Waxed canvas is a traditional army pack material, but its origins date back to the 15th century sailing industry. We use a rugged, densely woven cotton duck canvas that is saturated with paraffin wax, making it highly water-repellent. Waxed canvas develops a beautiful patina with regular use, giving each bag a unique character over time.
Depending on usage, you may need to re-wax your bag every year or two in order to restore its water-repellent characteristics. We've put together a brief how-to video and instructions to help you get the job done properly!
- Use a dry, soft brush to remove surface dirt from your bag. Pay attention to seams where dirt is more likely to collect.
- Melt the new wax to allow for smooth, even application. We recommend using Filson Oil Finish wax as it's widely available, but other paraffin-based waxes will work perfectly well.
- Use a soft, lint-free cotton rag (read: old t-shirt) to apply the wax in an even layer on all the canvas panels on your bag. Pro tip: for easier application use a blow dryer or heat gun to pre-heat the surface of the bag before applying wax.
- Set the wax using a blow dryer or heat gun. Applying heat blends the wax and melts it into the canvas. Use your rag to smooth out or wipe off any excess. Note: avoid using heat gun directly on webbing, mesh, buckles, or other plastic or rubber components.
- Hang your bag up and let the wax cure (in the sun if possible) for 24 hours.
- Resume daily use agenda!
