Asphalt is the trade with two enemies: the mix is hot enough to burn through cheap boot leather, and the cars going past your shoulder are fast enough to kill you. Every piece of gear has to address one of those two.
Hi-vis: Class 3 is the floor for any work in or near a live travel lane. Class 3 means sleeves AND torso, plus retroreflective tape on both. The Pyramex RVZP3110 long-sleeve Class 3 mesh shirt is the standard. The Ergodyne GloWear 8385 Class 3 hooded sweatshirt is the cool-weather version. Add a Class 2 vest over a Class 3 shirt for spotter and flagger work.
Don't downgrade to Class 2 because it's hot. Buy a mesh Class 3 shirt — the back panel is full open mesh and they breathe. A heat-stroke fatality is worse than uncomfortable, but a struck-by fatality is worse than both.
Pants: heavy duck or fire-retardant work pants. Hot mix at 300 degrees will scorch a synthetic blend. Carhartt Washed Duck B11 or Carhartt FR Rigby Five-Pocket if you're closer to the screed. Avoid stretch pants — they'll melt onto your skin if you get a splash.
Boots: this is the make-or-break piece for asphalt crews. Standing on a hot mat at 300 degrees needs a heat-resistant sole. The standard is the Thorogood Hellfire 8-inch with the Vibram heat-resistant sole, model 804-6373. Specifically rated for 475F sole contact. About $260. The Wolverine Tarmac is the budget version — about $180, similar heat resistance, less refined leather.
Composite vs. steel toe for asphalt: steel. Composite holds heat differently and on a hot mat you want the steel because it transfers heat away from your foot. Counter-intuitive but it's the consensus.
Boots without a heat-resistant sole on a hot mat: the sole literally separates from the boot. We've had guys come in with the sole flapping. Don't be that guy. Buy the Hellfire.
"A heat-stroke fatality is worse than uncomfortable, but a struck-by fatality is worse than both."
Gloves: heat-resistant when you're near the screed or doing rake work. Tillman 1338 goatskin or a heavy leather welder's glove. Mechanix M-Pact for general work — you don't need cut resistance for asphalt, you need impact and burn protection.
Hat: hard hat with full brim and neck shade. The Pyramex Ridgeline Class E hard hat with the Ergodyne 6650 neck shade. Mandatory for any work zone. Wear it.
Eye protection: ANSI Z87 wraparound, polarized lens if you can swing it because asphalt is reflective and your eyes will be cooked by 1 PM. The Pyramex Ztek polarized are about $30 and they're worth it.
Respirator: asphalt fumes are not benign. A 3M 7500 half-face with 6001 organic-vapor cartridges for guys at the screed or the milling machine. The 3M 8210 N95 isn't going to stop the fumes. You want OV.
Earplugs: NRR 30+. Milling machines and pavers are 100+ dB. 3M E-A-Rsoft Yellow Neon plugs are what we keep at the counter.
Cooling: a wet bandana around the neck, a cooling towel under the hard hat, electrolytes on the truck. A heat illness on a hot mat is fast and serious — guys lose track of time and dehydration sneaks up. Drink before you're thirsty.
Truck setup: a change of socks (the heat will sweat you through wool by lunch), a backup shirt, a gallon of water. The crew gets one cooler, but you get one for yourself.
Asphalt is the trade with the highest dollar-per-injury cost of any I see. The boot, the hi-vis, and the hard hat are non-negotiable. Don't economize.