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Innovating performance materials is an ever-evolving science, with new technologies improving gear all the time. Products like waterproof down jackets with synthetic fill and battery-powered heated gloves make braving the elements a whole lot easier.
While we appreciate anything cutting-edge to geek out over, we’re also stalwarts for tradition when it comes to workwear and outerwear. And there’s one fabric that’s more than a century old and still very much in use: waxed cotton.
Eighteenth-century mariners were the first to work with waxed cotton, treating their ship sails with grease and fish oil because it helped repel water and wind. The British military adopted the technology in World War I, but waxed cotton really took off when motorcyclists like Steve McQueen (along with the rest of the U.S. team) wore Barbour waxed jackets at the 1964 International Six Days Trial in East Germany.
The concept of waxed fabrics hasn’t changed much in all that time—the tightly woven cotton canvas is saturated in wax, resulting in a fabric that looks like distressed leather but is weather-resistant and more durable than untreated cotton or canvas. That’s why waxed jackets have the functionality, durability, and flexibility required of a long-lasting piece of outerwear. Even better, they break in to each wearer’s individual movement.
Legacy outerwear brands like Filson and Barbour have crafted their reputations on making their own waxed fabrics. We recommend picks from both of those brands, but there are plenty of others we stand behind. Here are the best waxed jackets we wear and recommend.
Best Waxed Jackets
- Best Overall: Barbour Bedale Jacket
- Best Lightweight: Flint and Tinder Waxed Trucker
- Most Durable: Filson Shor Lined Cruiser
- Best Features: Filson Field Jacket
- Best Rain Jacket: Filson Foul Weather Jacket
What to Consider
It’s called “duck canvas” for a reason.
Waxed jackets are made with dense, tightly woven cotton (aka canvas) that’s water-resistant, but not waterproof. This mid- to heavy-weight outerwear holds up in rain and snow to a degree, but don’t expect it to protect you like a seamless or sealed Gore-Tex jacket does during a heavy downpour.
Like leather or raw denim, waxed cotton feels stiff at first and requires breaking in—and the heavier the jacket, the longer that process takes. As you wear your waxed coat, you’ll likely notice creases at points of motion like the elbows or shoulders. This is normal and what makes the jacket feel lived in.
Waxed cotton is also known for being abrasion resistant, which is why it’s used in a lot of workwear. The weight of the shell ranges from seven to fourteen ounces and stands up to nicks and scrapes without tearing or unraveling.
A mid-layer is your best bet to stay warm.
Like with any jacket, consider a lining for added warmth. The wax finish provides some insulation, but if you’re in a cold place, we recommend a jacket with room for base layers. The waxed jackets we write about have full cuts that allow for layering underneath with sweatshirts, fleece hoodies, or vests. Most of the jackets below have a dense cotton lining, with a few polyester blanket lining and unlined options.
For even more warmth, get a chore coat.
Short jackets that hit at the hip are a good option if you want to use your waxed canvas jacket for workwear. This length makes it easy to reach for your pockets or tool belt and is less cumbersome than a long coat.
The longer cuts that fall below the hip are often called chore coats. They provide extra coverage, but aren’t knee-length like a trench or duster, so you can still move and work in them—but they can be a hassle for jobs that require bending or crouching down. Chore coats are a bit sleeker, though, so they’re easier to dress up.
How We Selected and Tested
Waxed jackets have gained popularity with the rise of workwear but—as with anything—more options means more room for subpar product. A flimsy cotton jacket that’s given the wax treatment is no more durable than what it started as—flimsy. I’ve owned several waxed jackets, so I started from my own experience to pull together options that suit a variety of needs and styles and have worn every single one on this list. I can speak to each jacket’s quality of construction as well as its durability and performance in the rain and cold. From a little over a year to over a decade, I’ve relied on these jackets to stay warm and dry.
Pros
Packable- Versatile for multiple seasons
- Plenty of pockets
Cons
- Hood and liner sold separately
This is a personal favorite, so much so that I’ve bought two—but not because the first one wore out. I’ve owned my first Barbour jacket for 12 years, and it’s been on almost every trip I’ve taken as it’s warm and easy to pack unlike thicker jackets.
Originally made for equestrians in the English countryside, the Bedale is one of the most popular waxed jackets because of its functionality and versatile style. Its mid-weight shell and relaxed fit make it a good top layer over bulky sweatshirts or even a down jacket or vest. Its large corduroy collar can be flipped up and closed with a button tab at the neck.
I also love the amount of storage on the Bedale: Its has two hand-warmer pockets lined in moleskin, two snap bellow pockets at the hips, and an interior pocket at the left chest. All in all it’s enough to stash a beanie or gloves and edc essentials.
The rear button-snap vents open for more flexibility when sitting—or motorcycle- or horseback-riding—though I find it most convenient when I’m biking. The two-way zipper also helps here as you can keep the jacket closed but open the bottom to prevent bunching. There’s a snap-button flap that closes over the zip—also called a storm flap—that helps keep out wind and rain.
Barbour sells a detachable hood and zip-in liner for extra protection and warmth though I’ve never found myself missing either. I’ve worn this jacket during the winter in Warsaw and London as well as rainy springs in Portland and New York. It has lasted a decade with minimal signs of wear.
Key Specs
| Shell | 6 oz. waxed-cotton |
|---|---|
| Lining | Cotton |
| Length | Upper thigh |
Pros
- Versatile
- Soft blanket lining
- Classic design
Cons
- Not as warm
Huckberry’s in-house brand, Flint and Tinder, makes its waxed trucker in a classic silhouette that’s fitted but not constricting. The seven-ounce weight is versatile enough for year-round wear. It works over just a tee in spring or with a sweatshirt in the colder months. The fabric is waxed on both sides to bolster warmth, insulation, and weather resistance.
