For over 100 years, Schmidt Workwear® has been creating quality workwear that combines comfort, durability, and style. Our company was founded in 1917 by Carl E. Schmidt, a German immigrant who started a small workwear factory in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
Carl had a vision to create functional yet fashionable garments for laborers across America. He pioneered the use of ring-spun denim, allowing for maximum flexibility and movement. This innovative fabric was used to create the first Schmidt jeans in the 1920s.
Through the decades, Schmidt Workwear® has grown tremendously but always stayed true to Carl’s ideals of quality, comfort, and reliability. In the 1930s, we began using heavier denim and reinforced stitching to better withstand rugged work environments.
As materials evolved, we implemented newer fabrics like stretch denim and moisture-wicking cotton to increase mobility and breathability. The Schmidt Fit System was introduced in the 1990s to provide customized fits based on different trades.
Today, Schmidt Workwear® offers a wide selection of garments for both men and women including jeans, shirts, jackets, bibs, coveralls, and more. While our outstanding craftsmanship has stayed consistent, we now use the most advanced fabrics and design techniques. Schmidt apparel perfectly marries workwear toughness with casual style.
Our Commitment to Quality
At Schmidt Workwear®, we are wholeheartedly committed to creating gear that performs and lasts. Our garments are rigorously tested to ensure maximum durability, functionality, and comfort.
The Schmidt design team uses computer-aided 3D modeling and fit simulations. Technical performance fabrics from approved mills are put through lab tests assessing strength, abrasion resistance, pilling, wash durability, and more. Prototypes are worn in real working conditions and feedback is incorporated.
We carefully inspect all apparel in our Midwest factories. Less than 2% of our garments are returned due to defects, compared to an industry average of 7%. This extreme attention to quality ensures our customers receive well-constructed apparel that truly enhances their workday.
Innovating With the Trades in Mind
Schmidt Workwear® has always tailored our products around the people who wear them. In the 1990s, we revolutionized the workwear industry by creating the Schmidt Fit System. This categorizes garments into different fits based on various trades:
- Loose Fit – Construction, agriculture, maintenance
- Regular Fit – Landscaping, warehousing, manufacturing
- Trim Fit – Mechanical and automotive repair
- Women’s Fit – Contoured for the female form
Within each category, sizes are adjusted holistically across the garment to achieve an optimized shape. This ensures maximum mobility and reduced restriction during work. The Schmidt Fit System was one of the first approaches to customize fits based on trade-specific range of motion. This focus on ergonomic design provides all-day comfort for workers.
We also gather constant feedback from wearers and observe them in real job site environments. Their input helps us identify areas for improvement and new innovations to increase functionality. For example, many electrical and mechanical technicians wanted more stash pockets without adding bulk. After months of testing, our product development team created the Multi-Stash Cargo Pant – featuring sleek pockets sized for tools and smartphone accessibility.
Uncompromising Quality Fabrics
The foundation of every Schmidt Workwear® garment is our meticulously engineered fabrics. We work closely with regulated mills to create durable textiles that perform in harsh conditions while retaining softness and breathability.
Schmidt Flex Denim – Our signature stretch denim blend has 2-way mechanical stretch for full range of motion. It is woven with high-tensile ring spun cotton yarns for superior resilience against abrasions. The denim is sanforized to prevent shrinking and ensure enduring fit.
Rugged Duck Cotton – Made from dense twill weave canvas, this fabric withstands heavy use on jobsites. The cotton duck is reinforced with triple-stitched seams yet remains lightweight and breathable. It only gets softer and more broken-in over time.
DryX Moisture Control – This innovative cotton pulls moisture away from the body and pushes it to the surface to evaporate. The special fiber core keeps the interior dry while the exterior disperses sweat. It is naturally antimicrobial and ideal for hot environments.
ThermaCheck Lining – Many Schmidt jackets feature this unique quilted lining that provides warmth while reducing bulk. Hollow-core polyester fibers trap heat while the quilted boxes hold loft. This thin yet ultra-insulating lining delivers lightweight weather protection.
Responsible Manufacturing
At Schmidt Workwear®, we take pride in being a made in USA brand. Our state-of-the-art factories adhere to strict ethical regulations and environmental protocols. We partner with textile suppliers who use organic cotton, recycled polyester, non-toxic dyes, and other sustainable practices.
