How Waterproof Are Waxed Jackets?

Some other great waxed jackets here:

Waxed Jackets look fantastic, but how waterproof are they? Instead of waiting for a rain shower I did a bit of redneck engineering and hung a hose above my head in order to test four waxed jackets.

#Carlmurawski #WaxedJacket

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Timestamps:
0:00 Waxed Jackets
0:29 Skillshare
1:29 Carhartt Super Dux
2:44 Allen Edmonds
3:55 Tom Beckbe
4:47 Ship John Wills
5:54 Flint & Tinder

Reviews of clothing, boots, and accessories for men, along with style advice and life philosophy. I've been working with my hands for my entire life as a mechanic, tow truck driver, and eventually a licensed electrician. Being a blue collar guy, I look for certain elements in a product: is it durable? Is it high-quality? Will it perform well over its service life? Whether boots, pants, jackets, or tools I believe it's best to buy once and cry once by getting the best you can afford. With so many options these days, choosing the best product can become a difficult decision, but that's where I come in. Helping you stay stylish, rugged, and handsome.
I don't care where it's made as long as it's made well, and allows you to buy less and buy better.

[anachronisticon]

English farmer here: yeah an old waxed jacket isn't especially waterproof, but it's the only one that's going to be anything more than rags after you've crawled out of a thorn hedge with a rescued lamb.

[garethwilliams]

Not surprised by the leaky shoulder seams. 100+ years ago this was known to be a weak point hence the introduction of the Raglan style where the shoulders are in one piece with the seams across the chest and back. When rewaxing I always add extra to the seams. Great video!

[nodieusa]

I was in York (England) a couple of years ago and it was quite rainy. I didn't have a proper jacket and decided I should probably buy one. York not being a major town like London it had a lot of older folks visiting and walking around. I thought it was really cool how the majority of older men wore their Barbour jackets and brogued shoes. I stumbled upon a store with many different Barbour models and I picked me up my favorite waxed jacket. The jacket is lined and fairly warm but not too warm. Since I live in TX the jacket is perfect for our mild winters too. Great video as always sir! I love what you do and the material you share in your channel!

[alastairross]

As a Scots man I can assure you that the one and only hunting jacket I trust in any weather is Barbour. Trying to use something of lesser quality as a substitute is sacrilege once a year i re wax my jacket of 9+ years I've spent maybe £30 on wax and it is completely watertight if you want I will go do the exact same test and I will be completely bone dry

[rickdemars]

Thanks Carl - perfect timing - I received my lined Flint and Tinder jacket just this past Friday. I purchased the unlined version a couple of months ago. I'm looking forward to cooler, wet weather to give them my own trial.
Keep up the great work on your videos!

[vonsprague]

I've been wearing Barbour jackets for 40 years now and if kept waxed they are 100% waterproof even in a Scottish Winter but they lack breathability for hard physical activity and they are heavy so I have Gore-tex for hiking. Open pockets are always a no no though. Good video thanks. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇬🇧

[mickylawless]

Cowboyed in a 3/4 length Dri-as-Bone for years. Never a leak! Later in my career, I wore a full length Filson tin coat. Again, never a leak.

[Eralen]

Quick prices for anyone wondering:
Tom Beckbe Tensaw: $500
Flint & Tinder: $270
Carhartt super dux: $180-$200
Ship John Wills: $500

[clintonm]

Taking one for the team! I'm an old outdoorsman, and I'm a fan of waxed jackets. Like Ben Scriven said, they hold up. My old Army rainwear used to get shredded everytime we practiced an ambush in wet weather, but a waxed jacket would still be useful.

Overall, I liked the video and the dedication to figuring out what worked well!

