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I made a jacket with regular cotton and then with a waxed canvas, the difference was huge.
The cotton one looked fine but got dirty fast and lost its shape after a few wears. The waxed canvas version from a project last fall still looks sharp and handles rain without a problem. Anyone have other tough fabrics they like for outerwear?
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valcampbell1mo ago
I used to avoid waxed canvas for the same reason, it seemed like a lot of work. Then I wore a friend's old waxed jacket that was just broken in perfectly, not stiff at all. The patina and character it had were amazing, something nylon never gets. Now I see the maintenance as part of the deal, like caring for good leather boots. That bit of effort gives you something that lasts for years and looks better with age.
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kevin_lane1mo ago
Totally worth the hassle for that broken-in feel.
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shah.xena1mo ago
Isn't waxed canvas a pain to maintain though? I find it gets stiff and needs rewaxing, which is a messy job. Sometimes a simple nylon shell is easier for daily use.
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Used to think waxed canvas was too much trouble until I wore my buddy's old hunting jacket. That thing was soft as a flannel shirt but still kept the water out. Now I get it, the stiff phase is just part of the story. A little work up front gives you gear that actually gets better, not just older.
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