What's the difference between a trenchcoat and a duster?

Black Prince · Sep 30, 2007

Baron Kurtz said:
The German (and prob all other) leather motorcycle jackets (the long ones) from the golden era were extremely heavy. The one i own (police motorcycle overcoat from prob early 50s) is a beast. Almost unbelievably heavy.

Indeed. I have one such German motorcycle coat in shiny black horsehide and it practically requires a reinforced coat hanger; I'm always wary of hanging it too near the centre of the wardrobe rail! Not sure of its vintage: it's double-breasted with a wide belt and additional features such as a leather 'throat latch' that buttons across the upturned collar at the front, a longish back vent and buttoned flaps to close the coat around one's legs, presumably to prevent flapping in the wind. It also has a slightly incongruous looking zipped diagonal breast pocket, somewhat reminiscent of the angled pockets on despatch rider coats.

I also have a couple of duster coats, one in black cowhide and one in a slightly rubbery-feeling PVC 'slicker' material. They have multiple front flaps (presumably to prevent rain entering), collar fastenings and leg-straps - plus the short, detachable shoulder cape.

Bruce Wayne · Oct 1, 2007

here ya go...
http://www.filson.com/product/index...2&doVSearch=no&pageBucket=0&parentPage=family

Rob · Oct 1, 2007

Oh come on, I post a pic of George W. and Vladamir Putin wearing Australia's version of the Duster in a thread about Dusters... and no one has anything to say? Come on guys!!!

pedestrian · Dec 30, 2016

Sorry for jumping onto an old thread.

Mr. Sable said:
Aren't those called slickers? A duster impregnated with oil to repel water?

I believe "slicker" is a generic synonym for rain coat. I tend to thinkof it as being made out of a rubberized material (I.E. the classic Macintosh).

I am currently looking for a rain coat before the spring rains come again (yeah, I'm thinking way ahead). I wante a 1-piece system to keep my pants dry while I walk to and from the bus-stop. I think I found a duster/riding coat that meets all my requirements (it is probably one of Dr. Greg's "City-slickers"). Would a duster-style coat be comfortable for walking a kilometer or two? Would the leg-straps help while walking, or would they hold the coat too tight and hinder movement?

I didn't have much luck finding a trenchcoat. Although, the only one I could think of was London-fog. Plus, I am trying to avoid buttons (especially double-breasted, which appears to be the common option).

gtdean48 · Dec 30, 2016

Old West raincoat/pommel slicker is a "Fish" from "Fish Oil Slicker" or "Fish Skin" because fish have waterproof skin. They were heavy duty raincoats.
Duster were light linen or canvas over coats to keep dust off your duds while riding. Not good for shedding rain.
I've got both & rarely wear the Duster. The Fish will build up body heat if I'm doing much walking around = not vented well at all.
I also have a London Fog trench coat, like Bogart wore, get a lot of Inspector Gadget comments when wearing it & a fedora.

Leg straps are good for keeping legs covered in the saddle but aren't that restrictive for walking. Running is a different story. HTH

Doctor Damage · Dec 31, 2016

pedestrian said:
Sorry for jumping onto an old thread.

Never apologize for reviving an old thread, rather than starting a new thread on the same topic which would cover the same discussion points and be redundant. You've done the right thing!

Hal · Dec 31, 2016

A website entitled "Badass Longcoat" attempts to deal with this question.

gtdean48 said:
Duster were light linen or canvas over coats to keep dust off your duds while riding. Not good for shedding rain...

The waxed cotton stockmen's coats (like the Australian Drizabone) are styled as dusters but do shed rain, and seem at present to be the only long waterproof coats on the market. Wet trousers and cold legs are the inevitable result of wearing a short waterproof jacket in the rain.

pedestrian · Jan 1, 2017

gtdean48 said:
Leg straps are good for keeping legs covered in the saddle but aren't that restrictive for walking. Running is a different story. HTH

Thanks,
I like the idea of the leg straps to keep the coat from flapping too much in the wind. Since I wasn't planning on running in the rain, it sounds like the riding coat I found should work for my needs.

GHT · Jan 1, 2017

In answer to the thread title: "What's the difference between a trenchcoat and a duster?"
A Trenchcoat is a garment, worn like an overcoat.
A duster is a piece of cloth used for removing dust.
I do hope that has cleared up any ambiguity.

Hurricane Jack · Jan 1, 2017

gtdean48 said:
Old West raincoat/pommel slicker is a "Fish" from "Fish Oil Slicker" or "Fish Skin" because fish have waterproof skin. They were heavy duty raincoats.
Duster were light linen or canvas over coats to keep dust off your duds while riding. Not good for shedding rain.
I've got both & rarely wear the Duster. The Fish will build up body heat if I'm doing much walking around = not vented well at all.
I also have a London Fog trench coat, like Bogart wore, get a lot of Inspector Gadget comments when wearing it & a fedora.

Leg straps are good for keeping legs covered in the saddle but aren't that restrictive for walking. Running is a different story. HTH

Dean is right on. Originally both the duster & the slicker were cut up high in the back in order to spread around the saddle protecting it when riding & to keep the rider from sitting on the coattail when in the saddle.

xenoxols · Jan 8, 2019

I think I can answer this pretty well, as I own several dusters, trench coats and a 'slicker'. Trench coats are made of tightly woven fabric, usually cotton or polyester which makes them waterproof. They are usually double breasted and belted, though trenches with neither features exist. Dusters are made of varying cotton or linen, but almost all recently made ones are cotton canvas of varying thickness. They are long(optimally should end below the top of your boots) and usually have a slit far up the back for riding, but some are intended for motorcycles and may have not slit. Slickers are canvas coats that have been treated with wax or oil of some sort. Modern ones often have a short removable cape, while older(much older) ones had a longer cape or usually none at all. Many companies have made long slickers for riding and call them dusters. I live near Gloucester, and I find that people there will use the term 'slicker' when most call them trench coats or dusters.

What's the difference between a trenchcoat and a duster?

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