Tough Duck has been a recognized brand in the industry for some time, having joined the ranks of other workwear apparel companies such as Dickies, Carhartt, and the Duluth Trading Company, among many others.
According to the company’s website, Richlu Manufacturing – the umbrella under which the Tough Duck and Work King Safety brands stand – began more than 80 years ago by Abraham Rich, a fifth-generation clothier and Eastern European immigrant who insisted that everyone who worked for him needed to work as hard as the people wearing the company’s clothes.
Rich had started his own clothing business after having worked as a fabric cutter for a local sewing company where he believed he should be paid his worth. Instead, he was given a pink slip. That became the driving factor in Rich starting Winnipeg Pants and Manufacturing in Canada, which would eventually give birth to the Tough Duck brand in 1989.
Tough Duck Workwear Products
While Tough Duck has a broad customer base, its apparel offerings are suitable for both men and women who work in construction and all trades, with its lineup encompassing a significant amount of safety apparel.
The brand’s items are available at a number of retail outlets such as Wal-Mart, the Home Depot, and the Tractor Supply Company, among others.
Tough Duck offers parkas, jackets, rain jackets, shirt jacs, coveralls, bibs, vests, shirts, work pants, rain pants, shorts, safety apparel and accessories such as balaclavas, gloves, mitts, hats, beanies, knee pads, masks and neck warmers.
Inspired by the cold winter environment of Winnipeg, Canada in which the company is headquartered, Tough Duck’s outerwear is designed and crafted to withstand significant snow and rain impacts.
For example, the Women’s Poly Oxford 3-in-1 parka offers flexibility as a waterproof breathable shell, a stand-alone liner or the pieces can be zipped together for maximum protection against the elements. The removable hood, shock cord drawstrings, storm collar and adjustable cuffs also are designed to work together to keep out the elements. Embroidery zippers on the shell and liner enable space for a company’s logo embellishment.
The coveralls and overalls come in both insulated and unlined offerings. The Safety Rain Bib Overall is manufactured with 100 percent polyester 300D ripstop with PU membrane, taped seams, is waterproof/breathable and is 5000/5000 MVP/24hr. It features 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material with four-inch contrast backing, adjustable shoulder straps, a back elastic waist, an outside chest pocket and inside chest pocket with flap closure. The overall also features two cargo pockets and back pocket with flap closure, ankle to knee zippers for ease of entry, and turned-under hem allowing for three-inch tall extension.
Vests and Shirts for Construction
Among the company’s many vest offerings is a Surveyor Safety Vest, considered optimal for s site manager given its multiple pockets, including one into which a tablet can fit. It is constructed of 100 percent polyester twill with side mesh vents, 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material with four-inch contrast backing. The multi-pocket design has pocket security tabs and a large rear-zippered pouch pocket. The vest features side snaps for seasonal fit adjustment, grommets for tape feed and hooks and a safety harness opening.
Shirt options include flannel, fleece hoodies, long sleeve shirts, shirt jacs, short sleeve shirts and T-shirts. One of those options, the Women’s Safety Hoodie, features 100 percent polyester fleece with an anti-pill finish, 3M Scotchlite Reflective Material with four-inch contrast backing, a full front nylon zipper, quick release hood, rib knit cuffs and waist, and multiple pockets.
Tough Duck recently rolled out 28 new items in its apparel line for men and women, including cargo pants, work pants, overalls, cold weather gloves, jackets, vests, shorts, short-sleeve and long-sleeve shirts, bibs, a parka, and a women’s safety hoodie. Of note for those seeking extra visibility when needed are Airglow safety arm and leg bands for ankles and wrists. The two-inch premium elastic bands with segmented silver reflective tape are crafted of 70 percent polyester and 30 percent Spandex and feature hook and loop closure.
The L/S Safety T-Shirt offers high-visibility in one long-sleeve safety garment crafted from soft and breathable 100 percent cotton. It is designed for a comfortable fit with retroreflective tape on the front, back and sleeves and has a rib knit collar and cuff.
Dickies work socks offer comfort and protection for your feet. Check out our selection in this IRONPROS article.
