Good, Better, Best Waxed Jackets

A great example of this is Flint & Tinders’ line of waxed jackets. They start as low as $198 for their Indonesian-made James Waxed Snap Jacket, then $298 for their extremely popular US-made Waxed Trucker, and finally $358 for their Wool-lined waxed trucker pictured here. All very simple designs, with the difference being where they’re made, and the cost of the components. The wool lining is a blend on these, however.

Of course, we can’t mention waxed jackets without discussing Barbour, the iconic brand was founded in 1894 and their signature waxed jackets are recognized worldwide. The Barbour jackets you’ll want are made in their British Simonside factory on the outskirts of South Shields. These jackets are quite traditional and feature double-rolled seams for water resistance. In this group, you’ll find varying finishes depending on the model from dry to their Sylk Oil finish. Models come short, like the $415 Beldale, or longer like the $450 Border Wax Jacket. Some are available with wool lining and others with cotton. Barbour waxed fabric is on the lighter side, either 6oz or 8oz, depending on the model.

Belstaff is very similar to Barbour, using similar materials and styles. Both brands have pedigree and heritage, but Belstaff seems to be much more fashion forward and you pay a premium for their “cool factor”. Founded in 1924, Belstaff is known for its waxed cotton motorcycle jackets. And while Barbour is still a family-owned company, Belstaff is owned by INEOS. However, Belstaff offers a 24-month guarantee on their jackets to Barbours 12. Still, if Barbour is close but no cigar. Belstaff may have what you’re looking for. However, be advised that none of their jackets are currently being made in the UK.

Triple Aught Design isn’t the first brand you may think of regarding waxed jackets, but their Interval WX Jacket is a unique offering. The Interval is available in several fabrics, but Triple Aught Design chose to use 9.5oz British Millerain’s Sahara Herringbone twill with their dry Staywax finish which means this jacket is machine washable. The look is deliberately menacing with a matte black finish, yet the details are refined: the herringbone twill looks awesome, and the zippers are contrasting YKK. If you’re a spy or just want to look like one, this is your jacket. The TAD Interval is made in the UK and will set you back $325.

One of the best values of this entire lineup comes from the brand Iron and Resin with their $299 Cruiser Jacket. This jacket is unique in that it uses 14.75 Nizam waxed canvas with a waterproof membrane between the flannel lining and shell. So it’s a heavier jacket with some very thoughtful features. Of course, the way they were able to keep the cost this low is by manufacturing it in Pakistan which is worth noting. 

Filson is a brand that has suffered a gradual decline as prices increase while product quality decreases. For now, you can still find their waxed jacket lineup, though it notoriously changes without reason.

Filsons Cover cloth is a waxed poplin cotton from the UK with a dry finish, their shelter cloth is a waxed cotton duck fabric, and their tin cloth is a heavier waxed cotton duck sometimes available in dry or oil finish.  Occasionally Filson will make jackets from their Rugged Twill material, which is the same stuff their luggage is made from, but those pieces are few and far between.

Tom Beckbe is a brand I’ve been a fan of for quite some time, I own their original Tensaw waxed jacket which is the ultimate hunting jacket. But they’ve come out with some new waxed jackets lately which are quite good. The Chatom is a great, simple lightweight jacket made here in the USA, though it looks like future versions will be made in the UK. It’s an oily finish on the 8oz shelter cloth and looks great in this color “wheat”. The lining is brown cotton and the price is $325

If you want to turn things up a notch, there’s the USA-made Shallowford which adds some nice features: the closure is zippered with a storm flap, the lower pockets are pleated with hidden handwarmer pockets, and the overall length is a bit longer than the Chatom. The lining is classic Tom Beckbe “red clay” cotton. The Shallowford will set you back $449

Devium is a brand I’ve really come to admire, and they have a couple of waxed jackets in their catalog. The Overdrive is a 10oz waxed cotton sailcloth with 6.5oz 100% cotton flannel lining in a very cool ombre pattern. Devium also gives you a map showing where each component is from in the USA. The big thing that will draw people to this jacket is its styling. With brass zippers that are accented by black fabric, complete with that cool O-ring pull on the chest.

Rogue Territory began in 2008 making custom jeans. These days they have a full line of clothing including their waxed supply jacket. The model here is their newest Hunter Supply Jacket which adds some length. Being entirely unlined, you’ll want to wear a long sleeve layer beneath this since waxed fabric doesn’t feel great on your skin. The interior is nicely finished, with all the seams being covered with a white fabric. Overall, it’s a clean look with the corduroy collar and cuff lining, and hidden snaps.

Freenote Cloth is a wonderful American brand that isn’t afraid to take a chance on its designs. Most of their catalog is Western-inspired, and the Riders Jacket is probably the most famous on this list having been worn by Casey in the popular show Yellowstone. The design is complex with its 4-pocket and pleated design, yet familiar to anyone who appreciates workwear. There is also a heavier version which uses 20oz waxed canvas with a wool lining.

It’s hard to say how many people create Tin Duck Denim jackets, it may be a one-man shop or perhaps two or three people. Their Trucker is a familiar design that comes in several flavors: lightweight, heavyweight, a 12oz blue, and even suede. The grassroots nature of Tin Duck Denim is part of its charm, and the variety will certainly be welcomed by customers who appreciate options.

Heat Straps is an American brand based out of New Jersey and founded by two brothers. For total transparency, I’ve worked with Heat Straps on several collaborative models so of course I think their products are fantastic. Something I admire about Heat Straps is their dedication to using the best materials available, which means their products are consistently refined. The Workhorse Jacket is a straightforward workwear style with two enormous handwarmer/tool pockets and one zippered chest pocket. These come in either 10oz or 24oz waxed canvas, each with a 100% wool lining.

Bradley Mountain is a small shop based in Columbia, Tennessee. Their Cabin Jacket is available in several flavors, but this one is my favorite. It is made of 12oz waxed canvas with a 100% wool lining from Fairbault Woolen Mills. What makes the Cabin Jacket so unique is the pocket layout, which makes this model one of the most usable on this list.

The mighty Ship John Wills jacket is widely accepted as the first waxed jacket to use that insane 24oz waxed twill. Notorious for its build quality as well as the ordering process, those who own a Wills jacket will tell you it’s like nothing else. Details like the cymbal-spun snaps let you know you’re wearing a small-batch jacket. Aside from the availability issue, the lining on the V2 Wills (V1 was unlined) is that there is no option for wool. Still, if you want the original overbuilt to a fault jacket there is nothing quite like a Wills.

Thedi Leathers is known more for their leather jackets than waxed, but several mixed-media jackets are available. This model uses a surplus 1940s military canvas of unknown (but heavy) weight that’s waxed by hand. The leather trim is vegetable-tanned, and each jacket is custom-made to your measurements. Entirely hand-made in Greece, these jackets are one of a kind and as much a work of art as they are clothing.