Barbour Jackets

Author
Discussion

Rojibo

1,729 posts

77 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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r159 said:
Barbours seem to have the knack of being either too hot or not warm enough. But saying that I’ve had at least one for over 30 years and wouldn’t be without ...none of the new stuff strictly original. Currently have a Beaufort with Ancient Tartan lining.

Barbour’s tailoring service is excellent.
This is the problem I have, I guess because they're not inherently "breathable" I get quite sweaty in mine.

The front pockets are excellent though, each can comfortably fit a box of shotgun shells. It's stood up to some abuse, to be fair.

Challo

10,146 posts

155 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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I have 4 Barbour jackets (2 Wax, 1 Quilted, 1 Waterproof) and really like the brand. The Wax jackets have been fantastic and perfect for walking the dogs in all weathers.

I agree with the comment they aren't that breathable as mine can get really hot in milder temps, and when its really cold I have a gilet I can add underneath as an additional layer. The only issue is on one of the pockets the stitching has come undone. I need to get this fixed, but will wait till next year and get it re-waxed at the same time.

Not the cheapest jackets, but cant fault the quality.

dlks151

345 posts

48 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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Challo said:
Not the cheapest jackets, but cant fault the quality.
Not the cheapest and now more of a fashion brand than proper sportsmans outdoors wear.

I threw my Beaufort out last year after 23yrs of service (and thats 23yrs of shooting and work) so when you look at whole life costs that sure didn't work out too bad. Sad to say I didn't replace it like for like as i just didn't feel the quality was the same.

AngryPartsBloke

1,436 posts

151 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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Challo said:
I have 4 Barbour jackets (2 Wax, 1 Quilted, 1 Waterproof) and really like the brand. The Wax jackets have been fantastic and perfect for walking the dogs in all weathers.

I agree with the comment they aren't that breathable as mine can get really hot in milder temps, and when its really cold I have a gilet I can add underneath as an additional layer. The only issue is on one of the pockets the stitching has come undone. I need to get this fixed, but will wait till next year and get it re-waxed at the same time.

Not the cheapest jackets, but cant fault the quality.
Same for me, I'm glad it's getting colder as it means I can throw mine on without getting a bit too hot.

I got mine two years ago for my 30th, I'm used to jackets that normally look tired by the end of the year but this one has been everywhere from the pub to the forest and I'm still waiting for it to look a bit worn in.

Mezzanine

9,217 posts

219 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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El stovey said:
MKnight702 said:
Mezzanine said:
Is modern Barbour still this quality or have they been cheapened down to fulfil the wider market (like Hunter wellies or DM boots?)
God yes, I inherited a pair of Hunters from my Grandfather (had Gates branding on the Hunter label), they lasted me years and years (>20 IIRC). Eventually they gave out and I bought a replacement pair. The new pair lasted a year.
Pretty poor business for Hunter to only sell your family a pair of wellies every second or third generation though?

It’s not great that a product is now only designed to last a couple of years but that’s what makes money for most manufacturers of consumer goods.
Pretty short-sighted though I would say. If you sell a simple and cheap to make product at a high price but is well known and trusted as being high quality and very durable then by compromising your quality you will effectively throw your whole brand in the bin very quickly.

Why spend above £100 on some wellies that last a season - might as well just buy some cheapies or just look like a mug who has overpaid for nothing.

Discerning customers will soon move their custom and therefore their friends and other with them. I believe Le Chameau and Aigle are what Hunter used to be in the welly world (and will find it very hard to ever get back to now).

mickyh7

2,347 posts

86 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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I have a Baulfour for shooting in the Winter and an unlined Northumbian for shooting in the Summer.
Ones too cold and one's too hot!
Bit like Hunter Wellies, everyone wears them, but there are much better things available!
Daft prices for the 'name'.
Made for Trawlermen 100 years ago, used,then designed, with Barbour, by the S.A.S in the Falklands.
So now super well known.
As mentioned, Hunters were made in China for a while. Shocking quality, most have moved to Aigle or Le Chameau.
They must be still Pissed at that 'cost cutter'.
Still crazy money for Wellingtons though!

Edited by mickyh7 on Friday 23 October 16:21

NickCQ

5,392 posts

96 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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CrutyRammers said:
The pocket lining split in mine after a year, which I was rather disappointed about.
Reminds me, need to get it fixed for this winter.
Have had this problem several times over the years.
Probably because I find it more comfortable to put my hands in the cartridge pockets than the hand pockets higher up (which I would love them to offer fleece-lined)

Mort7

1,487 posts

108 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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I had a Bedale which I purchased in 1985. Subsequently passed on to Mrs M for gardening when I grew out of it. Still giving good service, although a bit big for her. I replaced that with a Border in 1987, which was sent to Barbour for refurbishment about 20 years ago. Getting a bit tight now (a developing pattern here), and looking a bit ratty (as proper Barbours should), but still does the job, and perfect for gardening / mucky work.

Had a flirtation with Barbour breathables. Not bad, but the drop liner which provided the waterproofness (is that a word?) failed, so useless in the rain and no longer in service.

