Robust and weather-hardened, waxed jackets have been around since the 1500s and are a certified staple of the Great British outdoors. However, while the USP of the cotton wax jacket is its ability to withstand rain, slush and snow, over recent years, they’ve also become a fashion staple that works well with what we already have in our wardrobes.
We've put together a quick guide that walks you through the vital considerations and reviewed ten of the best traditional, motorcycle and modern wax jackets available today. Featuring quality British-made products from Barbour and Game Technical Apparel and some good value picks too, we're confident there's a new coat for your adventures on this list.
Although wax jackets are essentially a style unto themselves, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some subtle differences between the options available. In this section, we’ll be taking a closer look at these nuances to help you choose a piece you'll keep for years to come.
First, you’ll want to consider the length of the jacket. Generally, you'll have a choice of short or mid-length (there are much longer wax jackets, but these are quite specialist items), each of which have their own advantages aside from just how they look.
For example, shorter jackets tend to look more casual, which can be handy if you don’t want to adopt the countryman look all the time or you want something more adaptable between seasons. If you are outdoorsy, they're also ideal for cycling or horse riding, as you won’t sit on or get tangled up in the lower part.
On the other hand, if country gent is the aesthetic you want or you're looking for a coat to see you through winter, then it's wiser to opt for a mid-length jacket. These tend to fall around the upper thigh and will offer greater protection from the elements, as well as long grass or farmland if you find yourself walking through that often.
Whether you agree with it or not, one of the traditional uses of this style of coat is hunting – and because of this, you do get a few advantages from it. You see, back in the day, brands added numerous pockets, including cartridge pockets, poachers’ pockets and bellows pockets, to name a few.
Luckily, these are still a key feature, and one that will be invaluable for everyone, whether you want to use the jacket for traditional purposes and pursuits including fishing and dog walking or just for fashion.
While it's most often a case of the more pockets, the merrier, we would especially suggest looking for an inside one as the outer options may not fully close – usually, they have just a popper – which could leave valuable contents exposed if the weather turns.
Last but not least, you’ll want to think about the fastening situation. As they are built for inclement weather, you might expect a little more protection than you would from your average jacket. Thankfully, most wax coats are happy to comply with this request as they offer both a zip and a flap that fits over this, which is then sealed with press studs.
Of course, the more casual, fashion-focused jackets may stray away from these additional weatherproof fastenings and instead stick to the more classic buttons or zip. Whether you want or need the additional protection will depend on where you plan on wearing the coat, but for us, they’re always worth looking out for. After all, there’s nothing to lose from being dry!
Now that we’ve had a look at the design features you can expect from wax jackets, let’s get to the enjoyable part – the shopping! In our ranking, we have a range of top-end and more affordable options because ultimately, everyone should be able to appreciate good garbs.
£85.00
Length | Short |
---|---|
Number of Pockets | 3 outer, 1 inner |
Fastening System | Buttons and zip |
Sizes Available | S - 3XL |
£27.85
Length | Medium |
---|---|
Number of Pockets | 4 outer, 1 inner |
Fastening System | Press studs and zip |
Sizes Available | S - XXL |
£208.95
Length | Short |
---|---|
Number of Pockets | 4 outer, 1 inner |
Fastening System | Press studs and zip |
Sizes Available | S - XXL |
£42.95
Length | Medium |
---|---|
Number of Pockets | 4 outer, 1 inner |
Fastening System | Press studs and 2-way zip |
Sizes Available | XXS - 5XL |
£99.00
Length | Medium |
---|---|
Number of Pockets | 2 outer |
Fastening System | Buttons |
Sizes Available | S - XXL |
£90.32
Length | Short |
---|---|
Number of Pockets | 4 outer, 1 inner |
Fastening System | Buttons and 2-way zip |
Sizes Available | S - XXL |
£159.00
Length | Short |
---|---|
Number of Pockets | 2 outer, 1 inner |
Fastening System | Zip, collar press studs |
Sizes Available | S - XXL |
£39.95
Length | Medium |
---|---|
Number of Pockets | 4 outer, 1 inner |
Fastening System | Press studs and zip |
Sizes Available | S - 5XL |
£349.00
Length | Short |
---|---|
Number of Pockets | 4 outer |
Fastening System | Press studs and 2-way zip |
Sizes Available | S - XXL |
£168.00
Length | Medium |
---|---|
Number of Pockets | 4 outer, 1 inner |
Fastening System | Press studs and zip |
Sizes Available | S - XXL |
Image | 1 ![]() Barbour Lifestyle | 2 ![]() Barbour Lifestyle | 3 ![]() Game Technical Apparel | 4 ![]() Barbour International | 5 ![]() Game Technical Apparel | 6 ![]() John Lewis & Partners | 7 ![]() Walker & Hawkes | 8 ![]() Barbour International | 9 ![]() Country Leisure Wear | 10 ![]() Superdry |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Name | Ashby Waxed Field Jacket | Nautic Waxed Jacket | Barker Waxed Cotton Jacket | Royston Lightweight Jacket | Speedway Quilted Wax Jacket | Wax Cotton Cord Collar Jacket | Unpadded Wax Jacket | Duke Waxed Cotton Jacket | British Quilted Wax Rain Jacket | Waxed Field Deck Jacket |
Features | The Modern Archetypal Wax Jacket | You’ll Probably Never Need Another Coat Again | A Classic Take With a Detachable Hood | Combining Classic Materials With a Harrington Style | Belted to Provide a Flattering Silhouette | Peak Performance for Everyday City Dwellers | The Wax Jacket That Will Fit Everyone | A Favourite of Motorcyclists | The Country Gentleman Look On a Budget | Balancing Traditional and Modern Styles |
Price | £168.00 | £349.00 | £39.95 | £159.00 | £90.32 | £99.00 | £42.95 | £208.95 | £27.85 | £85.00 |
Length | Medium | Short | Medium | Short | Short | Medium | Medium | Short | Medium | Short |
Number of Pockets | 4 outer, 1 inner | 4 outer | 4 outer, 1 inner | 2 outer, 1 inner | 4 outer, 1 inner | 2 outer | 4 outer, 1 inner | 4 outer, 1 inner | 4 outer, 1 inner | 3 outer, 1 inner |
Fastening System | Press studs and zip | Press studs and 2-way zip | Press studs and zip | Zip, collar press studs | Buttons and 2-way zip | Buttons | Press studs and 2-way zip | Press studs and zip | Press studs and zip | Buttons and zip |
Sizes Available | S - XXL | S - XXL | S - 5XL | S - XXL | S - XXL | S - XXL | XXS - 5XL | S - XXL | S - XXL | S - 3XL |
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If it's time for a coat upgrade, we've got lots more recommendations that, like wax jackets, can offer a great mix of both practical features and good looks. Take a look at our picks of this season's puffer jackets, fleeces and raincoats to keep you covered no matter what the weather throws at you.
With so many options available online, there’s bound to be a wax jacket that ticks all of your boxes and fits your style. If you follow our advice on fit and features, you'll be sure to get loads of great use out of your new wet-weather companion.
Author: Lewis Clark
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