British SAS smock 1990s gabardine / waterproof test when waxed

[@kiltedranger8878]

Thank you sir for muckin in the rain to show a real test! Been planning on waxing mine but was not sure of the difficulty nor the result, but this video definitely answers that. Pretty dry here (Idaho, USA) most of the year but when the rain hits, it hits hard. Thanks again!

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Being busy at the time, I forgot to reply. The material is tightly weaved, so it reacts to a bit of waterproofing quite nicely, i think. This smock and all my others as well are now waterproofed with fabsil. It's a bit smelly, but when aired in a shed or outside when you know it's not going to rain, the smell goes away. It's been 3 years, but I only just noticed 👍

[@flatmoon6359]

Had good results on fabric using stain proofing spray for car cloth seats.I think it's a silicone based treatment.Used it on cold weather cycling gloves as well.Seems to soak in better,especially round seams so you can layer it on without getting it lumpy.

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Nice one cheers 👍

[@Ratsotone]

Good video, and you really put that through it's paces. I've just waterproofed a MTP smock jacket using Fabsil Gold, I've not tested it yet, but if it works as good as your wax I'll be happy

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

The sas smock on this video is now waterproofed with fabsil, but I haven't tested it. I do believe it would work a bit better. After you've tested it, I would be interested to know the results 👍

[@georgemorley1029]

Being as I’m in the navy, I never knew much about smocks until about 2019 when I got issued one for a land base op tour. After facing longmoor ranges in the wet, the torrential rain (yes, rain!) in the Middle East and many a ride in the back of an A400 at thousands of feet, I can comfortably say it’s one of my favourite bits of kit that I now hardly ever get the chance to wear. I’ll take the hit on my PHR to go outside with it methinks! Mind you it might not even be on there seeing as it should be a consumable item, skin contact so no exchange, consumed on issue…

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Nice one George, I'm glad you had a good experience with it. Yer, they are good, and from what I can remember, you can never be issued with something that is second hand. No sharing towels as well. I remember being taught that. All my jackets are now waterproofed with fabsil. A little better I think, and easily sprayed on as well.

[@WyeExplorer]

that's awesome Andy. A great walk and a great result whilst being dumped on. You actually put a smile on my face. Nicely put across mate. Mark

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Cheers Mark, I'm glad I put a smile on your face, that's what lifes about. 👍💯

[@WyeExplorer]

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty Yeah it did. Cracking stuff.

[@soldier-Dave]

I saw this Andy and I did it on my smock( twice) using Icelandic goose wax and it worked! It’s no longer breathable obviously but it’s waterproof now!

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Nice one, I'm glad you're happy with the results. 👍💯

[@CrispianBarlow]

I never bothered "waterproofing" mine. I was told that they are made out of Egyption cotton (same as a Barbour) which swells when it gets damp, so the tight weave just gets tighter. I have had mine since 1983, & worn it in Hong Kong, Southern Africa, and SE Asia.

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

@CrispianBarlow I understand this concept. Ventile material is the same. At the end of the day, waterproofing is good for a certain amount of time, but I'd still use a light waterproof or wool underneath. These days, I use fabsil for waterproofing. I hope you enjoyed the video crispian.

[@CrispianBarlow]

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty Mine was never watrproof, but then Goretex is as wet inside as outside when it rains hahaha

[@SmokeNUFC]

Just ordered one for wild camping .. I had one in cadet's as a youngin and it was great always wore a lightweight waterproof underneath though when out in the rain

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Good choice and the waterproof underneath 👍you have the choice of looking like a civilian hiker if the waterproof is a civvy type and a warmth back up in the mountains without stripping off in windy conditions 👍👍

[@kurtsteiner8384]

We used to use these i n sea boats. They would keep you reSonably dry, but would get wet sometimes, however they would dry quickly

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

I like the gabardine material. It does almost everything, tough, thin, quick drying, good quality stuff.

[@HikingFeral]

Good idea mate. I used pure beeswax to wax my French f2 tent which is actually synthetic, but with its pores being so large it worked a treat. Especially on the seams. Now I just use pure beeswax blocks to wax anything lol

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Cheers 👍

[@danielmarshall4587]

Much appreciate your efforts, walking around in the one sort of weather I don't like. Cheers.

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Thanks Daniel, it's only for the day so it's not so bad unless I feel really cold.