[crumbsnatcher]

I wore my fairly new Barbour Ashby jacket one fall afternoon doing yard work and got poured on by a rain storm, but I continued since I was already in the middle of the job. The jacket and seams held up nicely without any leaks in the shoulders or anywhere else. My only complaint is that Barbour uses a nylon sleeve lining in the Ashby jacket that doesn't breath at all. Any minor activity such as walking while wearing the jacket results in sweaty, clammy arms. I will say that getting the outside of the Ashy jacket completely soaked in the pouring rain and then hanging it to dry in the house really helped with the development of patina.

[JohnDoe-dfzz]

Thanks for the testing. I've been looking at one of those jackets and was wondering if it was actually rain resistant at all, or more of just a fashion piece. This answers my questions. Beautiful filming and editing as always.

[jayschu]

I can vouch for the wills jacket holding up really well. Spent an entire day over memorial day weekend in a torrential downpour and stayed dry. Love the jacket

[michaelsipe]

Excellent video as always! I do believe that it is obvious that a hat test is a must. I am so glad that I stumbled upon this channel.

[OmarKhanUK]

Living in the UK (an 5 mins from the Barbour factory), I love my Barbour waxed Northumbria jacket. 10years in, and several heavy customisations, I've re-waxed it twice and have paid very close attention during the process to get those top seams and collar for EXACTLY the reason you mentioned re: the Allen Edmonds jacket. Mine used to spend many rainy weekends shooting, but has an easier life overall now.

[donnelson]

Thirty years ago, I had a Barbour motorcycle rain suit (jacket and trousers). Above 80mph, it leaked through the seams and fabric. It had a great buckled collar that closed the gap below a full-face helmet. It was flannel lined, and when standing still or for around town riding, it was excellent. Ten or twelve years back I sold it, along with my last long-distance bike, and got a Filson Tin Cloth Cruiser. That one is only pretty good because it doesn’t have a storm flap or lining. But it gets admiring comments, probably because it’s so damned expensive. Anyway, I’m pretty sure the waxed canvas is all sourced from Australia these days.

[connorstevenson]

I'd love to see how the one that you waxed yourself holds up.

[Jamestreeman]

Timber faller here. I power was my tin cruiser. Maybe a tiny bit of water gets in. But it could be thru the collar or button holes. But not enough to worry about. That’s laying it flat on the driveway and blast it buttoned up then flipping it.

I have an old duster or long packer that is double layered. Never gotten water in. Solid equipment

[mpireoutdoors]

I have used waxed jackets outdoors in hard weather for a long time - expeditions or journeys lasting from weeks to months in autumn and through winter. They are extremely durable but are also very heavy and not very insulative. The fact that you are achieving waterproofing by using wax to fill the gaps between the fibres of the fabric - and if the material is cotton, to saturate the fibres themselves - means that the more waterproof you make it the less breathable it will be. In addition, regardless of what anyone says, wax will transfer to things which have long-term contact with the treated item; in my case backpacks. A waxed jacket cannot compete in terms of weatherproofing in comparison with a jacket employing a modern weather membrane e.g. Goretex. IMO the main attractions of waxed jackets are the high durability, good resistance to sparks from fires, and appearance. And if you have leather seats in your car you can treat your jacket with a wax which is beneficial to leather and your bodyweight will automatically cream and polish your car seat as you drive, so perhaps it could make a good driving jacket. But for me; I'd rather spend the money on a high quality jacket - or 2 - with a modern weather membrane which I know will be more comfortable, more water resistant and not rub wax into other items, which can be a real problem if the other item is a sleeping bag or a fibrous insulating jacket as the wax coats the fibres and significantly reduces their insulative performance. If you want to try a waxed jacket I'd suggest you wax an old jacket before buying one. Even for pure fashion purposes there are other options which are just as cool but which are more practical, and won't mess up the other items in your bag during travel.

[johnnyc.]

I live a couple blocks away from Ship John and tried on that jacket and holy hell that’s a thick and stiff jacket. I couldn’t wear it but I have a waxed canvas hat from them I love. Great company

[fintan]

Even the best gortex can get wet out in heavy rain, water repellent treatments to more affordable jackets is definitely something people should not write off.