Barbour Jackets - who owns one?

[Matthew Simmons]

I can't for the life of me understand why Barbour jackets have ever been a fashion item! I have owned 3 and they have all been bomb proof in the role they were designed - suffering massive amounts of abuse on the river bank and keeping the rain out. But they shed proofer constantly so you can't wear them in a car or over clothing that you don't mind getting oily. And they do smell 'interesting' - more so if their main purpose isn't a fashion accessory! And they aren't especially breathable so you work up a bit of a lather in one - mind you that's an interesting image with Fearne ....

 

However, I found as they started to get more popular, this was in the 80s when I bought my second one, the quality had dropped off and they needed reproofing more often - but the service from BARBOUR was flawless and they could, probably still can, put in new zips, patches, cuffs - even if you hadn't asked!

 

I went the synthetic route 10 years ago - they still leak after a couple of years but they don't smell interesting - not sure I would ever go back to the waxed cotton though.

[dant]

I had a Barbour Solway for shooting for about 20 years and like a good pair of Levis it improved with age.

It went missing on the move to France. I have a strange feeling that the current Mrs Sportsman may have had something to do with that

 

That's not good. You could of probably got £200 for that on Ebay.

[jaypeegolf]

I've got a couple!

One old one, lives in the garage and is purely for fishing now. It's been reproofed and is still a good coat.

The other one's a bit more trendy and is for going out only!

 

Wouldn't be without them.

JP

[Dave H]

In many years of falconry being out in -10 in 3ft of snow in a place that no man has ever walked before tracking down a falcon 10 miles away you really need to have the best. Barbour is crap. I have had many years ago and it is rubbish. If you really want the best for your money these are the best. I have there sweaters. No matter what size you are they do the most simplistic of things that make a difference. Ray mears would never put his name to a pure survival clothing unless he is sure and the makers of the best gear in a country that has all weathers possible and some say the only lost world left is New Zealand.

The worst area to get cold is your back. This clothing is designed to drop well below your bum so bending over does not expose it. Holding hand material that keeps the arms and more the wrists covered. The wrist covers one of the biggest arteries if it gets subject to the cold it will go through the top of your body in seconds. The elbow joints have the biggest vein of all. This is why most heat does not come off your head it is your arms being twice as much. If you ever get really hot cover your whole arms in water you will cool down immediately very fast.

 

The NZ know this but Barbour are just in it for show and within a few weeks the wax will be gone anyway

 

If you really want the best get these...

 

http://www.swanndri.co.nz/

[Tigger]

I''ve had barbour wax jackets (solway zippers etc etc) on and off since being 12yrs of age and in all honesty i've never liked them in the slightest. I think they're uncomfortable cold sticky things that go stickier in warm weather and stiffer in cold. The only item of barbour clothing I have now is a barbour trecker padded waistcoat...none of that horrible wax crap on it, it's just nice cotton . IMO gortex clothing is far superiour to barbour wax clothing.

 

One jacket I can recommend 100% is the TFGear carp chill out jacket, one of the best jackets i've ever had and it was a free gift when a friend bought some gear from them. He gave it to me and it really has been brilliant. I keep saying i'm gonna buy one as thery're only about 30 ripps deliverd !

 

Here's one...

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/TFGear-CHILL-OUT...=item3a6326ffb4

 

They are big fitting so personally i'd go for a size smaller.

Edited February 27, 2012 by Tigger

[Anderoo]

I often wear my fake 'Barbour-style' coat when fishing. The wax came off years ago but I like it because it's heavy and warm.

 

My floppy hat is 100% Barbour though

[Dave H]

I often wear my fake 'Barbour-style' coat when fishing. The wax came off years ago but I like it because it's heavy and warm.

 

My floppy hat is 100% Barbour though

 

...i wear my Barmah hat it is the best thing i ever bought . you can sit out there and the rain just falls off around you like a small umbrella. We will have to have a day together we will look like 'bill and Ben'....

 

I would seiously reccommend one have done so to many hunters and they have thanked me for it...

 

http://www.safarigear.biz/safari-hats-c-12...CFYgifAodbA8bHA

[chesters1]

i'v owned a couple but compared to belstaff pale imitations ,my outlook is how a jacket actually works in several hours of rain not how the toffs rate it

i had great difficulty chucking out my old belstaffs when they started falling apart to far to fix them

 

i remember wearing a plastic bin liner as thats far lighter than both in showers when your shovelling muck ,my old boss bless him went out and bought me a stockmans coat (long before the fad) which was worse than useless ,i had to wear the poxy thing when he was in residence incase i upset him everytime it rained and went home soaked from both rain and sweat

 

trouble is companies forget what looks nice rarely works well (in keeping you dry) and fashion rules so you get some abomination with a high price tag

Edited February 27, 2012 by chesters1

[Dales]

I have a few Barbour coats but never wear them fishing, once they start to age a little then they will be transfered to my fishing clothes wardrobe. But none of mine are the wax coats, would be a little OTT for the East End of London.

[Tigger]

But none of mine are the wax coats, would be a little OTT for the East End of London.

 

 

Dales i'd have thought a hijab would fit in better round them there parts .