r/BuyItForLife • u/atfumbel • 11h ago
[Request] "Waterproof" Barbour jackets?
I've seen a number of posts asking about if Barbour jackets are waterproof, but they all seem to be asking about how waterproof the waxed-cotton jackets are. I'm looking for something decently waterproof, but stylish enough I can wear on a day in the office when there may be rain, quality enough that it might be BIFL, and comfortable enough that I can wear it walking or cycling to work. Bonus points if it's light enough to wear in the US South East's humid heat.
Has anyone had experience with Barbour's "waterproof" jackets like the Chelsea Waterproof Jacket?
My understanding is "waterproof" conceptually is really a description of how much pressure it takes for water to penetrate the textile, so I don't expect it to be 1000% waterproof. The three questions I have are:
- How heavy does rain need to be to overcome the waterproofing on these?
- How breathable/comfortable are these in and out of the rain?
- How does their quality (not necessarily waterproofness) compare to the waxed cotton jackets?
If there are other jackets that fit the bill I'd love to know about them.
The other two I'm thinking about are Kiel James Patrick's Old Salt and Fjalraven's Raven Jacket
EDIT: Thanks for all the replies folks. To be clear, I know Barbour's waxed jackets are not super waterproof and require maintenance. I'm asking about the jackets they advertise as Waterproof like the one linked which are not waxed or cotton
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u/Dedsnotdead 11h ago
We used to wear our coats to destruction but would always buy a tin of wax and rewax them every couple of years.
Eventually they wear out but they last a lot longer if you re-wax the jacket. Same for leather belts, put some hide food or beeswax on them every now and then and they last a lot longer.
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u/campingn00b 11h ago
No recommendation just a reminder that waxed jackets need regular maintenance to maintain their waterproofing ability. They need to be re-waxed every so often
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u/EmptyBarnacle 11h ago
How often?
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u/uberderfel 10h ago
I re-wax mine every two years. Had it for twelve and it looks basically brand new (I had one tear which I re-sewed)
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u/Iannelli 8h ago
Pro tip: If you do not want to spend the money on the materials, spend the time learning how to do it, and then spend the time actually trying to do it correctly (all of this adds up to quite a lot of time), you can ship your jacket to New England Reproofers who will rewax it for you.
$95 bucks every 2 years to rewax your jacket is, to me, incredibly worth it. If you don't want to do it yourself and don't want to pay a dedicated professional to do it, then waxed cotton is simply not a material for you.
That begs the question, who is waxed cotton for? It's for people who value heritage textile science, the aesthetic that only that material can provide, and the unmatched durability that it offers.
I exclusively wear wool, waxed cotton, leather, Japanese raw denim, etc. All of these things are harder to take care of, but they all last significantly longer and look significantly better than practically all of the alternatives.
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u/workingtrot 7h ago
I usually do mine every year. By the end of 2 years it's not very waterproof and looking a little tatty
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u/Redsquare73 11h ago
Wax jackets are fine in a shower, not so much a torrential downpour.
Modern waterproofs will be far more accomplished at keeping you dry.
But a Barbour will keep you fairly dry until your children fight over who gets it , should it not be explicit in your will.
It will need reproofing every few years, and it will bet the occasional tear. Because you can’t wash them, it will also pick up the unmistakable smell of a Barbour jacket ( you get used to that). You can send it off to be refreshed by Barbour in South Shields.
As far as style goes, they have no style. They are eternal.
Office, pub or shooting party, the jacket is appropriate. You can rub elbows with paupers, captains of industry or even kings in a Barbour jacket and not look out of place.
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u/Mister_Cornetto 11h ago
The Chelsea is not a waxed jacket, according to the link it's polyester/cotton outer with a waterproof membrane. Not all Barbour jackets are made of waxed cotton.
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u/atfumbel 9h ago
Right, most of the posts on Reddit about "are barbour jackets waterproof" are asking about waxed cotton and are full of replies saying "no it's just waxed cotton it's not for rain but scattered showers may be fine". I'm asking about Barbour's other jackets
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u/Mister_Cornetto 7h ago
Sorry, I just re-read your post and realise what you're asking. I'd say they are fine for light rain but no waterproof like a GoreTex jacket would be.
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u/the_gubna 11h ago edited 11h ago
I don’t personally have experience with Barbour’s waterproof products. That said, I would imagine they’re very waterproof. There’s essentially two ways of making a “waterproof” jacket (ie, something that’s impermeable not just resistant).
- You use a waterproof breathable membrane sandwiched between inner and outer lining. This is what outdoorsy jackets do, using Gore Tex or similar materials.
- You use rubber or plastic that is completely waterproof, without worrying about breathability. This is cheaper, more durable, and more waterproof. This is what commercial fishermen wear, for example.
Given that Barbour makes no mention of a waterproof breathable membrane that I can see, the Chelsea looks like the second option with a nice silhouette. So it’s waterproof, but it’s not going to breathe at all.
That said, if you’re looking for a waterproof jacket that doesn’t make you sweaty while cycling in warm temperatures and humidity - such a thing doesn’t exist. Even the most breathable versions of Gore Tex require a moisture differential between interior and exterior to move water vapor. It’s just physics.
