Filson Bag Thread: With Pictures

[CasuallyWorked]

Antivitruvian iconoclasm!

It’s just a little too long so when I walk the bag scrapes the floors

 

[Samgoody]

It’s just a little too long so when I walk the bag scrapes the floors

Totally get it. Post a pic when your mod is done! I was just having a laugh as I consider the Filson tote to be a perfectly designed object. But even I stuck a little bookstore pin into mine to make it my own....

 

[Soletrane]

It’s just a little too long so when I walk the bag scrapes the floors

I just had that thought last week. I am 5’11” and I only get about 2 inches of clearance from the ground when the zipped tote is fully loaded.

 

[Soletrane]

Totally get it. Post a pic when your mod is done! I was just having a laugh as I consider the Filson tote to be a perfectly designed object. But even I stuck a little bookstore pin into mine to make it my own....

I travel weekly for work and like many of you, I have a lot of briefcases, backpacks etc for the laptop carry. In that Battle Royale, the zip tote won over the long haul as it was the only bag which was manageable with laptop, iPad, chargers, books, gloves, full sized NR headphones, water bottle, food, etc. It also tucked in under a plane or train seat in an upright position and was still easy to retrieve or store items (e.g. pre- or post airport security). I have a 5 yo blue Journeyman but the tote gets more use. Last fall, SierraTrading Post had the slate gray one for around $100 and I bought several for family members who travel a lot.

 

[LaundryRoom]

Maybe a thread first? It is technically a "Filson Bag"!

Also want to say thanks to @GzStudio for the kind help in hunting down a Journeyman!

 

[FilsonDude]

Maybe a thread first? It is technically a "Filson Bag"!

Also want to say thanks to @GzStudio for the kind help in hunting down a Journeyman!

View attachment 1888863 View attachment 1888865 View attachment 1888867

Impressive!
That’s a first “anywhere” for me

 

[mgrennier]

Maybe a thread first? It is technically a "Filson Bag"!

Also want to say thanks to @GzStudio for the kind help in hunting down a Journeyman!

View attachment 1888863 View attachment 1888865 View attachment 1888867

Whoa -now that's a bag that most have NEVER seen.

 

[TheJonaz]

I was lucky enough to find a Filson 256 with factory snap handle. This one is from 2012, whereas my previous one was from the end of 2013 or early 2014 (bought April 2014), just before they switched the stitched logo to "might as well have the best" to a simpler "a genuine Filson product".

To compare the two, one thing I have noticed is the difference concerning the leather. I wouldn't say the later one was of worst quality, it seems pretty much on par. Though the opposite side of it was rugged, and on the 2012 it's rather smooth.

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

Awhile back I mentioned I had some exciting things to share with the group, well without further delay or some long winded intro, here they are.

I was in the market for a couple of hats that could be worn in the frigid temps while still retaining some form of formal style. I wanted something that would be 3 season capable made with the finest of materials under $100 each

The NY hat is from Ebbets Field Flannels, which often collaborates with Filson, being they’re both Seattle based.

Both feature similar adjustable leather backstraps with brass hardware. The Ebbets Field is made with sourced wool broadcloth commonly used in vintage baseball hats and jerseys. It has a really nice classic luxurious feel to it.

The Filson hat is the Seattle Wool Baseball Cap, it’s new-old-stock part of a past Filson release from at least a year ago. Made with 18oz Wool used in the Filson Jac Shirts.

The Ebbets Field hat is actually a collaboration with a small Brooklyn NY company called Grown and Sewn. It was about $30 more, but for that price you get an embroidered USA Flag, reimagined NY felt badging that resembles more of the vintage/classic look, and finally a matching wool under-visor. The original has green satin.

Both feature the same wool under-visor actually. I wasn’t a fan of the 24oz Mackinaw Logger Cap, because it featured the green satin.