[@danielmarshall4587]

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty cold and wet ....oh, no thank you very much. Again cheers all the best.

[@OldNavajoTricks]

Proper bone kit, I like the darker desert pattern. *You share your name with a lad I went to school with in North Yorkshire lol 👍

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Thanks old Navajo 💯👍

[@jdo1014]

I guess another option would be washing them in Nikwax Tech Wash & using TX Direct. I have 2 old gaberdine arctic smocks, but probably not worth trying it as I'll never wear them....but they're too Gucci to part with 😅

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Nikwax, yer why not. The only drawback is it's only got one use, the fjallraven Greenland wax can do roughly 10 jackets or 5 with a double layer which ever suits you.

[@eapc44]

Waxing Barbour coats heat wax up I’m Tim rub on and heat over with hairdryer to get it even. You did same.

[@reconn9056]

Hi Andy, just come across your videos today and will be subscribing to your channel - a really good video. Could you tell us where you bought your SAS smock from? There are lots of fakes out there and I want to get the real mccoy so to speak. I'm a trail / mountain bike rider and that smock (waxed) plus high vi over the top will be perfect for wet UK winter. Cheers

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Thanks for the subscription Richard, I bought it from www.silvermans.co.uk I've had this jacket for a fair while so cross you fingers and hope they've still got them.

[@DavidFraser007]

I can't see you! Must be that excellent DPM.

[@kutteknugen]

What a holesome man tho🙏, such a shame I never get to meet these sort of people.

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

thank you so much, that's very kind of you 🌹❤🙏

[@ivanwoodward4116]

Yes Andy is a really good bloke. He has been a family friend for years. See the video of him taking visually impaired Lisa to Dartmoor... that’s me❤️

[@leedykes6065]

Great video Andrew... really wanted to know if anyone had done something like this as I've just bought a windproof smock (Standard) but was considering waxing it to make it better for messing around outdoors. What Wax did you use and how did you apply it please?

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Glad you liked the video lee, the wax i used was, "fjallraven greenland wax". Google this and load of offers will come up. There maybe cheeper alternatives but I've never tried them. I apply the wax by rubbing the wax on, vigorously. Then with a hair dryer, melt it in, simple. I did a youtube video on this called, "how to wax a bushcraft jacket" do a youtube search and you'll get it.

[@leedykes6065]

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty Hi again Andy... I purchased the Fjall Raven Greenland wax (90g Bar of soap lol x 2) and did exactly as you did... I was meticulous and the result was unbelievably good. I have two smocks and will probably do both eventually. I also purchased some manual spray on wax cotton proofer by that well known brand to give it a thorough going over... I know it will lose most of it's breathability but I can always use the various zippers to increase cooling/airflow and I would rather have faith in it's repelency than it's vapour release capabilities tbh. You are right about the cheaper options too... there is another brand from Greenland that is pretty much the same as the Fjall Raven available on Amazon that would reduce the cost of reprofing by 40% (Fjall Raven x 2 = £19.98 and alternative x 2 was £11.98. I will give the alternative brand a try next time but I suspect the result will be equally good. ( Again... fantastic video :-)

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

@@leedykes6065 nice one Lee, glad it worked out fine,, 👍

[@sergiom9958]

Thanks for the video! I was wondering this idea and found your video. I question I have is, what brand of wax did you use Sr? Thanks in advance. Pro Tip: how will it be seen a waxed jacket trough IR google and IR torch?

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Thanks for watching Sergio, glad you found it interesting. "Fjallraven Greenland wax" is what I used, as for infrared goggles or scopes? Never tested it but I think it's safe to say that wax wouldn't stop an IR device from showing you're body heat or you wearing the smock in general moving around at night. Hope this helps. 👍

[@ianhoward4246]

What would happen happen without waxing? I'm thinking about getting something like this for work to get through the winter ( Bricklayer)🎉

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Don't bother. It's too expensive to be messed up on site. It would only hold off the rain for so long, which isn't long, and you need layers underneath it, which is ideal when out hiking with weight on your back. You'd be better off with a high visibility padded overcoat, a proper workman jacket with a plain hood that's made to go under a helmet if you had to wear one. What I call outdoor clothing is too expensive for a building site, have a look in a workman shop or a farmers market.. If you really want an army jacket, then have a look on ebay for a German army smock, they are going pretty cheap, though the rain will go straight through it, and i have a video reviewing it, it was £20. Brand new. Hope this helps you out 👍

[@danilos767]

Nice Walk....

