Barbour Jackets - how waterproof?
Discussion
My Goretex has finally given up the ghost, and I fancy a change. Given the UK seems to be permanently wet these days, I fancy a Barbour Stockman coat so that when I'm out with the dogs I can keep most of me dry.
So how waterproof are waxed jackets - I have no experience - and do they mark leather/fabric if you sit down in one?
Thanks
So how waterproof are waxed jackets - I have no experience - and do they mark leather/fabric if you sit down in one?
Thanks
rhinochopig said:
My Goretex has finally given up the ghost, and I fancy a change. Given the UK seems to be permanently wet these days, I fancy a Barbour Stockman coat so that when I'm out with the dogs I can keep most of me dry.
So how waterproof are waxed jackets - I have no experience - and do they mark leather/fabric if you sit down in one?
Thanks
They're not really up to the same sort of use as a decent hillwalking Gore Tex or similar. I know this, because I spend a lot of time out doors (sometimes feel my life is one big dog walk/run) and I've had both waxed jackets and Gore Tex.So how waterproof are waxed jackets - I have no experience - and do they mark leather/fabric if you sit down in one?
Thanks
And yes, the wax can also rub off onto seats.
ETA, a nice Barbour does look nice though. What about a Belstaff?
Edited by Digga on Tuesday 16th September 11:58
I've a couple of ancient Barbours (although my mother gets far more use out of them now as there's not a lot of call for them in Dubai!) they are still great - like a good pair of shoes, look after them and keep them treated when necessary.
I've been on plenty of shoots where it has pissed it down and nothing has ever come through.
I've been on plenty of shoots where it has pissed it down and nothing has ever come through.
rhinochopig said:
My Goretex has finally given up the ghost, and I fancy a change. Given the UK seems to be permanently wet these days, I fancy a Barbour Stockman coat so that when I'm out with the dogs I can keep most of me dry.
So how waterproof are waxed jackets - I have no experience - and do they mark leather/fabric if you sit down in one?
Thanks
Hello RP. So how waterproof are waxed jackets - I have no experience - and do they mark leather/fabric if you sit down in one?
Thanks
Waxed jackets are generally very good at keeping out the rain, but they do need to be regularly waxed in order to keep them that way. Lady B.J.W's had not been done for 3 years and it leaked badly on the shoulder and arms when we went shooting last weekend.
Wax jackets are fine, but Barbour have an excellent range of non-wax jackets which are fully waterproof and (in my opinion) better suited to the warm/wet winters we seem to be experiencing. Take a look at the Linhope range. They do a lightweight and a superlightweight. Both are designed with shooting in mind, but will work just as well for walking the dogs.
I bought the super lightweight and it kept me bone dry on a full days' shooting in very wet conditions. If it gets colder I will combine it with the storm sweater I have.
My guess is that the 3in1 or the lightweight will be the best for you. Both are a lot lighter and less cumbersome than the stockman (or any other heavier weight wax jacket).
HTH
Parabola said:
There's a Barbour factory shop in Newcastle/Gateshead if you decide to get one.
When we were there last week most of the £300 coats were reduced to abot £140 and were also on 'buy 2 get 1 free'
Where abouts?When we were there last week most of the £300 coats were reduced to abot £140 and were also on 'buy 2 get 1 free'
The two clearance stores are listed as Portsmouth and Braintree. Is it the Jarrow Store?
Edited by rhinochopig on Tuesday 16th September 12:07
rhinochopig said:
Parabola said:
There's a Barbour factory shop in Newcastle/Gateshead if you decide to get one.
When we were there last week most of the £300 coats were reduced to abot £140 and were also on 'buy 2 get 1 free'
Where abouts?When we were there last week most of the £300 coats were reduced to abot £140 and were also on 'buy 2 get 1 free'
The two clearance stores are listed as Portsmouth and Braintree. Is it the Jarrow Store?
