Freenote Cloth’s Rider Jacket

I've got a jacket review for you, and this one is a bit of a mouthful: it’s the Flannel-Lined Quilted Waxed Rancher from Flint and Tinder. Think of it as like the brand's bestselling Waxed Trucker jacket — but on steroids. I've been keen to explore more of Flint and Tinder's jacket lineup, as I already own a few and have been impressed. I have another one of their more outdoorsy, Barbour-esque jackets (the Hudson) that has become a favorite for dog walks, and of course, the Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker is one of my all-time favorite jackets. The Rancher is touted as their thickest waxed jacket, and I think it's their warmest as well. I'm here to tell you all about it: I'll break down the pros and cons, sizing and fit, warmth, and alternatives. Full disclosure: Huckberry sent this jacket to me for free, but this review wasn't shared with them before publication — all opinions are my own. https://www.youtube.com/watch?vmE6rxgftn5M Pros and Cons Before going into the details, let's take a quick look at the pros and cons of this piece. Pros: Super warm due to flannel lining, quilting, and waxed exterior Quilted insulation in both the body and sleeves, which is rare Durable construction, uncommonly thick canvas (10 ounces) Made in the USA Good value for money compared to similar jackets Stylish details like corduroy on the collar and waist improve the comfort Enough room for layering Cons: Firmly casual; some guys want the option of dressing up a pricier jacket like this Might be too warm for milder climates Polyester abounds in the lining and insulation, which some guys avoid Wax and polyester mean it's not especially breathable Handwarmer pockets are a little small The fit is baggy; consider sizing down for a modern look, but you might risk too-short sleeves How I Tested I based this review on my initial impressions. I tried out the Rancher at home and took it for brisk walks outside. I've also compared it against other jackets I own or am familiar with. This review is also edited by Stridewise's founder Nick, who owns a black version of this jacket. He's currently writing in the third person and making sure this review also reflects his experience with the Rancher, so you're getting two perspectives for the price of one! Nick owns a black version, and sized down from his usual Large. Built to Last: Waxed Rancher Materials & Construction Outer Material: 10-ounce Martexin waxed canvas (waxed on both sides for extra durability and water resistance); this is very thick for such a jacket Lining: 4-ounce quilted lining in the body and sleeves (different material from body flannel) Details: 8-wale corduroy on the back of the collar and on the padded waist lining Hardware: Sturdy, branded Flint and Tinder buttons Pockets: Two chest pockets, one small inner EDC pocket, and two hand warmer pockets. Origin: USA The Rancher is undeniably well-built, consistent with the quality I expect from Flint and Tinder. It’s definitely geared towards being a very outdoorsy jacket. A key feature for many will be that this jacket is made in the USA — cut, sewn, and fully assembled domestically. So, if supporting US manufacturing is important to you, this is a big plus. The shell is a robust 10-ounce Martexin waxed canvas, which is waxed on both sides for extra durability and water resistance. Inside, you'll find a 4-ounce quilted flannel lining that provides padding, suppleness, and warmth. The sleeves are also quilted (though not with flannel, it’s a different quilted material), which is a great touch for overall warmth. Flint and Tinder Waxed Rancher: Size and Fit Fits a little larger than my usual size Medium Designed to have room for layering (or for mobility when working) The Medium Rancher's chest is 3 inches wider than the Trucker's It's very important to note that it's both roomier and longer than your average jacket, including their better known Trucker jacket. A Medium Trucker is 43.5 inches in the chest while the Rancher is 46.5 inches pit to pit; a Medium Trucker is 27.25 inches long and the Rancher is 29.5 inches long. The extra size is to allow room for layering because this is a true winter jacket. From our Trucker jacket review, which includes a look at some other Flint and Tinder jackets. Stridewise editor Nick prefers a fitted jacket and he sized down. In the picture above he's wearing a Large in the Flannel-Lined Trucker and the Wool-Lined Trucker, but he's a Medium in the Rancher. This is why the Rancher's extra length is very useful: if you want to size down, it won't be too short. That said, some customers have complained that the arms wind up too short if they do that. Nick has short arms, so it wasn't an issue. On my end, I opted for my usual size Medium, which is my go-to