Do you know the saying "There is no bad weather, only bad clothing"? We say there is indeed bad weather! And there is a worst-case scenario for hunters: Anyone who has spent time in continuous rain on a driven hunt stand, where there is notoriously no escape, knows what we are talking about, especially when one was not optimally prepared for rain protection.
Waxcotton: The optimal complement to our Loden products
Our WALDKAUZ Loden has great properties regarding moisture and wetness, but it also has its limits. Therefore, we embarked on a quest some time ago to find a true shield from which we could create a serious bastion against continuous rain. We found it in rainy England, the cradle of bad weather: English Waxcotton consists – as the name suggests – of waxed cotton and has been highly valued for centuries by sailors, farmers, shepherds, and hunters when the weather takes a turn for the worse.
A rain cape specifically for hunting & outdoor
The cut of the cape is designed to optimally cover as many hunting, hiking, and everyday situations as possible: It is open at the sides but has been expanded in the upper arm area to create a kind of "awning" over the arms. This way, rain protection is ensured for the arms while also providing good ventilation. This prevents overheating of the upper body when in motion. On the other hand, the side opening brings a whole range of advantages in terms of freedom of movement and applications: For example, the front part of the cape allows for easy carrying of a weapon, keeping all important components like the receiver, bolt, and sight dry. Additionally, freedom of movement in the shooting position is optimally maintained because the elbow and forearm can be taken out of the cape at the sides. The back area is large enough to provide sufficient space for a backpack underneath, and when it gets a bit windy, you can simply use the two side straps to tie the back part around your waist and secure it. The length of the rain cape is measured according to the motto "as short as possible and as long as necessary." When stalking, it should not be too large and cumbersome, yet it is designed to extend over the knees when sitting. The rain cape is also fantastic for leisure activities. Whether hiking with or without a backpack, on a rainy walk with the dog, or – especially – while cycling: The two loops on the inside of the front allow you to securely hold it against headwinds over the bicycle handlebars, providing a practical awning that protects the entire body. The hood is ergonomically designed to minimize the tendency to fold over the eyes. The face opening can be tightened with an elastic band, and the splash-proof zipper can be closed up to the chin. To prevent the hood from slipping too low over the face, it has an adjustable strap at the back of the head, allowing it to be well and securely adapted to your head shape. The cape weighs 1050 grams and can be folded down to 30x20x4 cm for easy transport on top of a backpack.
Impregnation:
If the wax layer of the rain cape wears off during its lifetime and no longer provides the desired rain protection, the waxed cotton, just like with a wax jacket, can simply be rewaxed! There are a whole range of wax-based impregnation agents available on the market that quickly solve the problem and significantly extend the lifespan of the cape.
What to Expect from Waxed Fabrics
There is a lot of half-knowledge and some misunderstandings about waxed fabrics, also known as Waxed Cotton, Waxcotton, or Waxed Polycotton. We explain what the fabrics can do in more detail in our
STEINKAUZ blog.