On our site, King Gee (also written KingGee) covers Workcool work shirts, a hi vis polo, work and cargo pants, a run of shorts and two pieces listed as flame resistant. The easiest way to compare them is by fabric, and by weight where the listing gives one. Here's what the main King Gee apparel listings say, so you can match the garment to the job and the weather.
King Gee work shirts
| Shirt | Sleeve | Fabric, as listed | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workcool 2 Lightweight Ripstop K14820 | Long | Ripstop, weight not listed | Charcoal, Green, Khaki, Navy, Sky |
| Workcool 2 Lightweight Ripstop K14825 | Short | Ripstop, weight not listed | Charcoal, Green, Khaki, Navy, Sky |
| Workcool Vented K14030 | Short | "100% Cotton Ripstop 145gsm" | Green, Khaki, Navy |
| Originals Hi Vis Spliced Taped K54928 | Short (polo) | Weight not listed | Orange/Navy, Yellow/Navy |
The Workcool 2 shirt listings mention "Underarm, upper back and side cooling vents" and a "3 piece collar with extensions for added sun protection". All three Workcool shirts list two chest pockets with a pen partition and run from 2XS to 7XL, which makes it easier to fit a whole crew from one style. Of the three, only the Workcool Vented K14030 lists a fabric weight, at 145gsm.
The Originals K54928 is titled a shirt, but its listing describes "a lightweight and breathable work polo", with segmented 50mm ReflecTEC tape, a three-button placket and "UPF50+". It runs from S to 5XL. Its listing calls it "Ideal for hot weather and day/night use" but doesn't quote a hi vis standard, so check the sewn-in label against your site's rules. For choosing between sleeve lengths and fabrics in the heat, see our summer work shirt guide.
Work pants by fabric and weight
| Style | Fabric, as listed | Listed features | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workcool 1 K13800 | Cotton drill 290gsm | "Discreet cooling vents", ten pockets | Black, Khaki, Navy |
| Workcool 2 K13820 | Cotton ripstop 235gsm | "Behind the knee cooling vents", ten pockets | Black, Charcoal, Green, Khaki, Navy, Taupe |
| Tradies Stretch Cargo K69860 | 60% cotton, 38% Repreve, 2% elastane, 260gsm | Pleated knees, gusseted crotch | Charcoal, Khaki, Navy |
| Tradies Canvas K13280, Summer Lightweight K13290 | Weight not listed | 12 pockets, light enzyme wash | Black, Khaki, Oiled Navy |
The Workcool 1's 290gsm drill is the heavier fabric, and the 235gsm Workcool 2 ripstop is the one the listing titles call "Lightweight". If your crew works in the heat, the lighter fabric is usually the more comfortable pick, though both styles list cooling vents.
The Tradies Stretch Cargo K69860 is the only pant in the table whose listing names elastane in the fabric. Its listing also mentions Poly Oxford reinforcing in key wear areas, bar tacks and rivets at key stress points, and a straight fit with a tapered leg. For a crew that's kneeling, climbing and bending all day, that stretch may be worth a look.
The Tradies Canvas K13280 and Tradies Summer Lightweight K13290 share the same feature list, including a triple stitched crotch with reinforced seat. Neither lists a fabric weight, and only the K13290's title calls it lightweight.
Shorts
- Workcool 2 Lightweight Ripstop K17820. Listed as 235gsm cotton ripstop, the same as the Workcool 2 pants, with ten pockets and a "Modern contoured fit". Black, Green, Khaki, Navy and Taupe.
- Workcool Pro Stretch K17006. "98% Cotton Ripstop, 2% elastane, 270gsm", with a crotch gusset, 9 pockets and a "Comfort stretch waistband with gel grip print". Black, Khaki and Navy.
- Tradies Summer Lightweight K17340 and K17330. Ten pockets and a light enzyme wash, in Black, Khaki and Oiled Navy. The K17330 is titled "Short Shorts" and the K17340 "Work Shorts". Neither listing gives a leg length or a fabric weight, so ask us if length matters to your crew.
Sizes and fits
The pants in the table come in R and S waist sizes. The Workcool 1 and Workcool 2 pants run up to 132S, and the Tradies Summer Lightweight pants start at 67R. The shorts above are listed in R sizes only, with the Workcool Pro Stretch running from 67R to 127R.
Flame-resistant gear
We also list King Gee's ShieldTec FR shirt Y04550, a taped hi vis shirt in Orange/Navy and Yellow/Navy, and the ShieldTec pants Y02525 in Navy, in Regular, Stout and Long fits. Their listings say they're made "to reduce risk from Arc and Flash fire events". Choosing FR clothing is a job for your site's risk assessment, so we haven't compared them here.
Adding your logo
Cotton drill and ripstop work shirts are the classic base for an embroidered chest logo. Our guide to ordering embroidered work shirts walks through the steps, and if you're weighing up a print instead, our embroidery or printing guide compares the two. On hi vis, keep logos clear of the reflective tape and check your site's rules first.
You'll find most of the styles above in our King Gee collection. If you're kitting out a crew in matching shirts, pants and shorts, use our custom workwear enquiry form to send us the style codes, colours and a size list for each person.
