Favorite Oilskin coats?

TheDandyLion

TheDandyLion

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Mar 27, 2013
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I have been wearing an Oilskin short-coat for the last 3-4 years and LOVE it to death. Very warm and great in the rain But recently I've been looking for a new Oilskin coat to wear but instead of my heavy wool-lined short coat I am looking for something much longer and not so thickly lined. I decided what I'm looking for is a good, thinly lined duster/riding jacket.


So what's your favorite full length canvas oilskin coat? Bonus points if you can recommend one that isn't a small fortune.
 
I've got one from Outback Trading Co that's 30 years old, now I don't wear it every day, only days were I'm almost certain to be standing in the rain for a while. I've been out in the rain for 5-6 hours in pouring rain and it didn't go through the coat. They do need to be re oiled on occasion and they're not cheap. You can get cheap ones that look nice if your not going to use them for their intended purpose but if you want to stay dry don't go cheap. I've got a shorter lined one also that I use in the winter sometimes, even that one was around $200 but I've had that one 20 years.
 
The Outback Trading Co coat I have is less than 10 years old, was made in China, and has holes worn through it on the sleeves and at the sides. Now, I did wear it every day for 2 winters working in home renovations (exclusively custom flooring installations). The cement and tile dust may have been what caused the excessive wear, but I expected longer life from such an expensive coat. It has been set aside for dirty outdoor work, but I don't wear it much anymore as it annoys me when I consider that a $30 fake flight jacket has taken more abuse than the oilskin and is in better condition.
 
16VGTIDave said:
The Outback Trading Co coat I have is less than 10 years old, was made in China, and has holes worn through it on the sleeves and at the sides. Now, I did wear it every day for 2 winters working in home renovations (exclusively custom flooring installations). The cement and tile dust may have been what caused the excessive wear, but I expected longer life from such an expensive coat. It has been set aside for dirty outdoor work, but I don't wear it much anymore as it annoys me when I consider that a $30 fake flight jacket has taken more abuse than the oilskin and is in better condition.
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That's surprising to me. Mine is marked "Australian outback" though I'm not sure if it's the same company. Very tough coat.
 
The logo on my coat (on every snap and the leather tag) is a guy on horseback. Is that the logo on yours?

My coat looks like a quality product, but it didn't last like one. I was expecting much more from the coat, especially considering the cost. Knowing what I know now, and had I paid attention to the "Made in China" tag, I wouldn't have paid more than 1/4 of what I did. If I bought it at all.

I have trouble expressing the frustration and disappointment I have with this coat without getting rude.
 
There are a lot of really good aussie brands that moved production to China and had a massive quality drop. Its a weird bit of the culture here. Guys will spend 60k on a pickup, but then demand boots only cost $65 a pair.

I'd look up Driza-bone. They do some really good stuff, oilskin is still very popular in australia, and a few companies still make good stuff.
 
Filson used to be great, but they changed ownership and now import some of their gear and I can't speak for the current product.
 
16VGTIDave said:
The Outback Trading Co coat I have is less than 10 years old, was made in China, and has holes worn through it on the sleeves and at the sides.
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I've had one for nearly 10 years now too. Gifted to me. It's a lined barn coat. Mine is still in great shape.

I have Filson too. For what Outback Trading Co charges for their Chinese made products, I'd stick with Filson. My Filson jacket is 15+ years old.
 
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TheDandyLion said:
So what's your favorite full length canvas oilskin coat? Bonus points if you can recommend one that isn't a small fortune.
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Though not oilskin, last month, on-line, I bought a Swede like new surplus M59 vindrock parka with liner. $19.95. Warmest coat I own.

vin59.jpg
 
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16VGTIDave said:
The logo on my coat (on every snap and the leather tag) is a guy on horseback. Is that the logo on yours?

My coat looks like a quality product, but it didn't last like one. I was expecting much more from the coat, especially considering the cost. Knowing what I know now, and had I paid attention to the "Made in China" tag, I wouldn't have paid more than 1/4 of what I did. If I bought it at all.

I have trouble expressing the frustration and disappointment I have with this coat without getting rude.
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No, mine has "Australian Outback" on every button
 
Just get a damn Driza-Bone

Aussie made and damn near bombproof.

They do need reproofing ocassionally (i used to do mine in the middle of summer - when i was wearing it nearly every night over winter - the heat made it absorb a bit easier)


I still love my Drizabone, but it isnt really suited to work as a photographer - holding the camera up means water runs off you hands and pools in the elbow area - not too bad if you lower your hand - pointless wearing waterproof gear if you scratch the back of your neck cos it all runs into your underarm - goretex and a light gauntlet style waterproof glove fix this issue for me now - but the goretex is more expensive, and hasnt lasted as long.
 
I still wear an oilskin drover coat I picked up about 28 years ago. Label says "The Original Outback Collection" around a picture of a platypus with a little tag saying Made in the USA. (???) The buttons all say "Australian Outback" and there is a big print of a horseback rider on the lining. The coat has held up well, being worn maybe a couple dozen times per year, usually when I'm going to be stuck walking or standing in the rain for hours. Never leaked, ripped, or anything. I think I re-treated it once in all that time.
I have the wide brimmed oil-skin hat to go with it, too. Rain just rolls off that thing.
 
Bigbluefish said:
I still wear an oilskin drover coat I picked up about 28 years ago. Label says "The Original Outback Collection" around a picture of a platypus with a little tag saying Made in the USA. (???) The buttons all say "Australian Outback" and there is a big print of a horseback rider on the lining. The coat has held up well, being worn maybe a couple dozen times per year, usually when I'm going to be stuck walking or standing in the rain for hours. Never leaked, ripped, or anything. I think I re-treated it once in all that time.
I have the wide brimmed oil-skin hat to go with it, too. Rain just rolls off that thing.
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That's the same company as mine
 
Yep get a Drizabone. We got some as part of our school uniform and mine is still in great condition 10 years on
 
When you say oilskin, are you talking about modern marine foul weather gear or linseed oil or wax coated cotton?
 
stjames said:
Filson used to be great, but they changed ownership and now import some of their gear and I can't speak for the current product.
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All or most of the Tin Cloth stuff is still made in the USA and still of excellent quality. I've sampled some of the newer style Filson garments, some made in China and have found them to be more hit & miss.

My preference in waxed outerwear is Filson (Tin Cloth & Shelter Cloth) and Schaefer Rangewax (USA Made) over the Australian stuff but I've had a few that I like.
 
I have been through many- from Feathertop, to Driza-Bone, Barbour and Drimac.
The Feathertop burned, the Driza-Bones (had 3 of these- a parka, the bushman and the drover coat) got holey, the Drimac was gifted to my Old Man, and the Barbour still serves me well.
You get what you pay for, I think.
 
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