Image: Carhartt · source
Carhartt Iconic A18 Watch Cap Beanie
Carhartt · Budget
The Carhartt Iconic A18 Watch Cap Beanie is a 100% acrylic rib-knit cap with a fold-up cuff and a Carhartt patch, sold in one size.
Image: Carhartt · source
Carhartt K87 Pocket T-Shirt
Carhartt · Budget
The Carhartt K87 is a loose-fit heavyweight short-sleeve pocket T-shirt, with a left-chest pocket and a rib-knit crewneck.
Check price on Amazon (affiliate link, opens Amazon in a new tab)As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we pick our gear
We have not tested it ourselves: strengths and weaknesses below come from the tests cited.
Why Railfans Carry It
A railfan's day is outdoors, on foot and often with a bag strap across one shoulder, so a plain, durable shirt earns its place. Carhartt describes the K87 as durable heavyweight cotton with a functional chest pocket and a loose fit through the chest and shoulders that lets you bend and lift without restriction. The side-seam construction is described as minimizing twisting, and the rib-knit crewneck is meant to hold its shape throughout the workday, two traits that matter for a shirt worn under a camera or bag strap through a long outing.
In the Field
The Black shirt is 100% cotton jersey knit; Heather Gray is 90% cotton and 10% polyester, and the other heathers plus Brite Lime and Brite Orange are 60% cotton and 40% polyester. The tagless neck label is designed for a smooth feel, and a sewn-on Carhartt patch marks the left-chest pocket. Sizes run XS to 5XL in Regular and L to 4XL in Tall; the Tall cut gives additional length in the body and sleeves. Carhartt's own FAQ says the loose fit is designed for maximum mobility with ample room in the torso and sleeves, and advises sizing down if too much loose fabric is a concern. It also says to expect minimal shrinking, as with most cotton garments, and to follow the care instructions to keep the fit. The model number on the page is K87-M, and the page counts more than a dozen colours, including limited-edition seasonal ones.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths
- Heavyweight cotton construction
- Loose fit through chest and shoulders
- Left-chest pocket with sewn-on patch
- Side-seam construction minimizes twisting
- Tagless neck label
- Regular and Tall sizing
Weaknesses
- Roomy cut: Carhartt itself suggests sizing down if loose fabric is a concern
- Plain cotton with no stated sun protection or moisture-wicking finish; Carhartt's Force Relaxed T-Shirt lists UPF 25+ and FastDry technology, the K87 page lists neither
- Fabric changes by colour: the heathers are cotton and polyester blends
- Cotton shrinks a little, per Carhartt's FAQ, so the care instructions matter
Key Specifications
| Specification | Value |
|---|---|
| Fit | Loose fit |
| Neck | Rib-knit crewneck |
| Style | K87 |
| Origin | Imported |
| Left chest with sewn-on Carhartt patch | |
| Tall sizes | L to 4XL |
| Heather Gray | 90% cotton / 10% polyester |
| Regular sizes | XS to 5XL |
| Fabric (Black) | 100% cotton jersey knit |
| Other heathers, Brite Lime, Brite Orange | 60% cotton / 40% polyester |
Who It’s For
Anyone who wants a durable everyday shirt for the platform, the walk to a viewpoint or a long travel day, and gift buyers looking for a plain pocket tee in a long-running design. It is a basic cotton shirt, and nothing on the page mentions protection.
Alternatives
Carhartt Force Relaxed T-Shirt (style 106652): a 5.75-ounce cotton-polyester stretch jersey with FastDry technology to wick sweat, ventilated side panels, UPF 25+ sun protection and raglan sleeves. Carhartt says its relaxed fit is roomy enough not to restrict movement without being as loose as its standard loose fit, the cut of the K87, which makes it the option for hot, active days.
Image: Carhartt · source
Carhartt K121 Marquette Loose Fit Midweight Hoodie
Carhartt · Mid-range
The Carhartt K121 is a loose-fit midweight hoodie, in most colors a 10.5-ounce 50% cotton / 50% polyester blend, with triple-stitched main seams, a three-piece drawcord hood and a front handwarmer pocket.
Image: Mechanix Wear · source
Mechanix Wear M-Pact Gloves
Mechanix Wear · Mid-range
The Mechanix Wear M-Pact is an impact-resistant work glove with welded TPR knuckles, 2mm D3O palm padding, a ripstop back of hand, a hook-and-loop wrist and a touchscreen-capable palm.
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. How we pick our gear
Compare all apparel & caps.