Waxed jackets: the thread

[zacharge]

Unsure if there is an existing or updated thread about waxed jackets, so excuse me if I started a new one erroneously. Just wanted to see others’ waxed jackets!

Here is my Filson shirt lined cruiser that I got back in 2016. Made at Filson. Probably my first “upgraded” article of clothing (sans countless Fred Perry jackets from back in oi/punk days).

Went through years of wildlife field work, outdoors stuff, fishing, camping etc.

Haven’t worn it for about a year (since I became obsessed with leather and denim), so it got a quick re waxing.

 

[VansonRider]

I like this thread idea!

In high school I had a huge oversized (it was the 90s!) drizabone with a really nice snap in wool Sherpa liner.
While living in Maine I sold it too my roommate, who was a bit overweight and it actually fit him really well. He had major coat envy and was a good dude so I sold it to him for a really low buddy price.

I had a packable “swagman” next, a hip length hooded jacket that packed into it’s own pocket. That was a really cool one but the sleeves were a little short and I always chose something different to wear. Gave that one away to a friend of my wife’s. She was 5’8 or 9 or so, just a little shorter than I am, but the sleeves worked for her.

Then I bought a Vanson Dover, then a Vanson/Benrus stormer collaboration, and two Barbour Internationals.

They are all nice and long in the sleeves.

I wear the Barbour Int all the time, it's fantastic. The Vanson's waxxed jackets are awesome, but they can be overbuilt for daily wear. The Barbour is a better "grab on your way out the door" jacket, while the Vanson's make a statement.

 

[barnabus]

I wear the Barbour Int all the time, it's fantastic

100% agree. My Barbour International has turned out to be my only forever jacket. It works in every situation, and the versatility means it's the most grabbable of grab-on-the-way-out-the-door jackets.

Also, they're drop dead cool.

I love it.

 

[Nykwil]

IYKYK

over 20 yrs old.

 

[RDS]

As someone who has worn Barbour wax jackets for more than 40 years (including Border, Northumbria, Bushman and several Solway Zippers) I’ll always have at least one hanging on the coat rack or, more likely, in the garage, however I find the window of actually needing to wear one is really quite narrow.
If it’s raining then invariably a wax jacket will also need to be accompanied by waterproof trousers or leggings because the water just sheets off soaking thighs and legs. If it’s cold extra layers will be needed as a wax proof has absolutely no thermal properties at all and even the additional studded ‘warm’ pile liner is pretty much ineffective. And, when it’s either cold, wet or both, the outer shell takes on all the flexibility of stiff cardboard.
Finally, as a wax jacket isn’t at all breathable anything remotely approaching vigorous exercise causes the inner liner to become damp through perspiration; with the result you can end up wet, both inside and out.
Having said all that, in the right situation and conditions a Barbour wax jacket can be pretty much indispensable.
When beating through undergrowth a Barbour thornproof really lives up to its name and shrugs off anything which might snag or tear other clothing. And unlike jackets or coats with breathable liners, such as Goretex, any wear or tear on a wax jacket can be simply repaired by stitching, adding a patch or just slapping on another dose of wax.
My current Solway Zipper, which is over 20 years old, shows plenty of signs of use. It’s been regularly re-waxed and has a number of patches and some fairly rudimentary other stitchwork, both to the waxed outer and inner cotton liner, but it still does the job.