ISO Barn Coat. LL Bean, Orvis, Carhartt?

[Bicoastal]

My search brought up threads from several years ago, so let’s see what’s the latest and greatest in barn coats.

I would love to find a three-season barn coat/jacket that’s already been COTH tested. Tough enough to wear working around the property and nice enough to keep on when running errands. My Carhartt lined jacket is too warm after February. I call the Carhartt my armor. It wears like iron, yes, and it feels like it. I’m 5’4" and usually have to wear petite sizing but I’m fat. Would prefer to avoid the Michelin man look.

Looking for:

• canvas, duck, or otherwise rip resistant
• no hood
• covers mid- or full-butt
• pockets

Anyone know if the LL Bean holds up? Is something like this tough enough for farm work?

Women's Adirondack Barn Coat, Flannel-Lined | Casual Jackets at L.L.Bean

Anyone order Men’s outerwear? How does the fit translate? I have boobs and hips.

Classic Barn Coat

[jherold]

Anything I use for farm work is usually to stinky to wear anywhere else except TSC or other farm related store. Barbour’s are fantastic, but expensive and heavy. Frankly, I just go to the local resale store and buy small or medium men’s coats for barn work. I’ve gotten great deals on some name brands that wore like iron for under $20.

[Scribbler]

Yeah, I’ve started to keep a jacket in the car trunk so I can go into the supermarket without looking like I sleep under a bridge.

Here in the PNW any 3 season jacket has to be waterproof. No canvas.

[luvmyhackney]

I really like my lands end barn coat. I use this one and it’s great. Carhartt last forever but I can’t move in it.
https://www.landsend.com/products/mens-barn-coat/id_326841?attributes=12323,44967

[Garythesquirrel]

My favorite barn coat ever was a Columbia that I bought for next to nothing on clearance. It was waterproof, breathable and had a removable fleece liner. I washed that coat at least a couple of times a month and it lasted over 15 years.

So, not a brand a person would typically think of when looking for a barn coat but it might be worth looking at non-farm type coats.

[2DogsFarm]

I was given a used LL Bean barncoat with a button-in flannel liner nearly 20yrs ago.
I’m pretty sure it’s a Mens model, I had to cuff the sleeves.
It is still eminently wearable & w/o the liner, a fine light jacket.
The only sign of wear is the corduroy lining I exposed when I cuffed the sleeves is starting to fray.

[red_mares]

I’ve got a Columbia right now and really like it. It’s got a nice furry lining & is light weight & mostly waterproof. I think it was last year’s color. It’s a weird brown that doesn’t show much. Not the prettiest color ever. Twenty pounds ago I had a Carhartt that I like a lot for really cold weather (i.e. zero-ish)

I was down at the shipyard early this winter and saw a young guy who had the sleeves cut out of his Carhartt-like coveralls and wore a hooded sweatshirt under it. Looked brilliant to me. Carhartt’s tend to bind in the shoulders/arms. This fixed it. The coveralls were hemstitched where the sleeves had been cut off. If I were regularly working in the barn, I’d consider this.

[NancyM]

LOL whatever I find at Value Village for $10! My current one is a Carhart, with a hood, and yes, it is warm (which is a good thing), and I love it very much. For lighter wear, I have 2 oilskin bomber jacket types, lined. Same cost to buy. Oh, and my lined jean jacket (denim) one. Same price.

[B_and_B]

I prefer Berne these days. Carhatt’s durability has gone down in my opinion. I love Duluth mens, but have been disappointed by their women’s line for durability.

[TxMorgans]

I have an older carhart that is still in great shape. I got it in college, so not sure if/when the quality/durability started to decrease. It’s nearing 10ish years old. Has a longer back part instead of having the elastic-y type waist band. Mine does have a hood - the only mistake I’ve made with it is it’s sherpa lined(which is amazing) but when I was a dumb college kid I didn’t link that sherpa was a variation of wool and I washed and dried the jacket… The sherpa in the hood is now slightly smaller than it originally was, making the hood not fit quite as well, which doesn’t bother me because I don’t use it. Otherwise, the jacket has held up to a beating of a life. They make this jacket in a non-hooded version as well. Pictured is the one I have, but I have it in the dark brown color.

[Joanne]

Back when I was horse poor, I used to get my barn jackets at the local thrift store. Got some really nice ones since the next town over was mostly wealthy (Ivy League college). Even picked up a lovely London Fogg rain coat; I still have it.

