So let’s do the maths on what cheap workwear actually costs over a British winter. What Budget Gear Really Costs Over Six MonthsTake a crew of five working outdoors from October to March. But properly made workwear with fully taped seams, reinforced stress points, and heavy-duty zips will last a full season and often into a second. Buy Once, Stay Dry All WinterLook for fully taped seams rather than partially taped, as this is the single biggest factor in how long a jacket will hold up. Factor in the downtime, the sick days, and the drop in output, and budget gear will end up costing you more than the good stuff.