for all other Flint and Tinder items. For reference, I'm about 176cm tall (around 5'9"), weigh around 80kg (approximately 176 lbs), and have roughly a 41.1-inch chest. Even in a medium, the fit is a little baggy on me, but this works well as it’s designed as a cold-weather jacket that you’d likely layer underneath. How Warm is the Rancher? Quilting and waxed canvas exterior add significant insulation over the standard Waxed Trucker jacket Flannel lining provides soft comfort This jacket is super warm. The combination of flannel lining, quilted insulation, and the waxed exterior (which blocks wind and moisture) makes it exceptionally cozy. If you live in a cold, snowy climate, this would be a fantastic option. The standard Waxed Trucker jacket, while great, has thinner canvas and no quilting, plus it fits slim (like all Trucker jackets) so it's not great for layering. But I could comfortably fit a pullover or sweater underneath the Rancher. I can see this being the perfect jacket for those in North America, perhaps out in the wilderness chopping wood in the snow. However, the waxed coating and polyester interior mean it's not especially breathable, so it's not as ideal as, say, an unlined wool coat for days where the temperature (or your body heat) is likely to fluctuate. Hand Warmer Pockets A bit too small A little too low for my preference One criticism I have is the hand warmer pockets. If it is cold enough to wear this jacket, it is probably cold enough to wear gloves. However, the pockets themselves are a bit small. Even without gloves on, my hands are sticking out, and I have to curl my fingers to get them fully inside. In addition, the pockets are too low. I prefer hand warmer pockets that sit a bit higher, as it feels more comfortable and like your arms are resting naturally. With these lower pockets, it feels like the weight of your hands and arms pulls down on the jacket. Pricing and Value for Money Excellent warmth and features for its price point ($398). Offers more (like quilted lining) for less money compared to some competitors (e.g., Freenote Cloth Rider's Jacket at $450). When it comes to pricing, the Rancher jacket is listed at around $398. I genuinely think this offers really good value for money, especially when you take into account that it's made in the USA. For my personal use in a milder climate, this jacket is probably a bit of overkill, but I find it isn't too warm if I wear a t-shirt under it — but then it feels a bit big. Decide if you're going to layer before deciding on a size. It's undeniably a solid piece and I genuinely believe Flint and Tinder's jackets are right up there with the best waxed jackets, especially for the price. If that sounds like I'm shilling, let's look at some alternatives. Alternatives to Huckberry's Rancher To put the Rancher in perspective, let’s compare it to Freenote Cloth's Rider jacket (popularized by the show Yellowstone, but a well-known jacket in its own right). That one uses the same 10-ounce Martexin waxed canvas, doesn't include the quilted 4-ounce lining, and it's $450. To be fair, it doesn't have any polyester, which ups the price — but it's also not as warm. If you are in a milder climate where the Rancher may be too warm, the standard Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker (which many might recognize from The Last of Us) may be the one for you. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v2YgXviFHh9U I own many waxed jackets and other styles, but I consistently reach for my Trucker. It's just one of those jackets I can throw on anytime. It’s super comfortable, waxed, so I don't worry about getting it dirty, and it just feels amazing. It's also a good example of why more isn't always better: the canvas is lighter weight (7 ounces) but that makes it more comfortable. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v6T0w7F4eT_s Flint and Tinder is often compared to Rogue Territory as well. The best for comparison would be the flannel-lined Cruiser: like the Rancher and Freenote's Rider, it's made in the USA with 10-ounce Martexin canvas, and it's $425. Like the Rider, it's got no synthetics, but it's also got no insulation. You can keep looking around the market for alternatives, but because of Huckberry's economy of scale, I don't think anyone's offering the same value — not if American-made is part of your criteria. Wrapping Up While I did receive this jacket for free, these are my genuine thoughts on the Rancher jacket. If you take an unbiased look at the numbers — canvas weight, price, insulation, and those of competitors — the Rancher is truly competitive, often outperforming much higher-priced brands. The fit might frustrate you if you're not one for layering, but besides that, I think there's not a lot to dislike about the Rancher.