Barbour is an iconic British outerwear brand. Conversations on Reddit about Barbour jacket centered on durability, maintenance, value, and practical ownership advice, with a clear divide between enthusiasts who cherish Barbour’s heritage and skeptics who find it outdated or impractical.

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The Good

• Exceptional Durability “Mine is older than I am and still doing pretty okay.” (30 upvotes)“I’ve had mine for 12 years now – my parents both have theirs from the 70s and they are still going strong.” (29 upvotes)
• Timeless Style “You know these jackets were designed to be worn, scratched and beat all to hell, right? That’s a huge part of their charm.” (55 upvotes)
• Versatility “I have a Barbour Classic Bedale with the button-on hood and zip-in winter vest. It functions as a light jacket, rain jacket, and winter coat. I use this jacket year round.” (73 upvotes)
• Repair & Reproofing Service “Barbour also offer a repair service for if they get damaged.” (30 upvotes)

The Not So Good

• High Maintenance “They’re long lasting if you do your upkeep, if you don’t they can get so stinky and mouldy.” (30 upvotes) “And they feel kind of gross. They break in though – the smell goes away and so does the waxy feeling.” (29 upvotes)
• Pet Hair Magnet*”Have this jacket and if you have pets you’re gonna have a bad time with fur/lint con stantly sticking to it.”* (48 upvotes)
• Limited Breathability “From a technical point of view, waxed cotton is a very impractical and poor choice of fabric. Not breathable at all and poor on almost every other specification…” (78 upvotes)
• Climate Limitations “Don’t buy one if you’re in a warmer climate though.” (29 upvotes)“It’s too warm when it’s even a little warm out, not warm enough when it’s even a little cold.” (40 upvotes)

Tips & Tricks

Sizing & Fit “Get one big enough you can layer up underneath it.” (29 upvotes) “A 40″ chest will fit a medium Ashby with just a shirt or a large with plenty of room for layering.” (128 upvotes) “The Ashby has long arms. If you’re tall this is a great fit.” (128 upvotes)

Maintenance “My husband re-waxed his using Barbour wax and their online tutorial. Looked brand new again.” (29 upvotes) “They do more than just wax it. If the jacket has any scuffs, wear, or small rips, they’ll fix them too.” (35 upvotes)

Which Barbour to choose?

• “Sorry but it’s the timeless Beaufort. #2 and #3 are Bedale and Border depending on how tall you are and what look you’re after.” (36 upvotes)
• “Both the Ashby and Lutz have nylon sleeve liners that do not breathe, making them clammy in temps above 50°F or any time much walking is involved.” (128 upvotes)

The Verdict

Reddit users generally see Barbour jackets as heritage pieces with character, durability, and style that last decades – but also as high-maintenance and climate-specific. The classic models (Beaufort, Bedale, Border) get the strongest praise, while newer or collaborative editions draw mixed reviews.

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