Are you looking for the best apron you can use for daily cooking? You have a lot of choices! Below is a comprehensive buying guide and review of the best bibs, but you can always click on the product links above to read more reviews on Amazon.
If there’s one garment that best represents a kitchen worker, it would be the apron. However, did you know that the use of bib is not limited to the kitchen alone? Workers in other industries such as in food and beverage, hospitality, medical, arts and crafts and even gardening also use aprons. But many of us would probably agree that apron more people wear an apron when cooking in the kitchen, whether in the domestic or commercial setting. In fact, a chef or cook’s gear is never complete without the reliable apron.
It might seem like the apron is just a trivial detail when it comes to gearing up for a demanding cooking session ahead, but it does a lot of work protecting and covering you from undesirable spills. Any other apron would probably do the job, but aprons are different from one another. You need to research what’s the best apron for your cooking needs and preferences.
Best Apron Buying Guide
You love cooking but hate the mess; you’ll find comfort and convenience in wearing an apron. You might think that you can just pick any other bib from the store, wear it and expect it do its job. However, if you think of using the apron for a long time, you need to find the right apron for your needs.
Type
There are several types of aprons to choose from, but the most common for kitchen use a bib and waist aprons. The bib apron is designed to cover most portions of the front of the body. It comes with a strap which the wearer pulls over his head and hangs at his neck. Two long straps on both sides allow you to tie and secure the apron properly around the waist. Chefs and cooks usually wear a bib.
The waist apron covers only the lower half of the body. It ties around the waist with long, thin straps and often comes with deep pockets. The waist apron is famous among wait staff because it gives them more freedom to move. The pockets are also useful for storing items like notes, pencils and other tools.
Material
Aprons are made from a variety of fabric materials. Some bibs are made of 100%, making them soft and comfortable to wear. Cotton and polyester blend aprons are also excellent for they offer better durability and longevity. Other materials include muslin, rubber, nylon, and leather. Also, note that there are disposable aprons made of plastic. If you want to make a statement, modern-day bibs may even come in denim and other trendy fabrics.
To nail the best choice, pick an apron fabric that combines comfort, durability, and ease of cleaning.
Durability and Construction
Kitchen work can be demanding so it’s essential to choose an apron that can handle that amount of stress and pressure as well. Your apron must be able to stand up to a lot of fast movements and protect you from potential spills.
Check the quality of the apron to ensure durability. If the stitches easily come apart, it’s most likely that its sewing is poor quality. Also, check the seams and how sturdy the ties feel. The entirety of the apron should feel durable and reliable so that it can serve you well in the kitchen for an extended period.
Design and Aesthetics
Bibs are now available in all manners of colors, prints, patterns, and styles. You’ll find aprons in an unassuming solid, dull color, while others come with floral prints, stripes, and favorite characters. Additionally, there are aprons decorated with pretty sewing patterns at the seams, giving them a more standout look.
The Top 5 Aprons For Cooking
1. Utopia Bedding Professional Bib Apron
This professional, sleek looking apron comes in a set of two, so it’s a real bargain for its already competitive price. The Professional Bib Apron by Utopia Bedding, is a well-known brand for household, linen-based items. Professional looking and pretty straightforward in design, this bib apron has what it takes to withstand the daily rigors of the kitchen.
The Professional Bib Apron sports a combination of quality, durability, and simplicity. It is fundamental and straightforward in its unprinted black color, making it suitable for professional chefs as well as men and women who work in the kitchen. It comes with a head strap and two long ties at the side that can wrap around all the way to the front. The hems are reinforced with sturdy stitching to ensure the longevity of the material.
Cooking can put you at direct risk of spills, but this 100% polyester-made apron helps ward away stains on your clothes by acting as a protective barrier. And since it comes with durable material, it does not require delicate maintenance. Just put the dirty apron into the washing machine, wash and tumble dry.
The only downside is that it does not have any pockets so you wouldn’t have any place to store your pen, notepad and other tools for easy access. But for a price of $10.99 for a set of two, the aprons are a steal!
PROS
- The apron comes with 100% durable polyester.
- It comes with two long straps to securely hold the bib in place.
- Durable stitching and construction make the apron useful for a long time.
CONS
- It does not come with any pocket.