[wsmoak]

Sierra Trading Post! $30-$40 https://www.sierra.com/s~barn-coat/

I am currently wearing a hideous purple one with lime green lining that I got from there a decade ago when we moved from Arizona to Georgia in February and I was freezing.

[lenapesadie]

@Bicoastal

Tough enough to wear working around the property and nice enough to keep on when running errands.

None of my barn clothes stay clean enough for errands outside of feed store, vet office and TSC.

I’ve been eyeing that LL Bean coat though as a replacement for my lighter barn coat. I hope someone will write a review for it in this thread!

[Bicoastal]

@lenapesadie

I’ve been eyeing that LL Bean coat though as a replacement for my lighter barn coat. I hope someone will write a review for it in this thread!

I returned a Christmas present pair of boots to Bean this weekend. I said my dad tried, but… I’d like to return these. The salesman poked a finger under the tissue to reveal the boots and said, “I understand.”

They didn’t have the barn coats in store, wrong season, but that someone to write a review may be me! I’m afraid the coat will be too pretty and precious for a true barn coat. So I don’t know if I have the guts to go for it yet.

[lenapesadie]

It is cute

[2tempe]

I purchased the LLBean jacket shown above a few months ago. Cant vouch for how it will hold up long term, and IMO it is a spring/fall/Florida “winter” type jacket. seems well made, I’ve bought lots of Bean stuff over the years. Here’s the thing: I bought a Small (5’3", 115ish) and it fits very nicely, but it is somewhat more shaped -you can see in pic it is tapered in a bit in waist area. I dont have a lot of room for layering underneath, though I dont really need it here. Sometimes a fleece vest. Good in the 50 degree range, maybe 40’s depending on what you are used to. It looks nice and does tick all your boxes. Sturdy but not really heavy. I really like it.

[candyappy]

I like Carhartt best. LL Bean would be a close second unless the quality has changed.

My current one is not and I hate it as the pockets are way too high up? I think it is a Berne. Stay away from those. It does keep me warm though…

It was a gift so I couldn’t try it on.

[Montanas_Girl]

My Carhartt “barn” jacket is nearly 20 years old and, other than some color fading (it’s chocolate brown), still looks essentially brand new. You just can’t beat the brand for durability, in my opinion.

Orvis is probably my second-favorite outerwear brand, as of fairly recently. My employer bought a couple of Orvis vests for us this year, and they’re awesome. Surprisingly well fitted (i.e. not just cut for men/Amazons) for an outerwear company, too!

[wildlifer]

@wsmoak

Sierra Trading Post! $30-$40 https://www.sierra.com/s~barn-coat/

I LOVE Sierra trading post! I have a pair of Walls insulated coveralls - I didn’t buy them, “inherited” them from a coworker who retired - but they are tough & WARM. They have to be at least 20 years old, but no problems.

I do only use them maybe 4-6 days a year bc if I wear them plus a winter jacket, I get too hot! I’m not normally a fan of the canvas stuff (I HATE Carhartt stuff, we have to use tons of it at work, it just doesn’t fit me well & I just dislike every aspect). But the Walls are nice sturdy material, similar to Carhartt but more flexible so I can actually move & tons of thoughtfully placed pockets.

[mfglickman]

I’ve been fighting this fight for years. Also 5’4 and round, well endowed too. Current LLBean and Landsend are not cut for my shape and not durable enough to withstand barn work. Either I can’t move, I’m freezing, or it rips. I’ve bought a few vintage used off of eBay with low-middling success.

Got a carhartt last year, I chose one with the “swing” arm cut that’s made for hauling but doesn’t look like butterfly wings or what have you, and also no elastic/knit at the waist. I love it and it’s wearing great. This year I added the quilted overalls and while I’m sure I look ridiculous for the first time ever I’m totally warm so I don’t care.

I was lamenting the lack of a good mid weight jacket for when the carhartt is too much one day and my farrier recommended ArborWear. Check it out - farrier texted my husband a link to a men’s hoodie and my husband bought it for me (love my farrier lol). It’s great, warmer than a sweatshirt, comfortable down to around 30 degrees maybe a little lower if doing active work. Farrier said he’s had his for years with no rips, zipper intact, etc so he gave one to his wife dor working outside and she loves it too (she’s slim and tall, so opposite build from me).

Anyway, good luck, and post back with what you choose!