Article: Barbour men's jackets: which to choose between short waxed, winter and zip-in layers
Barbour men's jackets: which to choose between short waxed, winter and zip-in layers
If you are looking for a men's Barbour jacket, the decision that matters comes before the color. Do you need a short waxed jacket to wear almost all year round, a piece that is already warm for winter, or a shell to complete with a liner and a gilet? In the Barbour selection at Ski Sises you will find all three routes. The Bedale is short and relaxed in cut, designed with horse riding in mind. The Ashby uses the same 6 oz waxed cotton but fits a little closer. The Reelin and the Ogston have the warmth built in, the first with a quilted lining, the second with an integrated gilet.
A first rule of thumb works in most cases. If your jacket goes with you from October to April and in winter you mostly travel by car or around town, a short interactive waxed jacket with a zip-in liner covers more months than a fixed winter model. If instead you spend hours standing still outdoors when it is cold, built-in warmth is the better choice.
Short men's Barbour: between the Bedale and the Ashby, the cut is the main difference
The Bedale dates back to 1980. It was the brand's first short, lightweight jacket, designed by Dame Margaret Barbour with the needs of horse riders in mind: reduced length, back vents, a comfortable fit. Today the same details come in handy for much more ordinary movements. When you sit in the car there is less fabric bunching up under your back, and bending or reaching with your arms feels freer.
The front has two large bellows pockets and two lined hand-warmer pockets. The medium-weight 6 oz waxed cotton makes it wearable for a good part of the year, not just in the cold months.
The Ashby starts from the same idea, with a matte wax that already looks a little lived-in and a slightly more tailored cut. There is still room for a winter layer, and the Classic tartan lines the lining and inner pockets. The difference shows when you wear it. Over a shirt or a fine knit, the Ashby has a cleaner line. The Bedale gives you more room if you wear bulky layers underneath.
Both are interactive, meaning they accept Barbour zip-in liners, and for the Bedale the product page also lists optional hoods. If you want a model-by-model comparison, Reelin included, there is a dedicated guide on how to choose between Bedale, Ashby and Reelin.
Men's winter Barbour: where the warmth really comes from
Anyone looking for a men's padded Barbour often expects something similar to a down jacket. Classic waxed jackets work differently. The waxed cotton shell protects against wind and damp, while the warmth is decided by what is inside. In the men's models currently in the selection, the differences are these.
| Model | What is inside | When it makes sense | Limitation to consider |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reelin Wax | Quilted lining, heavy corduroy collar, zip pockets | Winter version of the classic waxed jacket, for city and damp days | The warmth cannot be removed: in autumn and spring it may be too much |
| Ogston | Integrated quilted gilet with high collar, tartan wool-blend lining | Intense cold and many hours outdoors | Structured piece, less flexible when temperatures rise |
| Steve McQueen International Workers Wax Jacket | Quilted check lining, adjustable cuffs, chest pocket | For anyone who wants a warm waxed jacket inspired by the American actor and racer | A different style from the classic British country look |
| Beaufort | Tartan lining, full-width back pocket, double-slider zip | For those who value roomy pockets and wear their jacket across several seasons | The product page lists no padding: in winter, what you wear underneath matters |
| Bedale or Ashby with a zip-in liner | Extra warmth only when you need it | One shell from October to April | Two pieces to choose and try on together |
One detail is worth noting on the Ogston. The inner gilet has its own zip with a logo that closes up to the high collar, so even with the jacket's buttons undone, your torso stays covered. For anyone who wants the same piece in October and in March, though, it's the least versatile choice in the table.
Zip-in liner or gilet: more warmth without changing jacket
If you already own an interactive waxed jacket, or you're considering a Bedale or an Ashby, a liner is the most coherent way to get it ready for winter. The Polarquilt Waistcoat Zip-In Liner has a diamond-quilted outer in 100% polyamide and a polyester fleece interior. You can attach it to the jacket or wear it on its own over a shirt, and it has an inner security pocket in addition to the patch pockets. The Warm Pile Lining Waistcoat, in fleece, works the same way.
Before buying, check two things. First, make sure the jacket's product page lists it as interactive, because the liner only zips into those models. Second, think about space: a jacket that fits well over a shirt can feel tight across the shoulders once the gilet is inside as well.
The Casual Corbridge follows a different logic. It's a 100% cotton gilet with a mandarin collar, designed for the in-between seasons over sweatshirts or sweaters, and it's machine washable at 30°C. It doesn't replace a liner, but it covers the days when a waxed jacket feels like too much.
