets pinch shut a bit too much. Similarly, the side-entry pockets, while useful, down below don’t keep much gear inside. I kept finding my phone sliding out, while I had a notepad on the left side, which also kept getting pushed out a bit. However, this may not be as much of an issue for slimmer people.

Verdict: Versatile in both fit and comfort, the Taylor Stitch Ojai Jacket comes in an array of colorways and has some nice purpose-built features that other options don’t have. However, the slim fit gets mistaken for running small in some areas such as the arms. But overall, this is arguably the most comfortable chore coat we tested.

Alex Mill Garment Dyed Work Jacket in Recycled Denim

Best Denim Chore Coat: While most chore coats are made with straightforward cotton twill, a denim option is even more specified. Available in seven unique colorways, Alex Mill’s Garment Dyed Work Jacket doesn’t just stick with the classic indigo blue denim but gives you some serious style options for bolstering your wardrobe. Each piece is cut from recycled denim (50%) –– so it’s good for the environment –– and blended with natural cotton (50%), giving the material flecks of color so that each piece is one of a kind. Also, to prevent fading, this coat has been garment dyed, which means the color was added during the washing process and thus is absorbed into the material much better.

The Good

For a denim option, this chore coat was relatively soft, although I wasn’t expecting much. However, in terms of how the jacket looked on me, this option from Alex Mill was perhaps my favorite. Not only was the denim construction not super “denim-y” (although there are seven colorways so plenty to choose from) but it fit really well. Never boxy or bulging at weird spots, the coat formed to my back well, whether buttoned or unbuttoned, and looked trim on the sides.

I’ve had denim jackets with push-through buttons in the past, and almost all of them have difficulty getting the buttons in and out of the holes. However, due to the hole size and the slick button material, Alex Mill’s denim jacket didn’t have this issue at all. This was especially useful for the sleeve buttons, which can often be a bit annoying to undo. On the other hand, the chest pocket that had the button gave me some issues.

The Not So Good

Compared to the other chore coats we tested, the Alex Mill jacket was rather short. Falling just at the waist, the last button at the bottom landed well above my waist. This is more of an aesthetic issue of personal preference but something to keep in mind when styling.

I also didn’t love the size of the chest pockets. Along with the aforementioned finicky buttoned pocket on the right side, the left side compartment was pretty small, which admittedly could be useful for something like brushes, pens, or even notepads.

Verdict: Despite falling short, literally, at the waist, the Alex Mill Garment Dyed Work Jacket in Recycled Denim looked great on the body and was surprisingly form-fitting. We may not have loved the size of the pockets, necessarily, but this chore coat had some easy-to-use buttons (which were crucial at the sleeves) and an aesthetic that will agree with even the biggest denim detractors.

Buck Mason Felted Chore Coat

Best Wool Coat: Leave it to Buck Mason to reinvent the chore coat while also staying faithful to its roots. Its Felted Chore Coat is one of the heaviest picks on this list, sporting a 340 GSM felted merino wool construction for comfort, durability, and warmth. The California brand designed the cut to be leaner in the arms and more billowy in the chest, giving it a modern fit, and the three patch pockets provide ample storage with heavy cover-stitching around them to ensure that they’ll never burst at the seams. To top it off, the real horn buttons add textural and visual contrast to complete this fantastic garment.

The Good

Not your traditional chore coat, the Felted Chore Coat from Buck Mason is more along the lines of a sports coat than a utilitarian jacket for your favorite hobbies. Sporting a more distinguished style that could look great unbuttoned over a turtleneck or tucked-in long-sleeve shirt, this jacket is much less rigid than the others on this list. This works wonders when it comes to the top pocket, which suddenly isn’t as much of a strain to reach inside, as well as its overall fit, which is not supplemented with a nice stretch and is slimming despite being clingy.

The buttons down the front are expectedly easy to use, popping in and out quickly. Although, they may not get a ton of use, depending on how you wear the jacket. However, even buttoned up (only three buttons), this chore coat doesn’t feel restrictive at all.

The Not So Good

Speaking of buttons, some may not love that this coat eschews the traditional sleeve buttons for a buttonless fit. This also removes a good deal of the “chore” aspect of the silhouette and focuses more on elevating the look, which makes it unique in that sense, and we can only complain so much.

While it’s significantly warmer than even some of the thicker coats we tested, this jacket’s wool is still pretty darn itchy. And since it’s dry-clean-only, you can’t even try to mitigate this at home by washing it yourself.

Verdict: If you love the chore coat style but don’t want something super casual, this Felted Chore Coat from Buck Mason is the way to go. While it might be itchy due to its wool construction, the jacket looks fantastic and fits nicely with an additional stretch. Warm, lightweight, and easy to button up, this chore coat is very unique despite its downsides.

Le Mont St Michel French Moleskin Work Jacket

Best Moleskin Coat: Since 1913, the French label Le Mont St Michel has been crafting durable clothing for farmers and craftsmen. One of the label’s most notable garments is this work jacket right here, which is made in France with sturdy moleskin and tightly woven, providing a natural water-repellent effect. With this pick, you’re getting a certifiably classic jacket down to Le Mont St Michel’s label of authenticity and the hand-written numbers. And since the original chore coat hails from France, you know that this is the real deal.

