Greenland Wax versus Otter Wax. Two household names but what to consider and why?

I've spent considerable time working with both of these products, and if you're standing staring out of your window pondering and wondering which of these two waxes to use to reproof your jacket, I'm here to share what I've learnt.

Both Otter Wax and Greenland Wax come in bar form, which is what I'll be discussing here, and I must say, both brands have earned their 'stellar' reputations when it comes to reproofing wax. Nonetheless, there are a few significant differences one ought to take into consideration when comparing Greenland Wax versus Otter Wax

Greenland Wax: The Swedish outdoor classic

This particular wax enjoys enormous popularity amongst outdoor enthusiasts, and I can see why. FjälIräven is a Swedish brand, and you'll understand that being outdoors and appreciating nature is simply woven into Swedish DNA. The composition consists of a blend of paraffin and beeswax. Now, paraffin is essentially another name for candle wax and is petroleum-based, which makes Greenland Wax the less sustainable alternative in this comparison, I'm afraid.

However, this composition does bring both advantages and disadvantages to the table. What I've noticed is that paraffin can make your jacket somewhat stiffer over time, and this might actually provide better protection against wear and tear, simply because it allows the fabric less opportunity to fold and crease. The beeswax component in Greenland Wax provides the necessary flexibility to balance this stiffness. Note that Fjällräven states that they recommend this wax for their G-1000 fabrics. In my experience it works fine for other types of fabrics as well.

As I mentioned earlier, this is a wax that's widely used by outdoor enthusiasts, and for good reason. If you've got, for example, a rucksack made from cotton and you're planning to venture into the wilderness for a few days, Greenland Wax is an excellent choice. I'd also recommend it when you're working with a more heavy-duty jacket that needs waxing, the somewhat stiffer finish that Greenland Wax provides is ideal for such applications.

Due to this very stiffness, I'd strongly advise you to melt the wax using the bain-marie method when you're reproofing your jacket. I've found this makes it considerably easier to achieve a lovely, more even finish across the fabric.

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Otter Wax: The natural alternative

This is a wax that consists entirely of natural products, and that, combined with several other factors, makes it rather unique in the marketplace. The main ingredients are beeswax and lanolin, with a number of additional plant-based oils that give Otter Wax its natural character. As a bonus, it smells rather pleasant too, though I'll admit that's my personal opinion.

What characterises Otter Wax in my experience is that it ultimately gives your jacket a more supple character, in contrast to waxes that contain petroleum-based ingredients. Moreover, I've found that this natural wax, after reproofing, ensures the fabric feels considerably less greasy than when you use a wax containing paraffin. As a result, the waxed fabric can feel substantially lighter as well.

In terms of wear resistance, you could perhaps argue that Otter Wax is slightly less robust than Greenland Wax, but it entirely depends on what you're going to use your jacket for. Are you a farmer working outdoors day in and day out in all weathers, expecting significant wear and tear? Then you might want to consider a more heavy-duty wax. However, for all other uses, I've found Otter Wax to be an excellent option.

There's an aesthetic advantage as well: because Otter Wax doesn't contain any petroleum-based products, you achieve a beautiful matte finish, which I personally find rather appealing.

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Greenland Wax versus Otter Wax; Which one I would choose?

I have both products on my shelf at home, and I reach for them depending on the specific project at hand and whatever the customer's wishes are. The choice really comes down to your individual needs, the type of garment you're treating, and your environmental preferences.