Frequently Asked Questions

Raingear is generally made and sized to go over the clothes you will already be wearing. If you wear a size large in a shirt you will wear a large in a rain jacket.

The relationship between sizing for tops and bottoms is largely determined by your body type and the freedom of movement required by your activity while wearing raingear. For example, if you wear a large rain jacket you would most likely wear a large pant or bib.

Be sure to take into consideration how much regular clothing you will be wearing, as cold weather may dictate additional layers to keep you warm, and therefore you require one additional size to accommodate your adjustment.

Many of the waist pants and bibs have zippers at the hem, as well as hook & loop closures to allow for eaiser entry and exit over work boots. Be sure to look for that feature if easy access is important to you.

Rain jackets and coats hoods are designed to easily accommodate a hard hat.

Some of our rain coats include a zip in/zip out liner for additional warmth and versatility. Be sure to look for the feature "3 in 1" description of the item if this is needed for your activities.

Garments can be manufactured to three different performance level:

Water Resistant - Generally either a mylon or polyester fabric with no coatings. Primarily used to protect from wind or very light rain or snow. Seams are sewn and are not sealed.

Waterproof - These garments have either a PVC or PU coating on various fabrics, these are designed specifically for moisture and or chemical protection. Seams are electronically welded to be as waterproof as the fabrics.

Waterproof Breathable - There are two types of fabrics used for this level. Seams are taped to prevent moisture penetration.

Tri-laminate - There are three layers of material. The middle layer is a membrane to promote breathability (most people use the term "goretex"). This construction process of fabrics is not generally used in the work trades as it is more expensive, it is primarily in mountaineering/ ski trades.

Micro-Porous Coating - one layer of fabric (usually polyester or nylon) with a fine breathable polyurethane coating on the inside of the fabric. More economical to manufacture and it provides excellent water resistance and breathability. The Cahartt Shoreline Jacket is an example of this type of technology.

Waterproof gear is normally made with one of the following materials:

PVC ( Poly Vinyl Chloride) coated fabric is one of the most common material used where protection from moisture and or various chemcials is a requirement. It is impervoius it does NOT breathe. A good example of this product is the Mandal Jacket from Helly Hansen.

Neoprene or Polychloroprene is a family of synthetic rubbers that are produced by polmerixation of chloroprene. Neoprene exhibits good chemical stability and maintains flexibility over a wide temperature range. This material is not used for raingear much anymore, but is used as cuffs in the sleeves of heavy duty gear to keep the rain from running down your arm. The Grunden's Briggs 44 is an example of how this material is used.

PU or Polyurethane coated fabric has also become very commonly used today as it is a lighter material than PVC and it also can be manufactured to be breathable coatings on the inside of breathable garments. A good example of this is the Imertech by Helly Hansen.

The most common problem with raingear is getting the pant or jacket snagged on a nail or rebar. It results in an L shaped tear in most cases. Here is how you can repair:

Fold/ reposition the tear back to its original postition, them place a piece of duct tape over the tear to hold it.

Turn the garment inside out.

Apply AquaSeal & another piece of material of Tear Mender to the back side covering the tear and let dry according to directions.

After drying turn the garment right side out and remove tape. You are now good to go.

The main questions we receive on alterations is how to make the legs or sleeves shorter? Here are a few answers:

PVC type raingear is the most difficult to alter because you really can't sew it, so the best way we have found is to turn the hem in/under to the desired length and apply duct tape it to secure it.

The waterproof breathable fabrics are easier to do because they can be sewn. But because of hook and loop closures and or zippers, it may prove too costly to alter the length.

Unfortunately, most manufactures just make regulars and not short or tall lengths. However, Grundens and Carhartt make a limited number of styles in short or tall. We may not have them listed on our site so just let us know what you need and we will see if we can get it for you.

In general, waterproof PVC or PU coated garments can be cleaned using mild soap and water with a soft brush, then hang to dry. Do not use bleach.

The best way to clean the waterproof breathable raingear is with a product called Techwash from NIKWAX. This product is designed to clean your raingear and also to revitalize the water repellency. After you have had your raingear for a period of time you will find that the water doesn't bead up like it did when it was new, NIKWAX products will bring that feature back. CAUTION: NEVER USE HIGH OR MEDIUM HEAT SETTING IN CLOTHES DRYER TO DRY YOUR GEAR, USE LOW HEAT OR AIR SETTINGS ONLY.

