If you've ever had to justify a gear purchase to a finance director who's never worn work boots, you know the drill. They see the unit price. You see the total cost. I've been managing procurement for a mid-sized industrial contractor for six years now, and our annual PPE budget sits around $180,000. Over that time, I've developed a pretty solid approach to evaluating FR gear—and two brands keep coming up in our quarterly reviews: Carhartt and 1620 Workwear.
This isn't a "which brand is better" piece. I'm not a gear reviewer. I'm the guy who signs the PO and tracks the invoices. So I'll break this down the way I do when I'm comparing bids: four dimensions that matter when you're buying for a crew, not just yourself.
The Comparison Framework
Before we dig into specific products like the fr Carhartt hoodie or 1620's pants, let's set the ground rules. I'm comparing these two brands on:
- Compliance & certifications – Are they actually covering what OSHA and our insurer require?
- Total cost of ownership (TCO) – Not just the price tag, but how long it lasts and what hidden fees show up.
- Durability & warranty – Does the gear hold up on a real jobsite?
- Sizing & fit for a crew – When you're ordering for 50 people, consistency matters.
I'm not a textile engineer, so I can't speak to thread counts or fabric blends in detail. What I can tell you from a procurement perspective is what's held up in the field—and what hasn't.
Dimension 1: Compliance & Certifications
Here's where Carhartt has a clear edge in our experience. Their FR line—everything from the fr Carhartt hoodie to their coveralls—comes with documented ASTM F1506 and NFPA 70E ratings. When our safety officer audits our gear inventory, Carhartt's compliance paperwork is always clean. We've never had a rejected batch.
1620 Workwear, on the other hand, positions itself as a premium alternative with a focus on style and mobility. And their gear is nice—I'll give them that. But when I asked for specific ASTM ratings on their FR pants last year, the documentation was less straightforward. They have some certified pieces, but not everything in their FR line carries the same third-party certifications.
I should add: this isn't a knock on 1620. They may be targeting a different market segment—smaller crews, less regulated environments. But for us, compliance documentation is non-negotiable. If it's not on paper, our lawyers won't sign off.
Verdict on compliance: Carhartt wins here if you need certified, documented FR gear for a regulated environment. 1620 is catching up, but they're not there yet.
Dimension 2: Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)
This is where my cost controller hat comes on. On paper, 1620's pricing looks premium. A pair of their FR work pants runs about $165–$185. Carhartt's comparable FR pants are around $110–$140. So at first glance, Carhartt saves you 25–30%.
But that's unit price. Here's what you need to know: I've tracked every FR garment order for the past four years. What I found surprised me.
Carhartt's FR hoodies and pants tend to last about 18–24 months with our crew before they show signs of wear that require replacement (fraying at cuffs, fading, minor tears). 1620's gear? We're only about two years into testing them, but the early data suggests their pants hold up closer to 24–30 months. The material is heavier, the stitching is tighter. So if you annualize the cost:
- Carhartt FR pants: ~$110, replaced every 20 months = $66/year
- 1620 FR pants: ~$175, replaced every 28 months = $75/year
The gap shrinks. Not enough to make 1620 cheaper, but enough that the premium doesn't look as ridiculous as it first did.
Also—and this is a pet peeve of mine—Carhartt includes shipping on orders over $200, which for a crew order is basically always. 1620 charged us $18 shipping on our first order (note to self: ask about volume shipping next time).
Verdict on TCO: Carhartt still costs less per year, but not by as much as the price tags suggest. If your crew treats gear gently and you can stretch the lifespan, 1620 becomes competitive.
Dimension 3: Durability & Warranty
I had an incident last March that changed how I look at durability claims. One of our welders caught his Carhartt FR jacket on a rebar end—ripped a six-inch gash in the sleeve. Not a failure of the gear, really. That rebar was sharp. But the jacket was only three months old.
I submitted a warranty claim. Carhartt asked for photos, then sent a replacement within a week. No questions. That's the kind of process that makes me trust a brand on repeat orders.
1620's warranty is also solid, but I've heard mixed things about turnaround. One of our subcontractors had a zipper fail on a 1620 jacket after six months. They got a replacement, but it took three weeks of back-and-forth. (Should mention: that was secondhand info, not my direct experience.)
In terms of day-to-day wear, both hold up well. The fr Carhartt hoodie is a favorite on our sites—it's thick, comfortable, and doesn't pill after washing. 1620's hoodie is lighter, more mobility-friendly, but I've seen the fleece lining start to degrade after about 10 washes.
Verdict on durability: Carhartt edges ahead on warranty execution and consistent quality across their FR line. 1620 makes a nice product, but the consistency isn't there yet for volume procurement.
Dimension 4: Sizing & Fit for a Crew
This might sound trivial, but when you're ordering for 60 people, sizing consistency is a huge deal. Carhartt's FR sizing is predictable—once we got their size chart dialed in, our order accuracy hit 95% on the first try.
1620 runs smaller. Their size L feels more like Carhartt's M. We had to do a full reorder on our first batch because the dimensions didn't match what we expected. That mistake cost us $240 in return shipping and restocking fees (surprise, surprise).
If you're ordering for yourself, fit is a personal preference. But for a crew, Carhartt's consistency saves time and money.
Verdict on sizing: Carhartt wins for group orders. 1620 is fine for individual buyers who can try before they buy.
So Which One Should You Buy?
Honestly, I'm not sure there's a single answer. It depends on your situation.
Buy Carhartt if:
- You need documented, certified FR gear for a regulated environment
- You're ordering for a crew (5+ people) and need consistent sizing
- You want a proven warranty process
- Your budget is tight and you need the lowest TCO
Consider 1620 Workwear if:
- You're buying for yourself or a small team where fit can be tested
- Mobility and style are big factors for your crew
- You're willing to pay a premium for potentially longer-lasting gear
- You don't need third-party certification on every piece
For us at the moment, Carhartt is our primary FR supplier. But I'm keeping an eye on 1620. If they tighten up their certification documentation and offer volume shipping discounts, they could become a serious alternative for certain segments of our team.
— A procurement manager who's learned the hard way: the best deal isn't always the lowest price.