In part 3 of our Promo 101 series, we want help you choose the perfect promotional jacket for your business! We’ll break down the questions you need to ask, and share some of our favorite jackets for every style and budget.

Consider the climate.

Keep the weather in mind when choosing a promotional jacket for your staff or customers. In the south, for example, we only have a few weeks of extreme cold each year, so you don’t see many people out on the streets with heavy parkas. However, if you’re located in a region where it snows all winter, you’ll want to provide something that’s suitable to blocking out the bitter cold. The bottom line: You’ll get the most return on investment if you choose a jacket that people can wear more often.

Do you need lightweight, heavyweight or something in between?

Lightweight Jackets: For milder climates, a lightweight jacket works really well during spring and fall when it tends to be cooler in the morning and at night. Examples of lightweight jackets include wind breakers and rain jackets.

Mid Weight Jackets: This range really covers what most people in our area wear throughout the winter. Mid weight jackets fall somewhere between “I don’t want to get wet while I’m watching Friday night football” and “I’m turning into a human popsicle because it’s so cold outside.” Examples of mid weight jackets include soft shell bonded jackets, fleece jackets, and lined work jackets.

Heavyweight Jackets: Ideal for freezing temperatures, these jackets will keep you warm in the coldest winter weather. Examples of heavyweight jackets include parkas, system jackets and high tech materials that offer superior heat retention.

Do you need wind or water protection?

Look for keywords in the item description. Anything that says wind or water resistant will offer a modest level of protection, but you won’t want to stay outside for hours in it. If it says windproof or waterproof, you’ll generally get a lot more protection.

Keep your eyes open for waterproof and breathability ratings too. We measure waterproof ratings in mm, and 1000 mm translates to about an hour of standing in the rain. (So if you find a jacket with a 6000 mm rating like this one, you’ll get about six hours of rain protection.) Breathability (measured in g) refers to whether or not you’re going to get hot and sweaty in your rain gear. The more breathable, the better!

Will you need extended sizing?

We offer jackets up to size 6xl in regular men’s sizes, or 5XL in tall sizes. Just keep in mind that some styles only come in a limited size range, so be sure to tell your sales rep if you need extended sizing.

Does name brand matter to you?

Check out this blog post which showcases some of the big name retail brands available to you through JDA.

Ready to get an order started?

Contact us today for more information!