Choose Barbour jackets or coats from the Barbour Beaufort, Bedale and Border waxed jackets and coats range. J. Barbour & Sons Ltd have set the standard for stylish waterproof outerwear for decades. Complimenting this premium range is the quality brand - the Backhouse catalog of "Downunder" style oilskin coats and jackets.
Oilskin garments have been manufactured in Wanganui, the home of Backhouse, since the turn of the century. From the 1930s, these have been made with tightly woven imported long staple Egyptian cotton material treated to prevent rot and waterproofed with paraffin wax. In 1971 the brand W. K. Backhouse was introduced producing a wide range of oilskin outdoor clothing. This premium brand of outdoor clothing is sold throughout the world and includes the top of the range Bushman jacket that is a market leader in its design, detailing and wearing qualities. 
The sailing ships plying the trade routes to and from New Zealand had sails made from flax. These linen sails were treated with oil made from the seeds of the flax and the waterproof sailcloth was used for the manufacture of seamen's clothing. Whilst these capes were waterproof, they became stiff and heavy with age and by the end of the 19th century had been replaced by tightly woven cotton material still treated with linseed oil. This was more flexible and was to develop into the material of choice for weatherproof "Oilskins" to be worn by sailors, farmers, musterers, horsemen, drovers and other men and women of the land.
