Barbour Ashby Jacket Guide: 9 Answers on Fit, Warmth and Waterproofing

The Barbour Ashby Waxed Jacket is a modern, more tailored interpretation of traditional Barbour countrywear. It is made from medium-weight 6oz Sylkoil waxed cotton and is designed for everyday town and country use, commuting, weekends, travel, and smart-casual wear.

The Ashby is water-resistant rather than fully waterproof, and it is not a heavily insulated winter coat by itself. For typical UK winter days, it works best layered over knitwear or combined with a compatible Barbour Warm Pile zip-in liner . You can also attach a matching detachable waxed hood for extra coverage during wet weather.

AT A GLANCE: THE MAIN DIFFERENCES

1. What style is the Barbour Ashby?

The Barbour Ashby is a classic waxed jacket redesigned with a cleaner, more modern silhouette. It takes recognisable details from traditional Barbour countrywear and places them in a shape that is easier to wear with modern casual clothing.

The jacket includes:

• A corduroy sit-down collar with a throat strap
• A two-way front zip
• A press-stud storm fly
• Two angled handwarmer pockets
• Two large lower bellows pockets
• A Barbour tartan cotton body lining
• A rear vent for easier movement
• Studs beneath the collar for an optional hood
• An interactive front zip for a compatible liner

These traditional features give the Ashby a recognisable Barbour identity, while its closer body, slightly longer length and longer sleeves help it look sharper than a roomier heritage jacket.

It can be worn for country walks and weekends, but it also fits naturally into a modern everyday wardrobe. It works well with jeans, chinos, shirts, knitwear, leather boots and clean casual trainers.

For more inspiration around Barbour’s place in popular culture, see Barbour Jackets in Films and TV: From James Bond to The Bear .

2. How does the Barbour Ashby fit?

The Barbour Ashby has a more tailored fit than the Bedale and Beaufort. It should look clean through the body while still allowing enough room for normal movement and sensible layering.

Start with your normal size when you want the Ashby’s intended contemporary shape. Consider sizing up when you are between sizes, broad through the chest or shoulders, or planning to wear a thick jumper and liner underneath.

How should the chest and shoulders feel?

When the jacket is zipped, the front should sit smoothly without pulling around the chest or pockets. You should be able to reach forward, drive and move your arms without the shoulders feeling restrictive.

How long is the Ashby?

The Ashby is longer than the Bedale and gives more coverage over the seat and upper thigh. Its sleeves are also relatively long, which suits customers who find some traditional Barbour jackets short in the arm.

What are the signs that the Ashby is too small?

• The fabric pulls tightly around the front zipper.
• The shoulders feel restricted when reaching forward.
• The bellows pockets sit under visible tension.
• The collar feels uncomfortable when fully fastened.
• There is no practical room for your usual winter layers.

What are the signs that the Ashby is too large?

• The shoulder line drops noticeably beyond your natural shoulder.
• There is excessive loose fabric around the waist.
• The sleeves cover too much of your hands.
• The jacket loses the cleaner shape that distinguishes it from a Bedale.

For more guidance across the wider Barbour range, read the Allweathers Barbour sizing guide .

3. Which Barbour Ashby size should you choose?

The most reliable way to select an Ashby size is to compare its garment measurements with a jacket you already own and like. Lay your existing jacket flat, fasten it naturally and measure without stretching the fabric.

How should you use the size table?

1. Choose a jacket that fits in the way you want the Ashby to fit.
2. Lay it flat and measure straight across from armpit to armpit.
3. Measure from the base of the collar to the bottom hem.
4. Measure from the armpit seam to the end of the cuff.
5. Compare the figures with the table.
6. Allow additional room for any planned knitwear or zip-in liner.

Do not simply double the flat chest measurement and treat it as a recommended body size. The table records the finished garment and includes the wearing ease already built into the jacket.

4. Is the Barbour Ashby Waterproof or Water-Resistant?

No. The Barbour Ashby is best described as water-resistant rather than fully waterproof.

Its waxed-cotton outer provides useful protection from showers, drizzle, wind and changeable British weather. It is a practical option for commuting, dog walks, country events, weekends and relaxed outdoor use.

However, the Ashby is not constructed like a seam-sealed technical waterproof shell. During prolonged heavy or wind-driven rain, a modern hiking or outdoor shell is the more dependable choice.

What affects the Ashby’s rain protection?

• The condition of the wax coating
• How heavily and frequently the jacket is worn
• Dry areas around the shoulders, elbows, seams and cuffs
• The duration and intensity of the rain
• Whether a compatible hood is attached

When water stops beading effectively or the fabric begins to look dry and pale, re-waxing helps restore the protective finish.

For a more detailed comparison, read Barbour Waxed Cotton vs Modern Waterproof Shells .

5. Is the Barbour Ashby Warm Enough for Winter? (Liner & Layering Guide)

The standard Ashby is not a padded or heavily insulated winter coat. Its lined waxed outer gives useful protection from wind and changeable weather, but most of its cold-weather performance comes from the clothing worn underneath.

For many typical UK winter days, combine it with:

• A long-sleeved shirt and wool jumper
• A sweatshirt or lightweight fleece
• A compatible Warm Pile zip-in liner
• A scarf and matching waxed hood

This combination works particularly well for commuting, active walks, weekends and days spent moving between indoor and outdoor environments.

