Barbour vs Belstaff: The Best Men's Wax Jackets for the Irish Weather

A wax jacket is one of the few things in a man's wardrobe that gets better the more you wear it. The cotton softens, the creases set, and after a few winters it looks like yours and nobody else's. It is also about the most sensible jacket you can own in Ireland, where the forecast can change three times before lunch.

Two British names own this category: Barbour, founded in South Shields in 1894, and Belstaff, which built its name dressing motorcyclists from the 1920s onward. Both have new season men's wax jackets in store at Hanley & Co for Autumn Winter 2026. They look similar from across the street, but they are built for different styles. Here is how to choose the right men's Barbour jacket or Belstaff jacket for you, and for the Irish weather. If you are short on time, here is the quick run down on wax jackets..

Barbour Wax Jackets: Which Barbour Jacket Should You Buy?

Barbour's jackets come from the countryside: fishing, farming and walking the dog in the rain. The shapes are relaxed, the details are practical, and the price point is the more approachable of the two brands.

Barbour Ashby Waxed Jacket

The Ashby is the wax jacket for people who want a Barbour that fits a little closer. It is cut slightly slimmer and shorter than the classic Barbour Bedale Jacket, so it sits well over a shirt or a light knit without looking boxy, but still leaves room for a jumper in January. It is made in Barbour's 6oz Sylkoil waxed cotton with a matte finish, with a corduroy collar and throat strap, angled handwarmer pockets and two bellows pockets. The Barbour Classic Tartan lines the body and inside pockets, and the front zip takes a Barbour zip-in liner for extra warmth.

Colours: Olive, Rustic Brown Sizes: M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL Shop: Shop the Barbour Ashby Waxed Jacket

Barbour Ogston Waxed Jacket

 

 

The Ogston is the heavier, warmer Barbour, and the one to buy if you only want one jacket for the whole winter. It uses a thicker 8oz waxed cotton with a soft, almost suede-like matte finish, and inside it has a wool-mix lining and a built-in quilted vest that zips up to the stand collar. Leather elbow patches, corduroy facings and four large pockets finish it off. The fit is relaxed. 

Colours: Navy, Rustic Brown Sizes: M, L, XL, 2XL, 3XL Shop: Shop the Barbour Ogston Waxed Jacket

Watch: Paul on the Barbour Ogston

The Ogston also made Sam's three AW26 jacket picks as his choice for when Galway turns cold. Watch that video and see the rest of the new season in our AW26 new arrivals guide.

Belstaff Wax Jackets: Which Belstaff Jacket Should You Buy?

Belstaff's jackets come from the road. Its best-known designs were made for motorcycle trials riders, so they are longer in the body, have more hardware (belts, buckles, zips) and a sharper, more urban look.

Belstaff Trialmaster Waxed Cotton Jacket

 

 

The Trialmaster is Belstaff's definitive jacket and has been since 1948. It was developed for the Scottish Six Days Trial to keep riders dry in rough weather, and every signature Belstaff detail is here: the slanted chest pocket (originally for maps), an adjustable belt to cinch the waist, four front pockets and the Belstaff check lining. It is the longest and most structured jacket in this guide.

Colour: Navy Sizes: 38, 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 Shop: Shop the Belstaff Trialmaster Waxed Cotton Jacket

Belstaff Fieldmaster Waxed Cotton Jacket

 

 

Introduced in 2019 as a more relaxed take on the Trialmaster, the Fieldmaster keeps the slanted map pocket and corduroy-lined collar but swaps the belt for an internal drawstring waist. The result is a cleaner, easier jacket to wear every day. This season's colour is a faded olive.

Colour: Green (faded olive) Sizes: 40, 42, 44, 46, 48 Shop: Shop the Belstaff Fieldmaster Waxed Cotton Jacket

Belstaff Racemaster Waxed Cotton Jacket

 

 

The Racemaster arrived in 1981 as a shorter version of the Trialmaster, built for more freedom of movement. It has zipped lower pockets for a streamlined front, corduroy at the collar and cuffs, a buckled throat latch and underarm vents. Shorter than the Trialmaster and more fitted than the Fieldmaster, it is the most modern shape of the three.

Colours: Navy (sizes 38 to 46), Oxblood (size 38 only) Shop: Shop the Belstaff Racemaster Waxed Cotton Jacket

Belstaff Incline Waxed Cotton Jacket

 

 

The Incline is a newer, simpler Belstaff field jacket in black 6oz waxed cotton, with a corduroy collar, snap throat latch, check lining and two bellows hip pockets. It is equally at home on a country walk or over a suit on the commute, and it is currently reduced.

