Filson - a company changing

[Bob Marino]

I've been a Filson fan for some time now and just read this article on the company. It echos my thoughts on the recent trend of Filson to remain viable in a changing world - to  try and maintain the more traditional customer base - hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts, cattleman, construction, timber workers, etc., etc,. while attracting a new, younger customership that they will need to maintain and grow. 
I saw this coming with the recent offerings of most items in the color black as well as offering many other their traditional coats and jackets in a slimmer "Seattle" fit to supplement their traditional fuller fit, now referred to as the 'Alaskan fit." What was I believe a good choice on their part, was to reduce the items they import and make most items back here in the USA - many of them in their Seattle store/showroom. "Made in the USA" seems to have a niche cache. And you know the cement was sealed when they just opened a downtown NYC store - I don't think that store will get too many hunters and cattleman stopping by. It's a good, short read on a traditional, long standing American company's decisions to stay relevant.

http://seattletimes.com/html/localnews/2024481224_filson07xml.html
 

Bob

 

[nclemmons]

Seems similar to what Carhart has done in adapting to become more relevant to a new customer base. 

My son and his friends loved their gear in college.

Adapt or die!

Thanks for sharing that article, Bob -

 

[deepcreek]

As a young man, I bought a Filson hunting vest and waxed pants.  I treasured them for their rugged styling and heirloom quality construction.  Unfortunately, my waist outgrew them and a few years ago I finally admitted defeat and passed them down to a slimmer generation.  I don't quail hunt anymore so I doubt I will ever buy replacements.  Filson does make some retro-cool "fashionable" jackets (I'm thinking of you, Bob) but there is seldom a cold enough day in Houston to warrant one.  Oh, well.  Great products!

 

[nclemmons]

Bob - forgot to mention, but you might want to explore that musical career now that musicians are fashionably moving in your fashion direction!

Always a forward looking guy - you were early in spotting the next trend in tools and clothing!

neil

 

[greg mann]

I love my Filson rucksack. I expect one of my grandchildren, or great-grandchildren, will be taking it off to college someday. I also have a Filson waxed cotton hat with foldout wool flap to cover my ears in cold weather. It turned out to be the perfect headgear for plowing the driveway last winter on snow evenings. My head was warm and dry and the brim shielded my shoulders from the wet snow.

Tilley hat in the summer, Filson hat in the winter.

 

[Bob Marino]

Seems similar to what Carhart has done in adapting to become more relevant to a new customer base. 

My son and his friends loved their gear in college.

Adapt or die!

Thanks for sharing that article, Bob -

Actually, Filson did make an attempt at increasing profits by going the import route and I'm guessing that didn't work out. The newer owners realized - again I'm guessing, that they will do better (more profits) appealing to a niche  markets - traditional base and more recently the younger people, by stressing high quality, Made in the USA, "old fashioned" materials - wool and cotton and designs that remain almost unchanged.
Kinda stressing quality, rather than being the cheapest. Sound familiar?

B

 

[Bob Marino]

As a young man, I bought a Filson hunting vest and waxed pants.  I treasured them for their rugged styling and heirloom quality construction.  Unfortunately, my waist outgrew them and a few years ago I finally admitted defeat and passed them down to a slimmer generation.  I don't quail hunt anymore so I doubt I will ever buy replacements.  Filson does make some retro-cool "fashionable" jackets (I'm thinking of you, Bob) but there is seldom a cold enough day in Houston to warrant one.  Oh, well.  Great products!

"Fashionable" jacket?  Uhm, like this? Either love it or downright hate it. [attachimg=1]

B

 

[Bob Marino]

Bob - forgot to mention, but you might want to explore that musical career now that musicians are fashionably moving in your fashion direction!

Always a forward looking guy - you were early in spotting the next trend in tools and clothing!

neil

That's a good one Neil!
Well, correct, way back in 2000, I saw the Festool tools at the RI Woodworking Show, I was very impressed with the quality of the German tools - Festool and Fein specifically and bought the PS 2E jigsaw from Saulius Tolekis and Strother Purdy.  I was lucky to get onboard that train a few months later.

B

 

[Bob Marino]

I love my Filson rucksack. I expect one of my grandchildren, or great-grandchildren, will be taking it off to college someday. I also have a Filson waxed cotton hat with foldout wool flap to cover my ears in cold weather. It turned out to be the perfect headgear for plowing the driveway last winter on snow evenings. My head was warm and dry and the brim shielded my shoulders from the wet snow.

