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The Filson Journal
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Signature Materials

A look into the history, craftsmanship, and fabrication of Filson gear.

man holding field glasses looking through them under moody skies
Featured

Original Alaska Outfitter Since 1897 | The Filson Story

Since 1897 we’ve had the same mission: To create best-in-class products that outsmart the elements, outperform expectations, and outlast you. Our Founder, Clinton C. Filson put it best, “Your satisfaction is the sole purpose of our transaction.” Read about our legacy and history on the Filson Journal.

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10 Min
Fisherwoman
Profiles

Filson x Rugged Seas

The idea was simple: collect used bibs, give them a good cleaning, then cut and repurpose the materials to give the bibs a second life. In practice, of course, it’s never that easy, but by building on the expertise of manufacturers and businesses in and around their hometown of Cape Elizabeth, ME, Rugged Seas has been able to grow from a home-based operation to one that involves not just their local community but also working waterfronts up and down the coast.

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3 Min
Indigenous artwork
Signature Materials

Filson x Canadian Arctic Producers

Canadian Arctic Producers (CAP) was formed to promote and preserve the art of First Nations communities in remote northern territories. Filson collaborated with CAP to create two unique pieces, featuring artwork from Josephee Kakee and Solomon Karpik. All proceeds will support CAP’s continued mission.

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2 Min
Filson upland hunting gear
Signature Materials

Six Crucial Pieces of Upland Hunting Gear

On a hunt for Gambel’s Quail in the Arizona desert, having the right gear makes all the difference. While traversing dusty arroyos, keeping hydrated, and avoiding cactus needles, Edgar Castillo shares six pieces of crucial gear from personal experience.

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3 Min
Filson Dawson leather bags.
Signature Materials

Signature Materials: What is Filson Bridle Leather?

Bridle Leather holds a valued position in Filson manufacturing, and we’re constantly seeking new ways to put it to work, from smaller items like keychains and wallets to the handles on duffles that easily handle the heaviest loads.

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3 Min
Black and white historical photo of five men wearing White's Boots.
Signature Materials

White’s Boots: 168 years of handmade tradition

Bootmaking is one of those occupations that, done properly, wears well over time for both the boot’s owner and the bootmaker. And in nineteenth-century America, this was a handcraft occupation, where profit was measured not by an hourly wage, but per boot.

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3 Min
Filson Signature Materials Dry Bags_2
Signature Materials

Signature Materials: Dry Bags

Our 124-year legacy was born outfitting those bound for the inhospitable weather and terrain of the Alaskan Gold Rush. Filson dry bags exemplify our commitment to equip men and women with unfailing gear for the most demanding conditions. They’re engineered in Seattle and thoroughly tested by seasoned sportsmen and professional guides throughout the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. We put our dry bags through the ringer to ensure they deliver 100% waterproof protection, trip after trip.

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3 Min

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FILSON — Outfitting the world's pioneers with innovative #UnfailingGoods for another 100 years.

Filson x Springbar_1200x628
Signature Materials

Filson x Springbar Outfitter Tent — Handcrafted in Salt Lake City

The “Outfitter” model was inspired after a history of horse packers over the past century in America, with the same utility of the Springbar framework but with a pole design that allowed the entire tent to be broken down to a size that could be carried by a pack animal.

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3 Min
person popping a wheelie on an orange motorcycle on a muddy road in the forest
Signature Materials

Moto Overlanding Apparel Essentials

We spoke with Aaron Piazza, group leader on our journey along the Washington Backcountry Discovery Route, about some of the essential pieces of kit that he recommends for backcountry riding. Below he shares his experience with our new Filson Alcan gear, along with advice for what to pack on a multi-day overland moto trip.

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5 Min
person adjusting a tan hat wearing a green coat with a crossbody bag with a pistol in it
Signature Materials

Signature Materials: Lightweight Active Rain Shells

Since 1897, Filson has manufactured clothing that’s kept men and women warm and dry in the Pacific Northwest and across the globe–in rain-soaked forests, snowy rangelands and everywhere in between. When pushing through brambles and briars or climbing through barbed-wire fences, you need heavy-duty gear that stands up to punctures, tears and abuse. But for covering miles of rugged terrain in the backcountry, a different type of rain gear is required. Lightweight, waterproof jackets that can be stuffed into tight spaces are a must. Let’s take a minute to clarify some of the terms we use to describe our lightweight active-use rain jackets.

