What is the difference between “oilskin” and “waxed cotton”?
Though there was a difference many years ago, these days the terms are used interchangeably to describe cotton canvas that has been impregnated with a blend of waxes and oils. Pure oil finishes were very flexible, but felt greasy and needed frequent re-application to stay water-repellent. Pure wax finishes were quite waterproof but became stiff in cold weather and cracked in areas that flexed frequently. Today’s “oilskin” and “waxed cotton” finishes are an optimum blend of both waxes and oils that maximize the advantages of each, without the disadvantages. No matter what the name, it is a fabric that is noted for its extreme water-repellency, abrasion and puncture resistance, and a very distinctive appearance that improves with age.