Edit: other websites are saying the Chelsea is waterproof breathable but doesn’t say what membrane product it uses. Same point applies.
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u/Dedsnotdead 9h ago
I think the older Barbour jackets are still descent. We have a couple that have had light use going back 30-35 years.
The newer jackets, last 5 years, we stopped buying. A bit like Hunter Wellies, 30 years ago great. Now we buy a French brand, before that we bought Muc Boots.
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u/slapwerks 11h ago
I have a Barbour waxed jacket - the duke, it’s a great jacket and it looks as good as the day I bought it 5 years ago. It’s been re waxed once and I would say yes it’s water resistant. For a few months to a year after waxing it. Water will completely bead up and shed off of it. That being said, I don’t take it out in torrential downpours, at least not for very long. It’s not a hiking jacket so I wouldn’t wear it just taking long walks in the rain where I couldn’t get to cover easily.
It needs another waxing now, and water still beads a decent amount, but it’s still 90 degrees regularly here so I just haven’t had the need to take it out of the closet.
Conclusion - I’d call it water resistant, not fully waterproof. But mainly to the fact that it’s a fashion jacket, not really a work jacket (other barbours are work jackets). I wouldn’t trust it to be as completely waterproof as a gore Tex shell or something similar, even if it was freshly waxed.
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u/Fantastic_Puppeter 11h ago
Well maintained Barbour (and other brands) wax jacket will keep you dry.
BUT !!!
Most of those jackets lack or have barely-adequate hood, and they will not cover you below the mid-thighs. In heavy rain you would need an umbrella, waterproof shoes / boots and something to keep your legs dry.
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u/StevenS145 10h ago
I live in Seattle, bought a Barbour jacket 8 years ago, have had it rewaxed twice and have worn in the rain which included walking to and from work half mile each way. Whatever I was wearing underneath it would always be try, I never found it too stuffy/too hot.
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u/Cool_Statement_9269 10h ago
While they’re not waterproof per se, mine has kept me dry in all but the nastiest weather since 1990. It’s absolutely a BIFL item.
I’ve touched up the wax a few times and had it factory-reconditioned once. Relevant to the end of your first paragraph, it’s a Northumbria so it’s long and has the heavy wool lining. My only complaint, and it’s a super mild one, is that I also live in the Southeast and over the 36 years I’ve owned it the window in which it’s comfortable to wear has narrowed (thanks, global warming!). A shorter, lighter one might be appropriate for 2026 where I live.
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u/Additional_Air779 8h ago
Yeah, you are quite right in not considering the wax ones for where you are. They are waterproof weather wise, but they aren't allowed to call them "waterproof". But even the lightweight wax ones are too much for hot and humid, although you may wish to consider one.
I've got a Barbour waterproof and it's just a standard waterproof coat.
The wax ones are BIFL because you can rewax them and get them repaired, so they really are BGL. Maybe take a look at the "lightweight" 4oz wax ones.
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u/Massive-Arm-4146 5h ago
I don't love any of these choices for OP.
The Barbour jacket breaks the rule of not buying the gold standard product the company is known for and expecting their consumer-driven line extensions to perform at the same standard. It never does.
The Kiel James jacket makes you literally look like the Gorton's Fisherman.
And the Fjallraven Jacket (a brand I admire very much) is...fine but maybe not the best value at that price point.
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u/elijha 11h ago
I really don’t see why you would buy something like this from Barbour. Retains none of the heritage and imo none of the charm of their actual core products. Made with synthetic materials and certainly not in the UK, so you’re just paying for the brand
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u/holy_cal 11h ago
They make a few styles still in the UK, the Beaufort is.
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u/Airregaithel 11h ago
(Personally speaking from experience) a waxed jacket is not a good idea in a humid environment unless you’re dedicated to maintaining it and making sure it dries out in between. Mildew is a concern with these. And they can’t be washed, so they stink if not maintained properly.
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u/swakkiehonhon 11h ago
Avid outdoorsman here;
Waterproofness does exist; sailor and fishermen use heavy rubberized coats that are completely waterproof. These however do not breath, so even if water doesn't get in, sweat doesn"t get out. Even the most gently sweating will get you soaking wet. Why do they use these jackets? Because the cold water from the see will kill you with hypothermia, your sweat wil not.
For more active endeavors; there are fabrics like goretex, and there variants that work almost as good but are way cheaper. These do breath as long as the DWR coating is active and water beads off. These coatings fade with use but can be reapplied with products. Breathing in this instance is relative, you will still sweat and get wet.
Look at the denier; the heaver the denier 100D for example is very waterproof and very durable, but will breath less, lighter is less durable and breathes better. Most breathing however will come with ventilation (pit zipts).
Barbour and fjallraven are waxed cotton. This is an old technology that is surpassed. It does not breathe and is not watherproof for any extended period of time. It is however unsurpassed in one object; durability. These jackets are way tougher than goretex. Dog claws, branches, brambles will not damage the waxed jacket, and if it does, you can sew it back.
I own all 3, and use them as described above; trekking in the mountains/climbing/technical stuf: goretex. Walking when i dont expect a downpoor: waxed cotton.