Dusters

[Aries]

Do any of you wear cowboy duster coats and which are the best? I was recently looking at some by Schaefer and Drizabone and others. I currently wear Carhartt coats but was thinking of buying one.

[kimwcook]

This is the one I have. Haven't had much time to try it out as I haven't gotten off my lazy and gone riding in inclement weather.

http://www.kakaduaustralia.com/acatalog/info_27.html

[Malamute]

Duster, or oilskin?

As I understand it, a duster is an untreated, dry weather item, meant to keep dust off, on oilskin is a wax and oil treated linen, an all weather serious rain gear item. I have an Australian Outback oilskin (for about 20 years), it's been great keeping me dry, even in some truly impressive downpours. One rain literally filled the pockets full to the top in a few minutes when I left the flaps in them instead of snapped over the opening. The cape over the shoulders keeps the shoulder seams from soaking thru in heavy rain, and is very functional, not just a style. They look like ships oilskins to me, but have been adopted as "cowboy gear". Sort of like "tomahawks" looking remarkably like ships boarding axes in common use before being adopted as woods gear, or trade items.


Mine was the long version, at first. It was a huge nuisance to me, being long. I had it cut off to hip length, and love it now.

[Aries]

I was also looking at the Drifter from Schaefer.....
http://www.schaeferoutfitter.com/230.html

[Tycer]

I have a Filson Tin Cloth Packer I love. Nancy found it new for under $200 two years ago.

http://www.filson.com/product/index.jsp ... age=family

[mod71alaska]

Do any of you wear cowboy duster coats and which are the best? I was recently looking at some by Schaefer and Drizabone and others. I currently wear Carhartt coats but was thinking of buying one.

Hi Aries,

I have the Schaefer Original Duster and the Ranchero Mesquite Jacket in size large I bought this past summer on sale. I haven't worn either one even once and will make you a very good deal if you want them. The Duster is natural, and the Mesquite Jacket is Suntan with the red/black polar fleece lining. I have worn Schaefer Original and Yampa Valley Drifters for years. Schaefer products are absolute top quality American made western wear. My extended family lives in MT, but I'm in Maine and as much as I like them I just don't need these new western coats here. Let me know if you can use them. Victor

http://www.shop.americanranchwear.com/p ... roductId=1
http://www.shop.americanranchwear.com/p ... oductId=19

edit: Oops...I meant this as a PM. Anyway, Aries you have first dibs on the Schaefer Duster and Mesquite Jacket if you want 'em. PM or email me.

[marlinman93]

I have a Drizabone oilskin duster, and it works well for just tramping around outdoors, but I haven't used it for anything but just walking around.

[Mutt]

I bought one about 20 years ago. Heavy canvas , no cape , just a collar , full length . Can't find tag except it says MADE IN THE U.S.A. .I may have removed the makers tag back when. But I'd guess Carhart . Holding up very good... I like that Made here at home ! Seems I recall cost was about $ 65 back then . No lining but warm over other clothes.



..................Mutt.............

[gundownunder]

I'm onto my second drizabone oilskin. The first one has done excellent service for me through over 20 years of hard work as a farmhand, mineworker, pro-shooter and whenever I went fishing or camping or just walking the dog on a rainy night. The first one is still servicable and would still keep me dry and and out of the wind, but it looks like its had a hard life, so I wear the new one when I want to look respectable .
If you live in cooler places you would do well to find one of the lined ones as they will keep you warmer. The oilskin will keep any amount of wind and rain off but the oilskin itself gets cold, the lining provides insulation.
I like the drizabone design because you can clip it up snug at the wrists and neck,then all you need is a cowboy hat over it to stop water running off your head and into the coat.

[RKrodle]

http://www.filson.com/product/index.jsp ... age=family

[Old Ironsights]

Mine is a full length black Drizabone knockoff... but still Aussi made. Had it for years.

[Aries]

Also, they don't make dusters but I still like some of the jackets by Wrangler......
http://www.wranglerwestern.com/Catalog/ ... ts/74255PW
Their jackets and Cowboy Cut jeans.

[Bruce Scott]

Duster, or oilskin?

As I understand it, a duster is an untreated, dry weather item, meant to keep dust off, on oilskin is a wax and oil treated linen, an all weather serious rain gear item.

Yup. The original dusters were full-length, light-colored canvas or linen coats worn by horsemen to protect their clothing from trail dust. These dusters were typically slit up the back to hip level for ease of wear on horseback. At the turn of the 20th century, both men and women wore dusters to protect their clothes when riding in open motorcars on the dirt roads of the day.