The 12 Best Waxed Canvas Jackets Of 2024

If you think you’ve got all the winter outerwear in your closet that you can possibly fit, think again. Between a slim topcoat, a durable parka and an essential denim jacket for layering, you also need a coat that’s rough and tough enough to do it all. Enter a waxed canvas jacket, made in a variety of silhouettes and with various bells and whistles galore to take on winter weather.

With its versatile looks — sometimes featuring the silhouette of an overshirt, sometimes that of a jacket — it’s a must-have. Crucially, it stands up to snow and slush, it’s fit to wear outside for weekend exploration, and thanks to its workwear roots, it’s rugged and yet refined at the same time.

Try it with a chambray shirt, dark denim and beat-up leather boots, or hit the streets with wool trousers and a classic Oxford for extra protection as you head to work. You can’t go wrong with one of the best waxed canvas jackets for men.

Taylor Stitch Long Haul Jacket in Waxed Canvas

Vintage designs meet modern fabrics in the gorgeous Taylor Stitch Long Haul Jacket. The heritage-inspired trucker silhouette has been given just enough of a modernized upgrade to make it compatible with today’s styles, but it’s structured and constructed the same way that has made trucker jackets one of the most popular styles for decades.

The nine-ounce organic cotton waxed canvas feels tough as nails but won’t be overly heavy or thick. It’s custom-developed by Halley Stevensons, the “leading expert” in waxed and weatherproofed fabrics for over 150 years, and the combination of a water-repellent exterior and cotton lined interior doubles down on both the versatility and warmth. The longer you wear it, the more beautiful it will grow as the waxed canvas patinates.

Price: $298

Flint and Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker Jacket

Flint and Tinder, quite simply, continues to outfit stylish guys everywhere from head to toe with durable, tough and remarkable gear. The Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker blends everything for which the brand is known, from a nicely tailored silhouette to quality fabrication (via Martexin sailcloth) and most notably, a new and super-warm blanket stripe lining.

We love the Field Tan colorway the best, ideal for wearing with perfectly broken-in jeans and your favorite henley to, well, your favorite brewery. It’s the latest fall must-have, and you won’t regret picking it up — to say the very least. Lace up your boots and get to work (or to the bar).

Price: $298

Read our hands-on review of the Flint and Tinder Flannel-Lined Waxed Trucker Jacket.

Tom Beckbe Tensaw Jacket

We appreciate a well-stocked rotation of durable, tough and rugged jackets — everything from a waxed cotton field jacket to a sleek moto jacket is fair game in our book. That makes the Tom Beckbe Tensaw Jacket all the more essential, stylish and handsomely designed. It’s got an old-school feel to it just from looking at it — the waxed shelter cloth is nearly unlike any other coat on the market, as is the type of design that your father and grandfather might have appreciated.

Not quite good enough? The cotton twill lining is dyed using Alabama red clay, while gusseted underarms and a bi-swing back give you the range of motion you need in the field. ‘Tis the season to embark on early morning hikes and hunting trips aplenty — the Tensaw Jacket is the one to get, if that sounds like your ideal fall or winter day.

Price: $495

Barbour Bedale Jacket

If there’s a jacket that epitomizes the sort of timeless style and rugged appeal that a waxed canvas jacket can bring, it just might be the Bedale Jacket. Barbour’s roots and penchant for classic style run deep, and plenty of details on this particular piece are carefully composed.

That goes for instantly recognizable touches, like the corduroy collar and the brand’s classic Tartan Cotton lining. Known for its British country appeal, the Bedale Jacket can still go just about anywhere you want it. It’s an everyday jacket built with tough functionality and appeal that’ll last for decades.

Price: $415

L.L. Bean Waxed-Cotton Upland Coat

For a stroll through a wet, rainy countryside, the L.L. Bean Waxed-Cotton Upland Coat is just the outer layer you’ll want. Crafted using British Millerain waxed cotton canvas, it’s tough as nails and as water-repellent as you could ask for. But it’s unique in one feature: it’s machine washable. That’s right, unlike every other waxed canvas coat we’ve tested, you can throw it in the washing machine to get out any spots, stains, or smudges. Once it’s washed, you can hang it up to dry and it’ll look good as new.

Thanks to its “standard” fit, you’ll find it hugs your body snugly to keep you warm even if the weather is chilly, but gives you enough room to move around in if you’re hiking, hunting, fishing, or backpacking.

Price: $158

Filson Tin Cloth Short Lined Cruiser Jacket

Foresters, outdoorsmen, campers, and mountaineers, this one’s for you. The Filson Tin Cloth Short Lined Cruiser Jacket is cut short to give your legs total freedom of movement, and won’t get in the way of a utility belt or belt-holstered knife or sidearm. The oil-finish tin cloth is sourced from British Millerain, with a heavy-duty fourteen-ounce gauge that makes this very likely the toughest-built jacket on our list.

The tight weave and oil finish make it both water-resistant and immensely sturdy, capable of shrugging off abrasions and heavy rains with ease. Though it’s heavy and stiff at first, regular wear will soften the wax and make it conform to your physique until it feels like it’s made just for you—the most comfortable jacket you’ll ever own. Just be warned: sizes tend to run small, so order a size up if you plan to wear it over base layers or if you’re between sizes.

Price: $350

Line of Trade Waxed Ranch Jacket

If you’re swinging an axe, baling hay, or working on your ranch or farm, the Line of Trade Waxed Ranch Jacket was built for you. Crafted in an iconic Western style, it delivers the rugged good looks of the Wild West with a traditional flair you’ll love. Pair it with jeans and either work boots or cowboy boots for maximum style.

