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Recommendations for rainproof trousers
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this post was submitted on 27 Feb 2025
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A cheap solution is to wax some thrift store or old trousers. Beeswax and paraffin, there are different ratios to experiment with, and premade bars you can buy. You rub some on and heat with a hair dryer or clothes iron (with parchment paper so the iron doesn't get wax on it). It'll darken the cloth. The more you put on the more waterproof and wind-resistant it'll get. For bike pants you could focus on the front of the upper thigh and coat the rest less, leaving some breathability on the back.
Linseed oil also polymerizes very fast and can be used to waterproof fabrics.
Yes, it's used to make oilcloth but as far as I know, you'd have to leave the garment to dry somewhere with ventilation for a week or more. However I've not done it so if that isn't the case please correct me.
I've never done it, but I believe you can iron it to set the oil, kind of like seasoning a cast iron pan. It's worth looking into.
I've found using a blow dryer works pretty well, and helps keep the wax liquid until the cloth can absorb it (often it's linseed mixed with beeswax, the linseed really makes a difference). The extra heat seems to help the fibers remain soft and the liquid flowing, while driving off the excess solvent
If you go for linseed oil, make sure to put it outside to dry. During the oxidization process it can get so hot that it's self-igniting.
This is called tincloth, if OP's interested.
My experience with it - makes for a heavy material that is rain resistant, not proof.
If you've ever tried on a Western Duster coat, you know how heavy that stuff is.
I have a couple tincloth hats, works great for that, but I've had to retreat them annually, use a lot of wax when doing it, and they're still only rain resistant. Water will eventually work it's way in.
Cool idea, thanks! Not sure about the feasibility, but I'll definitely check it out.