Edited by rhinochopig on Tuesday 16th September 12:07
ETA Jarrow is the factory store, not the discount/clearance store.
Edited by staceyb on Tuesday 16th September 12:12
If you want waterproof and different try clothing made in Ventile
This cloth is waterproof due to its weave and special cotton.
During and since WW2 the RAF have used it for immersion suits.
It breathes far better than coatings like Goretex.
It is used by professionals, military and rescue services worldwide. And by the British antarctic survey.
Very high waterproof, windproof and breathable performance.
But not cheap.
http://www.ventile.co.uk/
This cloth is waterproof due to its weave and special cotton.
During and since WW2 the RAF have used it for immersion suits.
It breathes far better than coatings like Goretex.
It is used by professionals, military and rescue services worldwide. And by the British antarctic survey.
Very high waterproof, windproof and breathable performance.
But not cheap.
http://www.ventile.co.uk/
B.J.W said:
Wax jackets are fine, but Barbour have an excellent range of non-wax jackets which are fully waterproof and (in my opinion) better suited to the warm/wet winters we seem to be experiencing.
I agree. On a warm wet day a waxed jacket is a pretty sticky place to be, and they don't dry quickly. There are also advantages to being able to chuck your jacket in the washing machine, and your other half may appreciate the fact that, unlike a wax jacket, it won't smell like wet dog.B.J.W said:
Take a look at the Linhope range. They do a lightweight and a superlightweight. Both are designed with shooting in mind, but will work just as well for walking the dogs.
The Berwick Endurance is worth a look, too. Slightly stiffer, it's made of Cordura so should be extremely durable and it resembles a traditional Barbour jacket.BigLepton said:
Mine is very waterproof, though you do get a little tin of wax to re-waterproof it every so often. The big pockets at the bottom are so waterproof that when you put shot rabbits in them, no blood escapes so they have little blood drain holes to let it out.
HTH
Nice image. HTH
Blood drain holes what a selling point.
J111 said:
I agree. On a warm wet day a waxed jacket is a pretty sticky place to be, and they don't dry quickly. There are also advantages to being able to chuck your jacket in the washing machine, and your other half may appreciate the fact that, unlike a wax jacket, it won't smell like wet dog.Asterix said:
J111 said:
I agree. On a warm wet day a waxed jacket is a pretty sticky place to be, and they don't dry quickly. There are also advantages to being able to chuck your jacket in the washing machine, and your other half may appreciate the fact that, unlike a wax jacket, it won't smell like wet dog.
Have several, ashort jacket and a long trenchcoat. On an even slightly warm day when it's raining you'll be wetter on the inside than the out. Buy something that breathes - unless you plan a life scrubbing around in gorse bushes . .. oh yes, they are also completely crap at keeping the cold out.
My long one sits in the boot of my car along with the other assorted junk for 'emergencies'.
My long one sits in the boot of my car along with the other assorted junk for 'emergencies'.
J111 said:
Asterix said:
J111 said:
I agree. On a warm wet day a waxed jacket is a pretty sticky place to be, and they don't dry quickly. There are also advantages to being able to chuck your jacket in the washing machine, and your other half may appreciate the fact that, unlike a wax jacket, it won't smell like wet dog.
Fivepercent said:
I may be wrong but Goretex isn't a coating, it's an actual material. And, if you put it through the washing machine it regains it's factory fresh waterproofness too - in fact that's what Goretex recomend in terms of keeping it working.In a similar vein anything made with eVent fabric will be good.
FWIW I've got a rather nice North Face Goretex snowboarding shell and it is amazingly good quality (cost 100 quid off ebay america- £450 new!! - it was a lucky find).
Asterix said:
J111 said:
Asterix said:
J111 said:
I agree. On a warm wet day a waxed jacket is a pretty sticky place to be, and they don't dry quickly. There are also advantages to being able to chuck your jacket in the washing machine, and your other half may appreciate the fact that, unlike a wax jacket, it won't smell like wet dog.Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff