>my experience of waxing polycotton, it's not worth it.
fjallraven gloats about the advantages of waxing but it never fully waterproofs it.
I still prefer my wider legged dickies, which are also polycotton, because while the pants get wet, the wet part doesn't spread to my skin or base layer and usually dries out with the wind really quick. I think the trick is loose fitting clothes.
As for a top, the rain is hitting harder on your shoulders so breaks through the fabric a lot quicker. I just use a waterproof layer that is a polyurethane coated nylon like rain gear pro. there's a few us manufacturers of like 400 denier nylon and a PU coat. Lasts about 10-15 years of hard use and has some ventilation but could use more. I like it better than the liners like goretex.
If I was trying what you are, i'd use like a tech wash or something as it is easier to penetrate the layers and waterproof it. This is essentially a DWR but will take a hell of a lot less time and have an easier time penetrating in the wash water.
The bars are just too inconsistent. There's always a seam that leaks through or a spot you missed that needs touching up, and in the meantime, you are sweltering in the coat anyways because it no longer breathes. I live in the Pacific Northwest, where we don't get heavy rain but it is 9 months of light rain. I've even spoken to people at Fjallraven who push the wax stuff, and they inevitably get wet and stay wet too.
>unironically
sailors had it right by wearing slops. I'm gonna try wool with a heavy amount of lanolin at some point too, because at some point, breathability far outweighs 100% waterproofness. People didn't let weather get in the way for a thousand years using wool and linen. If I had a spurt of heavy rain, i'd probably just carry a 100% poncho or jacket though. Like the frogg toggs.
I had a friend that had one custom made at clearwater saw shop in idaho. 1000 denier nylon that they use a tech wash on it, and never heard them complain
