Barbour Jackets – alternatives?

I was wasting time in John Lewis at the weekend while my kids were in Superdry and looked at a Barbour Ogston jacket – lightweight wax 4 pocket

https://www.barbour.com/uk/categories/mens/waxed-jackets/barbour-lightweight-ogston-wax-jacket/p/MWX1353SN51L

Have subsequently been looking online at other Barbours, and mainly the ‘International’ motorcycle trials style jackets, not sure I’d want lightweight as it would be a winter jacket too, but also not convinced I want to spend £200+ but equally ‘buy cheap buy twice’ may apply.

So what else should I be looking at……. obviously Belstaff springs to mind of a similar ilk but they’re not cheap either (!) – anything else?

Plenty of cheap knock offs, always lots of near brand new ones on flea bay – this is down to the fact that lots of folk buy them as a fashion item then realise they smell, are sticky, cold etc.

Wax cotton is great if you are tramping around the hills or riding a motorcycle trial back in the day – not great for shopping or watching the kids play rugger..

Have a look at Ventile jackets on Ebay if you’re wanting something that doesn’t sound like a crisp packet. There’s a few bargains to be had…

Rather like my Knox jacket. Motorbike specific in theory but you’d never tell.

Rachel

Fjallraven make really good waxed jackets. Probably over £200 but very good quality and a quite an ethical company too. I think some of their profits go in to saving arctic foxes which is nice.

Have a look at the Greenland range, but, try them 9m if you can. I have a 40″ chest and wear a small or XS.

Wife has a lovely Boden waxed jacket/coat. Looks better than Barbours IMO.

No idea on price or if they do them for men. Or still sell them at all.

Matchless.

Some of their uk stockists have streetmaster waxed jackets at approaching half price.

Good quality, properly lined, 4 pockets, good length – not bum freezer cut.

Genuine SH one off Ebay?

Drizabone; I’ve got their Brumby jacket – bought it in Perth WA fifteen years ago but almost forgot I have it; took it off the hanger a few months ago and have been wearing it regularly since.  Had forgotten how windproof waxed cotton is!

Old Barbours never die. They just get passed down.

I wear my one of my grandfather’s Beaufort and my other grandfather’s Burleigh often. Both are at least 30 years old, and have lived heavy lives. Money well spent, as long as the new ones live up to the quality.

Mrs CFH has a five or so year old one, with a Liberty print lining, which is barely broken in! Quality seems good so far.

Fjallraven?

probably no cheaper than Barbour, mind

Get a proper Barbour and a lining for it. Money well spent.

I have a Barbour Border bought in 1988 and it is still going strong. I rewax it every couple of years and have sent it back to Barbour for a professional rewax twice.

There is nothing overly ethical about Fjallraven.

I have a Barbour international trials jacket. Not especially waterproof and not warm, a bit smelly but works well with a wool sweater and a collie.

Filson, Taylor Supply on eBay.

Try Speedwear.co.uk

https://www.speedwear.co.uk

I have owned a Beaufort for about 12 years and wore it only occasionally, it was kept in anticipation of getting a dog and using it for walking duties.

Two years ago I got a dog and I still hardly wear it.  In reality it is not very warm in winter, too hot in summer, not particularly breathable and doesn’t perform great in the rain.

I have concluded that a Barbour jacket is the clothing equivalent of a Land Rover Defender.  It is pretty rubbish most of the time, a bit smelly, not very practical and very difficult to regulate correct temperature. However, like a Defender, it does encourage a type of inexplicable loyalty and love.  You preserver with it because very occasionally it will be the ideal tool for the job. You will own it forever.

Way over £200 but I bought a Country Innovation Rover Ventile Jacket 3 seasons ago and it is almost my favourite ever purchase.  Waterproof, really, really windproof and bombproof.  Disadvantages heavy compared to plastic jackets but then again none of the rustling, crinkling either.

I’ve got a Barbour (trendier style one but not an “International”) and it’s plenty warm enough in Winter

AFAIK, the fit of the International ones is slimmer/smaller and they’re not as well lined or have as thick an outer layer.

I have looked at these a few times, but never actually bought.

https://www.dvtownend.com/prodpage.asp?ProdID=981

Heard a few good things about them.

Still on my shopping list.

Cro’jack do a nice wax jacket.

https://www.crojack.co.uk/collections/jackets/products/crojack-buckland

I had a Barbour jacket but sold it as I didnt like the fit and didnt seem overly warm(without a lining at any rate).

Bought a Crojack waxed jacket similar to the above(Navy instead of black and not as shiny looking) and find it a far better fit, feels warmer(no idea why as there basically made the same) and less crinkly.

Mines made from British Millerain no idea if the current ones linked to are(mines a couple of years old now).

The thing with a good wax cotton jacket is that it’ll survive being treated in a way that’ll wreck a fancy Goretex jacket, they can be very easily reproofed using a pot of Renapur wax and a sponge, you won’t mind it getting snagged on thorn bushes, etc, and there’s no effective difference between either material when it comes to getting hot and sweaty, you layer underneath appropriate to the conditions.