Filson and The Forest Service

historic photo of forest service men sitting down to eat lunch in their uniforms

Because of our shared history in the wildlands of America and mutual need for tough gear in remote places, Filson and the U.S. Forest Service have been likely partners since we were both founded (1897 and 1905, respectively). As the Klondike Gold Rush ended, Filson found new customers in the loggers and workers of the Pacific Northwest, many of whom would become or were members of the Forest Service. Dressed in logger boots, Filson water repellant pants and jackets, woolen underwear and sox, (plenty of extra sox) we moved out. – Excerpt from “The Ranger in Charge” by W.K. “Bill” Samsel for the U.S. Forest Service

vintage green United States Forest Service and Filson jacket with department patch on brown canvas backdrop

As early as the 1920s, and continuing to this day, Filson products became accepted by workers as de facto Forest Service uniform wear because of their performance in the field. Unadorned with any official patches or insignia, Forest Service workers chose the best gear for the job—and that happened to be Filson. From the 1950s through the 1990s, Filson was contracted to produce official uniforms for Forest Service personnel.