Carhartt makes 10 different bibs, and deciding which is best for your application can be tricky. So, I bought them all.
Bibs, Overalls, whatever you call them, maybe no other product is more synonymous with Carhartt. Here in New England, I’ve heard more than a few people refer to insulated duck bibs at “Carhartt’s”. Like “It’s getting cold, I’m gonna throw my Carhartts on.” Most people I work with keep a pair of these in their truck from September through April just in case it gets unexpectedly cold.
But the day of just two types of bibs (insulated and non) are long gone, and scrolling through the Carhartt website can be confusing.
Carhartt FR Bibs
So, I bought all of them to compare, and hopefully help you choose which is best for your application. Well, I should be more specific: I bought all but the FR bibs. The reason is that if you need FR gear there’s only one option. Nobody will be deciding between Storm Defender bibs and FR.
Flame-repellent, water-repellent, and tough as nails, these men's midweight overalls are ready for the most rugged work environments. They're made of Quick Duck® canvas, which is lighter than our traditional sandstone duck but ounce-for-ounce just as tough. Born for the cold, they have a quilt lining to the waist as well as insulation throughout. A double layer at the knees makes them durable enough for kneeling in the mud or snow.
Terminology
The rest, however, are here and we’re going to dive into the differences. First, a little terminology: Carhartt bibs come in both insulated and non-insulated. However, a biberall is different because the insulation continues up into the chest piece.
Also, the sizing changes depending on whether the bibs are insulated. Carhartt sizes their uninsulated bibs like pants, with waist and inseam sizes. The thought is that people will wear these in place of work pants, and the sizing should be as such.
Insulated bibs and biberalls are sized in Small, Medium, Large, and XL with Short, Regular, and tall sizing. The idea here is that most people will wear them over another layer.
Carhartt sizing is always a topic of discussion, and within bibs, you’ll find two fits: Regular Fit and Loose Fit. The Regular Fit is relaxed through the thigh and has a slight taper near the bottom, whereas the Loose Fit is fuller at the thigh and has a wide leg opening.
Uninsulated Bibs
Loose Fit Denim Bib Overall
These cost $69 and are made of 11.75oz 100% cotton denim. Essentially if you love work jeans but want them taller, these are the bibs for you. Triple stitched main seams, hammer loop, and adjustable straps, are simple, affordable, and effective.
Mucking stalls to fixing fences, these men's bib overalls can do it all. Midweight denim is washed to give them a broken-in feel, while triple-stitched seams give them legendary Carhartt durability. The generous cut gives you room to climb, crawl, and bend with ease.
Rugged Flex Relaxed Fit Canvas Bib Overall
These cost $89 and are made from 8oz canvas which is 98% cotton, and 2% spandex for stretch. These used to be known as the Rigby bib. They feature triple-stitched main seams, reinforced cuffs, and double knees. These are the best choice for warmer conditions, being Carhartt’s lightest bibs, and that stretch can also help these not feel too confining.
No break-in time necessary. These men's lightweight bibs are ready for the toughest jobs, with stretch canvas that feels comfortable from the start. Built to last, the overalls have triple-stitched seams, reinforced cuffs, and a double layer at the knees. The extra bit of stretch gives you enough flex to bend and squat without a problem.
Relaxed Fit Men’s Bib Overall
These will set you back $89 and are made from Carhartt’s famous 12oz 100% ring-spun cotton duck. Carhartt did a whole revamp of these bibs a while back and there are almost too many features to list.
The ledge pockets are designed to easily clip on a radio or tape measure, the cuffs are reinforced the entire way around, there is a stretch section at the waist, and updated chest pocket layout.
Of course, you still get triple-stitched main seams, rivets at stress points, and everything that makes Carhartt bibs famous.
I did a big comparison of bibs in a previous video, and Carhartt offers an imposing set of features for the price. There’s a reason these are their best-selling bibs.
An update to our most popular unlined bib, the R01, these heavyweight men's bib overalls were designed using feedback from our Carhartt Crew. Every detail, from the front-to-back kick panel on the cuffs to the extra stretch around the waist, was informed by the hardworking people who wear our gear day-in and day-out. The heavyweight cotton duck material makes them dependable and durable.
Storm Defender® Loose Fit Heavyweight Bib Overall
These cost $139, and are made from 7.3 oz 100% Nylon Duck that’s water and wind-resistant while still being breathable. These are the bibs you want if your job requires you to work in wet conditions. In fact, I remember seeing one of the contestants from the show Alone wearing a pair of these during his 100 days in the wilderness. They’re seriously tough.
One thing I want to point out is that all the seams are fully taped, not just the main seams. This is something I’ve seen some other brands skimp on with their “water resistant” gear, and it’s nice to see that Carhartt went the extra mile.
I have worked in the Storm Defender jacket for a few years, and it’s never once let me down, so it’s safe to assume these bibs follow suit. Since these are designed to work over a base layer, they’re sized in Small, medium, and large.
These men's bib overalls are built for hard work in hard rain. Rated 10k/10k, they're made of durable heavyweight nylon that's waterproof, breathable, and wind-resistant. Double-layer knees accommodate knee pads, while an adjustable waist and suspenders let you find just the right fit.
