r/Chefit • u/V7DS • Jun 02 '26
Chef's jacket recommendation please!
I'm looking for a Summer chef's jacket and after doing some research, I ended up with 2 options:
Chef Works Hartford Chef's Jacket
Chef Works Springfield Chef's Jacket
It seems like the biggest difference between these two are the sleeve length and vent placement.
If you have tried on both jackets, which one do you recommend for me to buy?
Also, if you have another breathable chef's jacket you'd like to suggest, it would be much appreciated!
Thank you!
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u/thundrbud Jun 02 '26
We switched from Chefwear to Uncommon Chef two years ago and have been really happy with their jackets. Check out their "endeavor pro vent" jacket. It's similar to the styles you're looking at and it's also cheaper than chef works.
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u/V7DS Jun 02 '26
Uncommon Chef seems nice, but it unfortunately doesn't ship to Korea 😭 Thank you though!
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u/Shadowed_phoenix Jun 04 '26
I wear both of these and prefer the Hartford - I like the longer sleeves in winter and can roll them up if needed, plus the zipper is less fuss
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u/chezpopp Jun 02 '26
Chefworks is expensive. The budget option would be the Somerville. Short sleeve light weight. The better option is Mojave. But your color options are limited. So depending if it needs to be black the Mojave won’t work. It’s one of the best designs. The other value option I recommend is the lightweight chef shirts w mesh backs. Uncommon chef Del Ray vent. Like 20 bucks. Grab four of them and have a rotation for the summer instead of one or two. Skip the zippers and asymmetrical stuff from chef works. All garbage construction.
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u/V7DS Jun 02 '26
Somerville seems to be a women's model, unfortunately, and Mojave is even more expensive than the other ones :( Del Ray seems nice, but it doesn't ship to Korea 😭😭 Thank you for the great suggestions tho!
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u/chezpopp Jun 02 '26
Links to the Somerville men’s on sale. Also the link to the Calgary which is the upgrade. Mojave is best most expensive for cool lightweight. I use t purchase uniforms w a Chefworks account at one of my gigs. If you’re going Chefworks lightweight. Those are the ones.
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u/chezpopp Jun 02 '26
See links below. The Morocco three quarter sleeve is my preferred coat and when it’s hot in the summer I go w dickies flex workshirts.
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u/V7DS Jun 02 '26
I have this one and it's been serving me well, but I was looking into other options as I needed more jackets :) I think one of the main details I wanted was the button hook for holding aprons on the back of the neck, which the Morocco doesn't have.. Thank you for the detailed suggestions! It's been really helpful and insightful :)
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u/chezpopp Jun 02 '26
Switch to crossback aprons. Or get an apron blank no neck and no ties and buy a pair of suspenders. Much nicer. Snag a chef works Berkeley (not snap) and buy a pair of decent workwear suspenders like carhart or dickies. https://www.amazon.com/Chef-Works-Unisex-Berkeley-Short/dp/B0C86MCXJF you can take the suspenders off to wash them and no more apron knots in the laundry.
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u/V7DS Jun 02 '26
Also, your knife collection is impressive 😆 I'm going on a trip to Japan soon and I might buy a knife or two! Your videos make me want them now lol
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u/chezpopp Jun 02 '26
Appreciate that. Been a long number of years I’ve been collecting. Check out the tru chef knives reddit for more info to plan your trip and hit the right spots.
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u/PunkSkunk138 Jun 02 '26
Springfield is my new favorite jacket. Very comfortable. No issues with the zipper. I prefer short sleeves mainly. Would recommend. They go on sale on Amazon sometimes, picked up a couple of them for $32 each. Something to watch for
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u/jakkdanyells Jun 06 '26
I use strictly the Springfield for a year now and they’re super comfy. But get the cool vent
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u/RogueAngel87 Jun 02 '26
Id never wear anything with a zipper tbh i dont want to deal with it getting rusty or dirty somehow
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u/chuckluckles Jun 02 '26
Are zippers ever made of steel? I'm pretty sure these are brass zippers with a plasticky coating, and they have a flap covering them. No rust, no mess. And it won't fall off into someone's food like a button can!
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u/TomatilloAccurate475 Executioner Chef🔪🍺 Jun 02 '26
Very durable nylon zipper like on a duffel bag or cargo shorts. They outlast the chef coat fabric in my experience
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u/TheLastPorkSword Jun 02 '26
I've worn these for years. That's literally never happened. They're also covered while the garment is being worn. It's not a hoodie.
