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Newbie uniform allowance

Postal workers discussion forum. Discuss the day to day life in a Blue Shirt.
christhepuma
Posts: 14
Joined: 23 Jul 2019, 19:14
Gender: Male

Newbie uniform allowance

Post by christhepuma »

Hi Posties

I start at the end of August and at some point I will need to order my uniform.

The initial allocation seems to be 5 tops (Short sleeve shirt/Long sleeve shirt/Polo shirt) and 2 bottoms (Shorts/Long trousers).

What combination would experienced posties recommend? 5 polos? Or add in one of each shirts to leave 3 polos? And for legs - one of each shorts/trousers?

I don't want to be regretting ordering something i won't be wearing much.

thanks in advance

Chris
Trail
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 162
Joined: 01 Dec 2016, 19:54
Gender: Male

Newbie uniform allowance

Post by Trail »

christhepuma wrote:Hi Posties

I start at the end of August and at some point I will need to order my uniform.

The initial allocation seems to be 5 tops (Short sleeve shirt/Long sleeve shirt/Polo shirt) and 2 bottoms (Shorts/Long trousers).

What combination would experienced posties recommend? 5 polos? Or add in one of each shirts to leave 3 polos? And for legs - one of each shorts/trousers?

I don't want to be regretting ordering something i won't be wearing much.

thanks in advance

Chris
Best things to walk around in are shorts and polo shirts. Legs dry, trousers don't.

Don't touch the RM shoes. They're f*cking horrible and awful to do 13 miles a day walking in.

Buy a pair of these, they'll serve you well -

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Nike-Revolut ... c2EvWUyvgw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
christhepuma
Posts: 14
Joined: 23 Jul 2019, 19:14
Gender: Male

Newbie uniform allowance

Post by christhepuma »

Thanks, i will check out black running shoes...

So you think 5 polo shirts then and avoid the shirts?
hawkeye622
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 122
Joined: 03 Jul 2019, 21:03
Gender: Male

Newbie uniform allowance

Post by hawkeye622 »

Personally i went for five polos, two pairs of shorts & the RM trainers which i dont find too bad, though i am only in my fifth week with the company!
TrueBlueTerrier
FORUM ADMINISTRATOR
Posts: 72738
Joined: 30 Dec 2006, 10:29
Gender: Male
Location: On my couch

Newbie uniform allowance

Post by TrueBlueTerrier »

christhepuma wrote:Thanks, i will check out black running shoes...

So you think 5 polo shirts then and avoid the shirts?
Horses for courses. I find the polo shirts to restrictive in hot weather, I much prefer the short sleeve shirts. Don't order long sleeve - I never wear them.
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Jahpostie
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 318
Joined: 23 Aug 2018, 16:17
Gender: Male

Newbie uniform allowance

Post by Jahpostie »

Interesting regarding the short sleeve shirt. I would have said 2 shorts and 5 polo but after the last week I feel there needs to be something lighter for the summer. My polo shirts have been dripping with sweat and I've changed half way into one of my own t-shirts.
Trail
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 162
Joined: 01 Dec 2016, 19:54
Gender: Male

Newbie uniform allowance

Post by Trail »

christhepuma wrote:Thanks, i will check out black running shoes...

So you think 5 polo shirts then and avoid the shirts?
When I started I ordered three blue shirts and two polos. I haven't worn the blue shirts yet (two years).
fb1969
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 1693
Joined: 29 Aug 2012, 08:38
Gender: Male
Location: hiding on the backstreets

Newbie uniform allowance

Post by fb1969 »

Short sleeved shirt or polo - I would say 2 of one, and 3 of the other. Which is which depends if you are the sort of person who feels the heat or feels the cold. I prefer to be a bit cold than too hot, so wear the shirt more through the year than the polo - and I can always wear a t-shirt under it. It is a few years since I wore the trousers as I feel more comfortable in the shorts regardless of the weather or temperature.
Last edited by fb1969 on 30 Jul 2019, 18:50, edited 2 times in total.
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Trail
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 162
Joined: 01 Dec 2016, 19:54
Gender: Male

Newbie uniform allowance

Post by Trail »

christhepuma wrote:Thanks, i will check out black running shoes...

