SJOOW for winter, every time.

SJOOW is the right choice for outdoor winter use.

The short answer: SJOOW is rubber-jacketed, stays flexible in the cold, and handles moisture and abrasion better. SJTW is vinyl (PVC) and turns into a stiff, crack-prone liability once the temp drops below freezing.

Here’s the difference spelled out without the spec-sheet jargon. Both are “junior” service cords (the “SJ”) rated for 300V. The “O” in SJOOW means oil-resistant insulation and jacket. The “W” means weather-resistant. The “T” in SJTW means thermoplastic (PVC). PVC gets brittle in cold — you’ve probably seen an old garden hose snap in January. Same deal. SJOOW stays pliable down to -40°F. Also, rubber handles repeated bending and being run over by a snow blower way better than plastic ever will.

Is SJOOW more expensive? Yes. Is it worth it for a cord that sits outside all winter? Absolutely. If you only need a cord for occasional summer use, save the money with SJTW. But for winter — get SJOOW.