Barbour - is it worth it?

[ElsaLion]

My husband has kindly offered to treat me to a Barbour jacket for Christmas.

Growing up, I came from a shooting/hunting background and back then Barbour were the 'go to' brand for country wear. However I looked recently and see that all of their quilted jackets are polyester/recycled materials, for which they seem to charge a prenium! I've also heard mixed reviews about quality and durability, but I've heard better things about Schoffel. Any thoughts?

I've got a Barbour wax jacket (Beadnell).
Positives - the pockets are great, it's completely waterproof and the hood is incredible even though it was a separate purchase. I wear it daily most of the year for walking the dogs with my Le Chameau wellies and my Holland Cooper Hat. I'm a walking cliche of country living.
Negatives - the zip broke in under 2 years and it was £30 to replace. It's not warm, you need a fleece under it in cold weather. And I had to go up 2 sizes to get the sleeve length, and I'm 5 ft 6 so not tall.

I can highly recommend the Barbour outlet at Bicester - I got a padded long parka for £79 in the summer.

Barbour hardware and zips are superior to the run of the mill high street ones. I bought a very heavy quilted Barbour in the summer sales and am loving wearing it now. I don't wear the wax ones though.

My first barbour lasted 26 years... my 'new' one is a mere 6 years old... beadnell.
Not the warmest but a brilliant spring/autumn coat and perfect for dog walking.
I rewax it myself every year or so.

Thank you very much, and for the sales/outlet recommendations. I've decided to look at their wax jackets, and will be heading to John Lewis on Saturday!

I really want one of the beauly waxed jackets which are a bit more of a modern take on the classic waxed ones. I live not too far from the Barbour discount/factory store so I might have to take a trip there.

I’m not so keen on them anymore. I only got them as I heard that the waxed ones are great for rain etc, I got few but I only used one once and got totally soaked in a very light rain in it..
I don’t think they are worth at all.
my old Tesco waxed jacket seems more waterproof..

Here in solidarity OP - firmly hunting / shooting background here too. Don't hunt anymore but we are very busy through shooting season. We live on pheasant/partridge/duck/goose/rabbit/venison, all of which is free range, local and 100% prepped by myself, and most is shot by us too. And my 13 year old DD. Our whole family are firmly immersed in shooting.
Far rather have that than the disconnect to food most people have. Buying intensively reared chickens from the supermarket with no thought or respect to the animal - and I've worked in a chicken factory, I know EXACTLY what your sanitised meat production looks like. I'll take my method!

Coat wise I'm not sure I trust Barbour anymore, and waxed jackets can be chilly. We all have shooting coats from percussion these days, I think DPs is a MUSTO one. Ours are out a lot beating and shooting and are fab. And I've got a bloody lovely tweed from Alan Paine that's nice too.

Oh be very careful when you buy a Barbour one, they make two versions I think. The proper ones and the thin, flimsy ones they make to look fashionable in the city! 😂

I've got a longish black padded Barbour coat, got it in the house of Fraser sale a couple of years ago and have worn it pretty much every cold day since! It's really warm considering it feels quite light, and it goes with everything.

All of my coats are Barbour but I don't own a wax one as I don't like the feel of them personally. I bought the first one as a treat and loved it so much I won't consider any other brand now.

I have bought a new Barbour coat every couple of years in the sales so I now have a choice of 5 that I still wear regularly. They are so warm and I as I always buy when they are reduced they work out rally good value for money.

I've got a Barbour long wool coat which cost me an arm and a leg last winter. It doesn't have to be Barbour, but I think it's worth paying more for something well made which will last when it comes to winter coats.

I completely agree, people don't seem to realise that pheasants/patridge/deer are eaten - and have lived a far better quality of life than intensely farmed chickens etc,

Another vote for the Beadnell wax jacket. Mine is absolutely brilliant for a mucky outdoor countrylife. I have the fleece liner that zips in but I almost never use it as I personally find it’s plenty warm enough without. I was out walking on the moors yesterday in it with a windchill -7 and snowing and it was plenty warm enough! Love all the pockets. I do recommend getting the extra hood you can buy. Not 100% waterproof but I’m yet to find a coat that is!

Love my Barbour. I have a heavy wax jacket with a fleece lining and I find it plenty enough even on cold days. There’s always a Schoffel gilet if you need an extra layer 😜

Barbour are not stylish. Practical yes.

https://amp.theguardian.com/fashion/2024/nov/16/trend-watch-get-ready-for-a-country-weekend

I have a barbour coastal coat, bought 5 years ago - not one of the waxed ones. It's not the warmest but is smart and windproof and still seems to be waterproof, though I've not needed to test how far I can push that for a while.

I love my Barbour but definitely try them on first- the arms come up short on some people (fine on me but DH can't wear them).

Not sure about the quality but I like the company. They are British and have a Foundation that donates to charities. Good in my book.

Some of the styles are small, you'll need to try them on for sizing.

Thanks everyone! After much deliberation, I visited my nearest John Lewis today and chose the Beadnell Wax jacket - it's looks and feels great, so I wore it out this afternoon and am really pleased with it.

@ElsaLion I shoot/beat etc. I wear Barbour as fashion item but Ridgeline for workwear. The Ridgeline smock is lovely for casual + working wear and much superior to Barbour

I hope you find what you want OP

We live near-ish to an outlet centre and I’ve been looking at them. While the styling doesn’t appeal to me the quality seems good. I bought DH a lightweight padded jacket and he loves it.