RAW vs. Elements vs. Zig-Zag: Rolling Paper Brand Showdown
The Paper You Choose Changes the Experience
It's easy to think of rolling papers as a commodity — grab whatever's cheapest and get on with it. But anyone who's spent time with different brands knows that papers vary a lot more than most people expect. The material, thickness, texture, gum line, and burn characteristics all combine to create a noticeably different experience from one brand to the next. Some papers practically roll themselves; others fight you. Some burn slow and clean; others go up fast and leave a taste behind. Some papers complement what's inside; others compete with it.
Three brands have risen above the pack to become the names most smokers know and most shops stock front and center: RAW, Elements, and Zig-Zag. They each represent a different philosophy about what a rolling paper should be, and each one has earned a massive, loyal following for legitimate reasons. At East Side Cigars & Smoke Shop, we sell all three in volume — and we regularly help customers figure out which one fits their rolling style and taste preferences.
If you've been loyal to one brand for years, this comparison might introduce you to something worth trying. If you're new to rolling and wondering which pack to grab first, we'll make it simple. Let's get into it.
RAW: The Unrefined Standard-Bearer
RAW has become the default rolling paper for an entire generation of smokers, and they've earned that position through relentless consistency and a clear brand philosophy: unrefined, additive-free, and natural. Founded by Josh Kesselman, RAW's signature product is their Classic line — an unbleached hemp paper with a natural brown color that comes from the hemp fiber itself, not from any dye or treatment. What you see is what you get: plant fiber, natural gum arabic adhesive, and nothing else.
Rolling with RAW papers is a forgiving, intuitive experience. The hemp fiber has a subtle texture that grips your material well without being sticky, making the tuck-and-roll motion feel natural even if your technique isn't perfect. They hold their shape during rolling, crease cleanly, and the gum line seals reliably with a light lick. For beginners, that forgiveness is huge — RAW papers don't punish sloppy technique the way ultra-thin papers can. For experienced rollers, they're a reliable canvas that lets you focus on the craft rather than wrestling with the paper.
Burn quality is one of RAW's strongest suits. Their papers burn slowly and evenly, producing a thin, light ash that doesn't flake or crumble. You'll rarely get a canoe (uneven burn down one side) with a properly rolled RAW, and the flavor interference is minimal. You'll taste a faint earthiness from the hemp fiber, but it's subtle enough that most people don't notice it after the first few puffs. RAW also produces the broadest accessory ecosystem in the industry — rolling trays, tips, cones, machines, storage containers, and even a rolling mat. If you want a one-brand setup from paper to tray, RAW makes it easy.
The only real knock on RAW is that their papers, while thin for hemp, aren't the thinnest option out there. Smokers who prioritize the absolute slimmest paper with the least possible material will eventually look toward rice-based options. RAW does make an "Organic Hemp" line and a "Black" line that are thinner than the Classic, but even those don't quite match the near-transparent thinness of a premium rice paper. That said, for the vast majority of smokers, RAW's balance of thinness, ease of use, and clean burn is exactly the right sweet spot.
Elements: The Ultra-Thin Rice Paper
If RAW is the approachable, everyday workhorse, Elements is the precision instrument. Made from rice and sugar, Elements papers are among the thinnest commercially available rolling papers on the market. They're nearly translucent — hold one up to the light and you can almost see through it. The brand's promise is a paper so thin that it essentially disappears from the smoking equation, leaving you with nothing but the flavor of what you've rolled inside.
And on that promise, Elements delivers. The burn is exceptionally slow and remarkably even, and the ash is a fine, clean white — a telltale sign of pure rice paper. There's virtually zero paper taste. If flavor purity is your top priority, Elements sets the standard that other brands measure themselves against. The gum line uses natural sugar-based adhesive that seals cleanly and doesn't add any off-notes. For connoisseurs who've refined their palate and can taste the difference between paper types, Elements is frequently the paper of choice.
The flip side is that Elements papers demand solid rolling technique. Rice paper doesn't grip the way hemp does — it's slippery, it crinkles easily, and it punishes uneven packing with canoes and runs more readily than a thicker paper. If your fingers are even slightly damp, the paper will stick to your skin instead of your material. Rolling an Elements joint that burns perfectly is genuinely satisfying, but rolling one that fights you the whole way is genuinely frustrating. This isn't a beginner paper. If you're still developing your rolling skills, you'll have a much better time starting with RAW or even Zig-Zag and graduating to Elements once your technique is consistent.
Elements also keeps a tighter product line than RAW. You won't find the same vast ecosystem of accessories and brand extensions. What you will find is a focused lineup of papers and cones in standard sizes, done exceptionally well. Elements knows what they are, and they don't dilute the brand trying to be everything to everyone. That discipline is part of why the people who love Elements tend to be fiercely loyal to them.
