I bought a cheap 200NOK (£15) second hand wax jacket and re-waxed it. Was it worth it?

Last month, I stumbled upon a rather sorry-looking waxed jacket at a flea market. Now, when I say "sorry-looking," I mean the poor thing hadn’t seen a fresh coat of wax in at least a decade.

The brand? 'Champion' Completely unfamiliar to me, and even a thorough Google search left me none the wiser. But the stitching was top-notch, and the overall craftsmanship of the jacket was really quite impressive. The only thing; it was dry as a bone! So there I was, faced with an unknown jacket in less-than-ideal condition. Yet, I couldn't help myself, bought it and re-waxed it.

So, is it really worth sprucing up a cheap second hand wax jacket?

The answer is 'YES'. And to make my point you'll have to read through the following. As you might know; I, Darcy, am a self-confessed petrolhead, the proud owner of a vintage Benz from the ‘90s, purely for the sake of nostalgia. I’m the type who risks a hernia in the neck every time a classic car, 30 years or older, passes by. So, don’t be surprised if a few automotive analogies slip in while I chat about wax jackets. Now, let’s get back to the jacket—a solid piece of kit, despite the lack of a well-known brand.

Think of it as the Toyota of wax jackets: cheap, well-built, reliable, but slightly anonymous in appearance but with the right care, capable of lasting a lifetime.

So, I took the plunge, bought the jacket, and brought it back to my workshop. Armed with my homemade wax, I gave it a thorough reproofing. And I must say, it looks as good as new. Warm, well-lined, and now water-resistant once again.

Now, if you’re not overly concerned with the supposed prestige of certain brands and value quality and functionality instead, don’t shy away from buying an unbranded jacket. After all, with its fresh coat of wax, this second-hand jacket, bought for a mere £15, now has the appearance of a £200 piece. But more importantly, with proper care, you’ll enjoy this jacket for a lifetime. If I'm not keeping it for myself, I will most likely sell it during the next pop-up sales event in Norway.