A hundred years ago that’s how appreciative North Sea sailors and commercial fisherman referred to their waxed cotton foul weather gear. It was made from a combination of waxes and oils that saturated the tight weaves of Egyptian cotton sailcloth to make wet-proof, tear-resistant, industrial-strength work clothes. Waxed cotton was so outstanding it was soon adopted by others who needed to be outside regardless of weather, including farmers, ranchers, herders, hunters and motorcycle riders. Waxed cotton is the first breathable-waterproof textile.
This historical fabric develops a beautiful personalized patina after a bit of use, burnishing itself to a warm, natural appearance that’s easy to appreciate. And it's recently become popular again, this time partly as fashion because it looks so cool, and partly for it's functional benefits.
Waxed cotton was always a perfect material for all-weather functional motorcycle wear, so until about twenty years ago many experienced street and touring riders chose English-made waxed jackets as their everyday go-to gear.* It was never purchased for fashion, and was sweaty on nice days, offered no impact-resisting armor and had zero technical features. It worked well enough, but there was definitely room for improvement.
In 1999 the first Falstaff jacket (and later the Falstaff pants) introduced a bunch of those improvements, while keeping the wonderful windproof/waterproof/breathable 100% original waxed cotton fabric and classic all-cotton lining. Compared to early waxed cotton styles the Falstaff is a lot more comfortable across a wider range of conditions, easier to use and more crash protective.
Falstaff collar detailFor example, imported waxed cotton gear often uses a small belt-buckle to cinch the collar. This may be historically accurate styling, but isn’t possible to manipulate those little buckles surely and quickly if you actually depend on your gear for all-weather situations. A Falstaff accomplishes it with a classic collar strap design, fitted with hook-and-loop, so it’s fast and easy to adjust the jacket’s collar on-the-go. Practical improvements like this are what helped Falstaff gear become a hand-crafted sewn-in-the USA classic.
Separately, waxed cotton messenger bags also have as long and noble a history as seaman’s oilskins…with added military applications during both world wars for use as waterproof courier and map pouches, as well as specialized ammunition, first aid and weapons bags. All over the world some military forces today still use waxed cotton bags for specialized applications. Here too, Aerostich waxed cotton messenger bags work better and last longer than re-created fashion designs and styles.
Waxed Cotton Messenger Bag detailFor example, the lower corners of all messenger bags always are the highest wear areas for every design of this shape and form. Because this wears out well before the rest, Aerostich messenger bags are made with wear-resistant Cordura reinforcements in these locations. Re-created waxed cotton bags don’t include long-use-proven refinements like this careful little detail.
Which is why Aerostich waxed cotton messenger bags work better and last longer. Today’s Aerostich handcrafted waxed cotton messenger bags and Falstaff jackets (and pants) are genuine originals, and long-use-proven made-in-USA classics.
*Including me. Back in 1970 I was one of those riders. And my waxed cotton gear was proudly worn to the point of practical uselessness with largely holed-out pockets, threadbare sleeve ends and broken zippers…It took about five years of daily use to wear mine out.
-- Mr. Subjective