Insulated Bibs
Okay, now we get into the insulated bibs Carhartt offers. This is where things can get confusing, so I’ll do my best to differentiate them. All the insulated bibs open on the leg to make them easier to get on over your base layer.
Loose Fit Firm Duck Insulated Bib Overall
These cost $109, are made from Carhartt’s 12oz 100% cotton duck, and are Carhartt’s best-selling insulated bibs. The insulation on these bibs is quilted nylon with polyester batting.
These bibs are the insulated version of the best-selling duck canvas bibs I mentioned earlier, so you get all those features in a warmer version. These bibs are level 2 on the Carhartt warmth rating scale.
You also get Cordura reinforcements at the cuff, which is always the spot where these insulated bibs start to fray. These bibs open all the way to the hip for easy on, easy off.
Engineered For Midrange Warmth in Moderately Cold Conditions. See Technology section below for more details.
These men's heavyweight bibs hold their own through wind, light rain, and several seasons of hard work. The overalls are made with our rugged firm-hand duck, the most durable canvas out there. They have a smooth quilted lining from the waist down, with ankle-to-thigh leg zips for quick ventilation.
Relaxed Fit Men’s Insulated Bib Overall
These will set you back $119 and are made from the same 12oz 100% cotton duck canvas, but the big difference is the insulation. These bibs feature 80g, 100% polyester 3M™ Thinsulate™ which cut down on the bulk while being warmer. That insulation bumps these bibs up to a 3 on the Carhartt warmth rating.
The fit is a little bit trimmer, being Relaxed fit rather than loose fit, which may work better for some people.
The features are like the previous firm duck insulated bibs, though the front pocket layout is a little different (list any differences)
These open to the knee only, so they’re not as easy to get on or off as the ones that open to the hip.
To me, these bibs are worth the $10 premium for that upgrade in insulation and trimmer fit, but keep in mind that you do give up some features.
An update to one of our most popular lined bibs, the R27, these men's insulated bib overalls were designed using feedback from our Carhartt Crew. Made to hold their own through cold, wind, and light rain, they're the hardest-working overalls around with our heavyweight cotton duck and lined with lightweight 3M™ Thinsulate™ insulation for exceptional warmth.
Men’s Insulated Bib Overall – Loose Fit – Firm Duck
Now we’re looking at the heavyweights, and these monsters cost $139, are made from 12oz 100% firm duck canvas, and feature Carhartt’s arctic-weight insulation. Giving them a 4 on the Carhartt warmth scale. Even though these are listed as bib overalls, they are in fact insulated to the top, making them “biberalls”.
Not only are these bibs warmer than the previous ones I mentioned, but they also have a unique design with a full-height zipper. The insulated upper section is cut much higher, and this design makes getting into and out of them much easier. Of course, you also give up a little utility without the chest pocket layout of the other bibs. However, if warmth and durability are your main concern, these will fit the bill.
The legs open to the hip for ease of getting them on and off, and of course they have Cordura reinforcements. If you’re a traditionalist and like the Carhartt duck, these are the warmest bibs you can get.
Because work doesn't take a snow day, these men's loose-fit biberalls help you get the job done in wintry conditions. They're made of heavy duck canvas with Arctic-weight insulation for added warmth. Triple-stitched seams and durable kick panels mean they're built to last. Ankle-to-thigh leg zips make for easy on and off over boots.
Men’s Super Dux™ Insulated Bib Overall
These cost $179, are made from 7.75oz nylon with a DWR coating, and feature Quilted lining insulated with 80g of 100% polyester 3M™ Thinsulate™ from the waist down. Giving these bibs a rating of 4 on the Carhartt warmth scale.
A few years back Carhartt reintroduced their Super Dux line which was geared towards outdoorsmen and recreation. These biberalls feel much more flexible than firm duck while still giving you a lot of warmth. So, if you’re out on the ski slope, sitting in a duck blind, or whatever else you may do outside, these bibs are your best bet.
The Super Dux bibs zip to the knee and feature a distinctive style shoulder clip than the others, making them easier to fasten.
Built for work, made for play. These Super Dux™ men's insulated overalls are named after the first line of Carhartt outdoor gear originally released in the 1930s. They're water-repellent, wind-resistant, and lined with 3M™ Thinsulate for warmth. The nylon is lightweight and strong, so you can move easily while hiking, snowmobiling, or setting up your ice fishing shanty. Numerous pockets make it easy to keep your most-used tools and accessories close at hand.
Yukon Extremes Loose Fit Insulated Biberalls
These cost $200 and are made of 500 Denyer Cordura Nylon. They are insulated with 150g, 3M™ Thinsulate™ and of course, are a 4 on the Carhartt warmth scale.
These bibs are entirely different than any of the previous models featuring a full front zip and distinct pocket layout, complete with two cargo pockets (one on each thigh).
The Cordura shell has a DWR finish to make snow and ice fall right off it, and it retains the same clasps as the Super Dux model (check).
The Yukon Extremes series is designed for situations where cotton duck may be too absorbent, and you need some seriously warm insulation. So, if you work in the ice and snow, these are going to be the bibs you want.
Engineered For Extreme Warmth in the Coldest Conditions On Earth.
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