Next up is my first quality scarf, which is from the same company that made my Wool Blanket featured in the backdrop. Pendleton Woolen Mills

It’s going to live in the rear map pocket of my 1960 Style 16 Forestry Cruiser

Simple, Sturdy, Smartly Tailored Garments. Made in USA.

Grown and Sewn. For over a Decade we have been designing and manufacturing long lasting, smartly tailored garments in the U.S.A with a sharp focus on quality and simplicity. Made for anyone and everyone, every lifestyle, every passion and every profession.

www.grownandsewn.com

 

[White Collar Boy]

Awhile back I mentioned I had some exciting things to share with the group, well without further delay or some long winded intro, here they are.

I was in the market for a couple of hats that could be worn in the frigid temps while still retaining some form of formal style. I wanted something that would be 3 season capable made with the finest of materials under $100 each

View attachment 1912253

The NY hat is from Ebbets Field Flannels, which often collaborates with Filson, being they’re both Seattle based.

View attachment 1912247

Both feature similar adjustable leather backstraps with brass hardware. The Ebbets Field is made with sourced wool broadcloth commonly used in vintage baseball hats and jerseys. It has a really nice classic luxurious feel to it.

View attachment 1912255

The Filson hat is the Seattle Wool Baseball Cap, it’s new-old-stock part of a past Filson release from at least a year ago. Made with 18oz Wool used in the Filson Jac Shirts.

View attachment 1912249

The Ebbets Field hat is actually a collaboration with a small Brooklyn NY company called Grown and Sewn. It was about $30 more, but for that price you get an embroidered USA Flag, reimagined NY felt badging that resembles more of the vintage/classic look, and finally a matching wool under-visor. The original has green satin.

View attachment 1912251

Both feature the same wool under-visor actually. I wasn’t a fan of the 24oz Mackinaw Logger Cap, because it featured the green satin.

View attachment 1912243

Next up is my first quality scarf, which is from the same company that made my Wool Blanket featured in the backdrop. Pendleton Woolen Mills

View attachment 1912245

It’s going to live in the rear map pocket of my 1960 Style 16 Forestry Cruiser

Simple, Sturdy, Smartly Tailored Garments. Made in USA.

Grown and Sewn. For over a Decade we have been designing and manufacturing long lasting, smartly tailored garments in the U.S.A with a sharp focus on quality and simplicity. Made for anyone and everyone, every lifestyle, every passion and every profession.

www.grownandsewn.com

Great post and pics, thanks for sharing. Cool scarf. 👍

 

[White Collar Boy]

I travel weekly for work and like many of you, I have a lot of briefcases, backpacks etc for the laptop carry. In that Battle Royale, the zip tote won over the long haul... I have a 5 yo blue Journeyman but the tote gets more use.

I’ve just done the same: have a blue Journeyman, great bag, but wanted something a little easier for carrying the laptop around. Maybe I just wanted more Filson, period. Had been looking for a 257 briefcase (a little roomier than the 256, but not as bulky as the 258) but got impatient and went with a zippered tote that was relatively cheap on eBay in Japan.

Didn’t realise it was a Talon one until unwrapping it just now, so that’s a nice surprise that eases the minor irritation of no original leather ties on them (as seen in pictures… part of what made this one cheap I guess). Glad to report it doesn’t stink… any worse than a lightly worn Barbour jacket… and is very soft. Love this.

A few weeks back I also got a Small Field Bag, again off eBay from Japan, to go with my medium one. Why have both? Well, I just really love the medium and the small looks great too. A slight concern was that it might feel a bit purse-like, but I haven’t felt that way at all. Anyone who mocks a man for carrying a bag is just a tool anyway. This one is stiff and virtually new, and I’ve been using it everyday until now. Sure, it’s a bit small to carry anything more than a couple of little books, a drink bottle and a dopp-kit with pens and notepad useful for jotting down comebacks hours after passersby smirk, but that’s about all I carry anyway. The tote will be more useful though.