So you think 5 polo shirts then and avoid the shirts?
You'd be better advised with sports trainers. If you get any s**t for it in the office just turn up in your RM shoes and change when you get out.

Don't touch those Magnum shoes, I had a pair of those and they seriously made me walk like I've never walked before. The soles on my shoes/trainers usually wear on the outside, with Magnum they wore/drifted towards the inside. I just binned them after about a month.

Cat boots should never be worn for walking a half marathon.

Cat trainers - I don't think RM do these any more - I think I was the last wave of people to get a pair. A few of the fellas who had been with RM for years swore by these. Mine are unworn, as are my Cat boots.

RM trainers - never worn them as I was always in Nike Revolution 3 (above link). Don't go to a store for Revolution 3 as they'll cost you a fortune, get on ebay and get a new pair for £30ish.
ArthurPewty
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 190
Joined: 21 Dec 2016, 17:15
Gender: Male

Newbie uniform allowance

Post by ArthurPewty »

Jahpostie wrote:Interesting regarding the short sleeve shirt. I would have said 2 shorts and 5 polo but after the last week I feel there needs to be something lighter for the summer. My polo shirts have been dripping with sweat and I've changed half way into one of my own t-shirts.
According to this month's issue of Pravda which arrived today, there's going to be new light weight polo's available from September.
Jpro747
Posts: 1342
Joined: 23 Dec 2012, 10:22
Gender: Male

Newbie uniform allowance

Post by Jpro747 »

I’d try the RM shoes before buying trainers, you’ll get through any pair of shoes in about 4-6 months pounding the pavements so it’s gonna cost you out of your own pocket. But i do agree, they are not fit for purpose - heavy, clumpy, and not waterproof or breathable.
Trail
EX ROYAL MAIL
Posts: 162
Joined: 01 Dec 2016, 19:54
Gender: Male

Newbie uniform allowance

Post by Trail »

Jpro747 wrote:I’d try the RM shoes before buying trainers, you’ll get through any pair of shoes in about 4-6 months pounding the pavements so it’s gonna cost you out of your own pocket. But i do agree, they are not fit for purpose - heavy, clumpy, and not waterproof or breathable.
Nike Revolution 3 that I wear £32 (eBay, new). I had six months out of the last pair (and I wore them outside work too). The pair I have now are on 5 months. I'd rather fly round in those and pay £5 odd a month out of my pocket than wear anything RM provide. If you play your cards right you might be able to get RM to pay for them for you. I never tried because I couldn't really be bothered to be honest.

I don't mind having wet feet (Nike I wear aren't waterproof) if I can fly around a lot quicker in those than the abominations RM provide. Plus, you look a lot more fly tramming the streets in those than those RM provide.

It's all a matter of choice I guess, but I wouldn't touch any RM footwear. Just my call, each to their own.
Lfc1972
Posts: 37
Joined: 10 Jan 2018, 18:36
Gender: Female

Newbie uniform allowance

Post by Lfc1972 »

Also saw that the lightweight polos will be available from mid September, just in time for winter, piss poor planning again :arrrghhh
Alantidey
Posts: 40
Joined: 30 Mar 2017, 06:49
Gender: Male

Newbie uniform allowance

Post by Alantidey »

Chris,

If I was you, I’d go for the shorts and short sleeved shirts every time. In my 3 years since joining, I’ve worn the long trousers once only, the pitfall on the polos are that there aren’t any pockets. (You tend to carry a lot of things with you especially if you’re new- Id badge, 739 docket cards, pen I keep in my shirt pockets and keep pda and phone in my shorts.

The shoes aren’t really that bad. Try the panther shoes. The sizing is a bit off so as I’m a 9 1/2 I went down to a 9. They tend to last around 5 months a pair.

Good luck

Alan