There's a particular Wednesday before a major storm where Con Ed and PSE&G subcontractor crews come through the door. They've gotten the email saying the next 72 hours are going to be heavy call volume, and they're missing one thing — gloves, a cap, FR-rated layers, whatever — and they need it before the wind picks up.
FR-rated gear is the first thing we get asked about. We carry a limited selection of FR — we're not a dedicated electrical-utility supplier, and we're upfront about that. What we do carry: Carhartt Flame-Resistant Force Long-Sleeve T-Shirt at $50, Carhartt FR Duck Coat at $250, and FR rain gear in limited sizes. If a guy needs full arc-rated PPE, we point him to a dedicated electrical PPE shop. We don't fake it.
What we do well for storm-prep utility work: rain gear, insulated mid-layers, gloves, and headwear. Helly Hansen Mandal jacket-and-bib at $130/$120 is the rain-shell pick, same as our spring rain recommendations. Add a Carhartt Quilted Flannel Lined Active Jac at $130 underneath if it's going to be sub-40.
Gloves for utility-line work get specific. Most outfits require their own brand of rubber-insulating gloves and we don't substitute for those — that's certified PPE. What we sell is the leather protector glove that goes over the rubber, which is a wear item, and we carry Salisbury and similar protector gloves at $40 to $60 a pair. We also sell a lot of cuff-style work gloves for ground-crew and flagger positions, the Carhartt Insulated Grip at $28.
Headlamps: we don't sell them, but storm-call utility work is 70% night work, and a headlamp is non-negotiable. Hardware store, $30, get one with a fresh battery and a backup. We tell every storm-prep customer this.
Boots: insulated, waterproof, and tall enough to handle ankle-deep slush. Red Wing Irish Setter Mesabi 8-inch at $290 is what a lot of line guys run. The Rocky Outback at $200 is a step down that holds up.
What we sell out of fastest in storm-prep: Carhartt Acrylic Watch caps at $14, Smartwool boot socks at $26, and basic rain bibs. Three weeks of forecast-driven cold rain and people remember that they meant to replace these last winter and never did.
If you work line crew and you read this in November, the kit-check is: do you have a working rain shell, working rain bib, working insulated gloves, two pair of dry boot socks, and a hat that fits under your hard hat? If yes, you're ready. If no, come in this week, not the day before.