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Join the ClubYour jacket is your hardest-working layer on the farm – here’s how to find one tough enough to handle every season.
If there’s one piece of gear that every farmer, fencer, or outdoor worker swears by, it’s a good farm jacket. From the pre-dawn milking sessions to long days shifting stock in sideways rain, your farm jacket is your shield against the elements and the mud and muck of rural life. Unlike regular raincoats, farm jackets need to be tough as nails, weatherproof, breathable, and built for hard graft.
In this guide, I’ll run through everything you need to know about choosing the best farm jacket in 2025. We’ll look at the different types of farm jackets, what features matter most on the land, and how to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your buck.
Farm jackets aren’t a one-size-fits-all bit of kit. The right one depends on your climate, the type of work you do most often, and your personal comfort preferences. Here are the main styles to consider.
Think of these as your breathable shield against summer showers or unpredictable spring weather. They’re designed to keep you dry without weighing you down or overheating you. Most modern shells use technical waterproof-breathable membranes that stop rain getting in while allowing sweat to escape.
Best for: Spring and summer farm work, fencing, mustering, and high-output jobs where overheating is a bigger concern than cold.
Pros:
Lightweight and packable.
Excellent breathability.
Ideal for layering over merino or fleece.
Cons:
Minimal warmth.
Less durable than heavy-duty jackets.
Best option: Bushbuck Statshlite Rain Anorak
The Bushbuck Alpine Jacket is designed for comfort, breathability and freedom of movement.
These are your everyday workhorses – tough enough for daily use, waterproof enough for rain, and breathable enough to wear for hours. They usually come with a balance of features: adjustable hoods, storm flaps, and reinforced sections.
Best for: Daily use in mixed conditions. A good “grab and go” option for year-round work.
Pros:
Versatile in most conditions.
Good durability for farm use.
Comfortable balance between warmth and breathability.
Cons:
Not as packable as lightweight shells.
May not be warm enough for sub-zero mornings without layers.
Best options: Bushbuck Defender Jacket, Bushbuck Alpine Jacket
If you farm in wet, rugged country – this is the category you want to be looking at. Heavy-duty jackets use reinforced fabrics (often 300D+ nylon or polyester), storm-proof construction, and serious waterproof membranes. They’re bulkier than lighter shells but built to last through years of abuse.
Best for: Winter work, exposed hill farms, wet climates like the West Coast.
Pros:
Extremely durable and abrasion-resistant.
High waterproof ratings (20,000mm+).
Features like storm flaps, double stitching, reinforced panels.
Cons:
Heavier and bulkier.
Less breathable than lightweight options.
Best options: Bushbuck Defender Jacket, Bushbuck Typhoon Jacket
When the mercury drops and the frost is biting, nothing beats a properly insulated jacket. Traditionally, farmers have relied on synthetic insulation because it keeps working even when damp, while down was seen as a “no-go” for wet conditions. But that’s all changed.
Bushbuck has pioneered fully waterproof down puffer jackets, meaning you get the unbeatable warmth-to-weight ratio of premium down insulation combined with full weather protection. No more worrying about your down jacket soaking through in steady rain – Bushbuck’s Igloo and Furnace puffers are seam-sealed, waterproof, and built tough from durable canvas and ripstop nylon.
Best for: South Island winters, alpine farms, long hours outdoors in the cold.
Pros:
Fully waterproof and seam-sealed.
Insulated for warmth in sub-zero temps.
Designed tough for farm and hunting use.
Saves the hassle of multiple layers.
Cons:
Heavier and bulkier than standard shells.
Can be too warm for mild conditions.
Best options: Bushbuck Igloo, Bushbuck Furnace
Jacket Type | Best For | Pros | Cons | Example Bushbuck Jacket |
Lightweight Shell | Summer, high-output farm work | Breathable, packable, waterproof farm jacket | Less warmth, less durable | |
Midweight Jacket | Everyday all-round use | Balanced durability, comfort, and performance | Need to layer clothes underneath in cold conditions | |
Heavy-Duty Jacket | Winter, rugged farm conditions | Extremely tough and waterproof | Heavier, bulkier, less freedom of movement | |
Waterproof Puffer | Cold, wet climates, all-in-one use | Warm, dry, and fully waterproof | Heavier, bulkier, can run hot |
The Bushbuck Defender Jacket is a solid all-rounder on the farm. The difference between a jacket that lasts one season and one that lasts five-plus comes down to the details. Here’s what to keep in mind when shopping for a farm-ready jacket.
