While the oilskin coat originally was developed by Sailors, it became famous in Australia and New Zealand. The famous Tasman Oilskin design is legendary for being the heaviest and most durable of all the oilskin coat. This is the reason it is still used as the traditional design today for RideAbout and is commonly known for being the toughest of all oilskin coats on the market. The Tasman came upon its name because it was customized for and worn by farmers on both sides of the Tasman Sea. These farmers endure some of the wettest conditions anywhere in the world and even today need a coat that can handle the everyday work of a farmer.
Most of Australia is known for being ultra dry. However, where there is desert there are life threatening rainstorms as well. The horseman enduring these two drastically different conditions needed a coat that was lighter and simpler than the Tasman. Thus the Oilskin Drover coat was designed. Named for the these horse riding nomads, more commonly known as Drovers.
RideAbout stays with tradition. Once a good Oilskin coat is designed why mess with it. RideAbout feels that this is why they make Americas fastest growing line of oilskin coats.
