DeWalt 5/8 in. dia x 100 ft. Professional Grade Heavy‑Duty Water Hose

I didn’t expect a garden hose to feel like job-site equipment, but that’s exactly the impression I got the first time I dragged the DeWalt 100‑foot hose across gravel and concrete. It’s thick, substantial, and clearly built for abuse. After several weeks of everyday watering, rinsing tools, and feeding sprinklers, I’ve formed a clear picture of where this hose shines—and where it asks a bit more from the user.

Build and materials

This hose uses a hybrid polymer/polyurethane construction with a reinforced wall structure. In the hand, it’s more supple than old‑school PVC but denser than the ultra‑light premium rubbers. The jacket has a slightly matte, abrasion‑resistant finish that shrugs off scuffs from brick edges and tool benches. There’s also UV protection baked into the outer layer, which matters if, like me, you’re guilty of leaving a hose stretched in the sun after a long watering session.

The ends are a standout: anodized aluminum couplings with beefy, easy‑grip collars. They’re crush‑resistant and the collar shape gives you real purchase even with wet hands—no pliers required. The fittings are standard 3/4‑inch GHT, so compatibility with nozzles, Y‑connectors, and sprinklers is a non‑issue.

One important note: this hose is not for potable water and not rated for hot water. That’s not a knock—it’s normal for heavy‑duty garden hoses—but it’s worth highlighting if you expected to use it for drinking, RVs, or hot‑tap cleaning.

Setup and first use

Out of the box, the coil was tight. The trick that worked for me was to stretch the hose out fully on a warm day, pressurize it, and let it sit for 15–20 minutes. That “sets” the hose and reduces the initial coil memory. After that, I gave it a few broad “figure‑eight” loops when putting it away, and it behaved much better on subsequent uses.

This is a heavy hose. If you’re stepping up from a 50‑foot vinyl line, expect a noticeable change. The diameter (5/8 in.) and the reinforced wall that supports the 500 psi burst rating both add weight. It’s a tradeoff: more performance and durability, more heft to manage.

Handling and kink resistance

The brand calls out “low memory” to resist twists and kinks, and that mostly bears out. Under pressure and laid reasonably straight, it resists kinking better than average. I can drag it around corners and across low obstacles without watching it collapse at the nearest bend. The jacket doesn’t snag like some braided hoses, and it doesn’t “stick” to itself.

That said, a 100‑foot length is unforgiving if you pull it off a pile in tight coils or try to make sharp turns near the spigot with no pressure in the line. The spots most prone to kinks for me were:

• The first two feet off the spigot, especially if I yanked the hose sideways.
• Sharp, inside turns around furniture or wheelbarrow legs when the line wasn’t charged.
• On cold mornings below ~50°F, when the hose is stiffer until it warms.

These were manageable with a bit of technique: pull line straight before turning, let the water charge the hose, and avoid tight pinches. If you’ve only got one set of hands, consider the workflow—pull your line to the farthest point first, then work your way back.

Performance and pressure

With a 5/8‑inch bore and 100 feet of run, you’ll inevitably lose a little flow compared to a 50‑foot hose. Even so, this hose provided solid nozzle performance on a 60–70 psi household supply. It fed an oscillating sprinkler reliably and had no trouble delivering enough volume for washing a truck with a high‑flow nozzle.

The 500 psi burst rating is a real comfort if you’ve got long runs, quick‑closing valves on spray guns, or property with occasional water hammer. It’s well above normal operating pressure, which typically hovers around 40–80 psi in residential settings, but that overhead matters if you leave a hose under pressure in summer heat.

I observed no weeping at the crimps and no leaks at the couplings. The easy‑grip collars let me snug the fittings without tools, and I didn’t have to retighten after initial use.

Couplings and compatibility

The anodized aluminum couplings are a smart middle ground: lighter than brass but far sturdier than plated pot metal. I dropped one onto a concrete driveway and it came away with only superficial marks. Threads are clean and engage smoothly with brass bibbs and quick‑connects. The swivel at the female end turns freely, which makes attaching to a spigot less of a wrestling match.

The collar geometry deserves credit. Those chunky flats give your fingers something to bite into, and I could break the connection free after pressurization without resorting to channel locks.

Storage and reels

If you plan to store 100 feet of 5/8‑inch hose, get a reel or hanger with real capacity. On a compact cart rated for “up to 125 ft,” I had to baby the wind‑up and the layers stacked high. On a larger reel or a wide wall hanger, it’s much more manageable. If you’re shopping, look for a reel spec’d for 200–250 ft of 5/8‑inch hose to keep the bends larger and the layers looser.

Without a reel, the hose flaked neatly in figure‑eight loops on a wide peg. That also helps fight twist. I avoid tight over‑under coils with hoses this stout; they store smaller, but you’ll pay for it in kinks next time.

Durability and outdoor exposure

Durability is this hose’s selling point. Mine has seen gravel drags, occasional contact with sharp mulch, and plenty of UV. The jacket shows light scuffing but no cuts. The reinforcement layer gives it a “brick‑house” feel when stepping over or rolling a dolly wheel across it—no flattening and popping like thinner vinyl builds.

UV exposure hasn’t chalked the jacket or softened it. The color and surface finish remain consistent after living outdoors for a few weeks at a time between uses. I still recommend keeping any hose shaded for longevity, but it’s nice not to worry if you leave it stretched along a fence for a week.

Limitations and quirks

• Weight: The heft is real. If you’re not used to 100‑foot, 5/8‑inch hoses, plan for a reel or commit to a tidy wall hang.
• Cold‑weather stiffness: It’s flexible for a reinforced hose, but on cold mornings it’s still a bit stubborn until it warms and pressurizes.
• Not potable, not hot‑water rated: Fine for gardens, tools, and wash‑downs; not for drinking setups or hot‑tap use.
• Kink behavior: Better than many, but not immune. It rewards good hose handling—straight pulls, gentle bends, and pressure before tight turns.

Who it’s for

• Homeowners and pros who prioritize durability and flow over ultra‑light handling.
• Users running sprinklers, long runs to outbuildings, or high‑flow spray guns.
• Anyone tired of crushed couplings and leaky crimps.

Who should look elsewhere? If you need a featherweight, collapsible hose for balcony plants or you’re storing on a tiny caddy, this hose will feel like overkill. A shorter length or a lighter rubber blend might suit you better.

Tips for best results

• Warm and set: Uncoil fully, pressurize, and let it relax in the sun on first use.
• Pull straight first: Bring the line to your farthest point before making tight turns.
• Use a larger reel: Aim for a reel rated far above 100 ft of 5/8‑inch to reduce tight coils.
• Keep it clean: A quick rinse keeps grit from working into the jacket and couplings.

Final thoughts and recommendation

The DeWalt 100‑foot hose earns its “heavy‑duty” label. It’s robust, has excellent fittings, resists abrasion, and maintains flow across a long run. The hybrid polymer construction strikes a nice balance between flexibility and toughness, and the easy‑grip collars are a simple feature that makes daily use easier. It’s not the lightest or the kink‑proof miracle some might hope for, and it benefits from a proper reel and a bit of handling savvy. But once set up right, it behaves consistently and feels like a tool you can trust.

Recommendation: I recommend this hose to anyone who values durability, reliable flow, and quality couplings over minimal weight. If you’re outfitting a garden, workshop, or job site and you’re willing to manage a heavier line (ideally on a generously sized reel), this is a solid long‑term choice. If portability and one‑handed maneuverability are your top priorities, consider a shorter length or a lighter construction instead.