[Upland Fanatic]

While I have browsed the forum for the answer to my question, I have yet to see exactly the information I seek.

The question is this: what is the best waxed cotton hunting coat for upland pursuits. Some additional information/constraints:

1 - By pursuits I mean that I walk behind pointing dogs. Typically I cover many miles laterally and many feet in elevation change. This means I generate a great deal of heat, so light weight and ventilation are important.

2 - I prefer a shorter coat. The Lewis Creek coat I have been using is only 29 inches in length and it is perfect. I see an anti-LC pro-Barbour bias in the threads. I am returning a Barbour today because it is too long, too heavily insulated, and has no ventilation.

Whatever advice is provided will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Simon]

Which model of Barbour have you returned?

 

[Upland Fanatic]

details details

Times like these remind me of the importance of attention to detail.

In fact it is a John Partridge coat, no a Barbour. The model is the Zetland shooting coat.

Thank you for the question. Any advice?

 

[JibranK]

The Barbour "New Hampshire" jacket should do well as it seems to fit your requirements. Try it on at your local store.

 

[Grayson]

Have you checked out this Filson weekender coat?...

 

[cowboyjack]

I have an LL Bean waxed cotton field coat and it is one of my absolute go to outdoor garments.

If it got stolen tomorrow, I'd be ordering this one the day after:

 

[Tidybeard]

Have you checked out this Filson weekender coat?...

I have this coat and it's excellent. Very well constructed, not too heavy (it's from Filson's lightest waxed cotton cloth) but still very solid. Depending on temperature liners can be zipped in too.

If you're in a warm climate and working hard there's very little that will stop you overheating. In general I think Gore-tex type jackets are better breathing than waxed cotton but they are nowhere near as tough. A compromise I sometimes use is Barbour lightweight Beaufort. It's the same style as the waxed Beaufort, still waterproof but lighter and breathes better -

Good luck!

 

[Zingari]

Have a look at the Barbour Beaufort. There is the added advantage of a large 'poachers' pocket in the rear!

I never find these too warm - apart from the oversized labels in the back that can cause you to sweat directly beneath them. I suppose those Royal Warrants have to be placed somewhere.

 

[Rossini]

The Beaufort does seem to be one of the most talked about coats on these forums. Whether it justifies that or not, I don't know. But there must be something to it.

 

[vwguy]

The Beaufort does seem to be one of the most talked about coats on these forums. Whether it justifies that or not, I don't know. But there must be something to it.

I know I love mine, it is a classic.

A short, lightweight waxed jacket may be hard to find, good luck!

Brian

 

[Upland Fanatic]

Thanks to all for the advice. Next time I find something that suits me so well I'll buy two or more.

 

[cowboyjack]

I remember when all Schnees in Bozeman made were packer boots, but I just got a catalogue in the mail. If you want a short waxed jacket for upland hunting, there is this:

 

[ChicagoTrad]

I have a bunch of different types of wax/oilskin coats - probably too many.

- The Barbour Border would be too long given what you've said. I love this coat, but I don't know if I'd like it for pheasant hunting either.

- I have a Partridge Oilskin that is a bit too nice for that and that is too heavy

- Polo makes a bunch of different kinds that can regularly be found on sale ranging from a very heavy waxed field jacket to lighter oilskin jackets. The field jacket would be too warm for that type of workout. The lighter jackets a bit too nice for me to want to take out into the field

- Oxford Blue makes a wide variety of jackets that are sold inexpensively on SierraTradingPost. The one I have is lighter than my Border, breaths pretty well and I tend to wear it with a sweater or jacket underneath. Also, STP has a great return policy so it costs little more than time to check them out, and they sell these jackets on deep discount. (saw they also have some Filson from time to time, but I haven't tried their waxed jackets)

What kind of dogs do you have? My father has a German Shorthair and my brother-in-law has an English Pointer that I call the "Pheasant Vacuum Cleaner"

 

[cumberlandpeal]

Why not stick with the Lewis Creek? I returned last week from Scotland where I wore mine on a successful grouse outing on the moor and shooting over pointers. As is typical, it rained and sleeted in a howling wind but with the steep walking I stayed warm and dry in the Lewis Creek. This kind of hunting is close to what I expect you do out out in the Northwest; totally open country, wide ranging dogs and the need to hustle to the point. Always an uphill hustle, I should add. The Lewis Creek has good ventilation and excellent water repelency and I prefer it to my Bedale since it has a game pocket.

good luck

 

[Upland Fanatic]

Lewis Creek & shorthairs

I would stick with Lewis Creek, but they stopped making the coat I prefer (which is shorter, lighter, and not as hot). I have one of the current issue LC coats, but can not use it for the intended purpose for these reasons.

I was hoping I could find some of the LC discontinued models somewhere online, but have not been able to do so. It appears I am stuck with switching brands.

To answer ChicagoTrad's question, we have German shorthaired pointers.