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10 Min
close-up of cuff of mackinaw wool olive colored jacket cuff
Signature Materials

Recommended Care for Mackinaw Wool

Mackinaw Wool has been our most-trusted cold-weather protection for over a century, and these easy-maintenance tips will ensure yours provides reliable service for years to come.

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3 Min
black button with gold lettering on knitted wool
Signature Materials

Filson Expert Picks: Geoff Samples

Expert Filson gear advice from our own, and the extended Filson community—breaking down each product plain and simple.

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3 Min
worn filson patch on tan cloth with patch text reads: A genuine Filson Garment CC Filson CO. Seattle
Signature Materials

Tin Cloth Cruiser History

While the design of the Tin Cloth Cruiser has changed little over the decades, it has undergone some minor variations to meet demands beyond the forests. Over the years, the “cruiser” name has become synonymous with ruggedness and dependability—qualities that apply both to the Filson jackets themselves and to those who wear them.

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3 Min
Allagash Cruiser Axe_1200x628
Signature Materials

Filson x Allagash Cruiser Axe: Hand Forged in Maine, USA

Brant & Cochran’s goal was to create an heirloom-quality axe that could also be put to unrelenting work. That starts with the steel—U.S.-made 1050 carbon steel. The “1050” refers to a steel made up of only two components: iron and .5% carbon. When tempered to 56 Rockwell hardness, the Allagash Cruiser bites deep and keeps an edge. A world-class axe also needs a world-class handle. The Amish-turned hickory handles hafted on the Allagash Cruiser are blemish-free, with superior grain orientation guaranteeing strength and durability.

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3 Min
Responsible Down_1200x628_2
Signature Materials

Signature Materials: 
Responsibly Sourced Down

Down, the soft under-plumage that lies beneath the tougher exterior feathers of birds, provides outstanding insulation that protects them from icy weather. Goose down, in particular, has long been regarded as the warmest, lightest and most-compressible insulation available to keep humans warm in those same frigid conditions. This article examines why Filson goose down works so well, where it comes from, and what we mean when we say we use only “responsible down.”

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5 Min
denim-blog-link-preview
Signature Materials

Filson Denim

Filson Denim is the latest chapter in a legacy that spans over a century of outfitting customers for the most demanding conditions.

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5 Min
a collection of fixed blade buck knives on a table, detailing the handle materials
Field Notes

History of Buck Knives: Made in America

Buck Knives is a historic American brand with a legacy that spans four generations. For 118 years, they’ve been dedicated to crafting quality, handmade knives, and tools designed for a life lived outdoors. While they’re a global leader in the sports cutlery industry, the journey began humbly at the turn of the 20th century.

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5 Min
machine parts in a tan filson duffel bag hanging from a hook in the middle of a shop
Signature Materials

Signature Materials: Rugged Twill

Filson’s 120-plus year legacy is outfitting miners, loggers, ranchers, and sportsmen with durable apparel and goods that provide unfailing protection. For more than two decades, we’ve applied more than a century of manufacturing experience to build luggage and bags to transport their gear there and back, without fail. Our Rugged Twill fabric is a large part of why our bags are so dependable – this article examines what it is and where it comes from.

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5 Min
Piece of leather attached to a metal mesh with white lettering on it reading
Signature Materials

Wickett & Craig x Filson – American Made Leather

Mankind has used leather for clothing, footwear, armor, and tools for centuries, and since 1867, Pennsylvania’s Wickett & Craig has specialized in tanning the most durable and beautiful leathers available. Their long heritage of quality makes them the perfect partner to supply Filson with the leathers to continue our 123-year legacy of manufacturing Unfailing Goods.

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3 Min
The Filson Story_Featured_V2
Featured

Original Alaska Outfitter Since 1897 | The Filson Story

Since 1897 we’ve had the same mission: To create best-in-class products that outsmart the elements, outperform expectations, and outlast you. Our Founder, Clinton C. Filson put it best, “Your satisfaction is the sole purpose of our transaction.” Read about our legacy and history on the Filson Journal.

Read more

10 Min
person with long hair in green and tan quilted jacket stands in an open field with a lone pine tree and sage brush at the foot of large mountains in distance
Signature Materials

Signature Materials: Ripstop Nylon

Our newly-introduced collection of ripstop nylon luggage and bags captures that same rugged reliability, in a lighter and more flexible form. Ripstop nylon, with its crosshatch pattern of reinforcing threads, was instrumental to the allies during WWII, and later revolutionized backpacking gear. This article looks at what ripstop nylon is, how it came to be, and why it works so well.

