Barbour Jackets
Discussion
Wildcat45 said:
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.
This is pretty much my experience. The last couple haven't lived up to the standards of earlier coats. The shoulder waterproofing hasn't been good from day one, despite efforts at reproofing and at just over a year old showing advanced signs of wear. I've now bought a Rydale jacket for just over £30, the main problem with it is that it lacks pockets, so I got them done by a local seamstress. Doubled the price, but still far better value.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.
What would people suggest as a replacement for traditional style Thornproof? I have a 3/4 length Driza-bone which is an Australian equivalent, but I was looking to buy a replacement regular length jacket and stories of lower quality have put me off.
In 1999 I bought a Barbour style jacket for £30 which was nearly indestructible (and probably as good as a Barbour bought for £130 at around the same time) , so I am aware the price is not always an indication of quality, but I am unsure where to start.
In 1999 I bought a Barbour style jacket for £30 which was nearly indestructible (and probably as good as a Barbour bought for £130 at around the same time) , so I am aware the price is not always an indication of quality, but I am unsure where to start.
GC8 said:
Dont be silly. Wax jackets need re-waxing, but you cannot change the head. When it is worn out it is f
ked and that is that.
Sadly, going by the experiences of the previous poster, this doesnt take that long now.
Sorry, but loads of folk have them repaired, time and time again.ked and that is that.Sadly, going by the experiences of the previous poster, this doesnt take that long now.
My Gamefair heavyweight bought in 1988 is still fine, reserved for the windiest, wettest weather, rewaxed every three years or so I’d guess, had loads of repairs, fag burns, tears, dog bite last year and currently had knitted cuffs done about 6 years ago along with internal pockets, always done at Barbour.
Odd thing is it seems to have shrunk, when bought it was comfortable over a shirt, jumper £ combat jacket & occasionally a liner if really cold & with pockets full of all sorts now it’s much more fitted, odd that.
There’s also a original Cowen Commando heading by the door (not the newer horrid DPM insert job) which is brilliant with all the pockets and adjustable waist ties, just back from a small repair and rewax, as with most great water & windproof, needs something warm underneath if it’s really foul I’ve a brilliant Aigle fleece that isn’t too bulky.
Like some of you guys above, I’m dreading the day (soon I think) when the Royal Hunters die once & for all, what do you replace them with ?
Odd thing is it seems to have shrunk, when bought it was comfortable over a shirt, jumper £ combat jacket & occasionally a liner if really cold & with pockets full of all sorts now it’s much more fitted, odd that.
There’s also a original Cowen Commando heading by the door (not the newer horrid DPM insert job) which is brilliant with all the pockets and adjustable waist ties, just back from a small repair and rewax, as with most great water & windproof, needs something warm underneath if it’s really foul I’ve a brilliant Aigle fleece that isn’t too bulky.
Like some of you guys above, I’m dreading the day (soon I think) when the Royal Hunters die once & for all, what do you replace them with ?
Barbour Border for me that I've had 10 years, rewaxed it once. Used for everything from shooting at home to wear to job interviews.
Unfortunately got a large rip in the lining currently that I need to get repaired. Not sure how it happened, though I do use the pockets extensively, can fit so much in them!
Unfortunately got a large rip in the lining currently that I need to get repaired. Not sure how it happened, though I do use the pockets extensively, can fit so much in them!
Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area said:
NickCQ said:
Daveb257 said:
Like some of you guys above, I’m dreading the day (soon I think) when the Royal Hunters die once & for all, what do you replace them with ?
Le ChameauThanks for the advice chaps (& sorry about the thread derailment) I’ll have a look at both when the Hunters die or when we are allowed in the shops again, whichever is the soonest.
I’ve just bought a fairly well used Gamefair dead cheap on eBay, not quite my size but was after an antique tartan hood and this coat has one & it was cheaper than all the standalone ones on there
I’ve just bought a fairly well used Gamefair dead cheap on eBay, not quite my size but was after an antique tartan hood and this coat has one & it was cheaper than all the standalone ones on there
Uncle John said:
Unexpected Item In The Bagging Area said:
NickCQ said:
Daveb257 said:
Like some of you guys above, I’m dreading the day (soon I think) when the Royal Hunters die once & for all, what do you replace them with ?
Le ChameauYears ago I had a Barbour Beaufort. Bought for fishing. It eventually wore out after a lot of abuse, diy rewaxed a couple of times, stored away for a few years then rediscovered but no good. Barbour do a refurb service but not cheap!
Modern fishing jackets tend to be Goretex type.
The bottom line is whether fashion or function is the aim.
Modern fishing jackets tend to be Goretex type.
The bottom line is whether fashion or function is the aim.
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