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

You should see me going backwards, 😉 only joking. Cheers Donald 👍

[@danilos767]

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty Ok,i take you by your Word ! Next Video 2 Hours Backwards !! :)

[@eapc44]

Did you use Nike wax spray waterproof Or wax they put on Barbour coats. Pity you never showed us the brand or put it on cheers

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

The wax I used is "fjallraven raven Greenland wax" it's rubbed on dry and melted in with a hair dryer or you can use an iron. I have a separate video on applying this type of wax, it's called "how to wax a bushcraft jacket" and the jacket used in that video is an M65 American army jacket, vintage type.

[@bartoszkapot381]

Thank's for test buddy. If you can tell me what model or version of SAS SMOCK is this one and how and what kind of wax did you put on it?

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

The smock is a genuine British issue from the 1980 to 90s, general purpose not arctic and is made of gabardine material, I bought it from silvermans London and the wax was the fjallraven Greenland wax 👍

[@markrichards4053]

​@@Andy-walkaboutnutty hi mate, fj wax does absolutely nothing, except windproofs. I've had 3/4 fj jacket and waxed them with hair dryer. All it did was make it stiff and windproofs. Even done it 3/4 layers and first bit of rain it absolutely pisses through.

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

@bartoszkapot381 The smock is around the 1990s, I believe and is made from gabardine material. Silvermans.com still sell them, i think. The wax was fjallraven Greenland wax. Rubbed and melted on with a hair dryer.

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

@markrichards4053 I've tested a few jackets, and I've found that it's best used with a tight-knit cotton like this smock or ventile. The others are not so good. Fjallraven jackets of any kind are ideal for dry snow only, and the wax works best in that. Fabsil is my favourite waterproofing agent these days and is quite good, but really mark, you can't trust any waterproofing on these cloth jackets, It will go through eventually, but it can last up to a couple for hours of rain depending on the material.

[@steelydanlover]

The jacket is very similar to the Irish army smock

[@xix94]

Will this work on the new dpm 95 I think it is ?

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

@xix94 it all depends on how tight the weave is. It will work, but not indefinitely. Continues rain will eventually get through. I spray on fabsil these days. It's a bit easier to apply.

[@dieffe4427]

Hi Andy, good video, thanks to share. Some quastions: Was this jacket the Smock CS95 ? It still breathable after wax procedure? Is that jacket a ventile jacket? can we call "ventile" a cloth after wax procedure? what do you prefer between Gore-tex and wax jacket? At low temperature, under zero, gore-tex seems work not fine, how wax jacket work in the same conditions? how many layers of wax do I recommend? one or two? Thanks

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

CS95? No, its an older version and I believe it to be better. Breathability is reduced but still breathable for what it's used for. Ventile? No, the material used for this jacket is called gaberdine. Gortex, getting wet in freezing conditions is not a good position to be in. However it also depends on how dry the cold conditions are and what your wearing underneath, I recommend wool, but make sure you always stay dry, very important. 1 with gaberdine material, 1 with ventile, and generally between 2 and 4 layers with other cloth materials. Gaberdine and ventile are very tight weave materials and I know from experience that ventile jackets are not waterproof.

[@borninthewoods4482]

As Andy says it's an older version the big give away are the buttons, look close and you will see they have 4 eyelets were as CS95 had the Canadian buttons.

[@ryaniam22]

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty I live in the middle of Canada where it gets to +40 in the summer rarely and -50 Celsius almost yearly. I hunt with goretex when it's cold and that's the only time it's good. It blocks virtually 100% of the wind (and water) but most importantly that's the only time it breathes well. When it's-15 Celsius there is very low humidity outside vs inside the jacket so the goretex works. If it's raining in the summer at +15celcius don't bother. You will be soaked with sweat on the inside anyways. Just use a poncho or a smock like this in warmer weather. This Gaberdine cotton jacket looks awesome. Wondering how you'd compare it to ventile jackets or goretex jackets from your experience? Cheers