Our Midwest facilities employ highly skilled workers and provide excellent compensation and benefits. We actively give back to the communities surrounding our manufacturing hubs. The Schmidt family feels a strong obligation to operate with integrity and contribute to the economy.
Our Apparel for the Modern Trades
While our legacy dates back a century, Schmidt Workwear® has always evolved with the times. We offer a diverse range of garments tailored to today’s workers using the newest methods and materials. Here are some of our cornerstone products:
Rugged Work Jeans
Our Schmidt work jeans represent the pinnacle of comfort, durability, and style. They are constructed from long-lasting 12oz – 14oz denim yet feel broken-in from day one. Patented abrasion-resistant DurathreadTM triple needle stitching prevents blowouts. Articulated knees and gussets optimize mobility.
The Perfect Fit jeans utilize ingenious hybrid waistbands that contour to the body. Our jeans are perfected right down to the rivets and hardware. Find your fit today in regular, loose, slim, and women’s – plus big and tall sizes.
Weather-Stopping Jackets
Brave the elements in Schmidt’s waterproof and insulated jackets designed to power you through the storm. Heavy-duty outer shells withstand abrasive conditions and keep wind and rain out. Modern breathable membranes prevent overheating. The 3MTM ThinsulateTM insulation options deliver heavyweight warmth without sacrificing flexibility.
The Rig Tech hooded work jacket combines a durable Taslan nylon shell, waterproof yet breathable Hydrotech membrane, and Thinsulate Ultra insulation. Our innovative technical jackets let no weather slow your hustle.
DriWearTM Moisture Control Apparel
Sweat-soaked clothes can dampen performance and comfort on the worksite. Schmidt’s specialized DriWearTM apparel uses advanced sweat-wicking technology to keep you cool, dry, and focused.
This performance cotton fabric quickly pulls moisture away from the skin while dispersing it to the outer surface where it rapidly evaporates. The unique hydrophobic core also resists absorbing sweat in the first place. DriWearTM shirts, polos, and base layers keep you powering through the toughest tasks.
Versatile Bibs, Coveralls, and Overalls
Nothing beats the convenience and coverage of Schmidt bib overalls and coveralls when working on complex projects or dirty jobs. Our rugged duck canvas breeches withstand abrasion while allowing easy mobility. The relaxed fit adapt to your body’s movements.
Reinforced double-knees provide extra protection against wear and tear when kneeling. Chest pockets and tool sleeves organize your gear. Built-in Cordura-lined holsters prevent hammer drops. Stay clean, safeguarded, and efficient when suiting up in Schmidt work overalls.
Tough-Wearing Work Shirts
Schmidt shirts combine dependable fabrics with comfortable relaxed-fitting designs perfect for active jobs. Triple-stitched seams prevent ripping while articulated sleeves allow a full range of arm motion.
We use durable yet soft midweight chambray, oxford cotton, twills, and woven plaids. Many feature moisture-wicking properties and UPF 50 sun protection. Dirt, grease, and grime wash right out of these hardworking shirts. Stock up on Schmidt button-downs, polos, and tees that power you through any workday.
Why Choose Schmidt?
With so many workwear brands to choose from, why should you choose Schmidt? Here are the key reasons we stand apart:
- 100+ Years of Heritage – Our century of expertise yields impeccably crafted garments proven to withstand work environments decade after decade. You can trust Schmidt quality.
- Optimized Fit by Trade – We completely reimagined workwear sizing to cater to specific trades. This revolutionary Schmidt Fit System provides all-day comfort for any profession.
- Rigorously Tested Fabrics – Our cutting-edge textiles withstand abrasion, moisture, and heavy use far exceeding competitors. We perfected the ideal workwear materials.
- Constant Innovation – By tirelessly researching wearers’ needs and evolving technical capabilities, we react with groundbreaking new products that solve functional problems. Schmidt stays ahead of the curve.
- Responsible USA Manufacturing – While competitors outsourced overseas, we invested in advanced American factories that uphold workers’ welfare and environmental ideals. Feel good about repping quality USA garments.
Put simply – Schmidt Workwear® embodies the pinnacle of craftsmanship, technology, comfort, and customer-centric design. We refuse to cut corners or compromise our outstanding legacy. Our mission is keeping workers safe, protected, comfortable, and confident. Choose Schmidt for your work uniform and feel the difference!