Suburbanite fella also rates this jacket!!!
So I came across waxed jackets in my YouTube feed and I took an instant liking to their look. The more I read the more I realised that these are coats that folks wear for years and years, often in tough working conditions. Also, as they are worn they develop their own patina. I spent the last two or three weeks doing a bunch of research and realised other benefits too; many of the modern jackets that folks wear are made of Gore-Tex materials to keep them waterproof, but those modern fabrics are based on plastics and PFOS/PFAS…..the latter in particular are noted by FDA to be a cause of concern for human health and they don’t break down in the environment. Historically, waxed, and in this case, oiled jackets were the go to technology used prior to modern fabrics like gore-Tex. A cotton canvas is “sealed” with a wax or oil and this provides both wind resistance and waterproofing…..every couple of years the wax/pil can be reapplied…..all natural materials that are less of a concern….i did a simple test of water repellancy on arrival and can say that the few drops applied, balled up and rolled right off indicating that the surface was highly water repellant. So my initial impressions of this jacket on arrival was the quality. Others have commented to this and I can affirm this to be very true. From the heft of the jacket, to the double stitching, to the heavyweight zipper and the luxuriously soft collar. It’s a well assembled coat that looks good and when worn feels great. It’s important to note, this jacket is not the kind that you’re going to be able to pack down inside of a rucksack or anything like that…it’s bulky and is meant to be. I’d say warmth wise I’d personally consider this a great jacket for spring, fall and maybe winter days when running errands and driving to and from work….others have commented on how it’s suitable for very cold days with snow and wind. This may be true for others but for me I’d say on the heavy snow days this might not be the best jacket but for 90% of other occasions, going to work, heading for a night out, this is going to be a go to. Possible additions for the makers; a hidden cinch system that leads to each of the pockets would be something that can prevent wind blowing up and under but this is a small observation and a cinch would change the look. Other jackets made by Outback do have these cinches so folks can look at those. Others have commented on the fact that this and other Outback products are made in China, and that is true….for me personally it works from a price point with a similar American made jacket costing more than twice this amount. And as I said been very happy with the quality of this product. In terms of sizing, I am 5’7” and broad shouldered. I ordered a medium but wondered if it might be too snug….happy to report a good fit! My understanding of this style of coat is that it is the kind that a lot of real life outdoorsmen and cowboys use. Turns out that they know a thing or two and us urban/suburban folks can learn from them in terms of rugged clothing that’ll be functional, stylish and good for the environment. Thanks Outback for an excellent product!!!! Read more