Barbour Wax or Quilted? How to Choose a Barbour Jacket for an Irish Winter
Barbour · 49 Ashe Street, Tralee
If it rains where you live — and in Kerry it does — buy the wax. A waxed Barbour keeps out the rain and the wind, gets better with age and lasts for years if you re-wax it once a year. A quilted Barbour is lighter and warm for its weight, but it's made for cold, dry days, not a downpour.
We have both on the rail at 49 Ashe Street, from the Chelsea Sportsquilt at €199 to the Ogston at €479. Here's how they differ, which one suits you, and how to look after a wax jacket so it lasts.
Start here
Wax, quilted or waterproof?
Barbour makes three kinds of jacket. Pick by the weather you'll wear it in and how much looking after you're willing to do.
| Waxed cotton | Quilted | Waterproof | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rain | Rain runs off; re-wax once a year | A shower, not a downpour | Fully waterproof |
| Warmth | Depends on the lining; warmest is the Ogston | Warm for its weight | Light; layer underneath |
| Care | Cold water and a sponge, never the machine | Check the label | Check the label |
| At Ryle | €349–€479 | €199–€279 | €249–€329 |
| On our rails | Prestbury, Ashby, Corbridge, Ogston | Chelsea, Liddesdale, Noree, Powell | Lorden, Sander |
Only buying one? Buy the wax.
It does the most in an Irish winter: rain, wind, farm, town and Sunday Mass. A quilt is the second jacket — or the layer that goes under the wax when it really drops.
On the rails now
The four wax jackets we stock
All four are Barbour waxed cotton. The difference is the weight of the cotton, the cut and the lining.
Fit: try it on over the jumper you'll wear under it. You should be able to lift your arms and cross them without the back pulling tight, and the sleeve should cover your shirt cuff.
Lighter and warm
The quilted jackets
Barbour's diamond quilt is light, packs warmth into very little weight and goes under a coat when the weather turns. For a cold, dry day it's the most comfortable jacket you'll own.
- Chelsea Sportsquilt — €199. Trim, tailored fit with 100 g wadding, a quilted lining and a cord-lined funnel collar. Back tabs pull it in at the waist. Navy or olive.
- Liddesdale — €229 in sage, €249 in tartan green. The classic country quilt: light, with a contrast cord collar, patch pockets and a tartan lining. 77 cm down the back.
- Noree — €229. The clean, modern one: stand collar, front zip and elasticated trims. Dark navy.
- Powell — €279. Chelsea style with a fleece lining for extra warmth, a two-way zip and a cord-lined funnel neck. Slimmer shape, back tabs. Olive.
- Lowerdale gilet — €189. The layer: over a jumper on a dry day, under a wax when it's bitter. Black or olive; machine-washes at 30°C.
No waxing, ever
The waterproofs
Make it last
How to look after a wax jacket
This is Barbour's own advice, and it's simple.
- 1Clean it by hand. Brush off dried mud with a soft brush, then wipe it down with a sponge and cold water. No soap, no washing machine, no dry cleaner: all three strip the wax for good.
- 2Dry it slowly. On a hanger somewhere airy, out of the sun and away from the radiator, with the collar turned up.
- 3Re-wax once a year. More often if you wear it every day. Stand a tin of Barbour wax dressing in hot water for about 20 minutes until it's liquid.
- 4Work it in. With an old cloth, into the seams, creases and dry patches, then wipe off the excess. Keep it off the cord collar, the lining and the pockets.
- 5Leave it overnight. Hang it somewhere warm, away from other clothes and the sofa — fresh wax can mark them for a while.
If it needs more than a re-wax — a tear or a broken zip — Barbour runs its own repair and re-wax service.
The layer underneath
What to wear under a Barbour
See all Barbour or the full rail of jumpers and knitwear.
Straight answers
Questions we get asked
Is a Barbour wax jacket waterproof?
Waxed cotton is water-resistant rather than fully waterproof. Rain runs off it and the wind doesn't get through, and kept waxed it will see you through a wet Kerry day. As the wax wears thin, at the seams and creases first, water can start to get in, which is what the yearly re-wax is for. If you want a fully waterproof Barbour, look at the Lorden or the Sander.
Which is warmer, a wax or a quilted Barbour?
It depends on the lining. A quilted jacket is warmer for its weight, but it isn't made for heavy rain. Of our wax jackets, the Ogston is the warmest: it has a quilted vest built in and a wool-mix lining. The Prestbury and the Corbridge have quilted linings too.
How often should I re-wax a Barbour jacket?
Barbour recommends about once a year, or more often if you wear it every day. Clean it first with a sponge and cold water, never with soap.
Can I wash a Barbour wax jacket in the washing machine?
No. The washing machine and dry cleaning both strip the wax, and it can't be put back. Brush off dried mud with a soft brush and wipe the jacket down with cold water instead.
Where can I buy a Barbour jacket in Kerry?
At Ryle Menswear, 49 Ashe Street in the centre of Tralee. We stock Barbour wax, quilted and waterproof jackets, and you can try them on in the shop. Online, delivery in Ireland is free over €95, and Click & Collect from the shop is free.
Bring the jumper you'll wear under it
Try the wax and the quilt side by side
Ten minutes in the fitting room tells you more than any guide. Call in to 49 Ashe Street, Monday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm.
Ryle Menswear · 49 Ashe Street, Tralee, Co. Kerry V92 CF24 · free delivery in Ireland over €95
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