Modern Frontier: Waxed Pants

Making waxed pants is one way to create more resilient outdoor clothing.

If you’ve read much of the Modern Frontier blog, you know we try to connect the past to the present in practical ways. One way to do this is by applying traditional knowledge and skills in ways that make our lives better. Although the 21st century is different from the 19th century, there are still many applications. If you read our Functional Wilderness Clothing article, you’ll know that one area in which we can apply traditional knowledge is in how we dress. One frontiersman once noted, “You’ve got to dress so if you break your leg and have to lay out on the prairie you won’t freeze to death.” In the wilderness clothing article, we outlined some practical points to consider when dressing. At one point, the article turned to materials. While the ideal material does depend on the situation, there is one material many outdoorsmen could benefit from being aware of. That material is waxed canvas.

Waxed canvas is exactly what it sounds like; canvas that has been waxed. Waxed canvas can trace its roots back to the 15th century. Initially, it offered sailers a better sail material, but they soon used it to waterproof their hats and capes as well. Although it took time, waxed canvas was eventually picked up by other outdoorsmen. By the early 20th century, lumberjacks and the US military were putting this material to use. Even today, it is a popular material used by trusted brands like Filson to make clothing, backpacks, and other gear. Waxed canvas is a good choice for people who want a durable and waterproof material that is not as noisy as many modern synthetics.

One major downside to waxed canvas is the cost. Waxed canvas is a niche material that requires extra input. I suspect these two factors play a role in making this gear extra expensive. One way to save a little money is by waxing the material yourself. It’s a relatively easy process that won’t require a heavy investment in tools or materials. However, it does take some time.

After a rainy camping trip, I decided to make myself a pair of waxed pants. A weekend of wearing waterlogged jeans in cool weather convinced me that there had to be better options available. Rather than spend the +$150 on a pair of pants or merino wool pants, I decided to make my own waxed pants. Rather than making them out of canvas, I decided to make my waxed pants out of denim. The reason; they are widely available and what I normally wear. Denim and canvas are similar enough that waxing a pair of denim jeans will provide most of the same benefits as if they were canvas. I also avoided having to design, cut, and sew the pants myself. I left that up to Wrangler.

If you think you might benefit from a pair of waxed pants for camping or hunting, you can follow this process. As mentioned, it’s not difficult and is relatively cheap if you don’t count your time.

Materials/Tools

-Paraffin Wax

-Mineral Oil

-Metal Container

-Clean Paintbrush

-Heat Gun/Hair Dryer

-Heat Source

Step 1: Measuring the Mixture

The first thing you need to do is measure out your paraffin wax and mineral oil. Paraffin wax is an oil-based wax that is soft and flexible. As a result, it is good for cloth items that should be flexible. Mineral oil is a chemical substance from crude oil that has been used for various applications. You can tinker with the mixture to get a consistency that you like. The basic rule is that the more wax you add, the stiffer the cloth will be, but the more likely it is that the wax will rub off. On the other end of the spectrum, you could have a mostly oil mixture. The benefit is that it won’t rub off, but it will have a very oily texture and rub off on your skin and other garments. A good starting place is one cup of oil for one pound of wax. I’d recommend making some small test batches before making the final batch for your pants. However, when you find one that you like, make a decent-sized batch. Not only will it ensure that you have enough to complete your project, but you can use any extra for future touch ups.

Step 2: Heating the Mixture

When making your oil/wax mix, it’s important to keep in mind that both oil and wax are flammable. There are two basic safety precautions to avoid catching your mixture on fire. One is the double-boiler method. In this method, you fill one container with water, set it on a heat source, and bring it to a boil. As it heats you set another container in the water that doesn’t let the water come over the edge and fill the container. The idea is to have the heat of the boiling water melt the wax. Because the boiling point of water is below the combustion temperature of the wax, this method eliminates the wax from catching fire.

If you don’t want to use the double-boiler method, you can use another heat source that you can easily control. Recently, I bought a hot plate at a garage sale for $1. It doesn’t get hot enough to boil water, but it does get hot enough to melt wax.

As you apply heat, start by just melting the wax. Depending on how much wax you have, this can take a while. As the wax begins to melt, it helps to stir it from time to time. Stirring not only breaks up the wax, but runs hot wax over the surface. Once the wax is fully melted, pour your mineral oil into the melted wax. You will probably notice it clouds up. Just stir it and wait for it to blend with the wax. Once it does, you can remove it from the heat.

Step 3: Applying the Mixture

At this point, you can pick one of two options. Option one is to let it cool. After it cools and hardens, you can cut it into small blocks and place the blocks on your material. Then, you can use an old clothing iron and melt the wax into the material. I’ve seen some people do this with good success.

Personally, however, I use a paintbrush to apply the wax while it is still in liquid form. I simply dip the paintbrush into the mix and then start applying a liberal coat to the garment. The mixture I use can look quite white and like a paste at this point. Don’t worry about it for now. Continue to apply the wax mixture over one entire side of the garment. Make sure to get good coverage. Anything that doesn’t get the mix will not get waterproofed.

Step 4: Apply Heat

Once you have one side of your garment coated, you need to reheat the wax up. I’ve found a hair dryer is the easiest way to do this. You could also use a heat gun or even and open flame. You just have to use what you have.

Whatever means you have, you want to try and apply even heat over the waxed pants. As you do, you should notice the wax turn from a paste back into a liquid. At that point, it gets absorbed into the denim. For one reason or another, I always enjoy this part. Watching the wax soak into and mix with the cloth is fun to watch. Continue to apply heat over the garment until all the wax has soaked into the waxed pants. Once it has, turn the pants over and apply your wax/oil mixture to the other side and repeat Steps 3 and 4.

Step 5: Touching Up

The last step to making your own waxed pants is to touch up the spots you may have missed. This could mean applying more wax to certain spots, or running the heat source over a spot you missed. It’s also not a bad idea to turn the pants inside out. If you got too much wax in a certain spots, it probably soaked through. By turning the pants inside out, you can apply the heat source again and melt anything from that direction.

Once you’ve finished your touch-ups, your waxed pants are finished. You can text them by pouring water on them to see how they work. You might be surprised at how effective they are at repelling water. Although they might not replace actual rain gear, they can be a good option if you know things will be damp or frosty in the morning. Staying dry helps you stay warm, and staying warm can help keep you alive or at least more comfortable. As you wear them, you may notice that some areas aren’t water resistant enough, or the protection comes off. When the time comes, simply apply more of the extra wax mixture you made.

Waxed pants fit into a category somewhere between traditional and modern. They are simple, durable, and effective, and can make your time outdoors more enjoyable. It is worth pointing out that the pants you use won’t be a pair you will be able to wash after this. Personally, I used a pair that are dedicated camping pants. Hopefully, you can use some of this information to create your own waxed pants or shirts to help you better enjoy the outdoors. Keep it simple.