Colour: Black Sizes: M, L, XL, 2XL Shop: Shop the Belstaff Incline Waxed Cotton Jacket

Jacket	Wax weight	Fit and length	Warmth	Key detail
Barbour Ashby	6oz	Slimmer, shorter	Light, takes a zip-in liner	Tartan lining, cord collar
Barbour Ogston	8oz	Relaxed	Warmest: wool-mix lining and built-in quilted vest	Leather elbow patches
Belstaff Racemaster	6oz	Shortest Belstaff, fitted	Light	Zipped lower pockets, underarm vents
Belstaff Fieldmaster	6oz	Relaxed, drawstring waist	Light	Slanted map pocket, no belt
Belstaff Trialmaster	6oz	Longest, belted	Light	Belt, slanted map pocket, check lining
Belstaff Incline	6oz	Straight field jacket	Light	Snap throat latch, corduroy collar

 

Choose Barbour if you want a relaxed countryside jacket, need sizes up to 3XL, or want the warmest option (the Ogston).

Choose Belstaff if you prefer a longer, sharper, more urban shape with belts, buckles and a motorcycling history behind it.

Looking After a Wax Jacket

A wax jacket needs a little care, and rewards it with decades of wear.

• Never put it in the washing machine or dry cleaner. Hot water and detergent strip the wax.
• Sponge off mud with cold water and hang it to dry naturally, away from a radiator.
• Rewax once a year, or when the fabric starts to look pale and dry at the shoulders and elbows. Warm the wax, work it into the cotton with a cloth, and let it set overnight somewhere warm.
• Store it on a wide hanger in a cool, dry place, not folded in a bag.

What is the difference between Barbour and Belstaff wax jackets?

Barbour jackets are relaxed country jackets with a practical, outdoors look and lower prices. Belstaff jackets come from motorcycling, so they are longer, more structured and more urban, with belts and buckles, at a higher price point. Both use British waxed cotton.

Are wax jackets waterproof?

Wax jackets are water resistant rather than fully waterproof. The wax coating keeps out rain and wind in normal Irish weather, but it wears thin over time and needs to be rewaxed about once a year to keep it working.

Which is the warmest wax jacket?

Of the jackets at Hanley & Co this season, the Barbour Ogston is the warmest. It uses a heavier 8oz waxed cotton with a wool-mix lining and a built-in quilted vest. The Barbour Ashby can also take a Barbour zip-in liner for extra warmth.

Should I size up in a wax jacket?

Barbour and Belstaff generally fit true to size. If you plan to wear a thick jumper underneath, try your usual size with a knit on, and size up if the shoulders feel tight. Belstaff jackets are sized by chest measurement (38 to 48); Barbour uses M to 3XL. Our team in store can help you find the right fit.

What is the difference between the Belstaff Trialmaster, Racemaster and Fieldmaster?

The Trialmaster (1948) is the original: longest, with an adjustable belt and slanted map pocket. The Racemaster (1981) is a shorter, more fitted version with zipped lower pockets. The Fieldmaster (2019) is a relaxed version with a drawstring waist instead of a belt.

Where can I buy Barbour and Belstaff wax jackets in Ireland?

Hanley & Co are official Barbour and Belstaff stockists in Ireland. The new season wax jackets are in store at Williamsgate Street and the Galway Shopping Centre, and online at hanley.ie with free express delivery on orders over EUR 75 anywhere in Ireland.

Is a wax jacket good for Irish weather?

Yes. Waxed cotton keeps out wind and rain and breathes better than most synthetic rain jackets, which suits Ireland's mild, wet climate. The Barbour Ashby, Barbour Ogston and Belstaff Trialmaster have no fixed hood, so add a cap or hat for heavy, prolonged rain.

Shop Wax Jackets at Hanley & Co

The new season Barbour and Belstaff wax jackets are in store and online now. Sizes in the Ogston and Trialmaster are limited, so if you have your eye on one, do not wait for the first cold snap. Try them on at Williamsgate Street or the Galway Shopping Centre, or shop our Barbour collection and Belstaff collection online.

For everything else that arrived this season, read our AW26 guide: AW26 New Arrivals: Men's Jackets, Knitwear and Boots for an Irish Winter.