I was recently in VA an came across Barbour jackets. Ever since I can’t keep my mind off of getting one. But I figure I’d ask a few questions before I jump right in.
How do you keep them non-smelly/clean since they cannot be washed with the wax coating? That’s my biggest concern. I feel like all my horse clothing get’s trashed.
Are they really worth it?
You can clean them gently with cold water and re-apply the wax. You will periodically need to re-wax anyway to keep the waterproofing in good shape. As barn dedicated outerwear, I never worried much about keeping it clean. Never seemed to stink. I love Barbour stuff. 
First - read this; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._Barbour_and_Sons
They have become a fashion item, but the older styles can be found on ebay and such. They can be bought cheaply and Barbour’s repair service is not expensive.
There is “status” in owning a really old jacket or vest.
I have a couple --one is mine and one belonged to my daughter who left it here when she moved away as an adult. I keep both in the horse trailer “just in case.” And because they smell. As to how to keep them non-smelly and clean --we don’t. If they are hugely caked with mud, hose the jacket off and re apply the wax coating that is sold with the jacket after it is dry.
In all honesty I’ve worn mine maybe 10 times in 10 years. The conditions have to be really extreme for me to wear it --usually I’m happier in my Eddie Bauer winter coat. Daughter wears a Mountain Horse Winter Riding Jacket. The times I’ve felt the need to wear the (much heavier) Barbour are when it is a soaking, freezing rain, or a very heavy, wet snow. Then I will wear the Barbour out on the hunt field. And it is absolutely the warmest, driest coat one could wish for. In freezing cold, I’ve worn mine over my hunt coat and it does a wonderful job! The last time I wore mine, I was riding across MI. The six hour ride was through a nasty, cold drizzly rain. I wore my Barbour and was never wet or cold. . . Nothing better --but again --not sure I’ll buy another --just don’t wear it that much. FYI There are many styles and weights available --mine is probably 20 years old and DD is probably 15 --looking on-line I see many fashionable jackets that look nothing like mine.
Foxglove
I have several. They are hot, even when I take out the lining.
Make sure you get the detachable hood and the lining when you buy yours.
You can reproof the wax although I’ve never had to do so in over 25 years on mine.
I’ve had a Bedale since 1997. Sent it to be repaired (worn spots along the sleeves from much use) and re-waxed at Barbour just once, and have re-waxed it myself a couple other times. Mine isn’t lined, but it’s still a warm coat. I wore it a lot in PA, but have only had it on a few times in the last five years here in SC. I do love it, though, and would buy another in a heartbeat. Tough as nails and good-looking in a girl-in-the-country kind of way.
I have a really old Bedale, like maybe 35 years old. I had never had it cleaned and never hosed it or reproofed it. It had pretty big holes worn around the ends of the sleeves and in various other places. It was still waterproof, though and I never thought it smelled bad. This past October my lovely daughter sent it to Barbour and had it repaired for my birthday. They did a major overhaul and it is like new, only better, because it is old. I also have a Barbour cape and a full length coat (Burghley) which I got used (but really like new) at Middleburg Tack Exchange. None of them have liners, and I wear them fall through spring. Love all my Barbour and I think it is worth the price. I don’t think they smell bad at all, and in fact I enjoy the waxy scent. And, we are continuing the tradition as I bought my daughter her very own Barbour jacket as a gift.
[QUOTE=rebecca yount;8765512]
I don’t think they smell bad at all, and in fact I enjoy the waxy scent. And, we are continuing the tradition as I bought my daughter her very own Barbour jacket as a gift.[/QUOTE]
You will admit however that we (horse folks) might have a bit more tolerance for the smell of poop than normal non horsie folks. I love my Barbour too!
Well, yeah, but I don’t even think they smell like horse poop.
Very water proof but not breathable so I always wear a gillet under the coat if I am riding in it to absorb moisture. Very hard wearing and durable, the wax fabric can have a slightly odd smell, especially when new, but it wears off or one becomes used to it.
I wore a Backhouse riding mac https://www.ecowool.com/outdoor-clothing.html for years and regret giving it away after about 15 years of use. Similar to a Barbour but I found the cut fitted me in a saddle perfectly.
I received mine as a gift a few years ago; love it and wear it almost every day, and every where, in inclement/cold weather. While it is only a few years old, it is a classic style. I do wear it riding, and while shooting, and it’s comfortable, warm, etc. I would recommend also! That said, when I look on the website, I see all these new styles that just don’t lend themselves, IMHO, to the demands I have for my outdoor clothing.
I bought an older model off ebay for around $100 last fall. It needed rewaxed so I recently sent it off to Barbour, cost me $35. I look forward to having it back for hunting season. It is warm, but I’m cold natured so it doesn’t bother me. Mine didn’t have any smell but I don’t wear it to the barn for daily chores (I’d rather wear my cheaper washing machine approved apparel).
I’ve actually bought quite a few Barbour items off ebay for great deals and still in great shape.
Whenever I put mine on I am immediately thrown back to my childhood and all our camping trips in the old green canvass tent. Smells exactly the same and always makes me smile. I keep a short one and a full length one in my horse trailer at all times.
PS- Because of this thread I checked out what was available on Ebay and snagged a like new quilted jacket for $65.00
I have 2 - one that I bought for myself new several years ago, and one that I picked up used for $40. Neither are lined, but both will take a liner and I’d like to get a gillet for extra-cold days. I wear them both all the time (in winter) and have made the older one my dedicated barn jacket. I have other coats for really cold temps, but for those cool, wet days, I love that Barbour!
I know I wore it at least once last year at a particularly cold and yucky informal hunt. I wish I could remember exactly what he said, but the master specifically told us we could wear Barbours. I ‘try’ not to wear the other one to the barn so it doesn’t get horsey.
I re-proofed both jackets myself this year. It was easy, inexpensive, and they look great. I think I paid less than $20 for the wax.
Oh, I almost forgot!! This is an interesting story. I was competing at Dressage at Devon many years ago and wearing my Bedale while watching a few of the breed show classes. (It was rainy, which is practically mandatory at Devon). Dietrich Felgendreher was helping a woman warm up a big strapping young warm blood for an under saddle class. She was having a lot of trouble with the horse and at the last minute before the class they decided he should ride rather than she. Only thin was, he didn’t have a jacket and it was required attire. Sooooooo…I offered him my Bedale and he threw it on, popped on his derby, and off they went into the Gold Ring.
Thanks everyone for your feedback. I am keeping an eye out on eBay.
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