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Longer days, lighter evenings and, naturally, a crisp cold cider to round off a day’s work on the farm. Summer is officially here to stay! It’s certainly the season everyone looks forward to, but any farmer or outdoor worker knows it's no holiday.
Long hours in direct sunlight, rising temperatures, dust, insects and the occasional British downpour all put your clothing to the test. Add in climbing gates, handling livestock, repairing fences or loading trailers, and your clothing needs do just that bit more.
What is the Best Workwear for Farming in the Summer?
Your summer farm workwear should combine lightweight fabrics, breathable shirts, durable shorts, supportive boots and moisture-wicking socks. Choosing clothing with UV protection and moisture management helps farmers stay cooler, safer and more comfortable during long days outdoors under the sun.
Quick Summary
If you're working outdoors during summer, think about prioritising:
- Lightweight cotton or technical work shirts with UPF-rated sun protection.
- Cotton drill or technical performance farm work shorts.
- Breathable singlets for hot days in the shearing shed.
- Moisture-wicking merino socks to prevent blisters.
- Durable leather boots with quality footbeds.
- A lightweight layer for cool mornings.
- A packable, lightweight waterproof layer because, well, it's the UK.
Why Choosing the Right Farm Clothing for Summer Matters
After supplying thousands of farmers and outdoor workers across the UK, we've learnt that comfort isn't about wearing less, it's about wearing the right kit.
Summer on the land brings its own set of challenges: UV exposure, heat fatigue, biting insects, and the need to move freely. The wrong clothing traps heat, causes blisters, and slows you down. The right kit keeps you cooler, protects your skin, and holds up through a full day's graft, whether you're on the shearing board, moving stock, or fixing fences in the July sun.
This guide covers everything else you need to build a proper summer workwear kit that’ll beat the heat.
1. Best Work Shorts for Farming in Summer
When the temperature climbs, a reliable, good pair of work shorts quickly becomes one of the hardest-working pieces of kit in your summer farming wardrobe. The right pair moves with you, survives daily washing, and holds up to everything the farm can throw at them.
Sugar Loaf Rugger & Terrain Work Shirts
Our own-label Rugger range is built from years of supplying work shorts to farmers and shearers across the UK, and that experience is baked into every stitch.
The Sugar Loaf Rugger Work Shorts offer the classic split-colour harlequin design in durable 100% cotton drill, with an elasticated waist, drawstrings, and side splits for freedom of movement. Available in Black/White and Navy/Sky Blue.
Prefer something a little more understated? The Sugar Loaf Terrain Work Shorts are the same Rugger DNA in a clean all-black colourway, with the added security of zip pockets for keeping valuables safe on the job. If you want the same tough cotton drill construction without the split-colour design, the Terrain is your answer.
Canterbury Harlequin Shorts
Some workwear becomes a classic for a reason.
Canterbury Harlequin Shorts have been trusted by farmers, shearers and outdoor workers for decades thanks to their hard-wearing 100% cotton twill construction, comfortable elasticated waistband and iconic split-colour design.
Available in a wide range of colour combinations, they're a dependable choice for anyone who prefers a traditional harlequin short that's stood the test of time.
Sugar Loaf Endurance Shorts
If your day involves constant movement, or for the hottest days of the year, technical fabrics come into their own.
Our Sugar Loaf Endurance Shorts are built from lightweight, four-way stretch softshell fabric that offers exceptional freedom of movement while helping heat and moisture escape more efficiently than traditional heavyweight fabrics. Bonded hems reduce bulk, while concealed YKK zipped hand pockets keep your essentials secure without getting in the way.
Top Tip:
Cotton drill remains the go-to fabric for everyday farm work thanks to its durability and breathability. On particularly hot days or during high-intensity jobs, technical fabrics like those used in our Endurance Shorts can help you stay cooler and drier for longer.
2. Shearing Singlets: Cotton or Polyester?
When the temperature rises and the pace picks up, what you wear underneath can make all the difference. Whether you're in the shearing shed, feeding livestock or tackling jobs in the midday sun, a good long-tail singlet helps regulate your body temperature while allowing complete freedom of movement.
