Woodworking aprons are essential as a woodworker. They help ensure that all of your tools are an arm’s reach away, and it protects you and your clothes from becoming dirty and ruined from sawdust, heat, and splatters.
With all the benefits that a woodworking apron holds, you need to ensure that you choose the best one for the job to be able to enjoy all the benefits it offers in the workshop.
Which are the best woodworking aprons? The best woodworking aprons have pockets to fit all of the tools you need close by and are strong and durable to properly protect you and your clothes from dirt and damage. You also need to consider your specific needs when choosing a woodworking apron.
There are a few things that make a good woodworking apron, and some tips that you would need to be able to choose the best one for you. Keep reading to learn more on how to choose one, and to discover some of the best woodworking aprons on the market!
Why Do You Need A Woodworking Apron?
You might be able to get your work done without wearing a woodworking apron, but it is highly advised that you do use one. Here are the main reasons why you should use an apron when woodworking:
Protection
A good woodworking apron should offer proper protection to you and your clothes. It should prevent your clothes from staining from contact with things like glue or paint and is should prevent sawdust blowing all over your clothes. It also acts as an added barrier between your work and your body, which can help hold back heat too.
Ease Of Working
An apron should hold all the tools that you need to keep within an arm’s reach. Holding all the essential tools, or whichever you need at that time, you can quickly switch between the tools you are using, saving you time and effort in the workshop.
With all of your tools close by, it also means that you never have to search for missing tools around the workshop while busy on a project!
Professionalism
Wearing a woodworking apron helps you look more professional when in the workshop, and this might even put you in the right mind frame to work better as well! Wearing a woodworking apron has many benefits, and hopefully, you wearing one encourages others to wear an apron too!
Buyer’s Guide – Woodworking Aprons
A woodworking apron is something you need to spend time deciding on, you cannot just pick the first one you see. There are a few factors you need to keep in mind to ensure that the woodworking apron you choose is of good quality, and will see to your different needs!
You want an apron that will be durable, long-lasting, and comfortable to wear, all while ensuring that your tools are kept close. Following the below guidelines on choosing an apron will help with this.
Apron Material
A thin cotton apron isn’t going to be much help in woodworking. The material the apron is made from plays a big factor in determining how long it will last and how much protection it offers.
One of the best options to choose for a woodworking apron is waxed canvas. The wax content on the canvas is measured in oz, and the higher this content, the better water-resistance the apron has, and the better protection it offers.
Leather aprons are another good option, and they also do well to protect against spills and stains. Thick leather aprons are also incredibly durable and will last you many years in the workshop.
Added Reinforcements
A woodworking apron needs to be strong enough to hold all of your different tools as you work, and you cannot rely on the material alone to carry the weight. Make sure that the apron has added reinforcements to allow it to carry more weight and to last for a longer time.
Many woodworking aprons are reinforced using grommets and rivets, which is a great way to add extra strength and security to the apron. However, double-stitching using strong threads also helps to reinforce the apron.
It is also a very good idea to look at whether the pockets of the apron have been double-stitched or reinforced. This is where your tools will be held, so the pockets need to be strong. You don’t want the pockets to start tearing after a few uses.
The straps of the apron should also be reinforced, and it does help if they are attached to the body of the apron with grommets, for added strength.
Pockets And Storage
One of the main functions of a woodworking apron is to keep your tools close by as you work, so it needs to have enough pockets and storage
The number of pockets you will need depends on exactly what you are doing, but a good few pockets are always helpful. It is also a good idea to have a large pocket for bigger tools and storage.
Just remember that the more tools you carry, the heavier the apron will be, so only make sure to keep the essentials close by, and swap out the tools as you go.
When choosing an apron, think about the tools you use most often, and determine whether they will fit into the pockets or not. There is no point in having pockets that none of your tools fit into.
It also helps keep things a little cleaner if the pockets have flaps, which helps to keep the pockets clean and free from dust, which can also help protect your tools. Make sure some pockets can hold your personal items too, such as keys or cell phones, so that they do not fall out.
Size Adjustment
Aprons aren’t all one-size-fits-all, so they will need to be adjustable. There should be adjustable straps for your neck and shoulders, and the waist should be adjustable as well so that it fits closely to your body. A loose-fitting apron won’t do much good protecting your clothes, and you don’t want your tools swinging about either.
Having an apron that can be adjusted to suit your waist and your height is ideal to ensure that you work safely.
Area Coverage
There are different size aprons to choose from, which cover different size areas of the body. This will depend on what you work with most often. If you find yourself working with flames and liquid often, an apron that covers a larger area is better.
If you only work with wood and the odd paint, a smaller apron might be okay.
Comfort Of The Apron
You don’t want to feel uncomfortable wearing the apron as you work. It is important to ensure that the apron is comfortable to wear so that you are actually encouraged to wear it while you work.
