Breathability of waxed leather/canvas?

[Justin Baker]

Does waxing leather or canvas kill the breathability in any way? I have always wondered about this. I am talking about using regular paraffin wax with a heat gun. Would a oil/wax cream be more or less breathable than straight wax?
Also, does this depend on how heavy of an application?

[Ken Thompson]

Seen this?
http://www.fjallraven.us/g-11-greenland_wax.aspx

Poke around the site a little.

Filson does a wax treatment also.

There was some waxed rainwear from the 60's, but I don't go that far back.

[Nick Brown]

I have a Filson wax cotton Tin Cloth hat. The breathability is quite bad. Condensation will build up inside the hat. I do not wear it hiking. The waterproofing is quite good but has wet out at the seams resulting in a wet a head from the hatband down.

[Justin Baker]

Thanks, that's what I thought. I wonder if waxed leather boots could be dangerous on your feet in very cold (dry) conditions.
Most hikers hike in goretex leather boots. I know that the leather can still get wet, I am guessing that waxing them would be double the breathability problems. Unless there are modern methods that are more breathable?

[Justin Baker]

I wonder how waxed raingear would compared to new tech stuff in terms of breathability? Some waxed cotton raingear would be cool to own and use, just for fun.

[Roger Caffin]

Depends on the wax loading. It ranges up to Ho Ho Ho.

Cheers

[Stuart .]

I have a couple of Barbour waxed cotton jackets. Designed for fishermen originally, these were adopted by the 'landed gentry' whose idea of hunting was standing in a field taking pot shots at pheasant. Think low exertion activities where you want to stay dry in damp conditions. They are totally windproof, and not in the slightest bit breathable. Not particularly warm on their own, but coupled with a liner or a sweater they are great. Perfect for standing around watching a game of rubgy, or taking the dog for a walk when it's between 35-50F.

For hiking stick with modern materials.

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