GEAR SPOTLIGHT: Kühl's Outlaw Waxed Jacket

Christopher Roche
Oct 4
3 min read

Updated: Oct 11

A rugged jacket for every explorer.

Waxed trucker jackets have surged in popularity over the past few years—but few live up to the hype. The Outlaw Waxed Jacket by Kühl is an exception. Rugged, versatile, and stylish, it’s designed to keep up with your adventures, whether you’re threading through city streets or trekking mountain passes.

If you’re looking for a jacket that not only performs but also feels like an extension of your story, this one stands out. A flannel-lined work of craftsmanship, it’s proof that functional gear can also look damn good. Here’s why this piece deserves a spot in your kit.

Key Features: The Anatomy of a Waxed Jacket

Fabric & Material Technology

Built from a tough wax-coated canvas exterior, the Outlaw is ready to tackle scuffs, scratches, and unpredictable weather. The interior is lined with soft flannel, ensuring warmth and comfort without too much bulk. It’s a blend of grit and ease—hard-wearing on the outside, cozy on the inside.

Fit & Design Details

The Outlaw leans on timeless trucker-jacket style, updated with Kühl’s modern tailoring. The more you wear it, the more it molds to your body, breaking in to match your own personal style and story.

Storage & Utility

The Outlaw features four exterior pockets and a hidden interior zippered chest pocket. It perfectly balances rugged looks and practical design. The interior pocket is perfect for the cards you want to keep close to your chest.

Protection & Performance

While not fully waterproof, the waxed canvas offers impressive water and wind resistance. It shrugs off light rain, snow, and gusty conditions while maintaining its rugged character.

Real-World Performance: Field-Tested in Utah

We first put the jacket to the test high in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains, above the ridgelines surrounding Park City. While it isn’t a dedicated winter coat, pair it with a sweater and a solid base layer, and you’ll stay plenty warm—and look like James Bond stepping off the lift at Empire Pass.

Winding through the historic streets of Park City, snowbanks five feet high pressed against the stone storefronts while gusts funneled down from Guardsman Pass. The Outlaw didn’t flinch. Its waxed canvas shed the snow and biting wind with ease, and the flannel lining kept me comfortable enough to keep exploring long after sunset.

Comfort and Fit

For long days of travel, the Outlaw remains comfortable. The range of motion is surprisingly high thanks to its cut, though the jacket can feel stiff out of the box. Like all great waxed canvas, it breaks in over time, developing character as you wear it.

Compared to standard softshells or synthetic jackets, waxed canvas is a different beast. It’s heavier, less pliable at first—but it rewards patience. Over time, the Outlaw becomes a reflection of your adventures, etched with creases and a patina unique to your story.

Durability and Weather Resistance

Durability is one of the Outlaw’s strongest suits. The canvas shrugs off wear, and the jacket feels like it’ll last decades. That said, no gear is perfect: one of the buttons fell off early in our testing. The good news? Kühl’s customer service is excellent. They replaced it quickly and free of charge—a reminder that support matters just as much as the product itself.

Pros and Cons: Breaking It Down

Pros

Timeless, rugged style
Highly durable waxed canvas build
More affordable than many other waxed canvas jackets

Cons:

It's on the heavy side—not ideal for ultralight travelers
Not a dedicated winter coat (layering required in colder climates)

Recommendation: Is it Worth the Investment?

The Outlaw is designed for travelers, explorers, and gearheads who appreciate a jacket that performs as well as it looks. It’s versatile enough to wear from the field to the city to the airport terminal, making it an excellent travel companion. If you like gear that tells a story as it ages, this one belongs in your closet.

Final Verdict: Kühl Outlaw Waxed Jacket

The Kühl Outlaw Waxed Jacket isn’t just another layer—it’s a reliable companion for whatever adventure lies ahead. Rugged, stylish, and built to last, it bridges the gap between technical performance and timeless style.