Gentlemen, my all-purpose foul weather jacket from my college days is no longer serviceable. I've held on to it as long as I could, but alas, the ripstop nylon (think something along the lines of North Face, etc.) has ripped in places, it seems to be losing some of its water repellancy, and it's just time for it to be replaced.
Luckily for me, I have a birthday and Christmas coming up, and a new piece of casual foul weather gear is at the top of my list (I already have the standard tan, single breasted raincoat for wear with a suit, etc.). I'm looking for something I can wear with khakis, jeans (on the very few occasions when I wear them), cords, and maybe even flannels occasionally. I'd prefer something that gives me the option of a zip-in/out liner for cooler weather and something that is very water/wind resistant (I'm in NC, so it doesn't get all that cold for all that long in the winter, but it does get cool and we have our share of nasty, freezing-rain type days in January and February). And, of course, I want it to fit nicely into my growing trad wardrobe. I'd like to avoid another brightly colored North Face, Columbia, LL Bean, etc. number.
My first thought was, of course, a Barbour, but I'm not that familiar with their product range and didn't know which models would best fit my needs (I read a lot of good stuff on this board about the Beafort, and also occasionally the Bedale. Any model or color suggestions?). I also didn't know what I should expect to spend on such an item (it looks like somewhere between $250-$350 is the going rate) and if there were particular merchants from whom I could get a better deal.
Sorry to ramble on. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday evening. Hmmm, come to think of it, those old Bean Boots are looking like they may need replacing as well. Well, now I know what #2 on my list will be!
Regards,
B
Luckily for me, I have a birthday and Christmas coming up, and a new piece of casual foul weather gear is at the top of my list (I already have the standard tan, single breasted raincoat for wear with a suit, etc.). I'm looking for something I can wear with khakis, jeans (on the very few occasions when I wear them), cords, and maybe even flannels occasionally. I'd prefer something that gives me the option of a zip-in/out liner for cooler weather and something that is very water/wind resistant (I'm in NC, so it doesn't get all that cold for all that long in the winter, but it does get cool and we have our share of nasty, freezing-rain type days in January and February). And, of course, I want it to fit nicely into my growing trad wardrobe. I'd like to avoid another brightly colored North Face, Columbia, LL Bean, etc. number.
My first thought was, of course, a Barbour, but I'm not that familiar with their product range and didn't know which models would best fit my needs (I read a lot of good stuff on this board about the Beafort, and also occasionally the Bedale. Any model or color suggestions?). I also didn't know what I should expect to spend on such an item (it looks like somewhere between $250-$350 is the going rate) and if there were particular merchants from whom I could get a better deal.
Sorry to ramble on. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday evening. Hmmm, come to think of it, those old Bean Boots are looking like they may need replacing as well. Well, now I know what #2 on my list will be!
Regards,
B