For outdoor workwear, both Berne and Carhartt have strong brand reputations, heavy fabrics, and gear that looks like it can take a beating.
On paper, the differences feel small. In the field, not so much.
Fit changes once layers get involved, warmth matters more when crews stop moving, and logos behave differently on duck canvas than they do on shirts — especially once pockets and labels are part of the design.
In our experience, the right choice usually depends less on which is “tougher” and more on how the gear is going to be worn, branded, and reordered.
At a Glance
| Feature | Berne | Carhartt |
| Known for | Warmth-rated duck jackets and practical work basics | Iconic workwear feel, heavy duck, and strong uniform presence |
| Vibe | Warm, functional, and value-driven | Heavy-duty, classic, and built like a tool energy |
| Common fabrics | 10 oz cotton duck shells, poly insulation, poly/spandex performance fleece, cotton tees, and birdseye mesh hi-vis tees | 12 oz ring-spun cotton duck canvas, arctic-weight insulation, heavyweight cotton tees, and heavyweight hoodies with a water-repellent finish |
| Fit | Room to move, wide size range, and tall options on key pieces | Relaxed/loose workwear fit, consistent across crews |
| Warmth | Clear warmth tiers and insulated hoods, storm cuffs, and waistbands | Heavy-duty and insulation, heavyweight hoodies built for the elements |
| Logo compatibility | Good placement areas and strong construction; branding may vary on some items | Embroidery-friendly work staples; pocket tees add placement constraints |
| Reordering | Usually consistent, but some branding/visual changes can show | Stable, uniform look across core styles |
| Best for | Cost-aware crews, wide sizing needs, and warmth-focused outerwear | Long-running uniform programs, classic workwear feel, and heavy-duty outerwear |
Now, let’s dive in and compare these brands feature by feature so you can get the best idea of which one will work best for your next order.
Logo Compatibility
Trust us when we say that you can’t print on workwear like you can a blank T-shirt. After all, duck canvas, fleece, hoodies, and pocket tees all bring their own rules.
Berne: Built to take work, but the details matter
Berne’s duck jackets and chore coats have a straightforward workwear attitude. The Heritage Duck Hooded Active Work Jacket is a good example. A 10 oz cotton duck shell, insulated hood, knit storm cuffs and waistband, and triple-needle stitched main seams all point in the same direction. This gear expects to be used.
Logos tend to sit well on this kind of structure because the fabric has enough body. A logo does not need the garment to “hang perfectly” to look right. The jacket holds its own shape.
But movement details really matter here. Berne calls out pleated elbows and an action back on the Heritage Duck hooded jacket. That’s great for range of motion, but it means the jacket is designed to flex — and logos placed too close to high-movement zones can start feeling like they’re just riding along for the job.
- Embroidery: Feels natural on duck and structured fleece because the fabric can carry the stitch weight. Logos read best when they stay clean and simple. Heavy fills can work, but they aren’t necessary for the jacket to feel legitimate.
- Heat transfers: Can look sharp, but they’re more noticeable on outerwear than on shirts. Duck doesn’t hide edges, and transfers tend to be so thin that you can actually see the jacket’s fabric through the design. This isn’t a problem on a flat and soft T-shirt, but seeing the roughness of a duck canvas jacket through a transfer is rather unappealing.
- Placement: Left chest is usually the safest option. Sleeves can work well too, as long as placement avoids seams, pockets, and high-movement areas.
Carhartt: Cleaner uniform look, tighter placements
The Washed Duck Active Jac is the anchor piece here. A 12 oz ring-spun cotton washed duck shell, quilted nylon lining, and Thinsulate featherless insulation give it that real workwear presence. Triple-stitched main seams reinforce it.
That structure makes logos look official fast. The jacket holds its shape, and the surface feels stable, so a clean logo ends up looking like it really belongs there.
Carhartt also shows up often in pocket tees and heavyweight hoodies. The K87 pocket tee and the long sleeve pocket tee are popular because they are dependable, heavy cotton work shirts with a relaxed fit.
- Embroidery: Works best on duck outerwear and vests because the structure supports stitching. Pocket tees can take embroidery, too, but placement matters. Names above the pocket look clean when the text stays compact.
- Heat transfers: Useful for clean edges and back prints, especially names and numbers. But again, you wouldn’t want to try this on duck fabric.
- Placement: Pocket tees force tradeoffs. Logos compete with pockets, so above-pocket or sleeve placement usually works better. Duck jackets and vests offer more reliable, open logo space.
Fit and Sizing
Outdoor crews have to layer, bend, and move — all while having tools on them. So a jacket that fits on order arrival might still feel wrong once the day actually starts.
Berne: Big sizing range and room to move
Berne covers a wide range of sizes on key pieces. The Heritage Duck Hooded Active Work Jacket runs XS through 6XL, and it includes Regular and Tall lengths.
But it’s the fine details that matter most here: Pleated elbows and an action back specifically support movement here, translating to fewer complaints about tightness across the shoulders and back — especially on crews that reach, lift, and move all day.
