This Is Easily Barbour’s Most Underrated Waxed Jacket, Now Back with a Twist

Unless you’re a Barbour fanatic, you can be excused for not knowing about the Spey jacket.

Farm jackets such as the Bedale, Beaufort and Ashby, along with the International collection of motorcycle jackets, get all the attention, but the British waxed cotton specialists have an extensive archive of compelling designs.

One of the most sought-after jackets among brand enthusiasts is a fishing jacket from the 1980s.

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At first glance, the Spey jacket looks like a cropped version of the Ashby. Signature Barbour details like the throat latch-adorned corduroy collar, raglan sleeves and snap zipper placket are all there.

However, it carries a few distinct, heritage-packed functional features. It also has a spinoff, the Spey Utility jacket, that is perhaps even more practical and comfortable, but also more elusive.

Keep reading to learn more about both jackets, and the one place you can get your hands on the latter right now.

An angler no more

The original Spey jacket was designed for fly fishing, a popular pursuit in Barbour’s native territory of Northern England and Scotland. In fact, the name was borrowed from a Scottish river and can be found throughout fly fishing terminology.

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Like countless other designs, it is an adaptation of Barbour’s original waxed cotton jacket, which closely resembles the modern Bedale. The body was cropped to sit just above the waistline so it remained above water when wading in rivers.

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Another big difference is the pocket arrangement. The hand warmer pockets found on other models are gone. Two large chest pockets have vented openings for easy one-handed access.

Inside, the usual tartan lining patch pocket is there, along with two large drop-in pockets that cover the entire bottom half of each front panel.

All that extra cargo space was meant to accommodate fishing gear with easy access. Fishing gear tech surpassed the Spey long ago, but this quality is now well suited for everyday use — stashing a wallet, phone, keys and maybe a book.

Barbour

Along similar lines, two hanging D-rings are meant to attach fishing gear, and there is a snap tab along the placket that was meant to secure a fishing rod with the handle placed in the pocket.

Barbour has kept these details as an aesthetic reminder of the jacket’s history, but you can clip any items you like onto the D-rings for easy access.

A utilitarian upgrade

Barbour’s new twist on this archival classic is the Utility Spey. The body sits a bit lower than the original, hitting right at the waist instead of slightly above it. It is still shorter than the Ashby and Bedale, and about the same length as the International.

Barbour

The other major adjustment is the external pockets. Where the original has vented pockets placed at mid-chest, the Utility Spey has snap-flap patch pockets placed at the bottom of the chest. These are the same pockets found on the Beaufort jacket.

Barbour

Combining elements from the brand’s best-known jackets, the Utility Spey is the perfect Barbour. It has all the desired details of the Ashby and Bedale, with the flattering silhouette and exceptional cargo capacity of the International.

Availability and pricing

Several outlets are carrying the original Spey jacket in navy blue right now, but the more elusive Utility Spey is currently only available from End for $400.

The olive waxed cotton body and golden-brown corduroy collar are a unique color combination that I haven’t seen in the Spey before. It is also available in a full navy blue design that has come around before.

Barbour has periodically rolled out limited runs of the Utility Spey over the years, but they are few and far between. So get your hands on the perfect Barbour jacket while you can.

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Barbour Utility Spey

• $400 at End

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