Tilley hat in the summer, Filson hat in the winter.

Agree 100% Greg. Fortunately or maybe not so  , I have all 3 items  and use them ust as you do.

B

 

[Bob Marino]

  Here's a thoughT and a question.

I think some of the attraction, besides what was earlier mentioned in buying some of the TRADITIONAL Filson items and other retro, quality clothing, is a way of grabbing a piece of old Americana, a nostalgic look back at "better/simpler times? Perhaps a statement/protest against the newer/techy/disposable products of recent years?

B

 

[Tinker]

The last of my old REAL WOOL jackets has finally bitten the dust.  They still fit me as they were wearing beyond the patching stage.  After all, I am only 39 [blink]. Those old all wool jackets, shirts and socks would stay warm even when nearly water logged.  Of course, it took a lot just to stand up to all of the extra weight.  The "modern" wool with all kinds of man made materials mixed in supposedly for material reinforcement just ain't as warm without a lot of layers.  They are lighter, but by the time you add all of the layers, you can't tuck your arms down to your sides.  : [wink]
Tinker

 

[coug]

Not only Filsons, but Whites Boots also just sold.  I grew up the son of forest service employee living in logging towns in ID, WA and OR and just thought everyone owned stuff from both brands.  As they say, might as well have the best, and that goes for both brands.  I'm all for the doing whatever it takes to stay in business as long as they do not forget the traditional stuff they offer as well as their quality.   

 

[tbellemare]

The last of my old REAL WOOL jackets has finally bitten the dust.  They still fit me as they were wearing beyond the patching stage.  After all, I am only 39 [blink]. Those old all wool jackets, shirts and socks would stay warm even when nearly water logged.  Of course, it took a lot just to stand up to all of the extra weight.  The "modern" wool with all kinds of man made materials mixed in supposedly for material reinforcement just ain't as warm without a lot of layers.  They are lighter, but by the time you add all of the layers, you can't tuck your arms down to your sides.  : [wink]
Tinker

There are still purveyors of real wool products that last almost forever. I have been wearing the same pairs of wool socks that I bought 20-30 years ago made by Woolrich. I have to admit that they are pretty threadbare but, no holes... I wear them all of the time about 8 months of the year.

I have a pair of SmartWool socks that I got as a gift about 20 years ago and they are almost like new, considering they have been worn hundreds of times and went through the washer each time. Actually, the elastic part up the leg is pretty much gone but the rest is golden. Luckily, they are the shorties.

My eldest sister was a Chemical Engineer that saw everyone dying of weird cancers around her and got out. She bought a plot of land in NE Arkansas and became a goat herder. She made the finest yarn, which was a mix of mohair and lamb's wool. I learned two things from her that are important to know about wool...

The first is that what makes wool products itchy is that the yarn is made from short fibers. The short fibers in the yarn mean that the resultant product has lots of fiber "ends" next to your skin and it makes you itch.

The second is that if you want to retain the full protective nature of the wool, first, don't use harsh soap. Minimal washing works. Also, don't expose it to rapid temperature change because it results in the fibers drawing up (shrinking). You can wash wool in mild soap but if the wool is at room temperature, wash it in a bath that is at room temperature.

She earned a Chem E' degree from Rice and had a serious career in Chemical Engineering so I think she probably knew what she was talking about. Following her advice, my wool products have lasted for decades. RIP, Sue.

Tom

 

[deepcreek]

"Fashionable" jacket?  Uhm, like this? Either love it or downright hate it.

That's the one and you're rocking it!

 

[Paul G]

Never heard of Filson but am now checking them out, thanks!

 

[John Broomall]

There was a time when Eddie Bauer and Abercrombie & Fitch made some great outdoor clothing and accessories and Brookstone really did sell high-quality and hard to find tools so I start worrying when a great company decides it needs to "find new customers". Woolrich has held its own with some pieces but a trip to their headquarters outside Williamsport, PA will show you what a small part of their business the old blankets and coats have become. Filson seems to be hanging in with the quality of their overalls and timber cruisers from years ago but their leather goods seem to have slipped a bit since they started importing. The newer stuff just strikes me as an attempt to be fashionable with no particular claim to ruggedness and durability in a challenging work or outdoor environment

 

[Bob Marino]

The last of my old REAL WOOL jackets has finally bitten the dust.  They still fit me as they were wearing beyond the patching stage.  After all, I am only 39 [blink]. Those old all wool jackets, shirts and socks would stay warm even when nearly water logged.  Of course, it took a lot just to stand up to all of the extra weight.  The "modern" wool with all kinds of man made materials mixed in supposedly for material reinforcement just ain't as warm without a lot of layers.  They are lighter, but by the time you add all of the layers, you can't tuck your arms down to your sides.  : [wink]
Tinker

There are still purveyors of real wool products that last almost forever. I have been wearing the same pairs of wool socks that I bought 20-30 years ago made by Woolrich. I have to admit that they are pretty threadbare but, no holes... I wear them all of the time about 8 months of the year.

