Wax Cotton

You can Google the origins of waxed cotton and it's uses so I won't waste your time with that. I can share with you mine and my friends' experiences with the material.

Alotta British, Australians and Americans been wearing it for years. In general these same companies that have been around for awhile have been making exceptional quality even up to this day pardoning one. There's some new players in the game but I can't verify of the quality at this time. Some companies word it in a deceptive manner to imply they're using wax cotton but are actually a synthetic coating. Usually these can be spotted by their extra plastic shininess and all around crappiness.

The major advantage to this material is water repellancy. By simply coating a cotton fabric with wax will give you some protection from rain. Keep in mind this can also trap heat or rather the perspiration rising from your body. This will make you warm but also sweaty.  So consider wearing an unlined version of what waxed garment if in warmer climes.

You can also coat your own garments. I did that to my black denim Levis fleece jacket. Here in NY we were getting a wet winter so I needed to come up with something and didn't want to spend a small fortune for outerwear that wouldn't have worked anyway. In my case for riding a motorcycle in cold weather but also if I had to roll around in the street. Sometimes an old motorcycle will have an issue which will require you getting dirty.

 I've met construction workers who worked with sheet metal outside wore Filson's Tin Cruiser. It's has a very thick material which seems resistant to getting sliced open like a fillet of fish. This is a big merit for men who work with their hands doing dangerous jobs. This jacket's origins can be traced back to lumberjacks. For instance those in the Pacific Northwest are under constant precipitation so this water repellancy is critical

 You can obviously also wax pants. I've done this for women claiming they want to wear it for riding but then I see them wearing it everywhere. Looks like leather pants so after they lose count of how many compliments they receive I can understand. On that note guys wax theirs as well to include chinos. I waxed flannel lined Dickies work pants.  This will clambake your balls indoors but outdoors they'll thank you.

There's a few methods for waxing or reproofing is it's already a wax cotton garment. Naturally it being cotton helps but also somewhat thick. If using a paste in a tin can lace in very hot almost boiling water in a pan. You can use a rag. If using a bar then obviously rubbing it in via friction works. One of my tricks is to use a hot cloth to really rub it in and make it shine. Also using a steamer helps for that glassy look. Also you can using an electric iron but doesn't work with all brands.

What products to use? Some give a slightly different effect such as dry or wet. This is determined by touch. A safe bet is Otter Wax since they come in a tin or bar. Also fairly easy to use and not terribly expensive like the British brands.

Now I'm definitely not against going out and buying a new article of clothing but is need be you can also modify what you have and make the most of it.

 I'm a big fan of Portland. When I was last there a couple years ago all the girls wore sensible shoes; to include what I consider birth control footwear-Crocs. I'm happy to report the ladies discovered high heels so it was very exciting for someone like myself who comes from NYC where many wear pumps (to include men).

Anyway I didn't go to check out women's feet (I can do that at home) but to visit The One Show. It's an insanely cool bike event. In many ways very different from most. Somewhat similar in style to The Brooklyn Invitational which is indoors where motorcycles are displayed like sculptures. Bikes like this should be treated as works of art.

The event had different styles of bikes many of which were leaning towards cafe racers and choppers.

This is my boy Todd's ( http://www.toddblubaugh.com ) shovelhead below. Besides being a serious professional photographer and all around cool dude he's also with Twinline Motorcycles (http://www.twinlinemotorcycles.com/) in Seattle. Later in the year he was to ride this very same machine to New York for the Brooklyn Invitational with his good buddy Ethan.So besides being show it can also go.

There was also a display of helmets by some names you may recognize. If not you should get acquainted.

It always saddens me when I see someone on a cool scoot and their helmet is a bit...hmmm boring. You can always go to a pro and get something that the whole world would appreciate from someone like Paolo of Joe King (  http://www.joeking.com.br/ ) of Brazil. I've hung out with him a few times, a super cool nice guy who's English is perfect I might add.

Okay back to more motorcycles.

That last one is from Lossa Engineering. I feel that one fits in with the local vibe; they're so outdoorsy over there.

Of course the show can also be taken to the street. Even though a bit chilly out alotta riders took their machines. I should add Portland is a very motorcycle friendly town. Me and my buddy John DiBlosi actually witnessed a car stop and allow a bike to cross over into his lane to make a full left turn. Our jaws dropped. We never saw that happen in NYC. It probably was the equivalent of seeing the Loch Ness monster being sighted in the East River. So to my fellow New Yorkers it did happen.

As some of you may have noticed the XS650 is well revered in that part of the country. It's also not surprising for one rider to own a couple.

Of course all this moto watching can run up an appetite so when in Rome go where the locals go. Where's that you say?

I know check out that line. What can be worth the wait? Or do Portlanders just like waiting in line like Cold War era commies?

And this is why, just a sample mind you.

Yeah that one had bacon!

So now you need coffee to go with that bad boy. This town takes coffee very serious, which is actually a big understatement. With so many incredible places to go I say stick with the theme of motorcycles and check out one of the coolest places anywhere hands down. I met the owner Thor at The Brooklyn Invitational and he's a serious bike nut. To say he knows what he's doing is a serious understatement.

Besides coffee they sell cool moto related gear in a very friendly, laid back setting. Trust me you can spend some quality time here. That's Rachael ( http://heavyleathernyc.com/ ) also from NY also here for the One Show.

It's a weird town Portland. I was driving around when we encountered this.

Yup that's right. Chickens trying to cross the road...to get to the other side, duh.

For some honorable mention I would also recommend that you check out Filson while there. I've been a fan and feel this is one of the best garments ever made for men; the Tin Cruiser.

Also absolutely worthy of mention is Langlitz Leather (http://www.langlitz.com/ ) . Some serious quality. If you wanna ride in some classic style this is it.