The Filson Brand begins with Clinton C. Filson who was born in 1850. He spent his early years roaming the country as a railroad conductor before finally settling down in Seattle, WA in the 1890’s. In the years leading up to the Great Klondike Gold Rush, Filson operated a small loggers’ outfitting store. When the gold rush began in 1897, he was on the forefront of providing supplies to the miners heading North. Filson designed his goods (wool clothing, blankets, boots, sleeping bags and packs) for the bitter cold winters, exposure to wind, rain and rough terrain that the miners would encounter. He kept in touch with customers and used their feedback and experiences to help modify and improve each item to meet their needs. In that era clothing wasn’t a matter of choice, but of survival. There are four crucial materials that make Filson products the ideal products for our environment - Tin Cloth, Mackinaw Wool, Rugged Twill and Bridle Leather.

Tin Cloth

Tin Cloth is a thick cotton canvas that is milled in Scotland and finished with Filson’s proprietary oil-finish wax which can be reapplied to keep the garment waterproof. At the turn of the 20 ^th century men came from all over to harvest the giant trees found in the Pacific Northwest forests. Given the dangers of height, blade and dynamite it is estimated that one in 150 loggers didn’t survive and one in 5 were injured. Filson developed tightly woven waxed cotton pants to act as a barrier between man and brush, saws and tree limbs. Through the years his customers started calling these pants “Tin Cloth pants” because the protection they offered was similar to armor. These pants are still great for hunters, hikers, loggers and miners in our rugged Devil’s Club and Salmon Berry dense environments.

Mackinaw Wool

Wool has been used in garments for hundreds of years because it provides warmth even when it gets wet. Filson has been using water repellent, 24-oz 100% Virgin Mackinaw wool since 1897 because it is a durable material that is still ideal for brush and cold. When the Gold Rush started, Filson cut up heavyweight Mackinaw Wool blankets to make coats for the prospectors heading North. More than a 100 years later the Mackinaw Cruiser is still one of Filson’s most popular jackets. This is the type of jacket that lasts over 40 years and is handed down when grown out of.

Rugged Twill &

Bridle Leather

Many of Filson’s bags are fashioned from Rugged Twill which is a 22-oz cotton twill that is lightly brushed with wax to repel water. The close weave helps prevent snags and tears. They are a bit stiff at first, but soften with use making them incredibly strong and durable. Filson bags and packs are trimmed with Bridle Leather from Pennsylvania that is specially treated with grease and wax to make a soft, pliable leather that is strong, beautiful and lasts many years.

PFD COUPONS



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PFD coupons expire October 10th. Limited to 1 per customer and stock on hand.

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