Their work tees are similarly functional; their heavyweight ring-spun cotton pocket tee gives a relaxed fit and durability, while their WorkVent performance pocket tee goes for breathability with side vents and an athletic fit. That mix is helpful when one crew wants classic workwear and another wants something lighter.
Carhartt: Familiar workwear fit, consistent across crews
Carhartt’s Washed Duck Active Jac is a loose fit, their duck vest is a relaxed fit, and their pocket tees lean into that original, roomy work tee feel.
Crews usually like that predictability. New hires can order the same style and get what they expect, and supervisors know what to recommend without guessing.
Layering also tends to feel natural in Carhartt outerwear, especially in duck pieces and heavyweight hoodies. The gear is built with bulk in mind, so it doesn’t feel delicate or tight once a crew adds base layers.
Warmth and Weather Reality
Having an “insulated” label on the tag isn’t enough for outdoor workers in practice. Windbreaking, cuffs, waistbands, hood construction, and fabric density decide what the crew feels at 6 a.m. on an exposed job site.
Berne: Warmth ratings and practical protection
Berne makes it easier to set expectations because many pieces are framed around warmth levels. The Heritage Duck Hooded Active Work Jacket is listed as “warmest,” featuring a water-repellent finish, insulated hood, storm cuffs, and waistband.
A weather-focused piece like the Weather Warrior waterproof insulated storm jacket also makes sense for crews that get stuck in the rain and not just the cold.
Across Berne’s line, the warmth tends to feel direct and practical. Duck shell, insulation, and storm features do the work, and crews often appreciate that the warmth comes with movement support, not just bulk.
Carhartt: Heavy duck and insulation that feels dependable
Carhartt warmth often comes from weight and construction. The duck vest is built with firm-hand duck canvas, water-repellent and wind-resistant qualities, and arctic-weight insulation. The Washed Duck Active Jac’s lining and insulation are designed for warmth without excessive weight, and the jacket keeps a classic workwear silhouette.
Carhartt also brings warmth through heavyweight hoodies like the Rain Defender Paxton zip-front and pullover hoodies, which add water-repellent protection on a thick cotton/poly blend. Those pieces fill the gap for crews that want warmth and flexibility without committing to a full duck jacket every day.
Durability Over Time
Durability shows up in cuffs that stay intact, zippers that survive daily use, and gear that still looks respectable once it’s been worked in.
Berne: Strong construction with value-first wear patterns
The Heritage Duck jacket calls out triple-needle stitched main seams and a heavy-duty brass front zipper. The duck fabric also tells a story over time, as it creases, fades, and scuffs. That’s normal — Berne gear often looks used in an honest way rather than looking like it’s falling apart.
Berne’s shirts and hi-vis tees follow a similar pattern. Their heavyweight pocket tee uses ring-spun cotton and double-needle top-stitching, and their hi-vis performance tees rely on polyester mesh, with moisture-wicking and reflective tape on the Class 2 option.
Carhartt: Built like its reputation
Carhartt reinforces the same durability standards across products. For example, triple-stitched main seams show up in both the duck vest and the washed duck active jacket (firm-hand duck canvas is a known abrasion-resistant choice for workwear).
Their tees also lean heavy; their pocket tees are 6.75 oz cotton jersey knit with side-seamed construction to minimize twisting, which is one of those small details that really matter after repeated washes.
However, Carhartt gear often develops a predictable “workwear patina” pretty early on in its lifespan. Some crews love that, but some crews prefer a cleaner look longer.
Reorders
Because there’s little point in reordering your favorite batch of jackets if they don’t match what you ordered last year.
Berne: Usually consistent, but visual details can shift
Berne tends to reorder well when the crew stays inside the same style and color. The construction and fabric specs drive the feel, and those hold steady. Size availability also helps because reorders often happen to fill size gaps as new crew members join.
Carhartt: More stable for long-running uniform programs
Carhartt tends to feel steadier across time because the core pieces are built around consistency. It’s popular for long-running programs because their pocket tees, duck outerwear, and heavyweight hoodies keep a recognizable look and feel.
The Call We’d Make for Most Crews
If you want an easy reference guide on which jacket might work best for your use case, here’s what we’ve found:
- Berne:
- Cost-aware crews that still want warm duck jackets and solid construction
- Teams that need a wide size range (including Tall) for key outerwear
- Crews that want warmth options across different tiers and conditions
- Teams that want straightforward jacket branding on duck outerwear
- Carhartt:
- Crews that want a classic, heavy workwear look with strong uniform consistency
- Cold, windy job sites where insulation and duck weight matter most
- Uniform programs that reorder regularly and want stable “same again” results
- Teams using pocket tees where logo placement needs to avoid clutter (but requires more planning)
In our opinion, Carhartt is usually the easier long-term choice. The fit stays consistent, reorders blend better, and the uniform look holds up under real work. The duck outerwear and heavyweight hoodies also handle cold without surprises.
Berne works well when value and sizing flexibility matter most, particularly on warm duck jackets built to move. The gear delivers, but it benefits from a little more planning.
So for most crews and most programs, we’d go with Carhartt.