Orvis Barn Coat Review

Lightweight lined canvas chore jacket.

Just like my favorite pair of jeans, I have a jacket that is always in my outerwear rotation, my Orvis Barn Coat. It’s the coat I grab when I’m going to run errands, take down the holiday lights, or help my friend move some boxes in her garage. 

Stylish Functionality

Available in men’s and women’s styles, the Orvis Barn Coat is far more fashionable and refined than my old brown canvas chore coat. It’s made out of lighter, thinner cotton, lined with a Burberry-esque brown flannel plaid material, and has a dark brown corduroy collar (the same corduroy is also used to line the underside of the weather flap, to form an inner snap-close pocket, and in the sleeve notches). The combined elements give the jacket a timeless classic energy, and the red cotton fabric makes it fun and functional.

I love wearing the Orvis Barn Coat because it’s very easy and familiar, sort of like a much-loved jean jacket but lighter and longer. I prefer the longer length (about 28” long) for better coverage. The back of the jacket is notched on the back hem, helping the coat hang nicely and move when I move. The sleeves are lined with a soft nylon fabric, so I can comfortably wear it with a short-sleeved top, and the flannel lining in the rest of the coat is soft and warm. 

If I can avoid carrying a bag, I do. The Orvis Barn Coat has plenty of pockets for all my stuff. I stash my wallet in the inner pocket, then I use the large snap-to-close side pockets for keys, inhalers, and my phone. The middle pockets are for my hands! They’re a bit high, but I realized after wearing the jacket several times that if they were located underneath the large side pockets I wouldn’t be able to use them when the pockets were full. So, I’m ok with the placement compromise. Finally, two snap-to-close chest pockets are perfect for little items like my lip balm, a pocket knife, and a small flashlight. (The men’s Orvis Barn Coast has different pockets: two large snap-close side pockets and a single sleeve-style flat chest pocket.)

I wear the Orvis Barn Coat most often for little jobs around the house. Taking out the garbage. Detailing my car. It’s all I need over a short- or long-sleeved shirt in fall. I add an alpaca hoody under it when the temps start dropping, and now that it’s winter I wear a thin insulated jacket underneath it. I appreciate that I can zip or snap the coat closed (or both) and that both options are covered by weather flaps (one above the snaps and another below the zipper).

I like the look of the corduroy used in the sleeve notches, but I think I would have preferred having them empty to make it easier to roll up the sleeves when I’m working. 

Bottom Line

I have enjoyed getting to know the Orvis Barn Coat. It’s well-made, and it’s so lightweight and soft that I didn’t even have to break it in over weeks or months. I like wearing a “work” coat as a change of pace from my usual wool, fleece, and insulation jackets.

Details

I tested a women’s Orvis Barn Coat, and I thought that the sizing was true to what I usually wear, size XL. However, the sleeves were a bit short for me. They are fine until I lift or extend my arms. Then they feel too short for me. I’m 6’ tall and have very long arms, so most women won’t have this fit issue. I tried on a men’s Orvis Barn Coat in size L, my usual size when I wear men’s jacket, and it was quite big on me. I would have to go down one size if I opted for the men’s coat. 

Available in: Men’s sizes S-XXL. Women’s sizes XS (4)-XL(18-20). Color: Currant. Check Orvis for additional color availability. 

$169 (on sale now for 50% less at Orvis.com). Click for men’s jacket. Click for women’s jacket. Also available in other colors at Amazon.com: men’s, women’s.