Pick a one-piece work suit on four things: the fabric and its weight, how the front does up, whether your site needs hi vis, and whether the suit gets washed and worn again or thrown away after the job. Most of the styles in this guide are full-length cotton drill coveralls with sleeves. There's also a poly/cotton suit, a cotton ripstop one, taped hi vis versions including a sleeveless overall, and a disposable coverall.
The names don't help much. The listings use "overall" and "coverall" for the same kind of one-piece garment, so read the description rather than the title.
The work suits we list, side by side
| Style | Fabric, as listed | Front closure, as listed | Colours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ritemate Coverall RM1008M | 270gsm 100% cotton drill | YKK zipper; rivet press studs | Navy |
| Bisley Drill Coverall BC6007 | 310gsm preshrunk cotton drill | Metal press studs | Navy |
| Syzmik ZC560 | 190gsm 100% cotton drill | Zipper | Navy |
| Syzmik ZC503 | 230gsm 65/35 poly/cotton | Two way zip and studs | Charcoal |
| Ritemate RM908CR (taped) | 270gsm 100% cotton drill | YKK zipper; rivet press studs | Orange/Navy, Yellow/Navy |
| Workcraft WC3051 (hi vis, no tape) | 310gsm 100% cotton drill | Metal press studs | Orange/Navy, Yellow/Navy |
Colour choice is narrow: the navy and charcoal suits come in that one colour only, and the hi vis suits in Orange/Navy or Yellow/Navy. If your site or brand calls for a particular colour, check this list first.
Which suit for which job
- Workshop, servicing or fitting work with plenty of kneeling. Look at the Ritemate RM1008M or the Bisley BC6007. The Ritemate lists a "Reinforced Knee Patch" and the Bisley a "Double layered knee for durability", which counts if your crew spends time on the floor or under a vehicle. Keep in mind that at 270gsm and 310gsm these are the heavier drills, sturdier but warmer on a hot day.
- Hot, active work where hi vis isn't required. The Syzmik ZC560 is the one whose title calls it lightweight, at 190gsm, and its listing describes "cool and comfortable lightweight cotton drill". The trade-off is that a lighter drill won't feel as sturdy, and its listing doesn't mention knee reinforcement.
- Suits that go out to a commercial laundry. The Syzmik ZC503 is the only poly/cotton suit, and its listing says it's "Suitable for light industrial wash", with an elasticated back waist. Note the word "light", and check with your laundry service. It only comes in Charcoal and isn't hi vis.
- Hi vis work in the heat. The Syzmik ZC804 is a 240gsm cotton ripstop suit with "Large under arm and back venting" and "Mechanical stretch". It's listed as "HiVis DayNight" but doesn't name a standard, so confirm it with your site before ordering.
- A short, messy job where the suit is thrown away afterwards. That's the disposable coverall below, not a wash-and-wear garment.
Zip or press studs
This mostly comes down to preference. The Ritemate suits list a YKK zipper as well as rivet press studs, and the ZC503 has a "Two way zip and stud closure front placket". The Bisley and Workcraft suits do up with metal press studs at the front and the cuffs.
Pockets
- Bisley BC6007: a zippered chest pocket, a chest pocket with a tool division, a mobile phone pocket and a ruler pocket.
- Workcraft WC3051: a "Right chest safety pocket", a left chest pocket with a pencil and ruler divide, and a ruler pocket with a phone pocket.
- Getting to your pockets underneath: the Syzmik ZC560 has "Two side access pockets to reach your internal pant pockets", and the Bisley's angled side pockets have "openings to body".
If a chest logo is planned, look at where the chest pockets sit on the style you choose, because the logo has to fit around them.
Taped and hi vis suits
The hi vis suits we list are described in different ways:
- The Ritemate RM908CR has 50mm reflective tape in hoops around the body, arms and knees, and its listing gives "High Visibility for Day and Night Wear - AS 4602.1:2024".
- The Ritemate RM909AR action back overall quotes the same standard. Our photos show it without sleeves, and its tape is listed on the body and knees with no arm hoops, so you'd wear a shirt under it. If your site wants hi vis on the arms, ask whether that shirt needs to be hi vis too.
- Our photos show no tape on the Workcraft WC3051. Its listing says "Day use only" and cites AS/NZS 4602.1:2011. That's the earlier joint edition, which AS 4602.1:2024 has since replaced in Australia, so ask your site if a 2011-labelled garment is still acceptable.
We haven't tested any of these, and the ratings above are as listed. Keep logos and names clear of the reflective tape, and check your site's requirements with your safety officer or principal contractor before you order.
Sun protection varies by style too. The RM1008M and RM908CR list "UPF 50+ Sun Protection" to AS 4399:2020. The Syzmik listings say "UPF 50 Rated" but don't name a standard, and the RM909AR, Bisley and Workcraft listings give no UPF rating. Where a rating is listed, it applies to the skin the fabric covers, so hands, neck and face still need a hat and sunscreen.
Disposable coveralls
The PRO Choice Provek disposable coverall is a different kind of garment: white, sold individually in sizes S to 4XL, with a 3-panel hood "designed to fit when wearing respirator and goggles" and elasticated wrists and ankles. Its listing also makes protection claims, which we haven't verified. Whether a disposable coverall is the right protection for a hazardous job is a decision for your risk assessment and safety officer, not something to pick from a product page or this article.
Sizes, as listed
Sizes run 72R to 107R and 92S to 127S on the RM1008M, 77R to 112R and 87S to 127S on the two taped Ritemate suits, 77R to 117R on the Bisley and 77R to 132R on the Workcraft. The Syzmik suits run 77 to 122, with the ZC503 starting at 72. If you're unsure, ask whether we have a sample to try on before you order for the whole crew. There's no appointment needed to come in and compare.
Most of the styles above are in our coverall collection. If you're adding a logo, our embroidery or printing guide will help you choose the method. When you're ready, use our custom workwear enquiry form to tell us the style, how many of each size and where the logo goes. We'll reply with the next steps.
