The 10 Best Barn Coats for Doing Chores

At a certain age, there are things that every respectable male should possess: A decent suit, a reliable pocket knife, and the confidence to change a tire, for starters. Some tasks require tougher tools and tougher apparel, though. Things like splitting wood, grinding in the shed, and mending fences at the ranch, for example, all call for a proper barn coat (also called a barn jacket or chore coat) — a durable outer layer that blends timeless style and rugged construction with all-day comfort. We’ve done the heavy research for you to round up the best barn jackets for men in 2022.

Orvis Bedford Cord Chore Jacket

Orvis has long been synonymous with “the great outdoors.” So, it knows a thing or two about serious outerwear. The Bedford Cord Chore Jacket is everything you could ask of a reliable barn coat. It’s lightweight yet rugged with four patch pockets, adjustable cuffs, and bound interior seams to provide a cleaner look. The straightforward corduroy design is only available in Washed Navy or Washed Red, but at just north of $100, it’s an affordable, straightforward accompaniment to your working gear.

Filson Cover Cloth Mile Marker Coat

We’ve long been fans of just about everything Filson-made. The Cover Cloth Mile Marker Coat is no exception, and it’s no surprise the design has changed little in almost two decades. The base fabric is an 8-ounce oil finish Cover Cloth, an ultra-tight 100% cotton canvas that’s pre-saturated with Filson’s own paraffin wax for unparalleled water resistance. Polyester twill lines the sleeves, so this barn coat glides easily over your topmost layer. It’s versatile, durable, and damn handsome too.

L.L. Bean Original Field Coat

With a nearly 100-year history, Maine-based L.L. Bean has proven it knows a thing or two about hardworking outerwear. The Original Field Coat is a testament to that know-how, with a heavy-duty cotton canvas shell that feels broken-in straight off the rack. Five pockets provide plenty of space to stash winter gloves, hand tools, and a beanie. A proprietary stain- and water-resistant treatment also ensures it’ll hold up for years to come.

Outdoor Research Lined Chore Jacket

Outdoor Research brings its considerable design savvy to bear on the simply named Lined Chore Jacket. With an ultra-soft sherpa fleece interior and eco-friendly VericalX ECO technology in both arms, this workwear outer layer is a true four-season barn coat. The waxed cotton exterior provides durability and outstanding water resistance in all but the worst conditions.

J. Crew Wallace & Barnes Chore Jacket

J. Crew’s Wallace & Barnes Chore Jacket adds a dose of city slicker style to the typical barn coat design. The result is a chore jacket that’s more everyday-friendly with inspiration from vintage French workwear. Constructed from cotton-based duck canvas, it’s durable, soft, and long-lasting. If you’re looking for one rugged coat that can move seamlessly from the office to the barn to the bar, this might be it.

Buck Mason Felted Chore Coat

Buck Mason offers another street-friendly barn coat alternative with its Felted Chore Coat. Billed as “part tailored jacket, part sweater,” this one is best suited for lighter duties that still require “looking the part.” The exterior features twice-boiled merino wool that’s soft, breathable, and ready for all but the coldest weather.

Patagonia Iron Forge Hemp Canvas Barn Coat

Cotton duck canvas might be the standard in today’s barn coats, but Patagonia breaks that convention with its proprietary Iron Forge Hemp Canvas. The fabric is 25% more abrasion-resistant and requires no “break-in” period, so it wears comfortably right off the rack. Durable insulation ensures you keep warm in any season. Bonus points for the fact that it’s Fair Trade Certified sewn and made from mostly recycled materials.

Land’s End Barn Coat

For an affordable, no-nonsense alternative, there’s Land’s End’s Men’s Barn Coat. This all-season barn jacket boasts a cotton shell that resists water and wind with a corduroy collar for a bit of flare and warmth when the temperature drops. The functional design adds four exterior pockets and an interior zip pocket to wrangle your tools and other essentials for a day of outdoor work.

Carhartt Loose Fit Firm Duck Blanket-Lined Chore Coat

Few brands are as iconic among working men as Carhartt. Its deep catalog of everyday workwear is comfortable, reliable, and versatile, no matter what you ask of it. The Firm Duck Blanket-Lined Coat is arguably its best barn coat. The 12-ounce, 100% ringspun cotton duck fabric is soft, durable, and rugged. Six total pockets — four rivet-reinforced on the outside and two inside — offer plenty of storage space. Plus, the corduroy-trimmed color adds built-in hood snaps to connect a matching Carhartt hood when the weather turns south.

Wrangler Men’s Flex Barn Chore Coat Jacket

For straight-up affordability, it’s hard to beat Wrangler’s Flex Barn Chore Coat Jacket. The streamlined design features a button-front closure, four outer pockets, and an inner cell phone pocket. It’s all wrapped in flexible canvas fabric with articulated elbow seams for better movement. Inside, a fleece lining keeps you warm and toasty. But, the best part is that it’s available for around $30.

What Is a Chore Coat and Why Should You Be Wearing One?

Chore coats, also known as barn coats, are made from tough materials like waxed canvas or breathable cotton. Chore clothing such as chore pants and coats are made for days on the job and days on the road — wherever the season takes you. The best chore coats for men offer up plenty of seasonal layering potential while also providing the sort of toughness required for winter weather and yard work that just can’t wait.

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