windcheaters

[Guest]

I need a shell to wear for casual wear, potentially over sweaters or even a jacket (though I cannot imagine a need for that particular combo). I want something ridiculously rugged and I have looked at Beretta, Barbour, Purdey and Musto. I have not seen any of these jackets in person but I wondered if anyone can share their recommmendations for which one is the sharpest looking? It needs to be made of "technical" fabric, not waxed cotton or anything like that, and uninsulated.

[Concordia]

Check out a chandlery such as Team One in Newport, or perhaps a camping supply place.

[BirdofSydney]

Dr. Bresch,

I'm not sure why you're excluding waxed cotton from your options, but I know that Belstaff, purveyor of motorcycle jackets, have started doing some very sharp outerwear.

They do a waxed cotton version of the Che Guevara style jacket, I'm certain, but quite possibly do other fabrics also.

All the best,

Eden

[dopey]

My Barbour Bedale has been going strong since 1986. It has served as a pillow atop Kilimanjaro, a bedroll in the Catskills and a blanket in the Adirondacks. It has needed several repair jobs and now has some sort of plastic/leatherette piping on the ends of the sleeves and a few patches, but I have no complaints. I don't know if that is rugged enough for your needs. (The current model is slightly different, but I assume the quality is the same.)

[Huzir]

For a 'ridiculously rugged' jacket in a 'technical' fabric, I would look at Patagonia or The North Face, if I had to.

But as I am relatively un-rugged myself, I would fear the giggles of my loved ones.

[Trilby]

It depends what you are looking for. I am a big fan of Barbour jackets and wear my Border with both casual clothes and suits. The waxed cotton jackets are great in the wind and rain, but there's no insulation in them at all. Alternatively, if you want something with a bit more warmth (although not as waterproof), what about a quilted jacket? Barbour make some good ones, but there are other good options like Beretta. These are also extremely versatile.

Neither of these are good for very extreme weather conditions - I would opt for something else on an Arctic expedition - but I think they would both work very well in Philadephia.

[Guest]

You know, this is tough. The Beretta jackets come in a dizzy-ing variety and Beretta has the most unbelievably cumbersome distribution system of any product line. Very, VERY hard to see a jacket in their catalogue, then find it on-line.

I have a Barbour sylkoil (their heaviest weight) and it is wonderful, but not what I want. I want something much lighter weight and cooler, yet wind-proof and waterproof.

I am about as delicate and effete as they come, hence my need for a manly coat to protect me in the wilds of Philadelphia. Who says Philadelphia is not a tough place!

Seriously, the weather extremes in the American northeast have to be experienced to be believed, though Bucharest is even worse.

[jekarwoski]

My Barbour has served me well, though I wear it most often for tasks like snow removal and -
the real reason I have the heavy thrornproof - clearing briar from a couple areas of the yard. I
recently discovered another use: holding the more recalcitrant feline for his monthly nail
trimming.

I've been reluctant to wear the jacket while driving, for concern of the waxed finish doing some
type of damage to the leather seats.

I second the idea of a quilted jacket, but I also wonder if a jacket made from the Loro Piana
Storm System fabric would serve?

[Guest]

We will see. I found some interesting ventile options in the UK, where they seem quite attached to this fabric. But I ordered a Beretta from the NY store and we will see how it turns out. The jacket I ordered is only in their Italian/European catalogue and so unavailable here.

[Guest]

I went for the easiest option and I sprang for a lightweight cordura Beretta. I cannot recommend it. The quality is not even close to that of my Barbour or my Filson for that matter, but it will serve its purpose.

[alden]

There are times when RTW is the most practical solution. I would have thought the Barbour Durham jacket would have fit your requirements. It is both lightweight and rugged. There is nothing on the market that comes close to it.

The Schoffel Venturi jackets seem well made. The only drawback is the SCHOFFEL logo that goes along with it. Pity.

[Guest]

I am returning the Beretta. The zipper sticks and the buttons don't fasten properly. I should have gotten another Barbour.

[Guest]

Well, in Beretta's defence, its manager took the jacket back without a quibble. And a pair of desert boots and two pocket knives I bought from them on other occasions are very nice.

But I ordered the New Berwick Endurance from Barbour (@ Coats and Hats).