For traditional comfort or as a reliable base layer, cotton remains a firm favourite as is a more popular choice amongst young farmers. For high-output days where sweat is inevitable, technical polyester offers faster moisture management and quicker drying times.
Sugar Loaf Cotton Shearing Singlets
Sugar Loaf Cotton Shearing Singlets are made from 100% cotton for breathable, no-fuss comfort throughout the summer. Soft on the skin but tough enough for daily graft, the relaxed fit and long-tail cut are designed with shearers and everyday outdoor work in mind - giving you the coverage you need without restriction. Available in a range of bold colours with contrasting trims.
Sugar Loaf Performance Shearing Singlet
For those who push harder and sweat more, the Sugar Loaf Performance Shearing Singlet is a serious upgrade. Crafted from technical polyester, it's lightweight, ultra-breathable, and moisture-wicking - actively pulling sweat from your skin and drying in minutes to keep you cooler and more focused when you’re working flat out. The dropped back hem stays in place through long runs, and reinforced stitching ensures it handles the demands of high-intensity work.
Top Tip:
Cotton remains the everyday shed-staple for many farmers thanks to its natural comfort and breathability. However, if you're working through long shearing runs or particularly hot days, a technical performance singlet can help keep you cooler by actively drawing moisture away from your skin and drying much faster than cotton.
3. Summer Work Shirts for Farmers: Sun Protection, Comfort & Durability
While it might seem tempting to strip down to a T-shirt when the temperature rises, experienced outdoor workers know that a lightweight long-sleeved work shirt can actually be the cooler option, rather than going bare-armed. The right fabric helps shield you from dust, insects and direct sunlight while still allowing airflow. Plus, it saves you from looking like a lobster by the end of the day!
For summer farm work shirts, we look for three things:
- Breathability - keeping you comfortable when temperatures rise.
- Sun protection - reducing exposure during long days outdoors.
- Durability - standing up to real work, not just looking the part.
Sugar Loaf Outback Work Shirts
The Sugar Loaf Outback Work Shirt is our own-label, unisex cotton classic, built for farmers who work hard from sunrise to sunset. Crafted from 100% cotton with reinforced double stitching, long-lasting dyes, and a UPF50+ rating, it protects against the sun without sacrificing breathability.
Twin chest pockets (one with a pen holder), a half-button front, and a rear hanging tab make it as practical as it is durable. Available in Navy and Royal Blue currently, with more colourways on the horizon.
RB Sellars Australian Work Shirts
For premium Australian-made sun protection, few brands have the heritage of RB Sellars. Their iconic Burton Work Shirt carries a UPF50+ rating across the range - blocking 98% of UV radiation - and has become a household name for farmers and workers across Australia and increasingly the UK.
You might be asking, what is UPF50+ clothing? UPF50+ clothing blocks around 98% of harmful ultraviolet radiation, making it one of the best choices for people working outdoors for long periods.
For the summertime, we recommend looking at the below three options to suit different needs:
RB Sellars Men's Burton Lightweight Long Sleeve Work Shirt - the first choice for summer and hot, humid conditions. Lightweight cotton twill, UPF50+. Available in Blue, Navy, Khaki, Royal, and Stone.
RB Sellars Men's Burton Lightweight Short Sleeve Work Shirt - maximum ventilation for the hottest days. Same lightweight cotton twill and UPF50+ protection, without the sleeves. Available in Royal and Navy.
RB Sellars Women's Sandy Lightweight Long Sleeve Work Shirt - a women's-specific fit in lightweight cotton twill with UPF30 protection. Available in Blue, Navy, Pale Blue, Royal, Stone, Emerald, and Pink.
Top Tip:
When the sun's beating down, resist the temptation to spend the day in a T-shirt. A lightweight long-sleeved work shirt can actually keep you cooler while protecting you from the sun, scratches and biting insects. If you're after a hard-wearing everyday option, our Sugar Loaf Outback Work Shirt is built for exactly that. For long days in full sun, the RB Sellars Burton & Sandy ranges range combine breathable cotton with UPF50+ protection to help keep you comfortable from first light to last job.
