I've been using that Rothco bag in black for years. I waxed it and have my own internal organizer and structured laptop sleeve, but it works great for what I need.
The leather on the Filson needs to be broken in and will become much nicer to touch and hold. I have the 24 tin cloth briefcase. You can't go wrong with a Filson, that's why they've been doing what they do since the Gold Rush. It's commonplace to see a Filson bag past down from generation to generation, lasting as long as 20-30 years. (I'm not referring to their leather bags)
You can take that Rothco bag and cut off the velcro tabs and replace them with a magnetic closure and beef up the strap hardware and tabs with extra stitching or even replace the strap hardware with solid D Rings with leather tabs sewn onto the gussets and you will have a solid bag for less than $50.
Kind of a shitty comparison: the price range and the build quality are too different. Should have compared the 25 usd one with a midrange one. Not top of the line. That's way more interesting
I have a black nylon Wenger swiss army briefcase that has a million pockets...about $70. I have been thinking of getting a filson for a long time. I also thought about getting a saddleback leather briefcase, maybe do a review on one of those?
+Hotwheels Dd I looked hard at the saddleback briefcases, there seems to be more refined alternatives from smaller makers for the same price. Leather briefcases are also just plain heavy
I work in IT, so when I was in the market for my first "nice" bag last Nov. I went with a Tom Bihn Synapse 25. It's been absolutely perfect for my needs, both for work, and for personal/family activities. I thought about a briefcase or messenger but for what I wanted they didn't have the same space or organization. However I wouldn't mind a Filson, a Tom Bihn Cadet or Empire Builder, or something else in that price range.
+555 Gear no worries! Ive had mine for 5 years, used it as a field work bag for the whole time, in and out of cars, on roadside, inclement weather. Still bulletproof. Thick waxed canvas, leather and brass. I certainly vouch for it! I keep intending to bring it home for a video, but it hasnt happened yet!
I had no idea Barbour of England made the cloth for these. Have the Filson Double Tin pants and the Tin Jacket as well as a few Barbour jackets from many, many years ago, all still going strong.
Haha I actually have both of these bags! The velcro on the Rothco "Jack Bauer" messenger bag is indeed trash. It barely holds it together. I also found the shoulder strap kept loosening up. Also while I like the Original Briefcase, they keep raising the prices. I bought mine a few years ago for $200. They just recently raised it again to $320. It's not $250 anymore.
I use a laptop messenger bag from STM and occasionally a STM backpack. For lugging around a laptop like I do they really can't be beat. Each bag has a well padded laptop pocket and both have held up as daily bags for several years of use. I only have good things to say about them!
I have three Filson bags, one of which is a duffle and one is luggage with shoe compartment. All are around 20 years old and they show little signs of wear. Zippers have never been a problem. If you want the best quality, buy once-cry once with Filson.
One difference you didn’t mention is if you no longer want/need the Filson you can sell it and make most of your money back, or even make a profit. The market for used Filson is fairly robust.
I wonder if you treated the Rothco bag with a wax, like Otter Wax or Barbour wax, how would the wax change the look and functionality of the bag? It would likely stiffen the canvas fabric, making it appear more like the Filson bag, as well as, make the bag more waterproof.
Andrew, Give Frost River a look. They are a smaller shop based out of Duluth, MN and are fantastic to work with. I had a messenger bag customized this past year and dealt directly with the designer of the product and got exactly what I was looking for. And everything is MADE IN USA!
I have been looking for a while for a good bag that has compartments. The only thing I found was an EDC Bag that makes me look like I'm off to war. Something to organize but still well stylish
Nice review on these two bags. I've been using the Filson computer bag for two years now and absolutely love it, but I also bought it during a sale while I was in Portland. I've also owned a Waterfield messenger bag as well. Another great bag. The price of the Waterfield hasn't gone up as much as those of the Filson though.
What are your thoughts on Maxpedition bags.. I know they are not your style but they make some great products and I have several backpack's, a few duffel's in different sizes and a messenger bag.. As well as a few small organizer bags.