Rubber boots or Rain boots are waterproof by nature of course, but here are a few things you may find helpful. These boots come in a whole size only. They come in oxford, mid calf and knee styles. Some have nylon (fiberglass) or steel shanks for support depending upon the brand. Rubber boots are prone to puncture if you step on sharp objects such as nails unless they are equipped with a metal plate in the sole. A way to repair a rubber boot is to use a product called "Freesole" or "Shoegoo". You can also make your rubber boots more comfortable by using a felt insole to cushion your ride and also make the boot warmer in the winter. Wearing a heavier sock is another way to make your boot fit better. Rubber boots should not fit tight as you will need air circulation around your foot. Check with our boot fitters for individual questions about a particular style or brand.

Most work boots are "laceups" made from leather. Formerly they were usually shod with hobnails and heel- and toe-plates, but now can usually be seen with a thick rubber sole, and often with steel toecaps.

Anti-static footwear helps to dissipate the accumulation of static electricity from the body while still providing a reasonable level of resistance to electrical hazards from live circuits. These boots are typically marked with EH tags.

In ordinary circumstances, static electricity and ESD are little more than an annoyance. ... Static electricity can attract contaminants in clean environments or cause products to stick together. Static electricity is defined as an electrical charge caused by an imbalance of electrons on the surface of a material.

Avoid extreme temperatures:

•Footwear should be allowed to dry naturally before they are stored and should not be stored near any heat source.

•Footwear should be stored at temperatures not exceeding 86 degrees F. and in normal humidity (below 70%)

Product Care:

•Cordura Boots: Use a soft brush to remove dirt and cleaned with mild soap and warm water. When dry, apply a coat of water repellent. This will help to maintain the color and camo pattern.

•Leather Boots: Use a soft brush to remove dirt; polish may be applied to cover scuffs. Use a good leather conditioner or a very light coat of oil to keep your leather from drying and cracking.

•Duty Shoes and Boots: Use black paste polish and a good leather conditioner about 3 times a year.

•Suede Shoes and Boots: First remove the dirt with the help of small suede brush. Apply some suede protector and clean it with a specialized cleaner.

•Patent Leather Shoes and Boots: Clean it with a soft, damp cloth using diluted detergent. Add petroleum jelly to give it a shine. In the end buff it properly to remove the excess petroleum jelly.

•Hand Sewn Shoes and Boots: Remove loose dirt with a soft brush. Use a paste polish to cover scuffs. Apply a water repellent spray and a good leather conditioner about two times a year.

•Insoles and Footbeds: Remove foot beds from footwear after use. This allows perspiration to evaporate.

Both styles of safety toe caps offer the wearer a measure of protection because each meets ANSI/ASTM safety requirements. Steel toe boots tend to be a little heavier than composite toe ones, but many people feel that a steel toe cap affords them more protection than a composite toe. In the end, your personal preferences will be instrumental in making the decision as to which one you choose.

The first thing you should do is determine what you will use the boots for (work or recreation or both). Then you should decide what type of environment you will wear them in (indoor or outdoor, wet or dry, cold weather or warm temperatures).

A "D" width is the same as a regular width; if you do not normally order a wide width shoe or boot, you should order a regular or "D" width shoe or boot. An "EE" is generally the same as a wide width; if you usually order a wide shoe or boot then you should order a wide or EE width shoe or boot.

Yes! Whistle Workwear Boot Experts are continuously trained to ensure that your boot buying experience is flawless. Our Boot Experts can size, stretch, or special order your boots so that you get the perfect fit, every time. Your boots protect you on long, hard days on the job, and our Boot Experts will do what every it takes to find the best boot for you. 

No, unfortunately some items are online only and will be labeled as Online Only Keep in mind that just as our Whistle Workwear stores vary in size, so does the merchandise each store is able to carry. To find out if your Whistle Workwear location carries a certain item please contact Whistle Workwear on our customer service form or by phone 1-888-484-WORK(9675). You can also contact the Whistle Workwear location directly by using  The Store Locator.     

We accept Visa, MaterCard, Discover, American Express credit cards and PayPal. We also accept Whistle Workwear and American Workwear Gift Cards.

Yes, we are available to chat online with you Monday-Friday 8am to 6pm Pacific Time. Outside of these hours you are welcome to leave a message, but this message will not be returned until the next business day.