4. Farm Boots for Summer: Which Boots Will Keep Your Feet the Coolest?
Stubbing your toe on a gatepost hurts just as much in July as it does in January. Summer doesn't mean your boots get the day off, it means finding a boot that protects your feet without cooking them.
The good news: a well-made leather Chelsea boot is actually one of the better choices for warm-weather wear. Leather breathes better than synthetic materials, moulds to your foot over time, and a quality footbed manages heat and moisture far better than a cheap boot ever will. Blundstone has been proving this for working people across the UK and beyond for decades.
Want to know more? Read our blog on choosing the right farm boots for you here. →
Blundstone #585 Rustic Brown Boots: The Round-Toe Option
The
Looking beyond the summer months, it's a boot that earns its keep all year round.
Blundstone #1306 Rustic Brown Boots: The Chisel-Toe Option
For those who move between farm and town, shows, markets, or a Friday evening out, the Blundstone 1306 Dress Boots offer the same slip-on convenience and all-day comfort in a smarter chisel-toe silhouette. The polyurethane outsoles add extra cushioning underfoot, and the SPS (Shock Protection System) handles the long days on hard surfaces that summer shows and events tend to involve. All the practicality of a Blundstone, with a finish that doesn't look out of place off the farm.
Leather Chelsea boots with quality footbeds remain one of the best options for summer because they balance natural breathability with serious protection. The #585's are the everyday workhorse, the boot you reach for every morning without thinking. The #1306's is the smarter option for those who need to look the part as well as work in it. Both are built to last and comfortable enough for a full day on your feet in warm conditions.
Top Tip:
Long hot summers can dry out leather faster than you'd expect. Treat your boots regularly with a quality leather conditioner to keep them supple and extend their life throughout the warmer months. View our Blundstone Boot Care Accessories here. →
5. Merino Socks: the Small Upgrade That Makes a Big Difference
The right sock makes or breaks a day in boots. In summer, you want a sock that manages moisture, prevents blisters, and holds up to daily wear and washing.
Why are merino socks good for summer?
Merino wool regulates temperature naturally, keeping feet cool in warm conditions and warm in cold ones, while its natural moisture-wicking properties reduce sweat and blisters. It's one of the best sock materials for year-round outdoor work and wearing.
Sugar Loaf Merino Pasture Socks
Sugar Loaf Merino Pasture Socks are the lighter-weight, less bulky alternative to our bestselling Yard Socks, designed specifically for warmer conditions. The New Zealand merino wool inner core keeps feet dry and temperature-regulated, while the reinforced nylon outer handles the toughest wear. Elasticated ankle and arch supports prevent slipping, double-reinforced heels, soles, and toes ensure longevity, and a concealed flat toe seam keeps every step smooth and blister-free.
Darn Tough Socks
If you want a sock that will genuinely outlast everything else in your kit bag, Darn Tough is in a category of its own. Knitted in Vermont by the same family since 1978, every Darn Tough sock comes with an unconditional lifetime guarantee: if you wear them out, they'll replace them. No receipt. No questions asked. For life.
That's not a marketing claim, it's a reflection of how these socks are made, which is why they come in at a slightly higher price point initially. Merino wool construction delivers the same natural temperature regulation and moisture-wicking properties you'd expect, but the density of the knit and the quality of the materials means they simply last longer than most socks on the market.
Let's Wrap it Up
Summer farm workwear isn't about wearing less, it's about wearing smarter. The right combination of breathable fabrics, UPF-rated sun protection, durable boots, and moisture-managing socks will keep you cooler, more comfortable, and better protected through even the longest days outdoors.
Whether you're building a kit from scratch or replacing worn-out pieces, the principles are the same: choose natural fibres like cotton and merino for everyday comfort, reach for technical fabrics when the pace picks up, and never compromise on footwear. A good boot and a good sock are the difference between a productive day and one you're counting down.
At Sugar Loaf, every product in this guide has been chosen because it earns its place on a working farm, not because it looks good on a hanger.
Have a question about what to wear for a specific job or environment? Drop us a message — we're happy to help you find the right kit.
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