Their stuff is well-made from what I have heard and read. However, I'm on EDCForums, and there's an extensive thread detailing some very questionable customer service, shill posting, and legal threats from Maxped. It may be different now as this was several years ago, but I personally have avoided buying their products after reading about it. I bought a Vanquest EDC pouch over theirs, for example. Ymmv but I wanted you to be informed. 😁 edcforums.com/showthread.php/54279-Maxpedition
+Keylitho Sure, and I don't judge. I just like to know when companies act up, and assume that others would want to know as well. If it were just the mediocre CS I'd be alright but when Maxped was found to be shill posting, and threatening legal action against an Internet forum for allowing someone to post their experience with the company, I tend to avoid. I also don't want to buy any Cold Steel products after they sued CRKT for no good reason. You can put out silly lock test vids all you want, but suing another company not for IP infringement or libel or something but because of their advertisement is just petty and helps nobody.
I really like the new style you've got of actually being on screen and with the nice looking background. but I would suggest dropping the black/white from the intro - your channel isn't actually that vintage. Also, I would hide the lav mic cord a little more, maybe under the table, and just do jump cuts instead of flashing to white when you edit. But that's just my advice, and I'm more of a talker than a doer like you.
Any bag made from mainly cotton costing over $100 is overpriced. I use Fossil bags that look like the Filsons and they last forever. Plus, they are made by craftsmen in China with high IQ not some high school drop out losers in America.
I'm sorry, but I as a ex-working man, would NEVER take a $250 bag on a real camping/hiking trip!!! If I was 'White tie' enough, I wouldn't ever consider going on a hiking/backpacking trip either!!! These two bags were obvious meant for TWO different customers unless you're in the top 1%!!! Rothco products are OK, but there are other brands out there that may fit your needs better and much, much less expensive, especially since most of us will replace our bags ever few years when new/better products become available! Thanks for taking the time to share this video with us, but... Let's keep the bushcrafters/backpackers/hikers seperate from those who wear suits and ties everyday (I was one of them for years!!!) and those who really get out in the woods and enjoy nature!
Keir Taylor Filson specializes in hunting apparel/gear, therefore perhaps the most manliest of all bags. the natural patina over time adds to its badassness
A REAL man doesn't need a "man bag". Most men wear jeans or pants of some kind. Those pants and jeans already have four bags sewn into them...they're called POCKETS. Stop trying to feminize or emasculate men. Use your pockets brothers!!! But IF I were to turn into a skinny jean wearing, latte drinking, Volvo driving, tattoo'ed, Twitter using, vegan metrosexual anytime soon the Rothco would be my pick :) It is the more manly of the two by far. P.s. dig the channel :)
michael jay How is storing paperwork on your laptop stupid?...lol. Obviously you're tech illiterate...lol. Thanks for being so stupid...it keeps me employed!
![[UNCUT] “บอสณวัฒน์” ลากไส้!! ใครหนุนหลัง "แม่ตั๊ก ป๋าเบียร์" I คนดังนั่งเคลียร์ I 30 ก.ย. 67](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QlD7mU2KKRk/mqdefault.jpg)
I have the Filson. It lasted longer than my marriage.
That's sad tho 😓
harlequin75 and it’s not weird to pass on to your kids some day!
@@jfm562 Shouldve gotten your spouse from the Filson Catalog.
The difference between 25 and 250 is about $225 🤔
+teakey 100% A+
😂
I think teakey is saying that the difference between 25 and 250 is about and $225...its science Weird Science
Your mom must be so proud of you.
Thanks you saved me 12 minutes of my life. Here's a thumbs up!
I've been using that Rothco bag in black for years. I waxed it and have my own internal organizer and structured laptop sleeve, but it works great for what I need.
