My new bushcrafting coat

[Trunks]

After spending ages agonizing over which coat to buy i have gone for a Barbour Solway Zipper.

I have looked at loads of different coats, goretex & ventile & wax. Each have their merits and in the perfect world i would own one of each, so i have gone for the one that suits me.

Good points (I think) about the Solway:
The coat is a good length, on me ending just bellow the backside - meaning i can sit down without getting wet.
The fabric is a heavyweight 8oz cotton - so tough.
It weighs a bit, but when you're 16 stone, what's a few extra pounds )
Waterproof & windproof.
Easy to repair if damaged.
Internal large poacher pocket for carrying things.
Elasticated storm cuffs.
Easy to re-waterproof
Can handle being around fire.
3 large pockets (external), two internal.
Belt - makes me look thinner!

Bad points:
The snap on hood is a bit crappy, will probably scrap it and use a wax or leather hat.
Has that "wax jacket" smell, will get better with wear though.
Not breathable
Some say that it's not very flexible, but i don't have a problem.

If anyone is interested, i can write a more in-depth review when iv'e had a proper chance to wear it out - later this month.

James

 

[hiraeth]

I have a Barbour Northumbria and find it ticks all the right boxes for me. Have to agree with you on the hood though,I wish Barbour would go back to hoods in different sizes instead of one fits all. That said i prefer to wear my Kakadu leather hat as it does not restrict my vision

 

[bhofmann]

For those like me who don't know these jackets, here're Google shopping links:

Solway Zipper: http://bit.ly/6xf8eU
and
Northumbria: http://bit.ly/8HcFRy

Both are around £170~£200

 

[KAE1]

I had a Solway Zipper for my 18th birthday................ 23 years ago. You are correct in your summary. They do actually get very stiff, or used to, in cold wet weather but they are extremely hard wearing.
From a nostalgic point of view I'd have another, though my current Sportchief is a better coat. When it needs replacing I will proabably go for a Kammo Kodiak.

 

[Prawnster]

Just got myself a Barbour Trooper and I absolutely love it. http://www.google.co.uk/products?so...esult_group&ct=title&resnum=1&ved=0CBwQrQQwAA

It's a bit too nice for rolling around on the forest floor though, that's for my ventile. This is for 'civilised' walks in the woods and propping up the bar.

 

[rancid badger]

I've always found Barbours and wax jackets generally, to be very cold and stiff in winter.

Even with a liner, you still have to contend with the stiffness of the arms etc. in cold conditions.

Also, if you are driving, you will have to remove the jacket or put up with the dressing going all over your seats.

As far as reproofing goes; the Barbour wax dressing that comes in a tin, is heinous to apply. Very messy and difficult to apply evenly.

not my first choice but if you're happy with it; good luck to you

atb

R.B.

 

[Cael Nu Mara]

20 years ago Barbours were the coat for thoose who huted/shot/fished. My Dad wore one nearly every day for 30 years. But Im not a fan, in my life I have had one, and probably never again. Wax is noisy, not really that waterproof, and needs quite abit of TLC for my liking. Most of the people I know who really "use" kit will not wear barbours, sure you look every bit the country gent but they are just not practical. When was the last time you saw a hill farmer, shepherd, keeper or stalker wear full wax jacket? I may be very wrong but IMO barbours have lost there place in the "real" countryside.


Just my rumberlings as per normal


Sam

 

[sandbender]

I love my Barbour Durham, ripping the liner out cut down on both weight and stiffness.

 

[harryhawk]

Moved away from wax jackets, cold, smelly and not very waterproof.
Musto Keepers jacket (£200) http://www.orvis.co.uk/store/productchoice.aspx?pf_id=53CL when it's cold or a DuckDri (£100) http://www.duckdri.co.uk/jackets.html when it's a bit milder.
The Musto you can buy a liner for extra warmth but down here in Devon it never gets that cold. The DuckDri I've used for the last 7 seasons, giving it some serious stick out shooting or beating and the good thing about both these jackets......Put them in the washing machine with a good wash/waterproofer.. Simple as

 

[Cael Nu Mara]

The DuckDri I've used for the last 7 seasons, giving it some serious stick out shooting or beating and the good thing about both these jackets......Put them in the washing machine with a good wash/waterproofer.. Simple as

I love my DuckDri Treggin Jobs, they are a little noisy for stalking, in all but the realy bad wind and rain, when the rustle is drowned out. Iv worn them nearly everyday since the snow came, really cracking stuff they making





Sam

 

[baggins]

I have a nice selection of jackets, ventile, goretex and the stalwart Barbour Commando. Different jackets for different conditions. I love my Barbour, when i'm working in the woods or on the hills, it is warm, hardwearing and huge pockets. They do stiffen up a bit in the cold but mine is so well worn now, i barely notice it (still waterproof though), same goes for the weight.
Saying that, if i'm out overnight, it's the ventile and if i'm climbing in the mountains it's the goretex.
Like everything, it has it's place.

Baggins

 

[apj1974]

I'm a bit surprised at people saying that wax jackets are not very waterproof, mine is the most waterproof thing I've got. (But I do keep it reproofed regularly)

 

[gowersponger]

sold a briton shooting jacket on ebay a month ago gore tex went for 22 quid some one had a bargain. makes me laugh when some people spend so much on a jacket they dont want to get it dirty or walk to close to trees incase they catch it

 

[Prawnster]

sold a briton shooting jacket on ebay a month ago gore tex went for 22 quid some one had a bargain. makes me laugh when some people spend so much on a jacket they dont want to get it dirty or walk to close to trees incase they catch it

Why should that make you laugh?

Not all the clothes I own are for tramping in the woods. I've got a few smart suits, some designer and some from matalan. I wouldn't go camping in any of them.
I'll go for a walk in the woods in my new barbour but I won't make an overnight camp in it because there is a good chance I'll get mud all over it and i'd rather keep it looking nice for going the pub, walking round town and stepping out with my missus.
For wild camping and serious trekking I'll take my ventile jacket, which incidentally cost the same as the barbour, because I don't mind getting it dirty. I don't know about anyone else but not all my clothes are for bushcraft. That'd be a bit weird right?

 

[Alexlebrit]

I got a Barbour Durham jacket for my 18th, it was available unlined then, so that was the one I went for as it was lighter and softer. 22 years on it's still going strong. I've re-waxed it a few times, and I think the fact it's unlined makes that easier. In that times it's been all over the world from cyclone season in Northern Queensland, winter snows in Finland, and endless Breton rain and it's not let me down. It even spent 3 months wedged in a hole in the boot of my ancient Holden as I drove all across the centre of Australia and despite being thoroughly impregnated with bulldust it still cleaned up and with a fresh waxing was still waterproof.

I can't find the unlined Durham on Barbour's site, which is a pity as my girlfriend keeps stealing mine, and I'd like a second.

 

[Celt_Ginger]

For bushcraft use, I'd rather have a Barbour than a nylon goretex jacket. much more practical around the fire and for pushing through the undergrowth. It may not be as waterproof as a plastic jacket but it's waterproof enough. Folk sometimes complain that you need to proof them on a regular basis, bit you need to do the same to a Gore tex coat or it doesn't breath any more. For Spring and Autumn, it's a cracking jacket.

 

[Laurentius]

I reckon they are over-rated myself. I used to have one years ago, but it didn't last, no wear near tough enough, ended up like a patchwork quilt. It's always the zips that go first, then the cuffs fray, never mind the need to rewax. In the meantime I found any number of cheap imitations to be just as good. Those brass zips might look the business but plastic is better.