For most people, choosing a Barbour jacket comes down to two questions: what weather will you wear it in, and how much do you want to wear underneath it? A waxed jacket is the classic all-rounder, weatherproof and good for decades with a yearly re-wax. A quilted jacket is lighter, for cool, dry days and for layering. A waterproof jacket keeps the rain out with no re-waxing at all. Then choose the fit: tailored sits closest to the body, regular has room for a jumper, and relaxed is the roomiest of the three.
It is one of the questions we are asked most in the shop, and we own plenty of Barbour ourselves, so here is our guide to the jackets we stock at Castle Ashby and how each one fits.
Waxed jackets. Cotton coated in Barbour’s own wax, the jacket Barbour is famous for. The wax keeps out the weather, the cloth softens and marks with age, and a re-wax once a year keeps it going (see our step-by-step re-waxing guide). Wax comes in different weights: 4oz is lighter (the Classic Durham), 6oz is the classic weight (the Classic Beaufort, Beadnell, Corbridge and Hereford) and 8oz is heavier still (the ladies’ Acorn and Winter Defence).
Quilted jackets. Light and warm, and easy to wear over a shirt or jumper on cool, dry days, or as a layer when the weather turns. For proper rain, choose wax or a waterproof instead. We stock the Chelsea Sportsquilt, Powell, Noree and Broughton for men, and the Beadnell Polarquilt, Lightweight Beadnell, Cavalry Polarquilt and Millfire for ladies.
Waterproof jackets. For anyone who wants to stay dry without the upkeep of wax. The men’s Uldale has a waterproof outer and a hood that rolls away into the collar. For ladies, the Matilde keeps you dry from collar to knee, and the Stokesley is a long rain coat that falls below the knee.
Barbour gives every jacket a fit, and we stock three of them.
Tailored fit: cut closer to the body for a neater, more shaped look. Best if you prefer a smarter jacket and wear lighter layers underneath.
Regular fit: Barbour’s classic cut. It sits straight through the body with room for a jumper or fleece underneath, so it suits most shapes and everyday wear in town or country.
Relaxed fit: the most generous of the three, with extra room through the chest and shoulders for thicker layers and freedom of movement.
These are the fits Barbour gives each jacket, with the back length (measured down the centre of the back) so you can see how long each one sits.
| Jacket | What it is | Barbour fit | Back length |
|---|---|---|---|
| Men’s | |||
| Classic Beaufort | 6oz waxed cotton with a rear game pocket | Regular | 79 to 86.5cm, depending on size |
| Classic Durham | 4oz waxed cotton with a large hood | Regular | 83.8 to 88.9cm, depending on size |
| Sapper | Lighter-weight waxed cotton, four front pockets and a drawcord waist | Regular | 78 to 83cm, depending on size |
| Corbridge | 6oz waxed cotton, quilted lining and a hood that stows in the collar | Tailored (Barbour suggests one size up) | 78.8 to 83cm, depending on size |
| Chelsea Sportsquilt | Diamond-quilted jacket with a corduroy-lined collar | Regular | 76.2cm |
| Powell | Quilted jacket with a slimmer, contemporary shape | Tailored | 75cm |
| Ladies’ | |||
| Beadnell | 6oz waxed cotton, based on the Bedale | Tailored | 74cm |
| Acorn | 8oz waxed cotton, simple and minimal | Relaxed | 74cm |
| Winter Defence | 8oz waxed cotton, tartan lined, with utility pockets | Feminine cut | 69cm |
The Classic Beaufort. It was first made in 1983, designed by Dame Margaret Barbour and inspired by traditional French shooting jackets, and its full-width rear game pocket is the giveaway. It is a regular fit with room for a jumper, the zip takes Barbour’s optional quilted liner, and the collar has studs for an optional hood. You will find it in our Shooting Clothing range along with the rest of our kit for the field.
For town and country, the Sapper is rugged but smart, with a drawcord at the waist to give it shape. The Corbridge is the more contemporary choice, tailored and quilted inside for winter. If you want more length and a proper hood, the Classic Durham is the longest of our men’s wax jackets, in a lighter 4oz wax. For lighter days, the Chelsea Sportsquilt is the classic quilt, and the Powell is its slimmer, tailored cousin.
The Beadnell is the ladies’ classic. It is based on the Bedale and cut to a feminine, tailored shape, with an optional hood and zip-in liner. The Acorn is the relaxed alternative, simple and roomy, with a corduroy collar and a throat tab. The Winter Defence is the shortest at 69cm, in heavier 8oz wax for the coldest days. For something lighter, the Beadnell Polarquilt has the same short, neat cut and corduroy collar as the wax Beadnell, the Cavalry Polarquilt has an elasticated waist panel, and the Millfire has a hidden drawcord to nip in the waist and a detachable hood.
Start with your usual size and let the fit do the work: if you like a thick jumper underneath, choose a regular or relaxed fit rather than going up a size in a tailored one. The exception is the Corbridge, which Barbour describes as a slim-fitting jacket and suggests buying one size up. If you plan to add Barbour’s zip-in liner to a Classic Beaufort, Classic Durham or Beadnell, check the measurements first.
Sizes work differently across the range. The Classic Beaufort and Classic Durham come in chest sizes such as 40 or 42, most other men’s jackets come in S to XXL, and ladies’ jackets come in dress sizes. All the measurements are on our size charts page.
The best way to know is to try one on with the jumper you would wear underneath. Pop into the shop at Castle Ashby Rural Shopping Yard, Northamptonshire, and we will help you find the right jacket and size. You can also browse our men’s Barbour jackets and coats online, and if you want to know where it all began, read the story of the Barbour jacket.
So which are you: a wax traditionalist, a quilt layerer, or a no-fuss waterproof person?
Where this comes from: fits, back lengths, wax weights and features are taken from each jacket’s own page on barbour.com (checked 30 October 2026), Barbour’s guides to men’s and women’s wax jacket styles, and our own size charts. Where Barbour gives no fit for a jacket, we have described its cut instead.
Last updated: 30 October 2026