When you don't need wax
Waxed cotton isn't a must. If you mostly wear your jacket in the city and reach for an umbrella when it rains, the Ashby Casual keeps the Ashby's design in 100% breathable cotton, without wax: corduroy collar, zip hidden behind metal buttons, bellows pockets. In a downpour it gets wet like any cotton jacket. On the plus side, you don't have to worry about maintaining a waxed finish.
For many people, a first Barbour piece is a sweater, and that's a sensible choice. The Patch Zip Thru is 100% lambswool, with a Classic fit and Alcantara elbow patches. The Patch Zip in pure wool adds a high collar and a double closure with zip and buttons. The Pima Cotton Crew Neck, in 100% cotton, is the lightest of the three. Under a waxed jacket, wool becomes the mid layer, but test the sleeves: a thick sweater under a close cut like the Ashby's is felt right away at the cuffs.
Sizing: measure your chest and try it on with the layer you'll wear
The Barbour men's size guide is in centimetres and runs from XS to XXL, with a chest range for each size. These ranges refer to the chest of the person wearing the jacket. The measurements listed on the product pages describe the garment itself, and the difference between the two numbers is the room left for sweaters and liners.
The product pages offer a concrete reference. The Ashby in size M, worn by a 6'3" model, measures 117 cm across the chest and 77.8 cm in back length. The Bedale in size 38, on a 6'2" model, has the same 117 cm chest and a 76.2 cm back length. As you can see, the Bedale uses numbers and the Ashby uses letters: check which system the product page of the model you want uses.
Measure your chest at its widest point, over a thin shirt, and compare it with the guide. Then, if you can, try the jacket on with the layer you will wear in winter, whether a wool sweater or the zip-in liner. Bring your arms forward as if you were driving and cross them in front of your chest: if the back pulls, the size is at its limit. In the Biella store you can do this test calmly, with the right layers on hand. Online, your references are the guide and the measurements on the product page.
What you accept when choosing a waxed jacket
Waxed cotton resists water, but it is not a technical waterproof shell. It holds up against wind, damp and light rain. For a long downpour or a mountain hike with uncertain weather, you need a different category of jacket.
Then there is maintenance. A waxed jacket does not go in the washing machine, and with use the wax needs to be restored. Before deciding, it is worth reading how to wash and rewax a waxed cotton jacket, because this care is what makes it last for years. If you don't feel like looking after it, Ashby Casual and Corbridge are easier to manage.
Which month to start from
Think about the period in which you will wear it most. From autumn to spring, a short interactive waxed jacket with a liner to add in December gives you more flexibility. If you want it mainly for January and spend many hours outdoors, Reelin or Ogston spare you from managing separate layers.
With this point clear, compare the models in the Barbour collection at Ski Sises, looking first at back length, type of lining and zip-in compatibility.
FAQ
Is a men's waxed Barbour jacket waterproof?
Barbour waxed cotton resists water and wind, but it is not the same as a technical waterproof shell. It is suited to light rain, damp and everyday use in town or country. For long, heavy rain, or for mountain hikes with uncertain weather, you need a technical waterproof jacket. With use the wax's protection diminishes and needs to be restored with a fresh waxing.
For winter, is a Barbour Reelin or a Bedale with a zip-in liner better?
It depends on how many months you'll wear the jacket. The Reelin already has a quilted lining, so it's comfortable in winter but can feel warm in autumn and spring. The Bedale is interactive: it stays light in the mid-seasons and becomes warmer when you attach a liner such as the Polarquilt Zip-In Liner. If you spend many hours standing still in the cold, a model with built-in warmth like the Reelin or Ogston is simpler to manage.
Do the measurements in the men's Barbour size guide refer to the body or the jacket?
The men's Barbour size guide, from XS to XXL, gives chest ranges for the person in centimeters. The product pages, on the other hand, list garment measurements, for example a 117 cm chest for an Ashby in size M. The difference between the two measurements is the space available for sweaters or liners. Measure your chest over a thin shirt and compare both figures.
Can I put a zip-in liner on any Barbour waxed jacket?
No. Zip-in liners such as the Polarquilt Waistcoat or the Warm Pile Lining only attach to Barbour jackets marked as interactive, for example the Bedale and Ashby. Before buying the liner, check this compatibility on the jacket's product page. Then try the jacket on with the liner inserted, because the extra layer reduces the room across the shoulders and chest.
Is there a men's Barbour jacket without wax for the city?
Yes. The Ashby Casual follows the lines of the Ashby in 100% breathable non-waxed cotton, with a corduroy collar, a zip hidden by metal snaps, and bellows pockets. It doesn't require wax maintenance, so it's easier to look after. In return, it offers less protection from rain: in heavy rain it behaves like an ordinary cotton jacket.
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