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

@@ryaniam22 gabardine SAS smock is a thin high quality material and the sas smock is baggy so I would say if you can get hold of the same type as mine, it's 100% windproof, it's not entirly waterproof and even with 1 layer of wax I don't know how long the waterproof ness would last and that's dangerous territory in your country, even in mine. I would say it's about the same as ventile in general but the British SAS smock is baggy remember and will contain a lot of layers, because of that I would say try and get hold of a gabardine made smock, it will work in the summer but in the winter even though your snow is dry it would be safe to wear a very light short gortex underneath the smock to be on the safe side, which can be removed if necessary. The smock is quieter than gortex when moving around. Hope this helps and I hope you enjoyed the video 👍

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

@@ryaniam22 silvermans.co.uk reference gabardine sas smock 1980s=90s

[@renehasselmeier9866]

Hey Andy, got my Smock last Week, and your Video answered a lot of Questions. Will waterproof my Smock soon with Nikwax -it is the "Windproof S95", wich is a newer Standard. I will see how that one does in the Rain. I also own a pre-1980s DPM-Smock wich seems to be Rain-resistant on its own. Aside from Nikwax, are there any other options for waterprofing?

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

You could try fjallraven Greenland wax which is what I used on my smock in this video or I've been told by an ex USMC soldier scotchguard spray is ok but I've never used it. Hope this helps. Be careful out there with these army jackets, I don't really know how long it will keep the rain off for and probably would get through in the end. Have a back up just in case like a light waterproof underneath or a wool jumper, it's good to have a back up just in case things go wrong, I always do this.

[@renehasselmeier9866]

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty Thanks a lot, I Always have a Poncho with me when the weather is about to change the whole day. And during Winter a Jumper or Thermal liner is a Must. Thanks for the quick answer, i will try out Scotchguard next time. Greetings from Germany, stay Safe.

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

@MrJedi5150 I see what you mean, I should have known better. I'm presuming they are sailors or maybe just marines.

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

@MrJedi5150 the wax I've used is the fjallraven brand. However, the smock is good quality material, so maybe it would work with a couple of layers. I like fabsil because it's easy to apply, wax just takes more time and effort, however, once it's finished you could wear it straight away. I've never waxed the arktis Smock, so i don't know for sure. I know one thing, and that is I wouldn't rely on any waterproof agent to be waterproof over a long period of time. I would still have wool or a light waterproof underneath. The UK is a very rainy place.

[@bevvone]

Hi ,what wax product did you use in it pls ,thanks for sharing

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

"Fjallraven Greenland wax" it worked well on this SAS smock but it can work less well on other materials. I've done videos on testing other jackets and it works to different levels of waterproofing with different materials. Some it just resisted the rain for roughly 2 hours but really it's a swedish product and made I think to be best at dry snow proofing so it's good but don't rely to heavily on it, have a waterproof underneath as a back up.

[@bevvone]

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty cheers ,I was debating using it on my Falklands parka ,I just tried nikwax cotton proof on it and will see how thet pans out bt good to hear of other possibilities. Thansk again sir.

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

@@bevvone thanks for your kind words bevvone, I honestly don't think anything would waterproof a cloth type jacket well enough to trust it in a life threatening condition. This sas smock is gabardine material, it's tightly woven similar to ventile material. Your parka is probably made of ordinary woven cotton or pollycotton if it's army gear, that's a lot different with reference to waterproofing. Be careful out there.

[@NOCTKINETICS]

Thanks for this informative video. I wonder if this smock has the same fabric as CS95? BTW what's the name of that nice guitar bgm in this video? Thanks!

[@haroldvonschwartzenstien3581]

It’s not the same material as the CS95 smock, nor the PCS smock. Look for the older windproof smocks.

[@requiscatinpace7392]

I’ve got a Ventile SAS smock . It was really good on winter exercise in Otterburn. Edit: what wax do you use?

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

The fjallraven Greenland wax. It's about the size of a bar of soap.

[@requiscatinpace7392]

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty I have used that to. I found a recipe on the internet for making your own for buttons and it works just as well.

[@Urdasein]

Thank you. But, it's not the regular DPm british smock or does it ? No wired hood, old school buttons and fastener.

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Yes its genuine, it's the older type with the sow on buttons, no velcro patches on the arms, no zipped pockets on the chest. Its build is from the 90s I believe and some say they are better than the newer ones, but I don't have the newer type so not sure about that. The wired hood type are for the arctic, the one I've got is standard and if my memory serves me right I got it from silvermans, London. www.silvermans.co.uk I'd be surprised if you can still get them. It must of been years ago I bought it because I put my name on the inside with permanant marker. I wouldn't do that now, I'm more of an enlightened person I'd like to think.

