A waxed raincoat; one for life

I, Darcy, live in Norway, a rugged country that finds itself under siege from all manner of weather, particularly during autumn, winter, and spring. And when I say weather, I'm primarily referring to rain.

A great deal of rain, in fact. Consider this: Bergen, a city on the west coast, once experienced 85 consecutive days of rainfall. You can imagine, then, that I've long since ceased to be surprised by a sudden downpour. As they say here in Norway: there's no such thing as bad weather, only inappropriate clothing. Which brings me rather neatly to the subject at hand: waxed raincoats. Firstly, I'll explain briefly why I fell in love with them. Secondly, further down the article I'll point you in the right direction if you were to consider having one.

First things first; the aesthetic appeal of waxed raincoats

Waxed rain jackets possess a magnificent presence about them. Hang a fine specimen from Claybourn or Driza-Bone alongside a brightly coloured polyester or plastic alternative, and you'll immediately grasp what I mean. Naturally, it's a matter of personal taste, but I'd venture to suggest that if you were to ask ten people to choose, nine would point to the waxed rain jacket as being the most handsome option.

I'm personally rather enamoured with the appearance of these coats. I own a gorgeous freshly waxed, second-hand Claybourn which I wear throughout virtually the entire autumn and spring seasons. Without fail, it attracts admiring glances whenever I board the Oslo metro. There's something inherently distinguished about the matte finish of waxed cotton, the way it develops a patina over time, and how it exudes a sense of heritage and craftsmanship that synthetic materials simply cannot replicate. Seriously.

The colour palette of waxed jackets tends towards earth tones, rich browns, deep greens, navy blues, and classic blacks, which age gracefully rather than looking worn. Unlike their synthetic counterparts that can appear cheap or dated after a season or two, a well-maintained waxed raincoat only grows more characterful with age, telling the story of your adventures through its worn creases and weathered surface, or something.

Much more than functionality

And I'm not merely referring to the water-repellent qualities of these jackets, that goes without saying. What I find particularly satisfying is their robustness. They feature generously sized pockets, and the press studs are of exceptional quality, built to withstand years of use without losing their grip.

Beyond this, I'm tremendously fond of the fact that, unlike all those plastic and polyester alternatives, one doesn't perspire excessively in them. Cotton is simply far more pleasant to wear against the skin. The fabric breathes naturally, regulating your temperature in a way that synthetic materials struggle to match. You can wear a waxed jacket during a brisk autumn walk without feeling clammy, and it performs equally well during a winter drizzle.

Then there's the matter of length. The type of rain jacket I'm discussing comes in various lengths, providing options to suit different needs and preferences. I myself possess a mid-length version, which shields me from the worst of the rainfall whilst remaining practical for everyday wear. The longer versions, reminiscent of traditional riding coats, offer even greater protection, extending well below the knee to keep your legs dry during prolonged exposure to the elements.

The construction of these jackets typically includes reinforced shoulders, adjustable cuffs, and storm flaps over the fastenings, thoughtful details that demonstrate genuine understanding of how people actually use outdoor clothing. Many feature corduroy-lined collars that sit comfortably against your neck, and the weight of the fabric itself provides a reassuring sense of protection against the wind.

Sustainability and longevity

This is a theme close to my heart, because in our throwaway society, we truly must adapt our behaviour drastically, as in right now. This means we shouldn't consume needlessly, but rather make conscious choices, particularly regarding clothing. When it comes to jackets and coats, I believe one should ask oneself as a purchasing criterion: am I prepared to wear this jacket for the rest of my life? If the answer is yes, then you may confidently proceed with the purchase.

And this is precisely the question you can ask yourself with these types of waxed raincoats. If you maintain them properly, which means rewaxing them when they require it, I wrote about it before, they'll last a lifetime. What's more, they become increasingly handsome with age, developing that coveted character that only quality garments can achieve.

When you also invest in a tin of Otter Wax, which is an entirely natural wax, you're truly doing things properly and sustainably. The process of rewaxing becomes a satisfying ritual, a form of maintenance that connects you with your raincoat and ensures its longevity.

Consider the environmental impact: one waxed raincoat that lasts thirty years versus fifteen synthetic jackets that need replacing every two years, and are rediculously difficult to recycle. The mathematics of sustainability speak for themselves. Moreover, when a waxed raincoat eventually reaches the end of its life, the natural materials cause far less pressure on our already trash-filled world.

My favourite waxed raincoats

Claybourn

For this, we must first travel to Australia, metaphorically speaking. I'm genuinely besotted with my Claybourn, which I mentioned earlier. I purchased it second-hand with the intention of rewaxing it and selling it on. However, I've kept it for myself, too nice to sell.

Claybourn is a historic Australian brand, established in 1910 by Manning John Claybourn in Brisbane, with the mission of keeping Australians warm and dry. The brand has a long tradition of manufacturing high-quality oilskin and dryskin garments, with production taking place entirely in Australia. I consider this latter point an enormous advantage. They could have taken the convenient route of outsourcing to a low-wage country, but chose not to, in order to guarantee their legendary quality.

The fact that this brand still exists, despite the cowboy era being largely behind us, speaks volumes about the exceptional quality and thereby the enduring appeal of these jackets. The construction is impeccable, every seam properly sealed, every fastening thoughtfully positioned. The oilskin has a distinctive texture and weight that feels substantial without being cumbersome.

If you reside in a rainy region, a Claybourn is worthy of your deepest consideration. These jackets were designed for stockmen working in the Australian outback, where reliability isn't a luxury but a necessity. That heritage of genuine functionality translates beautifully to contemporary urban and rural life.

Let's get one

Driza-Bone

We're remaining in Australia for a moment longer, because there's another legendary brand from down under of which I've become a great admirer after rewaxing at least three of these jackets. I'm referring to Driza-Bone.

Driza-Bone is a legendary Australian brand, founded in 1898, primarily known for its iconic oilskin and waxed jackets that were originally designed for stockmen and equestrians. The name "Driza-Bone" derives from the expression "dry as a bone," which reflects the waterproof properties of their garments. The brand has deep roots in Australian heritage and has clothed the men who built Australia's railways and roads and fought in both World Wars.

It's famously associated with the rugged outdoor life and iconic Australian imagery, including a role in the film "The Man from Snowy River", which cemented its place in popular culture. These jackets became symbols of Australian resilience and practicality.

Driza-Bone jackets are traditionally made from cotton treated with oil or wax to create a waterproof and durable fabric known as oilskin. These jackets are typically long riding coats with straps to secure the jacket to the rider's legs, providing protection against rain and wind whilst riding. The distinctive silhouette is immediately recognisable: the cape-like back, the leg straps, the full-length coverage.

Despite various changes in fabric and style over the years, the long waxed riding coat or stockman's coat remains a staple of their collection. Now, such a jacket isn't exclusively reserved for the equestrian enthusiast, but it's rather splendid that it can serve that purpose. Just as with Claybourn, you'll find various jackets for various purposes in their range.

If I ever had to enter the trenches to fight some pointless war, I'd pack a Driza-Bone in my hand luggage. There's something reassuring about wearing a jacket that's been tested in genuinely harsh conditions by people whose lives depended on staying dry and protected.

A slightly older Driza-Bone I fixed up and sold a while ago.

Let's get one