Barbour wax jackets

[Baseball Guy]

Hi,
Just found this old article regarding the different types of Barbour that used to be available.

http://thornproof.blogspot.com/2011/02/all-about-wax.html

Have been wondering the different between Sylkoil and others.

Hope this is of interest.

 

[Peacoat]

The only one I have experience with is the Thornproof. Didn't know they sold the other waxes.

 

[Seb Lucas]

My understanding is that Sylkoil is replacing or has replaced Thornproof. It is a dry finish that needs reapplication far less often. It doesn't look as cool as Thornproof to my eye. You'll note that the cotton mentioned in the Barbour range seems fairly thin (6 oz on average) - even the thickest, 8 oz is 4 oz thinner than the standard 12 oz oilcloth offered by Drizabone.

 

[Doctor Damage]

My understanding is that Sylkoil is replacing or has replaced Thornproof. It is a dry finish that needs reapplication far less often. It doesn't look as cool as Thornproof to my eye. You'll note that the cotton mentioned in the Barbour range seems fairly thin (6 oz on average) - even the thickest, 8 oz is 4 oz thinner than the standard 12 oz oilcloth offered by Drizabone.

In keeping with Barbour's business strategy of gradually cheapening their products while massively increasing prices.

 

[handymike]

I went to find a hood for mine, and it is $60!!!!

 

[Cornelius]

In keeping with Barbour's business strategy of gradually cheapening their products while massively increasing prices.

As with Filson!

 

[rocketeer]

Nothing is made to last these days because WE want it cheaper. Make a quality product, lets say a microwave oven and try to sell it in the £500 range with a 10 year guarantee, place the same design microwave oven with slightly downgraded materials but looks exactly the same, made in the far east with a 1 year guarantee for £100 which would you buy? Mrs may say 'get the £100 one as we may decorate the kitchen and the colours may clash'
But there are fussy old codgers like us who do appreciate good quality and will pay the price, but unfortunately we are in the minority

 

[Seb Lucas]

Nothing is made to last these days because WE want it cheaper. Make a quality product, lets say a microwave oven and try to sell it in the £500 range with a 10 year guarantee, place the same design microwave oven with slightly downgraded materials but looks exactly the same, made in the far east with a 1 year guarantee for £100 which would you buy? Mrs may say 'get the £100 one as we may decorate the kitchen and the colours may clash'
But there are fussy old codgers like us who do appreciate good quality and will pay the price, but unfortunately we are in the minority

That's largely true, nevertheless there have always been strong legacy brands amongst all the **** that were great quality with a commensurate lofty price tag. Now it appears we are in danger of just having the lofty price tag.

 

[Doctor Damage]

^
True comments, sadly. Part of the **** from these venerable old brands is to offer a "heritage" model built to the original specs. That tells you all you need to know about the non-"heritage" models in their lineups.

Regarding waxed jackets in particular, one can pick up a decent quality waxed jacket for much, much less than Barbour. It won't be the full Barbour quality, but at a fraction of the price, who cares? I got my dad a waxed jacket from the brand Game and it's a good jacket, especially considering with shipping from the UK to Canada I paid CAD$100 or something. But many people insist on the famous brand, and that's what they're counting on.

 

[minsoochoi]

Digging up this relatively older thread to see if anyone else makes their Barbour waxed jacket as their go-to for the fall/winter and rainy months?

 

[canvas]

I live in New England area and a Barbour waxed jacket isn't suitable for winter. I made the mistake of wearing it around 30 degrees and there isn't enough insulation to keep you warm, unless you put in the hile pile liner.

Probably suitable for fall.

 

[Bfd70]

Certainly for fall a d rain. Winter ymmv. They are definitely cut for layering. I’m bringing bedale on a trip today where the temps will be 40-55. I’ll layer a patagonia nano puff underneath in the morning. In Pdx that would probably be sufficient. However i ont care for a double layer daily driver. Maybe look at a model like the sapper.

 

[RDS]

This is some of what I posted in the ‘Wax Jackets: The Thread’ from earlier this year:
‘If it’s raining then invariably a wax jacket will also need to be accompanied by waterproof trousers or leggings because the water just sheets off soaking thighs and legs. If it’s cold extra layers will be needed as a wax proof has absolutely no thermal properties at all and even the additional studded ‘warm’ pile liner is pretty much ineffective. And, when it’s either cold, wet or both, the outer shell takes on all the flexibility of stiff cardboard.
Finally, as a wax jacket isn’t at all breathable anything remotely approaching vigorous exercise causes the inner liner to become damp through perspiration; with the result you can end up wet, both inside and out.
Having said all that, in the right situation and conditions a Barbour wax jacket can be pretty much indispensable and I’ve had several over the past 40 plus years.’

 

[Tom71]

Digging up this relatively older thread to see if anyone else makes their Barbour waxed jacket as their go-to for the fall/winter and rainy months?

Well, it certainly depends on how your winter typically looks.

At my end, a Barbour is a suitable winter jacket if combined with a thick wool sweater or possibly the polyester lining that is sold separately. There will be days where I would want to grab a warmer jacket, but by and large, a Barbour is fine. That said, I don´t run cold that easily.

For rainy weather, a clear yes, if you keep the wax coating up to date. Be mindful that a Barbour isn´t very breathable at all, so if "wet" combines with humidity, you will be looking at a sweaty experience.