The traditional waxed canvas shell is sturdy and water-repellent, but it’s lined with a soft heavyweight cotton that will add extra warmth and comfort for a cold day of work. Everything is built to stand up to rough-and-tumble use, including grown-on workwear cuffs, double-needle stitching to reinforce the seams, angled utility pockets for all your tools and essentials, and corduroy collar. The more you wear it, the tougher it’ll look and feel.

Price: $158

Tom Beckbe Shallowford Jacket

Tom Beckbe brings a wonderfully hard-wearing jacket to your closet. The Shallowford Jacket is made using eight-ounce midweight canvas, which is both weatherproof and water-resistant, capable of handling temperatures below 50F. The classic fit makes it comfortable whether you’re sitting down or working hard, and the gusseted underarms give you excellent freedom of mobility to swing an axe or work a wrench.

The longer you wear it, the more the wax will develop a unique patina that makes it “all you”, and the pop of color from the interior cotton lining (inspired by Alabama red clay) will complete your style to perfection.

Price: $449

Barbour Sapper Waxed Cotton Jacket

There might not be a brand that does the waxed jacket better than Barbour. With its roots in classic British heritage style and a focus on functionality and classic silhouettes, they’re an easy go-to in terms of upgrading your outerwear.

The military-style silhouette calls to mind the version worn by James Bond in his Scottish adventures, and that’s a very good thing indeed. With helpful design touches like an inner waist drawcord and plenty of pockets, it’s a piece you shouldn’t go without this winter — whether you explore the Scottish highlands or not.

Price: $465

Orvis Heritage Field Coat

They call this piece the Heritage Field Coat for a reason, and one would expect its legendary functionality to stand up to such a name. The waxed cotton exterior can take on both rain and briars — as the brand says — and touches like a corduroy collar provide classic heritage inspiration direct from the field.

As with all great pieces of outerwear, it’s likely your grandfather or father wore the same jacket — and they might even have it to this day. That’s as great a reason as any to buy it — isn’t it?

Price: $275

Barbour Ashby Wax Jacket

Barbour offers a jacket unlike any of the others on this list. The Ashby Wax Jacket looks more like classy leather than plain waxed canvas, and it’s one of the most versatile outfits you’ll ever own.

The mid-weight wax finish, washed corduroy collar, and tartan lining make this warm enough for a day out in the windy countryside or on the highlands, but the jacket is light enough you won’t mind carrying it when the sun shines down hot. The collar is even studded in case you want to add Barbour’s waxed cotton hood in the colder months.

Price: $398

KUHL Outlaw Waxed Jacket

Keep it simple and classy with the KUHL Outlaw Waxed Jacket. It’s cut in the trucker style, made using super-tough cotton with just a touch of Spandex to add elasticity, and lined with a blend of cotton and polyester flannel that will keep it lightweight but add moisture-wicking and quick-drying properties.

The coat will just get more beautiful with age, and the waxed exterior will soften the more you wear it—until it feels like your favorite coat in no time. For the months when it gets truly cold, you’ll find the thick interior lining (including polyester inside the sleeves) will do an amazing job of keeping out winter’s fierce bite.

Price: $179

How to Re-Wax Your Waxed Canvas Jacket

So what is canvas, exactly? It’s a heavy duty cotton cloth that was originally used to make sails for boats. Cotton is a woven fiber material, and that weave allows air and moisture to pass through the cloth—perfect for breathable cotton t-shirts, but far from optimal if you’re looking for waterproof protection.

Applying wax to that same heavy duty canvas makes it water resistant by covering the pores in the cotton’s weave. Before you get started, you’ll need just two main things: Your canvas jacket, and a compatible wax. Depending on how you’d like to apply your wax, you may also want a paint brush and/or rubbber gloves. And for a professional finish, you’ll also need a heat source such as a blowdryer.

Paraffin wax is the most common wax used for re-waxing canvas, owing to its easy availability and affordability.

Step 1: Clean And Rinse Your Canvas Jacket

Any dirt or grime that’s worked its way into the coat will prevent the wax from taking hold, leaving you with an uneven finish and incomplete waterproofing.
Simply rinse your jacket from top to bottom making sure to remove enough of the surface dirt to rewax the jacket. Use cold water, and under no circumstances should you wash your jacket in a washing machine. Let your jacket air dry completely before waxing.

Step 2: Heat Up The Wax

This step differs based on whether you’re using a fabric wax bar, or a fabric dressing that you need to heat before applying.

Step 3: Apply The Wax

Working in one section of your jacket at a time, press the bar into the surface of your coat just hard enough to leave some wax behind. Pay special attention to covering the seams around any pockets.
With heat-activated fabric dressing, you’ll need a paint brush or spare kitchen towel to apply the wax. Dip your brush or the end of a clean towel into the dressing, and then paint it onto your jacket.

Step 4: Apply Heat

This will ensure that any last bits of solid wax have the opportunity to soak fully into the jacket, leaving it fully waterproofed. A blowdryer works wonders here. If you don’t own a blow dryer, you can usually get the desired results by using the natural heat of the sun.

Step 5: Hang Your Jacket Overnight

Hang it up overnight, and let it fully dry.

Step 6: Clean Off Any Excess Oil

In the morning, you may notice that your jacket has some oil remaining on the surface. Wipe off the excess oil with a cloth and wear your jacket all day, every day. You’ve earned it.

For more details, read our guide on re-waxing a waxed canvas jacket here.

Updated on 9/19/2024.

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