RAW vs Elements: An Honest Comparison

We’ve stocked both for years. Been asked which is better roughly every week for most of those. Here’s the actual answer.

RAW and Elements are the two most popular ultra-thin rolling papers we sell. Both are at the quality end of the market. Both have a following who won’t use anything else. They’re not the same product and they’re not interchangeable, but they’re close enough that most people will be happy with either.

RAW

Made from hemp and plant fibres, unbleached, pressed double-thin. The natural watermark pattern running through a RAW paper isn’t decorative — it helps prevent runs and uneven burns. Made in Alcoy, Spain, which has been the home of rolling paper manufacturing for centuries.

RAW has a slight earthy flavour from the hemp fibres. If you’re smoking something with strong terpenes, RAW will carry that flavour without getting in the way much. Rolls well. Gums reliably. The Connoisseur versions come with tips included which is handy.

Elements

Pure rice paper and acacia gum. That’s it. The rice paper burns almost completely — when an Elements paper ashes, you get a tiny white residue from the caramelised gum, not grey ash. The Criss-Cross watermark is also functional, same job as RAW’s — keeps the burn even.

Elements is more neutral than RAW. Virtually no paper taste at all. Slightly easier to roll for most people because rice paper is a touch more pliable. The Phantom range is their ultra-thin line — we sell a lot of those.

Which one?

If you want to taste the herb and nothing else: Elements.

If you prefer a bit of body in the smoke and are used to the earthy warmth hemp paper gives: RAW.

If someone tells you one is objectively better than the other, they’re just telling you which one they prefer. Both are genuinely good papers.

RAW — what we stock

Browse all RAW products →

Elements — what we stock

Browse all Elements products →

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