Filson

Filson is an American casual clothing company founded in 1897. From the beginning, it specialized in durable and long-lasting clothing as Filson started out as an outfitter for gold miners. The smallholder Clinton C. Filson founded the company in Seattle, which was once a stopover for gold miners on their way to the Canadian gold fields. Before the company, he had equipped lumberjacks in his own shop. Perhaps the newer company took off due to the very impressive name: CC Filson's Pioneer Alaska Clothing and Blanket Manufacturers . So not only strong clothing but also blankets, as CC Filson owned a weaving mill.

In the mill, very thick and strong woolen Mackinaw fabrics were created, and used to make overcoats and blankets. The Canadian winters were terrible, so warmth was a necessity. A similar thick fabric is still used in several of the factory's models. The company flourished thanks to quality, but also to an open mind: the owner listened to the wishes of the miners and modified the clothes to suit their use. New models were also designed specifically for heavy use. What was not available ready-made, had to be made to order.

Today, Filson's range has expanded greatly. Actual workwear has mostly been replaced by casual clothing inspired by them. The factory produces separate collections for hunting, fishing, camping, and leisure. Everything is designed with practicality and strong materials. When the entrepreneur Stan Kohls bought Filson in 1981, he made a conscious decision to avoid petroleum-based materials and all kinds of velcros of the world. Although the company has since been sold a couple of times again, the same line has mostly been maintained.

In addition to waxed and Mackinaw clothing, the company is known for its extra thick Rugged twill fabric, woven for the factory by the renowned British company Millerain. Filson has been making strong bags for all uses with it since 1991. Bridle leather, which is a particularly durable leather impregnated with wax and tallow, also deserves praise. Filson uses it for the decorations, handles and straps on canvas bags, and also as the main material of its most expensive bags.

In 1914, founder Clinton Filson described his company's philosophy as follows:

"To our customers: if a man is going North, he should come to us for his outfit, because we have obtained our ideas of what is best to wear in that country from the experience of the man from the North — not merely one — but hundreds of them. Our materials are the very best obtainable, for we know that the best is none too good and that quality is of vital importance. You can depend absolutely upon our goods both as to material and workmanship... The goods we quote must not be confused with the cheap and vastly inferior grade with which the market is over-run. Such goods are not only useless for the purpose for which they are intended, but the person wearing them would be better off without them.”

In this era of disposable clothing, Filson is swimming against the tide. The company manufactures its outerwear in the USA, avoids synthetic fibers, and draws inspiration from vintage clothing. The factory also offers a restoration service for its products in Seattle, so that even the strongest garments last even longer. If you can't make it there, you can send yours by mail. The manufacturer also offers a full service for its footwear.

Filson also has a so-called lifetime warranty, which covers the durability of the materials and clothing under “normal use”. Ultimately, of course, the factory decides what is covered. In addition, clothing made from waxed fabric can be re-waxed at the factory. This, if anything, deserves a tip of the hat. Filson’s motto is, Might as well have the best . A couple of years ago, Filson outsourced some of its clothing manufacturing to distant countries. As a result, the quality has deteriorated and the prices have increased.