Flint and Tinder’s jacket is a standout because of its construction and affordability as most waxed jackets made in the U.S. run well over $400. The brand doesn’t skimp on quality, though, with a timeless silhouette and thoughtfully-considered materials. The steel shank buttons and sailcloth canvas feel durable and resilient.
It has just four pockets—two at the hips, one at the chest, and one interior pocket. The style is similar to Type III denim jackets. A clean front that’s classic and easy to wear. While it’ll stand up to a hard day’s work, those on the job may prefer more pockets for tools.
I’ve personally owned this jacket, and I love that it’s rugged, yet comfortable. The blanket lining isn’t scratchy and feels good on the skin if I’m just wearing a tee, but it’s slack enough to slip my arms through when I’m wearing sweaters or fleeces. A lot of waxed jackets require a break-in period, but this one is comfortable and flexible from day one.
Key Specs
| Shell | 7 oz. waxed canvas |
|---|---|
| Lining | Polyester blanket |
| Length | Wasit |
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Pros
- Heavy-duty construction
- Slotted tool pockets at chest
- Versatile hip-length cut
Cons
- Requires breaking in
Filson’s tin cloth is a sturdy duck canvas that’s tightly woven for abrasion-resistance and durability. The heavy canvas construction, finished with a wax treatment, makes the Short Cruiser the most hardwearing jacket on this list. A mechanic friend of mine had one and swore by it saying it withstood battery acid spills and grease stains, so I wanted to check one out for myself.
Filson’s tin-cloth fabric is stiff and requires breaking in, but only took a couple of wears for it to soften and, while heavy, it never felt constricting. Heavyweight waxed cotton patinas better than lighter options and these jacket looks more like a beat-up leather jacket after years of use—something to look forward to. It’s lined with the brand’s unwaxed duck canvas for added insulation and wind resistance
It has slotted pockets at the chest for holding an assortment of tools along with hand-warmer pockets at the waist. The hip-length cut gives you easy access to pockets or tool belts and doesn’t ride up when you sit down.
Filson tends to run big but I’d still recommend going true to size—it gives you room to layer underneath and room to move. There’s adjustable cinch tabs at the waist to give you a more customized fit.
Key Specs
| Shell | 14 oz. Tin cloth |
|---|---|
| Lining | 6 oz. Cover cloth |
| Length | Waist |
Pros
- Wool-lined collar and pockets
- Cinch drawstrings at hip and hem for coverage and fit
- Durable
- Seamless shoulders for extra weather resistance
Cons
- Heavy
“Form meets function” is advertorial jargon brands love to throw around and it’s hardly ever true—but this jacket nails the sweet spot as a piece of gear you’ll use for its function and want to use for its downright good looks. I’ve had this jacket for over a year now and it’s my favorite Filson jacket that I own.
Filson's field jacket has maximum utility: Every design detail is thought out, with features like high-set hand pockets lined in wool; a drawcord adjustable waist and hem; and bellow patch pockets that expand and divide into two separate slots.
The back of the jacket has a zippered side-entry game pocket lined with nylon, which is as good for game as it is for hats, gloves, a 32-ounce water bottle, and anything else you need.
The shoulders are a one-piece design that eliminates seams, bolstering water-resistance, and the collar is lined with wool. The sleeves have both an outer and inner adjustable cuff that you can cinch with snap buttons to protect you against the elements, and the heavy-duty waxed canvas shell and liner do an exceptional job at cutting wind.
Even when I’m biking over New York City bridges in the cold, I don’t feel any wind chill on my torso. Out of the box, this jacket feels heavy and stiff in-hand, but after about a month it had enough flex that it’s comfortable to wear. The cut provides plenty of room for layers without looking oversized, but I recommend going down a whole size.
Key Specs
| Weight (ounces) | 14 oz. Tin Cloth |
|---|---|
| Lining | 10 oz. Cover cloth |
| Length | Upper thigh |
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Pros
- Lighter weight than others
- Detachable hood included
- Sleek design with subdued pockets
Cons
- Not very warm
Every waxed jacket is technically a rain jacket, but this Woodland jacket from Filson reminds me of a classic raincoat with an outdoorsy edge. The length falls well below the waist, giving you extra coverage.
The style is simple, with a cleaner front than other workwear jackets. It has two snap-button patch pockets that conceal side entry hand pockets and a hidden zip pocket at the chest. The jacket’s two-way zipper has a storm placket for added weather resistance.
At eight ounces, it’s lighter than the other Filson jackets on the list and you can feel the difference on the first wear. It’s flexible out of the box and requires almost no breaking in but is just as durable as other Filson options.
Rain jackets often don’t have much structure, which is why the Woodland is a standout—it’s extremely durable with reinforced forearms and a sturdy canvas shell and liner. It repels water just as you’d want a raincoat to, but it’s sturdier and more stylish. It’s an easy jacket to dress up—especially if you choose to take off the hood, with a cinch cord at the torso for a more tapered fit.
Key Specs
| Shell | 8 oz. Tin Cloth |
|---|---|
| Lining | 6 oz. Cover Cloth |
| Length | Upper thigh |
Danny Perez
Commerce Editor
Danny Perez is a Commerce Editor for Popular Mechanics with a focus on men's style, gear, and home goods. Recently, he was coordinator of partnership content at another product journalism outlet. Prior to that, he was a buyer for an independent men's shop in Houston, Texas, where he learned all about what makes great products great. He enjoys thrifting for 90s Broadway tees and vintage pajama sets. His spare time is occupied by watching movies and running to impress strangers on Strava.