Yes, for any bulk order please contact us or you can call us at 253-475-2300 with the item #’s and quantities you are looking to purchase. We will then send you a quote within 24 hours.

On the top of your screen click Login, once you are directed to the login page you have the option to create a new account. Simply fill out all required areas and then click the create account button.

1. You will first need to Login to your account.

2. When logged in you will be redirected back to the home page of WhistleWorkwear.com website.

3. On the top header, located towards the top of your screen, you will now see My Account, click on the button and you will then see all your personal information

4. You can update your billing information, password and email address.

5. Don’t forget to hit save.

1. You will first need to go to Login,

2. At the top of the password box you will see Forgot password?

3. You will be redirected to the password recovery page where you will enter your email address used to sign up your account.

4. You will then be emailed a new password and a link to sign in.

5. You will enter in your email/username and the temporary password sent to you.

6. Once logged in you can go into your account and update your password.

Please refer to our Privacy Policy for any information you may need. If you still have questions, please contact our customer service or call 1-888-484-WORK(9675)

To enter your review of any of our products, go to the product page and click on Reviews. You will need to be logged into your account first. Follow the instructions for entering information into the Product Review page before submitting.

Unfortunately, we don’t due to our inventory changing with the seasons. However, you can sign up for our e-mailing list or follow us on Facebook and Instagram to be notified of our latest items, sales and promotions.

On the product page next to the description tab, you will find a size chart tab. Click the size chart to help with sizing.

Yes, if the item is unused, and has all the original packing including the tags, you are welcome to return or exchange the item(s) at any Whistle Workwear location. Please remember to bring the receipt with you, or the item(s) that are being returned will go onto a store gift card.

If you wish to return your purchase, please do so within 90 days of receipt for a full refund. Returned items must be clean, unwashed, unused and in original packaging with all components. Complete the return packing form you received with your order and send all returns or exchanges back to the return address on the return packing form, that can also be found below. The return label cost is the customers responsibility. Please note that returns/refunds or exchanges take up to 5 business days upon receipt to process.

Attn: Whistle Workwear Online Returns

6818 Tacoma Mall Blvd

Tacoma, WA 98409

Yes, if you have any questions about the progress of your return please contact us or call us at 1-888-484-WORK(9675).

If your order was a gift (or shipped to an address different from the billing address), you can return to:

Attn: Whistle Workwear Online Returns

6818 Tacoma Mall Blvd

Tacoma, WA 98409

Refunds will be issued to the original payment method on the order, unless you indicate it was a gift, in which case the refund will be issued on a gift card and sent to the gifted returning the product.

You will automatically receive an email with tracking information once your order has shipped. You can also login to your account and select "Order History" to see if your order has shipped.

No, there is not an option to ship to multiple locations. If you would like to ship items to different address in one order, please use the comment section to do so or call American Workwear at 1-888-484-WORK(9675).

Yes, to make changes to your order please call us at 1-888-484-WORK within 2 hours of placing your order to make any changes.

Yes, you can cancel your order. Please fill out our request form or call 1-888-484-WORK(9675) within 2 hours of placing your order.

Standard shipping is between 3 to 5 business days if shipping is to States other than Washington and 1 to 2 business days if shipping is in Washington.

Note that the legal title of purchased product(s) is transfers to the buyer at the point of shipment. Whistle Workwear is not responsible for STOLEN packages.

Yes, packages shipping internationally will be shipped via the United States Postal Service. Please allow 3-5 business days to prepare your order for shipment. Once shipped, transit time is approximately 6-10 business days till you will receive your order. All international orders will be charged a shipping fee at checkout. Please note duties and taxes are the responsibility of the purchaser.

Shipping Options are as follows: (Please allow 3-5 business days to prepare your order for shipment)

Ground (Monday - Friday Delivery) takes 5 to 7 business days to receive your orders

Expedited Shipping (Monday – Friday Delivery) takes up to 4 business days to receive your order(s)

2 Day Shipping (Monday – Friday) orders must be placed by 12pm Pacific Time. Orders received after 12pm Monday - Friday will not ship until the next business day. Orders placed on Saturday, Sunday or holidays will ship out on the next business day. (2 Day shipping is not available outside the contiguous 48 U.S. States.) Additional shipping charges apply.