I know these aren’t particularly popular, but I bought them because I love these Filsons. I don’t feel quite done yet either… Who doesn’t need a duffle too!?

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

First off; much respect to this eBay seller for his listing! From the quantity and quality of the pictures, to that OMG style listing description, hats off to you. That being said, I must call into question the elephant in the room. How did you arrive at that price? I know the market is a little off its rocker right now, especially with the latest "MiUSA somehow equals more money for older items" nonsense, but $1,680.00 seems steep no matter how fabricated current market trends are. It’s by far the most expensive Single Mack Cruiser I’ve seen, especially for such a popular color.

Impressive Listing Description and shout out to @oldtimerscloset for his work and mention below.

Not to nitpick but when you use phrases such as "appears rarely worn" it's probably not gonna feature holes, wrinkled pocket flap liners and most notably, a stained Union Tag. If you lowered your price to a more realistic amount, I think this would really fly out your door and it wouldn't come across as taking advantage, whilst still profiting tremendously...win/win/win.

Compare that to my 1960 Style 16 Forestry Cruiser. Note the differences between Union Tags; the crispness of each one of the 3 tags attached to mine vs the solo soiled tag in the above listing. You can clearly see which one actually deserves the "rarely worn" ribbon, and at a near $1500 price difference at that. I paid around $208 (minus shipping) for mine back in late 2020. To this very day I have yet to happen across another one like it, and neither a one with the two bonus tags still attached.

This last comparison is purely for fun but it does carry with it some weight. When describing something as "rarely worn" it helps to have your pictures reflect that. The most used item in any coat is most likely the pockets. So let's make another comparison. Mine vs The Listing:

Below is one the pocket flap liners featured in the listing. Despite this coat being in great condition, I wouldn’t say it was rarely worn, but definitely cared for!!

Now for mine. I assure you each pocket flap liner looks just as new, which is impressive for a coat that was made the year JFK was elected President.

Filson Vintage Mackinaw 1940s 1950s Wool Cruiser Union Made *Unreal Condition* | eBay

C. C. Filson was founded in 1897 to outfit Klondike Gold Rush miners for harsh conditions. Between 1897 and 1900 an estimated 100,000 prospectors headed to the Yukon. He made blankets, coats, and boot insulation out of the durable and warm material.

www.ebay.com

 

[qfise]

Guys, what is a good way to clean the bag? I would like to clean my Journeyman bag (the one with Brooks Brothers collaboration) in tan color as the big pocket got a bit of some dirt at the airport when it was going through security scan.
Also, do you think that maybe I should wax it? I have never waxed Filson bag before and I don’t know how easy or needed it is. All other bags I have are in otter green and I don’t think that they need to be waxed for a long time to come.
Last question would be regarding leather straps, so you put cream on both aides or only on the outer side?

 

[jck22903]

Guys, what is a good way to clean the bag? I would like to clean my Journeyman bag (the one with Brooks Brothers collaboration) in tan color as the big pocket got a bit of some dirt at the airport when it was going through security scan.
Also, do you think that maybe I should wax it? I have never waxed Filson bag before and I don’t know how easy or needed it is. All other bags I have are in otter green and I don’t think that they need to be waxed for a long time to come.
Last question would be regarding leather straps, so you put cream on both aides or only on the outer side?

1) Water with mild soap and a soft bristle brush; too much soap may attract dirt after it dries

2) Re-waxing these bags is a challenge to do without making them appear mottled, splotchy, or "not quite right" and the general consensus is to avoid doing so

3) Cream on both sides, I really like Obenauf's oil (my take is that the leather on the newer bags is "under-tanned" and can benefit from multiple applications)

 

[rezzor]

I've re-wax my 257 many times using a stick of Fjall greenland wax. It goes on and melts in very uniformly. After a bit with the hair dryer it's not visually noticeable. It's does make the bag a bit stiffer for a short while.