Farm jackets take abuse – it’s unavoidable. Look for jackets made with:
Tough, abrasion-resistant fabrics: Oxford nylon, ripstop fabrics, canvas, 300D+.
Cordura reinforcements: Often used in high-wear zones like elbows and shoulders.
Heavy-duty zips and buttons: YKK zippers are a good benchmark.
Three-layer construction: For waterproof, windproof, and breathability performance.
Bushbuck’s Defender range, for example, uses reinforced fabrics in high-wear areas – a big plus for anyone leaning over fences or working with stock gates all day.
Waterproof jackets are measured in millimetres (mm). This refers to how much water pressure a fabric can withstand before leaking.
5,000mm: Fine for light rain and short spells.
10,000mm: Standard for all-round farm use. Keeps you dry in steady rain.
20,000mm+: Heavy rain, all-day exposure. Ideal for wet climates and winter.
Sealed seams: Make sure the jacket's fully seam sealed as some are only sealed in the most exposed areas.
The waterproof rating is an important consideration when choosing a farm jacket as it also determines how well it stands up to mud, muck, and other fluids that come your way during the course of a typical day on the farm.
Read more: Jacket Waterproof Ratings Explained
If you’re chasing sheep up a hill, the last thing you want is to be stewing in your own sweat. Look for jackets rated at 5,000–10,000g/m² breathability or higher. Features that help:
Pit zips or side vents.
Lightweight, breathable inner lining.
Two- or three-layer fabrics that let heat and moisture escape.
Comfort is king. A jacket that rides up, pulls at the shoulders, or restricts movement will end up hanging in the shed instead of being worn.
Look for:
Articulated elbows and gusseted underarms.
Drop-tail hem for bending and lifting.
Adjustable cuffs, hem, and hood.
Enough room to layer underneath without being baggy.
The little details often make the biggest difference:
Storm hood: Adjustable, hat-compatible, and structured so it doesn’t flop into your face.
Kangaroo and chest pockets: Deep enough for gloves, notebook, phone, and other essentials.
Storm flaps and waterproof zips: Prevents water from getting in exposed areas.
Silent outer fabric: Ideal if you’re hunting in the same jacket.
Reflective details: Handy for road work or night shifts around the farm.
Extra length: A longer length farm jacket provides waterproof protection for your behind, which comes in handy when you're using the four-wheeler or side-by-side (check out the Bushbuck Typhoon Jacket)
Farm jackets focus on durability and weatherproofing for daily use. Hunting jackets often prioritise quieter fabrics and camo, but many cross over. Bushbuck’s Defender Jacket is a good example – equally at home in the paddock or the bush.
The best farm jackets are fully waterproof, rated at least 10,000mm. Water-resistant jackets might handle a shower but won’t cut it in sustained rain.
If you’re in the South Island or anywhere with frosty winters, yes. In milder climates, a shell with layers underneath is usually enough.
With hard daily use, 2–5 years is realistic. Jackets with reinforced seams and heavy-duty fabrics can last longer if well cared for. With the right care (occasional washing and re-waterproofing), you can get even longer out of a good quality farm jacket.
A lightweight shell that’s breathable, waterproof, and easy to stash when not needed. A summer farm jacket is there to protect against showers and rain in warm conditions so the lighter, the better.
Absolutely. Many farmers double their farm gear as hunting kit. Just check for fabric noise if you’re stalking deer. Most Bushbuck jackets are designed to for crossover use.
Wash occasionally with a gear-specific cleaner (not standard detergent). Reapply DWR (Durable Water Repellent) when water stops beading. Always hang dry – never chuck it in the dryer.
The Bushbuck Typhoon Jacket has extra length for more waterproof protection
A farm jacket isn’t just another layer – it’s a tool. The right one will keep you working longer, harder, and more comfortably in whatever weather gets thrown your way. From lightweight shells to heavy-duty beasts, the key is finding the balance of durability, waterproofing, breathability, and comfort that matches your day-to-day work.
At the end of the day, don’t overthink it. Get yourself a jacket that can take a hammering, shrug off the weather, and keep you comfortable.
The Bushbuck Team includes our staff, the Bushbuck Test Team, and the industry experts we work with on a regular basis. It's a way for us to speak as a brand while recognising that our knowledge, advice, and opinions come from real people who live and breathe this stuff. When we write an article or product guide, you can be sure we've tapped our team of engineers, product developers, designers, and adventurers to provide you with the most helpful, in-depth advice we can muster. The Bushbuck Team is all of our minds put together to help elevate your adventure.
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