Some aprons have padded shoulder straps to ease neck and should strain. The apron should not restrict your movements and should be adjustable to suit your body, making it more comfortable to wear.
Level Of Protection
A woodworking apron needs to offer some sort of protection to you and your body as you work. A thicker apron will offer more protection, so it is definitely something to consider if you work with heat and liquids often.
Consider the risks you might be exposed to in the workshop, and look for an apron that helps protect against these, such as a waxed apron to protect against liquid, or a heat-proof apron to protect against heat and flames.
Ease Of Cleaning
The time will come where you will have to eventually need to clean the woodworking apron, and you need to ensure that this is easy enough to do!
Different aprons will call for different methods of washing, so be sure to look out for this when choosing one.
Woodshop Aprons
Woodworking in a woodshop takes skill and patience. It is the art of making a large variety of items from wood, and this requires quite a few tools!
Choosing an apron to use in a woodshop will be dependent on the tools that a woodworker uses most often. The tools you use will depend on where you are working, whether it be at home in your own workshop, or on a larger scale as a business.
Woodworking aprons need to protect you from sawdust and spills, so make sure they are thick enough to do so. A woodshop apron should have multiple size pockets to accommodate for a range of different tools.
Carpenter Aprons
Carpentry involves installing, constructing, and repairing things made from wood, and this sees the use of a wide range of tools. These tools can range from nail guns and circular saws to small items such as chisels, levels, squares, screws, and nails.
Carpentry aprons should have multiple pockets to hold the smaller items safely, but still, keep them easily accessible for when you are in the middle of working on something and don’t have the time to dig around for a certain item!
Best Woodworking Aprons
These are our top picks for the best woodworking aprons that will offer comfort, protection, and easy access to your essential tools!
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Hudson Durable Goods Heavy Duty Waxed Canvas Work Apron | Durable and water-resistant, large pockets |
| 2. | Tipkits Woodworking Apron | 9 pockets, waxed canvas, water-resistant |
| 3. | Gidabrand Woodworking Shop Apron Waxed Canvas | Several pockets, water-resistant, comfortable |
| 4. | Texas Canvas Wares Store Woodworking Apron | Waxed canvas, padded straps, pockets |
| 5. | Briteree Woodworking Aprons | 6 tool pockets, heavy-duty material |
| 6. | Beetro Leather Woodworking Apron | Full coverage, 6 pockets, comfortable |
| 7. | Fightech Leather Work Apron | Padded straps, several pockets, x-straps |
1. Hudson Durable Goods Heavy Duty Waxed Canvas Work Apron
The Hudson Durable Goods Work Apron was designed to keep up with your demanding craft. It has a timeless feel, with stylish details that are just as focused on as the rugged materials used to create the apron and to help make it last.
The apron is made with 16oz wax-infused canvas, which ensures it is durable and water-resistant. Although rugged, the material softens over time and gives you a very personalized feel.
All the pockets have rivet reinforcements, ensuring they are strong enough to hold all of your tools, and the metal grommets keep the straps strong and in place. All stitching, along with the straps and pockets, are double stitched and reinforced for added strength.
Cross-back straps help to spread the weight of your tools evenly, so there is little strain on your neck and back.
The front of the apron features two large pockets which are 6.5-inches tall and 8-inches wide, and a chest pocket for your cellphone, pencils, and smaller tools. A large kangaroo pocket in the front can hold just about anything!
Being customizable and adjustable, this is a great woodworking apron for just about anyone and offers full coverage from your upper chest to your knees.
2. Tipkits Woodworking Apron
The Tipkits Woodworking Apron is made from premium quality 20oz waxed canvas, which helps to offer the best protection against dirt and damage.
This handy apron features 9 different pockets, which are all designed to cater to your different working needs. There is a dust-proof pocket, an anti-fall cellphone pocket, and other large and small pockets which accommodate different tools.
Made with premium-quality heavy-duty 20oz waxed canvas, the apron is liquid-resistant and durable. While it is long-lasting and strong, it is still soft and comfortable to wear.
The back x-leather padded back shoulder straps make this apron one-size-fits-all and helps to spread the weight of the tools evenly, so no one area of your body is put under strain.
There are 4 embedded magnets on the chest of the apron, which help to hold nails, screws, washers, nuts, and other small tools for easy access.
To make this apron even handier to use in the workshop, it has a convenient hanging ring, which allows you to hang the apron up and out of the way while not in use!
3. Gidabrand Woodworking Shop Apron Waxed Canvas
The Gidabrand Woodworking Shop Apron is perfect for both professional and amateur woodworkers alike.
The apron features a large chest pocket, measuring 8-inches by 5-inches, to hold your screwdriver, pencil, and cellphone in their own little compartments.
