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PROTECT YOUR DNA WITH QUANTUM TECHNOLOGY
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Barbour is revered for its waxed cotton jackets, but the brand’s practices are “Not Good Enough”. So, what to do if you’re looking for lasting outerwear to withstand the demands of rainy weather and decades of wear? Well, there’s a host of more sustainable brands to consider—let us introduce them to you.
This article is based on the Barbour rating published in February 2025 and may not reflect claims the brand has made since then.
This fashion icon needs to step up its sustainability
Barbour has been a fixture in the English countryside ever since it was founded by John Barbour in 1894, and its signature waxed jackets have been famously worn by Queen Elizabeth II on her Scottish estate, Daniel Craig in James Bond, and Alexa Chung at Glastonbury—all helping the waterproof outerwear ascend to fashion icon status. Recently the brand has collaborated with the likes of GANNI (“It’s a Start”) and Erdem (“We Avoid”), further propelling it into the contemporary fashion realm. Barbour jackets are defined by their navy or green colour; corduroy-lined cuffs and collar; and the waxed coating that stands up to regular wear and inclement weather.
But although Barbour is known and loved for being a heritage brand, its commitment to sustainability isn’t as legendary. In fact, the brand scored “Not Good Enough” when we last rated it because, among other issues, there was no evidence it’s addressing textile waste or protecting biodiversity in its supply chain, nor reducing its water use. Importantly, our analysts couldn’t find evidence that Barbour pays a living wage to workers in its supply chain, and the same goes for any sign of it providing financial security to its suppliers—a lack of which is associated with poor working conditions and wages. Where animals are concerned, it didn’t appear that Barbour traces any animal products to the first stage of production, nor that it has clear mechanisms for implementing its animal welfare policy—that’s important because the brand uses animal-derived materials including leather, wool, and down.
Barbour does have a popular repair programme that sees thousands of jackets rewaxed every year, helping them to stay in use for longer. And while it has made some small improvements since we last rated it in 2022—like measuring some greenhouse gas emissions and committing to targets approved by the Science-Based Targets initiative—Barbour still needs to be much more transparent about its practices.
Alternatives to Barbour’s waxed jackets, sweaters, boots, and more
Barbour is best known for its weatherproof waxed cotton jackets, wellington boots, and clothes inspired by country life and traditional British wares. If you love the look but not the brand’s ethics, scroll through our selection of more sustainable brands making similar styles.
ISTO.
Portuguese brand ISTO.’s mandate is simple: create clothes to transcend the seasons and work as staple items in your wardrobe all year round. It has one single collection and pursues quality over quantity to try and make its items permanently available. It uses organic materials and is transparent in showing you the true cost of your clothes when you go to purchase a piece for your wardrobe.
The range is available in XS-XL.
Wuxly Movement
Wuxly Movement is a Canadian outerwear brand combining tech-based and recycled materials for elite performance. Drawing on Canada’s heritage in quality manufacturing, the founder saw an opportunity to innovate using more responsible materials—all while peacefully leaving animals out of the equation.
Find the range in 2XS-3XL.
Amble Outdoors
Amble Outdoors (formerly Team Timbuktu) creates high-performance waterproof raincoats and sweat-wicking outdoorwear, made from recycled plastic bottles in Australia.
Sizes offered in XS-4XL.
Outerknown
Founded by surf champion Kelly Slater, Outerknown is a more responsible brand that aims to blend style and function with the protection of natural resources. The brand is Bluesign certified and has partnered with the Fair Labour Association.
Find the range in sizes XS-2XL.
Finisterre
Born from the needs of hardy British surfers, Finisterre is a pioneering, more sustainable outdoor brand, built to inspire a love of the sea and anchored in exceptional products.
Find most items in Sizes XS-2XL.
Rapanui
This award-winning more responsible fashion brand from the UK makes surf-inspired clothing in a wind-powered factory. Surf towels, socks, and hoodies—you can find everything you need to get warm after your sesh.
Find the range in UK sizes 8-18.
Toad&Co
Toad&Co is a US brand working in a more socially and environmentally minded way. Its women’s and menswear is equally suited for the rigours of the trail or the tavern.
Most items are available in sizes XS-2XL.
Opera Campi
Founded in 2017, Italian brand Opera Campi creates premium quality garments from locally-sourced raw materials. By using a balanced approach to sustainability, the brand makes conscious choices throughout its supply chain and donates 4% of its profits to social causes.
The brand is inclusively sized from 3XS-3XL.
Patagonia
Patagonia is a brand that truly lives and breathes the great outdoors. It makes clothing for trail running, climbing, mountain biking, surfing, skiing, and snowboarding. Patagonia has “Good” labour practices, and uses recycled, rather than virgin, polyester. It has also committed to reducing its energy use and emissions.
The brand stocks sizes 2XS-3XL.
CARPASUS
CARPASUS is a Swiss menswear brand that makes fine shirts, ties, socks, and pocket squares. CARPASUS uses GOTS certified cotton and manufactures locally to reduce its carbon footprint. It also traces its supply chain and ensures workers are paid a living wage.
Find most products in EU sizes 36-46.
WAWWA
UK brand WAWWA aims to make clothing that puts the Earth and its inhabitants first by creating organic, fair trade, and vegan-friendly clothing with a positive social impact. It uses lower-impact materials including recycled materials, lower-impact non-toxic dyes, and reuses its offcuts to minimise textile waste.
Find the range in sizes XS-2XL.
BEDI
Canadian-brand BEDI creates handmade bags, knits, and outerwear driven by a creative ethos to wear a better tomorrow. It promotes circularity with its careful selection of lower-impact materials, from upcycled airline seat leather and fish nets, to vegan cactus leather and more sustainably grown cotton. Driven by a slow fashion ethos, its pieces are grounded in utility and constructed for life, intended for you and beyond.
Find the range in sizes XS-XL.
Sheep Inc
Sheep Inc is a more sustainable knitwear brand focussed on responsibly sourcing the finest merino wool. Its founding principles are “respect for nature and a shared belief in the power of innovation… harmony with the environment and animal welfare.”
Find most garments in XS-2XL.
Neem
Hailing from the UK, Neem makes men’s clothing with a focus on ensuring a transparent supply chain and safeguarding our environment.
Find most items in sizes S-2XL.
NIKIN
If you’re the kind of person who likes to wear their morals, look no further than Swiss brand NIKIN. Not only is a tree planted every time you purchase a NIKIN product, you also get to show your tree pride.
Products are available in sizes XS-2XL.
tentree
Canadian brand tentree plants ten trees for every item purchased to help regenerate ecosystems and provide planting jobs in communities around the world, and has already planted over 65 million trees. All tentree’s products are created with an Earth-first approach, meaning they’re made in fair, safe working conditions, and constructed using lower-impact and recycled materials.
tentree’s clothes are typically available from XS-XL.
Komodo
UK brand Komodo puts people and the planet first with its lower-impact range of menswear and womenswear. The label uses some more responsible materials including GOTS-certified cotton and hemp, and ensures that most of its suppliers pay a living wage to their workers.
Find most of the range in UK sizes 8-16.
Still searching for more sustainable outerwear? Check out our ultimate guide to coats
Editor's note
Feature image via Neem, all other images via brands mentioned. Good On You publishes the world’s most comprehensive ratings of fashion and beauty brands’ impact on people, the planet, and animals. Use our directory to search thousands of rated brands.
We updated this article on 2 February 2026. Our editors frequently make updates to articles to ensure they’re up to date. We refreshed our selection to reflect brands with recent ratings.
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