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SweetPickleRelish OP t1_j4apu46 wrote

I’m a bike mounted social worker in the Netherlands so finding a professional, feminine bag that can hold up to the weather has been tough. I don’t need waterproof per se, more like weather proof.

I bought this Barbour bag and I’m going to give it a try. On the one hand, I know this company is known for durability specifically in the weather conditions I need. On the other hand, the bag is fully fabric and 100% cotton so I’m worried about the durability of this specific model. Can anyone tell me a bit about Barbour fabrics? Are they all they’re chalked up to be?

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tradfletcher t1_j4awows wrote

They’re heavy duty. If you’re using it every day in bad weather, then no, they won’t be bifl, but they will last reasonably well. Most Barbour stuff isn’t UK made any more, but there are loads of 50yo bags that the shooting & fishing community use that are in fine condition. Might be worth looking at specialists who make the bags themselves, rather than brands who outsource it, such as Chapman bags in Carlisle, UK, or someone closer to you in the Netherlands, rather than a brand that outsources to far flung countries.

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donnie-stingray t1_j4awr1s wrote

They're known for their waxed cotton jackets, but that bag looks more like a casual item. They make good stuff that lasts generally, or at least that could last, with constant care and maintenance.

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GammaRaystogo t1_j4b22uh wrote

I just had my Barbour jacket refinished (rewaxed). Said jacket is 40+ years old, has had 80,000+ miles of motorcycling in all sorts of weather, and is still in excellent condition. Having said that, and read the other comments, it's very probable that that level of quality has diminished considerably. Good luck with your bag, OP.

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donnie-stingray t1_j4b7u1z wrote

Even stuff they make today is of higher standards, but you can't compare a casual bag that was probably 50-100€ to their international line of jackets that costs around 1 grand. @OP id look at a Fjallraven bag for something more suited to NL weather and riding a bike.

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