Barbour: The Coat That Gets Handed Down Through Generations Arrives at XTREME

Some coats you buy. Others you inherit. The Barbour Bedale your grandson wears today was probably the same one your grandfather wore back in the '80s — just a little more worn in, which for Barbour isn't a flaw, it's a résumé. The British brand has arrived at XTREME with its most iconic waxed jackets, the Bedale and the Beadnell, alongside gilets and quilted jackets like the Annandale and the Liddesdale Quilted, plus fleece pieces that see you through the coldest days without giving up on style. Over 130 years of British heritage, in a collection built for both the countryside and the city.

One Family, Five Generations

Barbour was founded in 1894, in a market square in South Shields, in the north-east of England, by John Barbour. The goal was simple: to protect sailors and workers from Britain's unforgiving weather. Over 130 years later, the company is still run by the same family — now in its fifth generation — and still based in the same place. It's also in Simonside, South Shields, that you'll find the factory where the iconic Bedale and Beaufort are still made by hand.

But Barbour didn't stop at the sea. In 1936, the third generation took the brand into motorcycling, launching the Barbour International suit — a piece worn by practically every British motorcycling team until 1977. A few years later, in 1939, the Second World War brought a new challenge: the two-piece Ursula suit was born, which would become standard issue for British submarine crews.

From Steve McQueen to the Royal Family

In 1964, actor Steve McQueen and the American motorcycling team wore the Barbour International in a competition in East Germany — and the brand was never just British again. From then on, recognition became international, and royal too: Barbour was awarded three consecutive Royal Warrants, granted by the Duke of Edinburgh in 1974, Queen Elizabeth II in 1982, and the Prince of Wales in 1987 — held until he acceded to the throne in 2023. Few clothing brands can claim both Hollywood and the British Royal Family on the same résumé.

What Does "Waxed" Actually Mean?

When a Barbour product has "Wax" in its name, you know what to expect: a layer of wax applied to the fabric that makes it water- and wind-resistant — the reason these jackets survive decades of wear in any weather. On the XTREME site, each product's spec sheet tells you which of the two waxes was used.

The classic 6oz wax is the densest and most durable, and also one of the brand's oldest options. The lightweight 4oz wax, meanwhile, weighs around 75% of the classic version without giving up on resistance. In both cases, the jacket's lifespan can be extended by re-waxing it — a product sold in Barbour's official store.

Care and Sizing: What to Know Before You Buy

On the XTREME site, you'll find each Barbour piece with a short description followed by the materials and care list — worth checking before you buy. If in doubt, the care labels inside the pockets usually carry the same information. And speaking of care: these waxed jackets aren't machine washable. Clean with a sponge only, and avoid harsher methods that could damage the wax coating.

On sizing: this is where most questions come up. Barbour's womenswear uses UK sizing, and menswear numbering varies by product — there's no single chart that covers everything. So before you check out, always check the size guide available on XTREME to confirm the right fit for you.

A Piece Built to Last

It comes down to one simple idea: a well-made piece doesn't wear out over time — it wears in. From the Bedale, the Beadnell, the quilted Annandale and Liddesdale Quilted, to the fleece pieces, the Barbour collection at XTREME covers everything from a rainy day to the dry cold of winter, always built on the same logic: durable fabric, a cut that never goes out of style, and a brand that cares as much about teaching you to look after the piece as it does about making it well in the first place.