2. Chef Works Chalk Stripe Bib Apron
The Chef Works Chalk Stripe Bib Apron has a formidable and polished look to it, a garment that commands the impression in the kitchen. Made of 65% polyester and 35% cotton fabric, this apron was woven with comfort and durability in mind. Polyester repels stains quickly, perfect for protecting your clothes underneath the apron. Cotton is soft and breathable, offering utmost comfort to the chef or cook. Additionally, the material combination of Chef Works Chalk Stripe Bib Apron makes it less prone to shrinkage, stain resistant and machine-washable.
Sporting vertical stripes in black and white, this apron is versatile too in that both men and women can wear it. The length of the neck strap is perfect for most adults, and the long straps on both sides can tie either at the front or the back. Two deep pockets are located at the center of the apron, making it easy for you to reach your cooking thermometer, recipe cards, car keys and other items you wish to keep accessible.
Quality and functionality-wise, this Chef Works Chalk Stripe Bib Apron is an excellent option for people looking to protect their clothing while tending to their cooking demands.
PROS
- The poly/cotton combo of the apron’s material makes it highly durable yet comfortable to wear.
- The deep pockets of the apron are perfect storage for your frequently used cooking tools.
- The apron’s beautiful striped patterns are perfect to wear by any gender.
CONS
- The bust area of the apron does not provide ample coverage.
3. HOMWE Adjustable Bib Apron with Pockets
HOMWE Adjustable Bib Apron with Pockets is an excellent choice for an apron due to its professional design and commercial-grade quality.
Protect yourself from spills and splatters while going about your kitchen duties by donning on this pin-striped apron made of durable 65% polyester and 35% cotton. This incredible material combination gives the apron better ability to ward off stains and shrinkage.
The apron features a full and long design, measuring 27 x 33 inches, giving ample coverage to your clothes and body. It secures with an adjustable neck strap and two sturdy ties that you may fasten at the front or back. It also comes with two deep pockets on each side so reaching out for your cooking tools should quick and leisurely.
Coming with a pinstriped design, the Homwe Professional Bib Apron is an excellent choice for both gender and wearing it gives any kitchen a more professional look.
PROS
- The adjustable neck strap allows for easy customization so that the apron fits any wearer comfortably.
- It comes with durable poly/cotton material.
- It comes with a beautiful pinstriped design that can be worn by both men and women.
CONS
- This apron appears to be perfect in all aspects. We can’t find any complaint from users.
4. ICUP DC Comics
Bring in some character into your kitchen by wearing a DC Comics apron of your choice. Churn out meals in style and make cooking a fun and casual activity.
This US-made apron is an excellent choice especially if you’d instead look at cooking less seriously. Printed with high-quality images of DC Comics characters, eg.Wonderwoman, Darth Vader, Superman, etc., this apron will surely bring in a pop of color and personality into your kitchen.
Made of 100% cotton and printed with images of licensed DC Comics characters, the ICUP DC Comics apron will surely liven up any party.
PROS
- It features vivid, high-quality prints.
- 100% cotton material.
- The apron is machine washable,
- The neck strap is adjustable.
CONS
- The material is not as durable as the poly/cotton blend.
- The apron has no pockets.
5. Attitude Aprons Fully Adjustable “Your Opinion Wasn’t In The Recipe” Apron, Black
Make a punchy, catchy statement as you cook with an apron that gives unsolicited explanation “your opinion wasn’t in the recipe.” It is the perfect gift for chefs and cooks who have a great sense of humor and for people who’d instead defend their cooking right away, without anybody asking.
The Attitude apron is made of 65% polyester and 35% cotton so you can expect it to be durable and useful for an extended period. It comes with adjustable straps so it should be easy to customize fit for more comfort. The apron looks catchy with its high quality, whimsical print against the solid black fabric. It is also long and wide enough to provide ample coverage against spills.
PROS
- It features eye-catching prints and design.
- It has durable poly/cotton material.
- The straps are adjustable to achieve the best fit.
CONS
- The apron doesn’t have any pocket.
Conclusion
Your kitchen apron may not be the center of attraction in your cooking endeavors, but you can certainly make your culinary activities more comfortable, fun and professional by donning on the best apron for the job.
There are several types of aprons with many different variations, and it’s essential to pick the best one depending on your needs. But whether you’re cooking in a personal or professional capacity, if you need an apron that genuinely delivers, consider HOMWE Adjustable Bib Apron with Pockets as the best choice.
This apron offers personal customization so that it fits your body perfectly for maximum coverage against spills. It comes with easy to maintain, high-quality material and comes with deep pockets for secure storage. The pinstripe design is ideal for both men and women and blends beautifully in both residential and commercial kitchens.