[@drahcirpsy]

which kind of wax you use? greetings from leipzig :)

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Fjallraven Greenland wax. I drove from my military base in fallingbostel to colditz Castle vir leipzig in 1990. It was a mental hospital at the time. Old trabant cars on the road. Colditz wasn't changed on the outside since wwll. It was fascinating, anyway, I hope you enjoyed the video. 👍

[@soggz4246]

What model smock is that? I just bought a new unused 2011 version.

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

It is a genuine issue from the 1980--90s era 👍

[@soggz4246]

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty I have the 84 Faulkland version. It’s nothing like that one.

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

@@soggz4246 the Falklands parka is made of thick cotton I believe and has 2 lonely buttons just above the hem each side of the zip. I think it was a standard issue for that campaign due to the harsh weather. It's not an SAS smock.

[@soggz4246]

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty yes. It’s heavy brushed cotton.

[@soggz4246]

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty Hi Andy. I have now bought that Gaberdine version, and wish to waterproof it. Wax be the thing to use? All the best 👍🏾🇬🇧🏕

[@swcblad]

does Barbour uses the same gaberdine material?

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

I know nothing about barber jackets, sorry.

[@swcblad]

is there a commercial version out there? arktis?

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Arktis smocks are high quality, nicely designed, good looking and ripstop material, I have a single layered one, I have a video on a overview of all my jackets and mentioned it. However, the draw back is they are not wind proof unless you get one with a windproof liner sown in, then it will have a heavy feel to it in the summer unfortunately. If your happy to wear a army gortex over the top then that would be ok. Worth looking into.

[@swcblad]

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty thanks. the new material (50% cotton and 50% )nylon, is it any good in waterproofing?

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

@@swcblad no i wouldn't bother, the weave isn't as tight as the others. Just carry an army gortex just incase it rains or it's very windy.

[@kenferguson6956]

What wax did you use bud

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Fjallraven greenland wax ken. I've never used any other so I don't know if there are better alternatives.

[@kenferguson6956]

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty thanks mate it looks like it worked perfectly, I have an mtp smock coming my way , I'm gonna make my own using the Greenland wax recipe 🤞🤞🤞

[@swcblad]

i only have a can of barber wax

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

@@swcblad use it over the hood and shoulders very sparingly because of the tight weave, warm it up as well before applying, never know it might be brilliant. If it's not you could eventually wash it out I should imagine

[@scottpastor1]

There’s no such thing as poor conditions when you have the right equipment.

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

I know, thanks. It was only a little test to see how it would stand up to the rain with some wax on it. I'd prefer a gortex jacket.

[@Eric-kn4yn]

Not gortex

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

No, not gortex. This particular one is made of gabardine material.

[@Eric-kn4yn]

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty do you get sweaty inside on forced marches

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

@Eric-kn4yn with reference to this jacket, no. I can control my layers underneath, and this jacket is baggy, so I can loosen the hood, take the hood off, undo the zip down my chest, roll the sleeves up. This jacket isn't a plastic bag. Air flow will get through the edges and maybe through the material to some degree. Waxing doesn't make it waterproof forever. Rain would get in eventually. If it gets that hot, the jacket won't be on. The tough outer layer will then be a polycotten shirt with no layers. Can you see what I'm trying to say. If it's freezing, the shirt then becomes a wool shirt before I leave the house. If you can imagine what I'm saying, then this should answer your question.

[@Eric-kn4yn]

@@Andy-walkaboutnutty what does jacket weigh empty dry

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

@@Eric-kn4yn I have no idea. But it is distinctly light.

[@flatmoon6359]

Long straight road,Romans built it.

[@philipcamp1370]

Ah what did the Romans do for us ?

[@flatmoon6359]

@@philipcamp1370 Taught. You. Punctuation.Tought you the weirdest language , called english(lower case intended). Should have stayed with Welsh or Old English.Might have made English learn other languages.Some chance then.....

[@artinhjollder4779]

However, a true SAS operator is meant to finish the job, rain-drenched ... jk.

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

🤣🤣🤣 I should imagine they would like to take a shower after a job is done.

[@pauldaly3952]

Job Done Last one down the boozer gets to pay for the pints.

[@aalexjohna]

Homosexual army dressing-up box fantasies?

[@Andy-walkaboutnutty]

Don't mock it till you try it. The jacket is OK as well 😃