How long will a barbour jacket last

How long is that shiny little bad boy going to last you? The answer is, not long. Well, probably not as long as you think. In their lifetime, people, on average, own a total of nine cars. So, not great news so far on the how long things last front. How about clothes? That kind of depends. If, for instance, you bought a seemingly top end Barbour Trooper Jacket — the wax one with the pouchy patch pockets that looks as good on the street as it does in the field- that we happen to mention only because we love it, the fact that we sell it is a mere aside — then how long can you expect this to last?

The good news is, a really long time. To touch these materials is to remember a time when military apparel was intended for humans, not machines. An internal company newsletter left on the reception desk, for example, proudly displays the statistic that 50 percent of all Barbour owners are also dog owners.

In the back corner of the factory, the production line becomes the repair department. Around 14, jackets are sent back every year, and an additional 11, are restored by customer-service stations in North America and Asia.

Barbour customers try to keep their jackets for life, going to great lengths to do so. Company policy states that two hours is the maximum length of time for a repair. The head of repairs is named Donna, and she delights in the sometimes absurd nature of requests. The company inspires even more pocket-centric lore, including the refrain that the back pocket of the Beaufort is for storing game and the side pocket of the Bedale fits a bottle of Champagne.

Whereas some customers hold on to their vintage jackets for as long as they can, others are introduced to the brand at a cultural inflection point: The Glastonbury Festival, at which bold-faced names like Lily Allen, Arctic Monkeys, and Alexa Chung wore their jackets as a shield against rain and mud, was one such moment, while blockbuster films have provided more.

There is a magical-thinking quality to being a Barbour person. Customers choose Barbour out of their collected desire to live in what they view as a better world, and to look like what they believe is a better person.

This harmonious vision sweeps far past the horizon of current Barbour owners. I ask Helen and Bergin what they would say to a person who has never worn a Barbour jacket.

You need one. Bergin looks at it more philosophically. But how often should you send your jacket back to Barbour for re-waxing? But why do you need to re-wax, how do the Barbour team apply this restorative coating, and just what is in that secret formula? With weather-resistant properties and a patina that improves with age, they remain one of the toughest items of outerwear on the market. And we recommend that you re-wax your jacket at least once a year to ensure that it always provides the best protection.