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5 Min
woman wearing a surgical face mask holding a stack of fabric facemasks in a textile shop
Signature Materials

Legacy Seattle Manufacturers Team Up to Address PPE Shortage

When our neighbors at Outdoor Research came to us with a chance to join their efforts in manufacturing personal protective equipment, we got right to work. This relief project marks a rare collaboration opportunity for manufacturers in our city. Fellow Seattle-based outdoor company Feathered Friends was also tapped for the project, taking the count to three legacy manufacturers working together for one shared mission.

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8 Min
man in waxed cotton vest sitting in forest
Signature Materials

Signature Materials: Waxed Cotton

What worked then still works today. While science and chemistry have produced some amazing options for raingear in recent years, sometimes the best option for wet-weather protection has existed for over a century. There are certainly situations when technical waterproof fabrics are a must, but there are also times when traditional waxed cotton is the preferred option. This article examines what waxed cotton is, how it came to be, and why we like it so much.

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5 Min
Man with rifle slung over his shoulder standing on rocky outcropping looking through field glasses wearing NeoShell Reliance Jacket
Signature Materials

Signature Materials: Technical Rainwear Pt. 2

When looking at pictures of rain jackets on a web page, they all kind of look the same. How does one choose? Simple: honestly prioritize your needs as a user and choose the jacket that best fits those needs.

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5 Min
filson rain proof jackets laid out on cloth surface various colorways olive green, tan, navy, brown, etc.
Signature Materials

Signature Materials: Technical Rainwear Pt. 1

When you’re outdoors and can’t escape wet weather, staying dry is a very real need. Quality rain gear not only keeps you more comfortable—in cold temperatures, it can prevent life-threatening hypothermia. Rain gear that strikes a balance between conflicting criteria such as water resistance vs. breathability, mobility vs. simplicity, and packability vs. durability solves problems for the outdoorsman. This article takes a look at some of the modern technologies available to keep us dry, and how they work.

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5 Min
a lay down of a black, white and red flannel pattern Filson Mackinaw Wool Cape Coat on rustic wood
Signature Materials

Signature Materials: Which Filson Wool?

For as long as history has been recorded, wool has protected people from exposure to the elements, and today it works just as well as it always has. No other material, natural or synthetic, performs as well in as many conditions as wool. Other articles in this series examine wool’s history, the science behind its performance, and differences in quality of different wools. This article will take a closer look at some of the specific wools used to make Filson goods.

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3 Min
a man holding up a whole sheering in a barn that hangs from his hands at his shoulders to his feet
Signature Materials

Signature Materials: Why Filson Wool?

Filson has been a wool expert for over 122 years. In fact, our original name in 1897 was Seattle Woolen Manufacturing Company, Pioneer Alaska Clothing and Blanket Manufacturers. We got our start making woolen goods to outfit the adventurous prospectors heading north seeking fortunes in the Alaskan Gold Rush.

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4 Min
a top down view of a dark wood table with various tools and materials to make a shoe, including a hammer, scissors, wax and thread
Signature Materials

Keeping Handmade Traditions Alive in the Northeast: Filson & Quoddy

Jack and Anne Spiegel originally started Quoddy in Maine in 1947. Their unique footwear was all made with moccasin construction to be flexible, durable, and repairable. At one point, Quoddy had a fleet of stores, many along the well-traveled Route 1 where summer visitors stocked up on other home-grown Maine brands like Hathaway, GH Bass, and LL Bean.

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6 Min
boots on tailgate of truck
Signature Materials

Filson x Danner Grouse Bottomland Boot

When two Pacific Northwest brands team up to create a hunting boot, the result is a rugged piece of craftsmanship. Constructed from full-grain leather and oil-finish Tin Cloth, the Grouse boot combines unique elements that have set both Filson and Danner apart for nearly a century—two brands synonymous with quality and durability. The Filson x Danner® Grouse Boots are built in Portland, OR  and made to last a lifetime.

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3 Min
upland hunting gear
Signature Materials

Upland Essentials

What gear does an upland hunter need? That question covers an enormous variety of habitat, weather, birds, and preferences. While gear requirements vary for hunting quail in Texas, grouse in New England, chukar on the Snake River, or pheasant in the Dakotas, the following items go with me on all of my hunts, regardless of where or when.

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7 Min
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