Americana has never looked so good.
I’ve been a big fan of the Filson brand ever since buying my first shirt of theirs while living in Seattle, Washington — so when the opportunity came up to collaborate with the brand on a review, I jumped at it.
For this review, I’ll be covering the basics of the brand’s history, filling you in on the details of the two items I tried on for review, and giving a final verdict on who Filson is right for (and who it may not be).
By the end, you should be confident in knowing whether a piece of gear from this well-respected brand is worth your hard-earned dollars.
Quick Take
Simply put, Filson is a heritage American brand with an incredible aesthetic, top-quality craftsmanship, and a price tag that reflects each item’s quality.
Pros
- Genuine buy-it-for-life quality garments and accessories
- Exceptionally cool Americana aesthetic
- Wide range of sizes, cuts, and fits
Cons
- You pay for every bit of the quality that you’ll get
- Sizes can run large, so smaller guys will need to take careful measurements to get a good fit
About Filson
Named after its founder, C.C. Filson, the Filson brand has been in operation since the late 1800s. Originally catering to gold rush miners, Filson created an enduring lineup of rugged outdoor clothing — a heritage that continues to this day.
Quickly developing a reputation for “better outdoor clothes”, Filson took the next step to solidify their brand image by applying for (and receiving) a patent for their legendary Cruiser Jacket — the same one that I’ll be covering in today’s review.
In the end, C.C. Filson’s original statement holds true in everything that the brand does: “Your satisfaction is the sole purpose of our transaction.”
What I Tried
For this review, the folks at Filson were kind enough to set me up with two of their most popular items: The Alaskan Guide Shirt and their original Cruiser Jacket.
Alaskan Guide Shirt
A dead ringer for my first introduction to the brand, the Alaskan Guide Shirt is a tried-and-true Filson classic.
Made from a tightly woven eight-ounce brushed cotton twill, it’s equipped with pleated shoulders for excellent range of motion as well as gusseted pockets for expandable carrying capacity.
The cut and fit of this shirt are very roomy, making it a dedicated overshirt. And thanks to its densely woven construction, it’s warm enough to double as a jacket on mild winter days — or it can function as an exceptionally warm middle layer on the most frigid days of the year.
I picked up a size medium in this shirt, and it still fits with plenty of roominess. That’s perhaps a little surprising, given that I’m about 6’2” tall and around 190 pounds — generally a size large in almost every other brand I’ve worn.
On the flip side, this is a wonderful problem to have: It’s one of the few shirts I’ve been able to find that fits reliably through my torso while also being a great fit for my monkey-length arms.
All said and done, this has been a fantastic shirt for those winter days that aren’t quite cold enough for a full-sized coat but are definitely still chilly enough to want to layer up for.
Mackinaw Wool Cruiser Jacket
The very same Cruiser Jacket that Filson patented in 1914 is still in production today — and after giving it a thorough testing through the bitterest parts of an Ohio winter, I can definitely see why this jacket has enduring appeal.
I’ll just come right out with it: The Mackinaw Wool Cruiser Jacket quickly rocketed to the top spot in my jacket rotation. Combining an excellent cut and fit with cowboy cool style and incredible warmth, there have been a lot of days where I couldn’t imagine a reason to wear anything else.
Throw in the fact that it’s likely going to last me for the rest of my natural life, and it’s safe to say that I’m a huge fan.
There’s practically no end to the details on the Cruiser Jacket. It’s made from 100% virgin wool, and sewn in the USA.
It comes with four front cargo pockets, and the two bottom pockets feature embedded hand warmer pockets to boot. Plus, there’s a massive back pocket for gloves, magazines, or anything too big to carry in the cargo pockets.
Buttons are double-reinforced, and the collar smoothly layers over itself when fully buttoned up.
Overall, I love the time and care that Filson has obviously put into this jacket, which continues to surprise me each time I wear it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Before wrapping up, let’s answer a few questions about Filson that are floating around the internet:
Is Filson Still Made in the USA?
While Filson is no longer exclusively made in the USA, many of their products are still crafted in their Seattle workshop.
Are Filson Products Guaranteed for Life?
As outlined in Filson’s own Guarantee and Return Policy: The workmanship, craftsmanship, and materials are protected against failure for the lifetime of the item.
Do They Wear Filson in Yellowstone?
It’s true! From Filson’s website: “On TV’s Yellowstone, Rip Wheeler’s jacket is a Filson Short Lined Cruiser, and many scenes also show John and Beth Dutton wearing Filson coats.”
Final Verdict
At the end of the day, this is what Filson offers: Clothing and accessories with uncompromising quality and buy-it-for-life construction, but at a significant cost.
If you’re in the market for something that you could pass down to your kids, it’s one of the first brands I’d recommend. And especially for anyone living in a colder climate, Filson’s wool offers top-notch warmth without compromising on style.
Do you have any experience with this rugged brand? Let me know in the comments!
Article is a lie by a paid shill.
Filson USED to be those things. Now it’s yet another rent extraction scheme by venture capital douchebags who will cut quality, cut costs, and raise profits for themselves before the brand is fully in the trash.
Hi there. I am sorry to see that you don’t agree with the writer’s review of Filson. I assure you that all products we sample are tested by writers who give their unbiased opinion. This particular writer likes the products Filson has to offer and it’s perfectly okay to disagree. Thanks for reading!