Two tool pockets found on the apron measure 8-inches by 7-inches each, and feature flaps to keep pockets and tools free from dust and liquid. There is also a super-strong hammer loop so your hammer is always within reach.
Pockets and the hammer loops are all reinforced with brass rivets, grommets, and double stitching. The apron was made to last. The material used is sturdy and water-resistant, being 16oz waxed canvas.
Featuring all the pockets and accessories you could hope for, and being made with a strong and durable material, which is still comfortable to wear, this apron from Gidabrand will definitely see to all of your woodworking needs.
4. Texas Canvas Wares Store Woodworking Apron
Handcrafted from heavy-duty custom-dyed 16oz waxed canvas, this apron is made to last year after year and offer reliable protection throughout.
The unique innovative design of the canvas apron gives it a rugged look that has thoughtfully placed straps and pockets which help you work easier.
There is a dedicated cellphone pocket, and a small and convenient pocket to hold your pencils too. The streamlined functionality is so helpful through any project.
With a one-size-fits-all design, the apron is best suited for sizes M-XL, with super long straps that can accommodate almost every waist size and height. The padded straps help you keep comfortable and help the apron fit you best.
The design of the apron may seem rugged, but it is so full of handy accessories and pockets that will make your time in the workshop so much more enjoyable.
5. Briteree Woodworking Aprons
The Briteree Apron is made from thick waxed canvas, which is scratch and abrasion-resistant, dirt-proof, and incredibly sturdy and durable. It is the ideal apron for woodworkers and carpenters who need something trustworthy and reliable to work with.
The heavy-duty 20oz waxed canvas, the double stitching, and other reinforcements allow this apron to last for many years.
There are 6 different tool pockets found along the apron, which are specially designed to hold tools and accessories needed for woodworking.
The waistband has a snap-fit design which allows the apron to be quick and easy to wear.
A magnetic pocket in the front, pocket flaps, a phone pocket, a hanging loop, a glasses loop, and a towel ring are all accessories that are fairly invaluable to someone who spends time woodworking.
This apron has everything you need to woodwork with ease and comfort!
6. Beetro Leather Woodworking Apron
If you would prefer a leather woodworking apron, this one from Beetro is a great option. The cowhide leather is durable and abrasion-resistant but is also flexible and comfortable to wear. The leather is puncture, tear and cut resistant, further protecting you while you work.
Offering full coverage, the apron is 25-inches wide and 36-inches long, falling down to the knee. The back and waist straps are adjustable to be able to better fit your body, and with the shoulder straps falling over the shoulder and crossing on the back, weight is evenly distributed to keep you comfortable.
There are 6 different pockets on the apron to hold all of your different tools, one being dedicated to a cellphone, and another to keep your pencil in one place and easy to find. All the pockets are easily accessible but still hold your tools and accessories safely, protecting them from falling out or from damage.
Made from leather, this apron offers great protection in the workshop, and really will last many years. It has everything you could ask for when woodworking, and it just looks really great too!
7. Fightech Leather Work Apron
While this apron from Fightech was originally designed as a welding apron, it is a great option for woodworking too, and it has the ability to adapt to many different jobs that you are working on.
The heavy-duty apron is durable and strong, but it has been designed to be comfortable as well. The full-length apron features double stitching throughout and padded shoulder straps which add to the overall comfort. It can be adjusted to your body size and height, with the rivets in the stress point preventing rips and tears.
A quick-release buckle makes the apron easy to put on and take off, so you don’t have to worry about fiddling with buttons and contraptions when you are finished working.
The X-shape straps at the back of the apron help to distribute weight, making working for longer periods much easier, and resulting in less strain on your shoulders, neck, and back.
Convenient hammer loops and versatile tool pockets found on the apron make your woodworking experience so much easier, and ensure that everything you need is within reach.
The leather is scratch and abrasion-resistant, and is a material that will last for years, all while offering much-needed convenience!
Final Thoughts
Use our buyer’s guide above, and our pick of the best woodworking aprons, to choose the one which is best for you!
A good woodworking apron is invaluable in the woodshop, so make sure to spend your time choosing one which will last for years, be comfortable to wear, and see to all of your needs.
Related Questions
Are woodworking aprons worth it?
Woodworking aprons are definitely worth it, and the pros outweigh the cons quite a bit! Not only do woodworking aprons help to keep your tools and accessories close by and accessible, but they protect your clothing from sawdust, heat, and liquids.
This helps to extend the lifespan of your clothing, with the durable apron taking the brunt of the stains and messes, and as it is made to withstand this, it will last much longer than your clothes might!
Why do you need an apron in a workshop?
Wearing an apron in a workshop means that your clothing is kept protected and that you do not have any loose pieces of clothing that could get caught in machinery, which could result in some serious injuries.
Overall, wearing a woodworking apron is just much safer, and many workshops call for a woodworking apron to be worn.