The Good

Noticeably well constructed, the Moleskin Work Jacket does a fantastic job at blending the rugged chore coat aesthetic with an elevated, designer-forward feel. Like the Buck Mason wool option above, this will likely not pair with actual chores the same way as others on this list. It falls slightly below the waist, which is a quick tip at its intention. Likewise, the pockets are rather thin –– although still deep –– which will still fit your phone, wallet, or keys, or simply serve as a superfluous stylistic choice (and there are only 3 of them).

Very slimming, the Moleskin Work Jacket might be tight in undesirable areas but it also looked really good, both buttoned and unbuttoned. As tight as the sleeves are, they still roll up pretty well here too.

The Not So Good

Once you get to the $300+ territory, you begin getting more critical with each chore coat. As for Le Mont St Michel’s option, there’s not a lot to complain about in terms of function. Sure, the top pocket is a bit small, but it’s decisively intended to be for something smaller. However, my biggest gripe with this jacket is how tight it is in the arms. Albeit, I have somewhat larger arms than average but these are borderline unbearable for me, made slightly worse by the rigid material.

In a similar regard, the buttons are tricky to get on and off, especially on the sleeves when you’re operating them with one hand. As mentioned above, the pockets are more of a visual flair than utilitarian, which is fine. After all, most people looking for a purpose-driven chore coat will want to keep their budget a bit lower.

Verdict: Pricey for a strict chore coat, the Moleskin Work Jacket from Le Mont St Michel is definitely more form than function but it also happens to look really great in the process. On the other hand, the rigid fabric and the tight fit, especially in the arms, will make this pretty uncomfortable for larger individuals.

Todd Snyder Italian Suede Chore Coat

Best Leather Coat: Todd Snyder is one of the great designers of the modern era, creating fashionable yet understated twists on everyday American classics. His Italian Suede Chore Coat is effortlessly fashionable and can raise the style quotient of any casual ensemble to instantly become more upscale. This dapper chore coat is made of Italian calf suede for a rugged yet elevated design, and it features classic bleu de travail design cues such as its two large patch pockets, chest pocket, and buttoned cuffs. Snyder added his own flair to this timeless classic with the addition of an interior pocket for a phone or wallet, along with a locker loop on the back for tools.

The Good

If you’re a sucker for that phenomenal leather smell like I am, then you’ll instantly be smitten with Todd Snyder’s Italian Suede Chore Coat. Heavier than nearly any of the options we tested (save for the Carhartt), this pick will be surprisingly warm when you need it but light enough that it won’t be unwelcome in moderate temperatures.

Aside from the material makeup, this chore coat features some massive pockets, especially the two at the waist. It’s also the only jacket on this guide that has an internal pocket at chest height, which I ended up using more than the chest pocket on the outside (it’s around the same size too). I also love the olive green color of the jacket (there’s a black option available too), which brings an individuality to the silhouette that you won’t get on most other chore coats or suede leather jackets.

The Not So Good

Admittedly, you’ll be hesitant to bring this to work with you considering the nearly-$1,000 price tag. It’s a lot to pay but not unexpected considering the leather material and the brand. And all things considered, it’s not a terrible deal. As far as downsides here, the long sleeves might be a turnoff for some. However, there is a second button on the sleeve to tighten it around your wrist. Likewise, the jacket runs a bit baggy for having a “classic” fit. Certain body types might be better of going a size down.

My biggest gripe might be with the buttons down the front, which are pretty difficult to push in and out of the holes. Leather jackets don’t traditionally feature these types of buttons and this is probably why.

Verdict: $1,000 is a lot for a chore coat. However, if you’re just looking for the classic silhouette from a style perspective, this Todd Snyder Italian Suede Chore Coat will be a great addition to your wardrobe. It runs a tad baggy and has tricky buttons but the pockets are large and there’s even one on the inside, which is a nice touch. If you’re looking for a leather chore coat, look no further than this incredibly stylish jacket.

Chore Coat Comparison Chart

Chore coats vs. field jackets

While similar, chore coats and field jackets have subtle but distinct differences. Compared to chore coats, field jackets are not as baggy considering their mil-spec history. Likewise, they featured pockets with snap closures and standing collars. Since chore coats were designed to be worn over workwear after a long day, they’re a bit baggier. They also typically feature large open patch pockets.

Honorable Mentions

If you don’t want to go all summer without your favorite chore coat, take a look at this herringbone cotton linen option from Billy Reid. Unlined to help it shed some weight, the Natchez Chore Coat was one of our favorite preliminary options. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get our hands on a piece for testing.

Wellen’s The Maker’s Stretch Chore Jacket is a great summertime chore jacket but has some availability issues so we couldn’t get hands-on with it for testing.

If you like the wool fabric on your chore coat, Knickerbocker makes a super stylish herringbone chore shirt that’s worth mentioning as well.

In terms of linen chore coats, Alex Crane’s Kite Jacket is a solid runner-up to the Bill Reid Natchez mentioned above.

We weren’t able to get hands-on with this Re-Nylon Blouson Jacket from Prada but loved the style enough that we wanted to mention it here. Also, nearing the $3,000 mark, it won’t be a practical option for most people.

Carhartt’s lower price range opens up the potential for purchasing several silhouettes. If that’s you, check out this Michigan Coat, which is a nice casual pick with a classic chore coat aesthetic.

Tested: The Best Work Jackets

If you’re looking to a bit deeper into the world of workwear, be sure to check out our hands-on guide to the best work jackets for men.