Thanks all and sorry for the delay in getting back; it seems to be ignoring my instant email notification setting.
21 replies and all, excepting the one mentioning 10 replies, on topic!
To answer a couple of questions.
I like the smell of wax, and have done since my first Barbour given me by my dad with my first motorcycle in '64. I'm old enough to indulge my reminiscences
:0)
If Ventile is double Egyptian cotton then I wore it as a cyclist and it was great while dry. When wet it wicked heat from your body fiendishly.
I've never found any fabric that stays truly dry on the inside when you get sweaty despite the claims for Goretex. The best I've found is to vent more as you sweat, and if it is raining heavy either lump it or slip a poncho over the top.
I seem to remember that when I was using the Durham I had a couple of fleeces and both had zips that matched the Durham, but I prefer to wear outer shell and fleece as two distinct unattached layers.
I prefer longer coats because I like some crutch protection. I wear leggings cut and sewn from cheap proofed nylon rather than full trousers.
After all the helpful comments I'm going to take a serious look at the Border and Beaufort.
Thanks again. This forum is excellent.