Recently moved to Baleno https://www.baleno.be/en/baleno/who-is-baleno/ for my everyday jacket of choice. I have the Oakwood and the fleece gilet, which is a good 3 season choice, but a bit hot for Summer. It has some nice touches, like magnets to hold open the cartridge pockets, but doesn't have the outer wallet pocket that most Barbours have. Well worth a look though, and good value for money when compared to Barbour.

mickyh7

2,347 posts

86 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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NickCQ said:
Have had this problem several times over the years.
Probably because I find it more comfortable to put my hands in the cartridge pockets than the hand pockets higher up (which I would love them to offer fleece-lined)
Mine have always been Moleskin lined, quite warm enough for me.
I bet if you asked them, they would retro-fit fleece at a price.
They are a jolly decent lot up there.
I've met the Top Lady, she is not slow when it comes to business!
Edited- sorry I thought you meant Handwarmer Pockets. Which I agree, they always feel a little high.
I would still ask though.

Edited by mickyh7 on Friday 23 October 17:02

CrunkleFloop

772 posts

245 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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Their Wax-jackets are outstanding, replaced my last one "Bedale" a few years back and it was 30 years old and had seen a LOT of work.

Needless to say it was replaced with another Bedale.

I understand their "classic" range are made in the UK, all others are far-east.

What's also nice about Barbour is their aftersales service, just send the jacket back for repairs and re-waxing every few years, it doesn't cost much and they do an excellent job.

GCH

3,991 posts

202 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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MDMA . said:
It will say on the inside of the right hand side pocket where they are made. Not all of them are made in South Shields. Shame you can't nip into the factory shop now, bargains to be had. The Beauforts are only £90.

Some have a separate tag up by the collar....
My gilet is made in vietnam, my ashby in moldova hehe

Same with my older belstaffs - made in england. Newer ones, italy

BT Summers

702 posts

61 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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Prince Charles had a very battered Barbour

I had Belstaff Trials jackets as a teenager, these were much cheaper than Barbour and waterproof.


NomduJour

19,113 posts

259 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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BT Summers said:
Prince Charles had a very battered Barbour


It’s John Partridge, not Barbour.

mickyh7

2,347 posts

86 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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My experience of the factory shop is this.
Tiny,
Huge,
Or ridiculous colours.
And always, Always and Always.,
Not Green.
No bargains ever.
Who wants a Blue one up there?
Only Vera Stanhope
Love them but.....
Nowt 4 Nowt up there!

oddball1313

1,192 posts

123 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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I’ve got a replica of Steve’s jacket. Starting to get the lived in look now as well

https://www.fussynation.com/mens-designer-fashion-...

GC8

19,910 posts

190 months

Friday 23rd October 2020
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BT Summers said:
I had Belstaff Trials jackets as a teenager, these were much cheaper than Barbour and waterproof.
Belstaff are more of a fashion brand now. More Barbours in woods than Belstaffs on bikes, for sure.

Wildcat45

8,073 posts

189 months

Saturday 24th October 2020
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My first Barbour lasted me 25 years. Refurbished twice, after every ten yesrs.and I wore it meet everything from Prime Ministers to Penguins.

I carried beloved old dogs to their final vet trip in it, and brought new pups home it it. It was a pillow on an Eastern Med beach, briefly in vogue with smarter looking people than me in Milan the top layer of clothing in Arctic Norway, and a shield against the rain from Port Stanley to Portpatrick.

But it really needed retiring. The stitching round the collar was starting to go.

I replaced it with excsctly the same coat from their current range. My life is less adventurous these days and four years down the line the new coat is a mess. Rips on the cuffs, holes in the pockets. The original wax layer lasted barely a year turning the coat into a light green coat that lets water in. It actually let water in when it was new. It's been re-waxed twice.

In contrast 9 years ago, I got caught out by the rain in Galloway and happened upon a smokehouse that did a sideline in cheap waxed jackets.

Made by a firm called Walkabout the green wax jacket I bought cost 35 quid. It's warmer than a Barbour, it's un-ripped and waterproof despite never having been re-waxed.

I am no longer impressed by Barbour.

mickyh7

2,347 posts

86 months

Saturday 24th October 2020
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Some of these posts smell a little bit like 'Triggers Brush', if I'm not mistaken!

GC8

19,910 posts

190 months

Saturday 24th October 2020
quotequote all
Dont be silly. Wax jackets need re-waxing, but you cannot change the head. When it is worn out it is fked and that is that.

Sadly, going by the experiences of the previous poster, this doesnt take that long now.

ArsE82

21,013 posts

187 months

Saturday 24th October 2020
quotequote all
mickyh7 said:
My experience of the factory shop is this.
Tiny,
Huge,
Or ridiculous colours.
And always, Always and Always.,
Not Green.
No bargains ever.
Who wants a Blue one up there?
Only Vera Stanhope
Love them but.....
Nowt 4 Nowt up there!
Worst. Poem. Ever.