Zig-Zag: The Classic That Won't Quit
Zig-Zag has been in the rolling paper business since 1882 — that's not a typo. While RAW and Elements are products of the modern smoking era, Zig-Zag has been around since before electric lights were common. The brand's iconic logo (a Zouave soldier) is one of the most recognized images in the smoking world, and their papers have been a staple in pockets, glove compartments, and nightstand drawers for generations. Your parents probably used Zig-Zags. Your grandparents might have too.
The classic Zig-Zag white paper is made from wood pulp, and it has a character all its own. It's thicker than both RAW and Elements, which makes it the most beginner-friendly option of the three. Zig-Zag whites practically roll themselves — the paper is stiff enough to hold its shape, flexible enough to tuck without tearing, and the gum line sticks reliably every time. If you've never rolled before and you want the most forgiving possible paper to learn on, a pack of Zig-Zag 1 1/4 is a solid starting point.
The trade-off for that ease of use is that wood pulp papers burn faster and produce a slightly more noticeable paper taste compared to hemp or rice. You'll see more ash, and it'll be darker. Long-time Zig-Zag users typically don't mind — it's part of the familiar experience — but if you switch to Zig-Zag after using Elements or RAW, you'll likely notice the difference. To their credit, Zig-Zag has adapted with the times. They now offer hemp papers (the Zig-Zag Organic Hemp line) and ultra-thin options that compete more directly with RAW's territory. These newer offerings are genuinely good and address the burn-rate and taste concerns while keeping the brand's signature easy-rolling character.
Price is another area where Zig-Zag holds a clear advantage. They're consistently the most affordable major-brand paper on the shelf, and the quality-to-cost ratio is excellent. When you're buying papers regularly, that difference adds up. Availability is also unmatched — Zig-Zag papers are sold in gas stations, grocery stores, convenience shops, and every smoke shop in America. You'll never be stuck without a pack.
Side-by-Side: Material, Burn Rate, Taste, Gum Line, and Price
Material: RAW uses unbleached hemp fiber. Elements uses rice and sugar. Zig-Zag's classic papers are wood pulp, though their newer lines include hemp options.
Burn rate: Elements burns the slowest, followed closely by RAW. Zig-Zag's wood pulp papers burn noticeably faster, though their hemp line narrows the gap considerably.
Taste: Elements adds virtually no flavor — it's the cleanest paper of the three. RAW has a very faint earthy quality from the hemp that most people find neutral or pleasant. Zig-Zag's wood pulp papers have the most noticeable paper taste, though it's mild and familiar to most smokers.
Gum line: All three use natural gum adhesive and seal reliably. Elements' sugar-based gum is the most delicate — it requires a light touch. RAW and Zig-Zag have slightly more robust gum lines that tolerate a heavier lick.
Price: Zig-Zag is the most affordable, typically running $1 to $2 per pack. RAW sits in the middle at $2 to $3. Elements is generally the most expensive at $2.50 to $4, depending on size and location.
Rolling difficulty: Zig-Zag is the easiest. RAW is moderately easy and forgiving. Elements is the most demanding and best suited to experienced rollers.
Honorable Mentions: Vibes, Smoking, OCB, and Job
The Big Three earn their status, but the rolling paper world doesn't end with them. Vibes, co-founded by Berner, has quickly earned respect for premium papers available in rice, hemp, and ultra-thin varieties — the packaging is sharp, the quality is legitimate, and they've found a sweet spot between RAW's accessibility and Elements' refinement. Smoking is a Spanish brand that's been producing papers since 1924, and their Brown unbleached line is an underrated gem that deserves more attention in the U.S. market.
OCB is another European heritage brand (French, founded in 1918) with an extensive lineup spanning wood pulp, hemp, and ultra-thin rice papers. Their Virgin line is unbleached and performs on par with RAW at a competitive price. Job papers are the quiet veteran of the industry — French-made, reliable, and favored by a small but devoted following who appreciate their consistent burn and no-fuss quality. If you've only ever tried the Big Three, branching out to any of these brands is a worthwhile experiment.
Find Your Favorite at East Side Cigars & Smoke Shop
Rolling paper preference is deeply personal, and there's no objectively "best" brand — only the brand that works best for the way you roll and the way you like to smoke. Some people try one brand and never look back. Others keep two or three packs in rotation depending on the occasion. Both approaches are perfectly valid.
At East Side Cigars & Smoke Shop in New York, NY, we keep all three major brands in stock across multiple sizes — single wide, 1 1/4, king slim, and king size — along with the honorable mention brands and a selection of pre-rolled cones for those who prefer to skip the rolling entirely. Our team can talk you through the differences, recommend a starting point based on your experience level, and help you explore options you might not have considered.
Come see us at Monday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Tuesday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Wednesday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Thursday: 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM, Friday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Saturday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Sunday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM, call (212) 228-2882, or get in touch online. Whether you're a first-time roller looking for the most forgiving paper on the shelf or a seasoned veteran chasing the cleanest possible burn, we've got a pack with your name on it.