I have a pair of SmartWool socks that I got as a gift about 20 years ago and they are almost like new, considering they have been worn hundreds of times and went through the washer each time. Actually, the elastic part up the leg is pretty much gone but the rest is golden. Luckily, they are the shorties.

My eldest sister was a Chemical Engineer that saw everyone dying of weird cancers around her and got out. She bought a plot of land in NE Arkansas and became a goat herder. She made the finest yarn, which was a mix of mohair and lamb's wool. I learned two things from her that are important to know about wool...

The first is that what makes wool products itchy is that the yarn is made from short fibers. The short fibers in the yarn mean that the resultant product has lots of fiber "ends" next to your skin and it makes you itch.

The second is that if you want to retain the full protective nature of the wool, first, don't use harsh soap. Minimal washing works. Also, don't expose it to rapid temperature change because it results in the fibers drawing up (shrinking). You can wash wool in mild soap but if the wool is at room temperature, wash it in a bath that is at room temperature.

She earned a Chem E' degree from Rice and had a serious career in Chemical Engineering so I think she probably knew what she was talking about. Following her advice, my wool products have lasted for decades. RIP, Sue.

Tom

Sorry to hear about your sister, Tom. Correct about the short fibers, but I am guessing much depends on the actual sheep.
Yep, got to love wool and if you buy the right stuff from a quality manufacturer and follow proper care, wool can last a long, long time. I think if put wool in the dryer very much shortens its life - besides shrinking it.

Bob

 

[Bob Marino]

There was a time when Eddie Bauer and Abercrombie & Fitch made some great outdoor clothing and accessories and Brookstone really did sell high-quality and hard to find tools so I start worrying when a great company decides it needs to "find new customers". Woolrich has held its own with some pieces but a trip to their headquarters outside Williamsport, PA will show you what a small part of their business the old blankets and coats have become. Filson seems to be hanging in with the quality of their overalls and timber cruisers from years ago but their leather goods seem to have slipped a bit since they started importing. The newer stuff just strikes me as an attempt to be fashionable with no particular claim to ruggedness and durability in a challenging work or outdoor environment

Agree about those companies. They have long ago morphed from quality item retailer to a mass market merchant selling to a waaaaaaay younger crowd. About Filson; I was rarely impressed with their imports; leather in particular. But, maybe they are getting that part straightened out - they are once again offering their hunting boots as made in America. But they still offer quality  hunting and fishing products.
Some of Filson newer offerings are clearly aimed at the hipsters - take a look at their soy based jackets; they would not last a second in real deal use, but make the hipsters and freaks feel they can take on the world.
Now, here's a new marketing thingeee I just saw today. Filson is offering a handfull of products - in limited quantities of course, made in collaboration with an English designer. It's called C.C Filson. Heavy coin. Uhmmm, would a hunter really wear that in the field? I don't think so.
http://www.filson.com/?gclid=CICG4MyU4cACFU4F7AodNEkAAg

http://www.filson.com/?gclid=CNa0poCU4sACFYMF7Aod9koA1w

My take on the whole thing is I'm glad that Filson is still going to be around, offering basically high quality, ol' fashioned items that should last generations. Yeah, they can get silly IMHO,  as they do try to grab for the hipster crowd, but better that than cheapen the products and see them in Kmart.

B

 

[Bob Marino]

Not only Filsons, but Whites Boots also just sold.  I grew up the son of forest service employee living in logging towns in ID, WA and OR and just thought everyone owned stuff from both brands.  As they say, might as well have the best, and that goes for both brands.  I'm all for the doing whatever it takes to stay in business as long as they do not forget the traditional stuff they offer as well as their quality. 

A1+. Well said.

B

 

[Bob Marino]

Never heard of Filson but am now checking them out, thanks!

Glad to make the introduction, Paul.

B