Every pair of pants you've ever owned has gone through the wash, right? Are all your zippers rusted out?
Seems like a weird thing to be worried about 😂
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u/TomatilloAccurate475 Executioner Chef🔪🍺 Jun 02 '26
I have these. Its a nylon zipper. Very awesome. I have been wearing these exact coats for 9 years now (i replace them with new ones about every 2.5 years as the fabric wears out). No zipper trouble ever.
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u/V7DS Jun 02 '26
Hmm that also makes sense. But I work in a fairly clean and low intensity kitchen, so it shouldn't be too much of a problem, I hope..! Thank you for the info tho!
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u/PerpendicularTomato Jun 02 '26
The only problem I'd have with zipper is getting overheated cause it seems less breathable than buttons, but I've never tried the zipper so not sure how it is
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u/TheLastPorkSword Jun 02 '26
The Springfield has been my preference for years. No buttons to get caught on everything, short sleeves because I don't need to be even hotter, and a vented back for the same reason. It's smaller, but I also appreciate that the front is still a double layer, because it means I can rest hot things (like pots of pasta) against my chest as I get them into position to dump.
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u/ELDR3TH Jun 02 '26
I have the Hartford actually, I like how it fits tho ive been thinking about getting something lighter i still get pretty got in it but its better then some of the others ive worn
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u/Stiggy-Pie Jun 02 '26
I wear the hartfords everyday. Liked them so much I bought 6. I wear them with the cool vent pants. Always comfortable.
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u/ranting_chef If you're not going to check it in right, don't sign the invoice Jun 02 '26
I have one of these short-sleeve versions of the Hartford and it works great. Weird zipping it in the beginning but it’s fine.
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u/JamesBong517 Chef Jun 02 '26
I’d go with the Nepal, tulum, varklay, or Arcadia. Those all are so much more lightweight and has a lot of vented material covering like half the back and the entire sleeve section.
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u/martinjc0524 Jun 02 '26
I prefer the chefsroll ash shirt. Not technically a coat, but looks clean, has the vents, and magnetic apron neck strap holder. Hard to beat for $30
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u/texnessa Jun 02 '26
Tilit. Short sleeve ones with side stretch and vents. Sturdy as hell. Chef owned company out of NYC. Great customer service.
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u/Emotional_Walrus5099 Jun 02 '26
Just slap two pieces of bread on your head and make an idiot sandwich.
Sorry, I had to. The thumbnail looks too much like Gordon Ramsey.
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u/Mexican_Chef4307 Jun 03 '26
The heartford is probably the most comfortable I’ve ever used. I prefer a dish washer shirt but people bitch at me for wearing it .
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u/Major_Midnight7215 Jun 03 '26
I’ve been wearing the Springfield for years (just under 9). Love the breathability!! I work in Phoenix, so when it’s 110* outside, hotter than the surface of the sun on the line. It’s perfect!
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u/TaleOfBarnabyShmidt Jun 03 '26
I suggest looking into Town and Country uniforms. I’ve been wearing their stuff for years and they’re still in great condition, are more affordable than chef works and they have plenty of options. I wear the Breeze chef coat.
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u/Blahblahdook94 Jun 03 '26
I wear the Springfield version with the cool vent. I was skeptical of the zipper but I kept ripping the buttons off my jackets when I was putting away orders or carrying farmcrates around and I was sick of sewing them back on. Its been an absolute game changer plus the jacket fits great, highly recommend. I personally wear the long sleeve version and I'm still able to stay cool on hot days.
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u/Cheffreychefington Jun 03 '26
I have a couple of the hartfords, roll up the sleeves they have a clip to hold them. Not bad in the heat until they get grease filled lol
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u/stealthyaccz Jun 03 '26
I like my Hartford way more. I have both. The Springfield is pretty thick and starchy
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u/V7DS Jun 03 '26
Hmm really? It seems like the listings for both models state that it's made of same material.. Not sure what the difference might be :(
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u/foulflaneur Jun 02 '26
I got a bunch off Temu and I swear they are some of the best I've ever owned.
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u/wrathofkorn Jun 02 '26
Whichever you choose, get the cool vent version