The 11 Best Rolling Papers for Better Burning Joints

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Despite what your health-freak-vegan-yogi college roommate said, hemp papers and other alternatives are really no healthier than Swisher Sweets. They are, however, a bit more grown up. Don't get us wrong, a $1.99 two-pack of gas station cigarillos will never go out of fashion. It's just that rolling papers with proper filters will probably give you a better experience. And at this point in your life, you should strive to use the best smoking tools on the market. So for that, we've already covered grinders (electric ones too), vaporizers, pipes, and weed subscription boxes. But right now we're talking rolling papers.

In the era of vapes, high tech gadgets, and widely available pre-rolls, rolling your own joints feels rebellious, a throwback. It might be outdated, but it's a classic stoner ritual. (And it's a hell of a lot cooler than vaporizing your bud!) We figure you won't turn down an opportunity to ingest the best. So here are 11 best rolling papers for weed and/or tobacco, each tailored to different smoking needs—and elevate them.

Blue 1.25 Size Rolling Papers

Hemp often makes for sturdier papers that are easier for rolling and only relay mild taste. Sackville & Co.’s 100 percent pure organic hemp rolling papers are thin and come with Arabic gum adhesive to secure the closure. In addition to blue, the company also makes them in black, pink, and yellow to match your vibe.

Two Premium Flax 1.25 Size Rolling Paper Books

You can rely on flax—a natural plant fiber—for a silky smooth joint since it absolutely will not impart any unwelcome odor. Flax papers from Z's Life are not only thin but also easy to roll. And like most flax rolls, they yield very little smoke. The elegant packaging, lastly, really tops it off.

Ultra Thin 1.25 Size Rice Rolling Paper

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Rice makes the thinnest paper and thus burns the slowest. It's also incredibly sustainable. Elements' rice rolling papers barely have any flavor and burn almost no ash for a totally satisfying inhale. The trade-off, however, is that they are so thin they can be challenging to roll for rookies.

Premium King Size Slim Rolling Paper

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In the biz of rolling papers, Odet Cascadet Bolloré (OCB) has been around for over a century. Which means they've had plenty of time to refine their papers to perfectly balanced in terms of thinness and firmness. And it certainly doesn't hurt that these are made in organic flax which ensures a slow, even burn.

Unrefined Classic 1.25 Size Rolling Papers

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Probably every smoker has used RAW's rolling papers before. They're available in almost every smoke shop, and tokers love them for being dirt cheap. RAW's Unrefined Classic—its most popular line—in natural hemp is certified by veterans and novices, alike.

Pure Hemp King Size Rolling Paper

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These hemp papers honor the marijuana world's most beloved musician, Bob Marley. (Or the music world's most beloved stoner?) To add, inside each packaging, there's a different quote from the reggae legend to light you up.

French Orange 1.25 Size Rolling Papers

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Zig-Zag was founded in 1855 in France, and, as far as we know, has since never let anyone who rolls their own tobacco down. The world of cannabis has since embraced them, and with good reason: Zig-Zag's classic French orange flax papers are pure quality.

Blue Regular Rolling Papers

Rizla is another legacy brand that makes rolling papers, with a French origin dating back to 1532. It's the brand that smoking savants know, use, and gatekeep to keep it "exclusive." These rolling papers by Rizla run smaller than size 1.25 which can be hard to maneuver, but they really hold and elevate a clean smoke well.

Classic Silver Wired Rolling Papers

Whether you'd prefer to toke alone or in a group, the stainless steel wire handle in Randy’s papers is clutch for keeping your joint straight—and prevent the fire from burning your fingers.

Unbleached Organic 1.25 Size Rolling Papers

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Unbleached—or transparent—papers yield an all-natural smoke, especially when they're made with organic grain fibers, as in the case of Hornet. They will burn evenly and combust to smoke stably, much like RAW's rolling papers.

$100 Bill King Size Rolling Papers

If you can't spend'em, smoke'em. In this case, $100 "bills" that are meant to do just that. They're life-like, burn slow, burn well. No funky odor whatsoever. And thin. But, a word to the wise: There's no glue, so these can be hard to wrap. Thus, they're recommended for a laugh or gifting, not for regular indulgence.

The Thinner, The Slower, The Better

Ideally, rolling papers should burn slowly and evenly to lend you a smooth, lasting fume. Typically thinner papers promise a slower burn and won’t hinder indulging the full taste of flowers rolled within (since thinner means less paper smoke). Materials also play a part, whether it’s hemp, flax, rice, or wood pulp. Some burn slower, some are thinner, and some are easier to roll—each has its own perks.

In addition, rolling papers' size—which often comes in either a regular 1.25 size good for one to three joints, or the largest standard king size, which is enough for four to five smokers—caters to smoking habits. Heavy smokers often cop the king size to get the most out of one single joint, and the regular size suits those who savor just a few puffs now and then.

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