*This page contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. (info)
Many of us grew to love the Carhartt Sandstone Jackets. The Sandstone Duck Cotton Canvas shell was micro-sanded and pre-washed to give it a brushed, broken-in feeling even on the first wear. These jackets gave workers a comfortable canvas option that didn’t feel stiff.
If you recently started shopping for a new Carhartt jacket, you may be searching for the Carhartt Sandstone jackets. Does Carhartt still make sandstone duck canvas jackets?
UPDATE: No, Carhartt does not make sandstone jackets anymore. As of 2021, the line of Carhartt Sandstone jackets (and other apparel) has been discontinued, including the popular Carhartt J130 Sandstone Jacket. The closest option to Sandstone Duck is Carhartt’s Washed Duck. The popular J130 jacket has been updated and uses this Washed Duck now instead of the Sandstone Duck. Click here to view the new, updated version of the Carhartt J130 jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
To confirm this change, I reached out to Carhartt customer service, and they responded by telling me that “Unfortunately, we recently made the decision to discontinue our Sandstone duck line. The closest line to our Sandstone duck would be the Washed duck products.”
So the good news is, yes, you still can buy a pre-washed shell that will have a broken-in feeling on the first wear. And if you loved the Carhartt J130 Sandstone Jacket, the updated version (now called style 104050) does have a pre-washed canvas shell to help break it in.
I actually have tried the new updated version of the J130 jacket and can give you a good idea what to expect and how it compares to the original Carhartt Sandstone version. In this article let’s discuss that jacket, and some of the changes you can expect with Carhartt’s transition away from the Sandstone line of products.
Has Carhartt Sandstone Duck Been Discontinued?
Yes, as we discussed above, as of 2021 Carhartt has decided to discontinue its line of Sandstone Duck Cotton Canvas apparel. The closest option to Sandstone Cotton is the Washed Cotton. What are the differences?
Carhartt Sandstone vs Washed Duck
The good news is just like the Sandstone Duck, the Washed Duck is pre-washed. This pre-washing process helps break the canvas fabric in and gives it that worn-in feeling on the first wear.
But the major difference here is the Sandstone Duck, in addition to the pre-washing, used a micro-sanding process to give the fabric a brushed, weathered look. Not only did this give the apparel a sort of rustic look, it also added some softness to the fabric itself.
The Washed Duck line of apparel does use the pre-washing process, but the Washed Duck does not use the micro-sanding process, and therefore does not have that brushed, weathered appearance that the Sandstone Duck had.
Updated Version of the J130 Carhartt Sandstone Jacket
Carhartt jacket style 104050 is an update to the J130 jacket, which was the very popular Carhartt Sandstone Active Jacket. Here’s what my Carhartt 104050 jacket looks like:
This updated version (style 104050) does has some differences compared to the Carhartt Sandstone J130 Jacket that it replaces. For example, this new version does not have the quilted-flannel lining. Instead, this updated version has a quilted nylon lining with 80 grams of 3M Thinsulate for insulation (if you preferred that quilted flannel lining, it’s still available in the Carhartt J140).
The good news is this new version of the J130 (style 104050) does use a pre-washed shell, but no, the pre-washing process does not include the micro-sanding process. Which means this newer version, although pre-washed to make it feel worn-in, won’t have that brushed, weathered look on the shell that the old Carhartt Sandstone J130 had.
Overall, the design is similar. Both versions have a sort of hooded bomber style, but it’s important to note that this new version has storm cuff sleeves which the old J130 did not.
Having worn both the old J130 and this new version, the warmth is similar. As you probably know, Carhartt does not assign a temperature rating to their products, which makes it a bit more complicated to find the right jacket. I can’t give a temperature rating either, but I’d probably say the original J130 was slightly warmer (warmest Carhartt work jackets). But this new jacket is also warm and isn’t as bulky to wear.
In my experience, this new version fits true to size, but has a loose fit. Here’s my size medium Carhartt 104050 compared to a size medium t-shirt:
Overall this updated version of the Carhartt Sandstone J130 is a very comfortable Carhartt jacket and is suitable for moderate winter conditions. Click here to buy this Carhartt 104050 jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com).
Alternative to the Carhartt Sandstone J130 Jacket
Dri Duck Cheyenne Jacket
Dri Duck is an apparel company based in Kansas. I think the Dri Duck Cheyenne Jacket has one of the softest canvas shells that I have tried. It is styled very similar to Carhartt Active Jackets in that it has a cuffed waist, cuffed sleeves, attached hood and a full-zip front.
This is the current price of the Dri Duck Cheyenne Jacket available at Amazon (affiliate link takes you to Amazon.com). I think this will be a nice option for those of you who want to find an ultra-comfortable canvas work jacket to replace the Carhartt Sandstone Duck Jackets.
In my experience, this jacket fits true to size, but isn’t quite as loose as Carhartt Active Jackets. I’d recommend ordering your normal sizing for this Dri Duck jacket, but if you prefer a loose, baggy fit, you may need to size up.
It’s tough to compare warmth, because none of these companies publish temperature ratings, but I think this Dri Duck Cheyenne Jacket is capable of handling moderate, but not extreme, winter conditions. I wear it in Kansas and it meets my needs (Dri Duck vs Carhartt).
Carhartt Sandstone Duck Shell vs Other Carhartt Shells
Buying a Carhartt canvas jacket can be important for work because it gives you the abrasion resistance you need on the job. But sometimes it is a bit overwhelming trying to understand how the different outer shell fabrics differ (how Carhartt jackets compare).
Carhartt offers a wide range of canvas shells, including both firm and pre-washed. In general, the firmer the jacket, the more durable it will be (but it will also be stiffer). Canvas jackets will break in over time, but the firmer, stiffer outer-shells will take some time.
That is what we all loved about the Sandstone Canvas is it used the micro-sanding and pre-washing process to break the jacket in and make it feel comfortable even on the first wear. If you are trying to understand the different Carhartt outer shell fabrics, here’s what you need to know:
| Outer Fabric Duck | Details |
| Extremes Nylon | Toughest; Wind/Water Resistant |
| Firm Cotton | Toughest Cotton; Wind/Water Res. |
| Traditional Cotton | 2nd-Toughest Cotton Shell |
| Washed Cotton | Durable, but Pre-Washed |
| Sandstone Cotton* | Durable, but Pre-Washed/Sanded |
| Quick Duck | Lightweight, Flexible Blend |
Ultimately, as of 2021, if you loved the Carhartt Sandstone Duck Canvas, unfortunately you will need to find an alternative to Carhartt, or just use the Carhartt Washed Duck Canvas. Carhartt offers the Washed Duck in a wide range of apparel, including both jackets and pants. To view Carhartt options, visit our article about the best Carhartt work jackets.
If you want something even more comfortable, I’d recommend the Carhartt Quick Duck line of products, which uses a canvas blend to help reduce weight and make the material less stiff. I really like it. To read about more winter options visit our article about the best winter workwear jackets.