Why no waxed wool?

[Kai]

Barbour, Filson and many other companies make waxed cotton clothing.

Why not waxed wool? I've never seen or heard of any waxed wool clothing. It seems like it would have all of the weather resistant characteristics of waxed cotton, with the added cold temperature benefits of wool.

Anyone know of such garments?

 

[Icarus]

I have seen it, but it does not work commercially for a number of reasons.

Wool is quite expensive, while canvas is not.

Waxing wool makes it look...a bit odd...hard to explain honestly...

It's sort of like silver-plating gold, honestly.

 

[dsmolken]

I guess because somebody tried it and it didn't work too well. But nowadays you've got Teflon-coated and DWR-coated wool which I guess is the functional equivalent. I have a shooting jacket made of the former, it's perfect for crappy weather.

 

[deveandepot1]

Originally Posted by Icarus

I have seen it,
Waxing wool makes it look...a bit odd...hard to explain honestly...
+1.
It doesn't age well.

 

[anginaprinzmetal]

Actually when wool is being spun sometimes is rubbed through a paraffin roll to prevent drying and cracking of the fibers. My understanding is that this is done pretty routinely in sweater manufacturing.

 

[tonylumpkin]

Only a guess on my part, but I would think the natural lanolin in wool would make taking on the wax more difficult.

 

[RJE]

Originally Posted by tonylumpkin

Only a guess on my part, but I would think the natural lanolin in wool would make taking on the wax more difficult.

 

[patrickBOOTH]

Waxing cotton makes it more interesting. Wool doesn't need a gimmick.

 

[JHo78]

Wool diaper covers are lanolized to make them waterproof, but it's not as heavy as wax would be.

 

[abdizzuh]

LMAO. The reason no one waxes wool is because good wool is naturally water resistant.