For long periods standing still, very low temperatures or exposed winter conditions, a purpose-built insulated coat may feel more comfortable.

Remember to allow for your planned layers when selecting a size. An Ashby that fits neatly over a shirt can feel much closer once a thick jumper and liner are added.

6. Can you add a Warm Pile liner to the Barbour Ashby?

Yes. Allweathers has confirmed that the Barbour Warm Pile zip-in liner fits the Ashby.

The liner attaches to the interactive front zip inside the jacket and adds insulation through the body. It can be fitted during colder weather and removed when conditions become milder.

This makes the Ashby more adaptable without permanently turning it into a heavy winter coat.

Which Warm Pile liner colours are available?

• Barbour Warm Pile Men's Zip-In Liner, Brown
• Barbour Warm Pile Men's Zip-In Liner, Sage
• Barbour Warm Pile Men's Zip-In Liner, Black

Warm Pile liners use numbered sizing while the Ashby uses lettered sizing. Check the liner size guide or contact Allweathers when you are unsure which liner size corresponds with your jacket.

7. Can you add a hood to the Barbour Ashby?

Yes. The Ashby has studs beneath its corduroy collar for attaching a compatible Barbour waxed hood.

A detachable hood allows you to retain the jacket’s clean collar shape in dry weather and add greater head and neck coverage when rain is expected.

For the classic Olive Ashby, choose the Barbour Waxed Cotton Plain Hood in Olive . Matching Navy, Black and Rustic options are also available.

8. How do you style the Barbour Ashby?

The easiest way to style the Ashby is to treat it as a smart everyday jacket rather than specialist country clothing. Its tailored outline works well with straight or tapered trousers, uncomplicated knitwear and practical footwear.

How do you style an Olive Ashby?

Olive works naturally with dark indigo denim, stone chinos, cream or navy knitwear and brown leather boots. It gives you the most recognisable traditional Barbour appearance.

How do you style a Navy Ashby?

Navy pairs well with grey knitwear, stone trousers, dark denim and brown suede footwear. It is an easy choice for customers who want to move between work, weekends and evenings out.

How do you style a Black Ashby?

Black gives the Ashby a more urban feel. Combine it with charcoal trousers, dark denim, simple crew-neck jumpers and clean leather boots or trainers.

How do you style a Rustic Ashby?

Rustic works particularly well with olive trousers, dark denim, checked shirts and knitwear in green, mustard or burgundy. Brown leather footwear complements its warmer colouring.

How do you style a Grey Ashby?

Grey is a flexible contemporary neutral. Wear it with navy knitwear, indigo jeans, white or pale-blue shirts and black or dark-brown footwear.

9. Which Barbour Ashby colour should you choose?

There is no single best Ashby colour. Choose the option that fits the clothing you already own and the overall look you want.

How does the Ashby compare with other Barbour jackets?

Barbour Ashby vs Bedale

Choose the Ashby for a sharper, more modern outline. Choose the Bedale for a shorter and roomier traditional jacket with more space for heavier layers.

Read the full comparison: Barbour Ashby vs Barbour Bedale .

Barbour Ashby vs Beaufort

Choose the Ashby when you prioritise a cleaner fit and smart-casual everyday use. Choose the Beaufort when you want a longer traditional country jacket, a roomier body and greater coverage.

Waxed Ashby vs a non-waxed waterproof jacket

Choose the Ashby when heritage style, everyday versatility, repairability and the character of waxed cotton matter most. Choose a modern waterproof shell when seam-sealed rain protection, low weight and technical performance are your main priorities.

Read: Barbour Waxed Cotton vs Modern Waterproof Shells .

How do you clean and re-wax a Barbour Ashby?

Sponge clean the Ashby with cold water and allow it to dry naturally. Do not machine wash it or use ordinary detergent, fabric conditioner or dry cleaning, as these treatments can damage or remove the wax finish.

Consider re-waxing when:

• The fabric looks pale, dry or patchy.
• Rain no longer beads effectively on the surface.
• The shoulders, elbows or seams show obvious wear.
• The cuffs and pocket edges feel less protected.

When the jacket needs reproofing, use Barbour Wax Dressing 200ml . Barbour recommends the classic 6oz Thornproof Dressing for the Ashby’s 6oz Sylkoil coating.

Will re-waxing change the Ashby’s appearance?

It can temporarily change the finish. A newly re-waxed Ashby may appear darker or have more sheen than it did before treatment. The appearance normally softens as excess wax is lost through wear.

Apply the dressing evenly and avoid overloading the fabric. Give extra attention to high-wear areas such as the shoulders, elbows, pocket edges, cuffs and seams.

After treatment, hang the jacket overnight away from other clothing and upholstery because excess fresh wax may transfer to nearby fabrics.

For detailed maintenance advice, read How to Look After a Barbour Wax Jacket .

For the complete home process, see How to Re-Wax a Barbour Jacket: Step-by-Step Guide .

Frequently asked questions

Which Barbour Ashby is right for you?

The Ashby is a strong choice when you want the character of a traditional Barbour wax jacket without the roomier outline of the Bedale or Beaufort.

Take your normal size for a neat fit, allow additional room when layering, and add a matching hood or Warm Pile liner when the weather calls for it.