Fjällräven: How To Wax G-1000

One of the many things Fjällräven are deservedly famous for is G-1000 – their densely-woven, hardwearing cornerstone fabric made from 65% polyester and 35% cotton. G-1000 comes pre-waxed for wind- and water-resistance with the brand’s unique Greenland Wax, but this protection can be removed or increased depending on the conditions you’re going into. Here’s how to wax your G-1000 garment, and get it ready to join you on adventures in all weathers for years to come.

Rub the block of Greenland Wax with a medium pressure in long, smooth strokes along the fabric, leaving behind a thin, even layer.

Using an iron or hairdryer on low to moderate heat, melt the wax into the fabric, again using long, even strokes. Greenland Wax melts at between 55°C and 60°C (131-140°F), so try to keep the iron temperature around this point – you don’t want the wax to get too runny. Don’t forget to wipe off the iron after use before ironing other garments.

This step isn’t always necessary, but if you want to make the fabric even more water resistant, repeat the process several times rather than applying a single, thick layer of wax. This is especially good for exposed sections of the garment such as the hood and shoulders or the knees and rear.

If you want to reactive the Greenland Wax already on the garment, like after hanging your winter coat up all summer or if you’ve washed it, iron the garment on a low heat. It’ll draw the wax out of the fabric and you should feel the difference straight away.

Ultimately where you chose to use Greenland Wax is down to you, there is no right or wrong. As it can be used to help improve the water resistance of the G-1000 fabric, you can increase weather protection in certain areas you need to without impeding breathability in other areas.

The below video demonstrates where you may wish to use Greenland Wax on different garments.

If wind and water-resistance aren’t your number one priority, and you’d prefer your garment to allow for airflow, you’ll want to remove the Greenland Wax. This is easy – just wash your garment at 40°C two or three times.

Be careful of Fjällräven products that aren’t made entirely from G-1000; many are  made from a combination of this and other fabrics. Take extra care when waxing these garments to avoid getting Greenland Wax on non-G-1000 materials.