+Nathan Waters cool I should look into waxing mine
The leather on the Filson needs to be broken in and will become much nicer to touch and hold. I have the 24 tin cloth briefcase. You can't go wrong with a Filson, that's why they've been doing what they do since the Gold Rush. It's commonplace to see a Filson bag past down from generation to generation, lasting as long as 20-30 years. (I'm not referring to their leather bags)
Yes, I buy bags because I want to touch and caress them.
Wow you are a beta male
Bought filson 14 years ago and still looks great. Great investment. You pay for quality.
You can take that Rothco bag and cut off the velcro tabs and replace them with a magnetic closure and beef up the strap hardware and tabs with extra stitching or even replace the strap hardware with solid D Rings with leather tabs sewn onto the gussets and you will have a solid bag for less than $50.
Kind of a shitty comparison: the price range and the build quality are too different. Should have compared the 25 usd one with a midrange one. Not top of the line. That's way more interesting
I'm using the saddleback leather thin front pocket briefcase, medium size. It's definitely hefty but it's quite amazing.
I have a black nylon Wenger swiss army briefcase that has a million pockets...about $70. I have been thinking of getting a filson for a long time. I also thought about getting a saddleback leather briefcase, maybe do a review on one of those?
+Hotwheels Dd I looked hard at the saddleback briefcases, there seems to be more refined alternatives from smaller makers for the same price. Leather briefcases are also just plain heavy
wish rothco have a zipper to close main compartment
I USE A fjallraven Greenland messenger.
Functional and great quality
Holds more dodo than smaller ones
I work in IT, so when I was in the market for my first "nice" bag last Nov. I went with a Tom Bihn Synapse 25. It's been absolutely perfect for my needs, both for work, and for personal/family activities. I thought about a briefcase or messenger but for what I wanted they didn't have the same space or organization. However I wouldn't mind a Filson, a Tom Bihn Cadet or Empire Builder, or something else in that price range.
+Patrick LaFollette i've heard great things about that bag, thanks for your comment!
Smart Alec is my favorite
Buy American, Hire American !!!
I recommend meeting in the middle with the Frost River Simple Brief 👍🏻👍🏻
+CedricAda Gear and Outdoors thanks for the recommendation!
+555 Gear no worries! Ive had mine for 5 years, used it as a field work bag for the whole time, in and out of cars, on roadside, inclement weather. Still bulletproof. Thick waxed canvas, leather and brass. I certainly vouch for it! I keep intending to bring it home for a video, but it hasnt happened yet!
I had no idea Barbour of England made the cloth for these. Have the Filson Double Tin pants and the Tin Jacket as well as a few Barbour jackets from many, many years ago, all still going strong.
Barbour of England dose not make the tin cloth for Filson.
They don't.
Haha I actually have both of these bags! The velcro on the Rothco "Jack Bauer" messenger bag is indeed trash. It barely holds it together. I also found the shoulder strap kept loosening up.
Also while I like the Original Briefcase, they keep raising the prices. I bought mine a few years ago for $200. They just recently raised it again to $320. It's not $250 anymore.
+KnowYourHistory that is a good point about Filson products, I only buy mine off-season or on sale
it's like comparing a Ferrari with a Fiat punto
Yes, and the Ferrari loses.
I use a laptop messenger bag from STM and occasionally a STM backpack. For lugging around a laptop like I do they really can't be beat. Each bag has a well padded laptop pocket and both have held up as daily bags for several years of use. I only have good things to say about them!
I have all three of these brands. My STM bags are much lighter than the rest.
The video would be so much better without the unnecessary and intrusive background music.
+SLLYT sorry you didn't like it. Was trying to cover some annoying air conditioner noise
Can't you just spray the Rothco with a water repellent spray to make it waterproof?
Yes. It works perfectly. You can also wax it, which is historically accurate.
Oh no.. bad memories.. with your $40 vs $400 Knife video I ended up buying both. Let's see if history repeats itself. If yes, I'll bill you ;-)
I have three Filson bags, one of which is a duffle and one is luggage with shoe compartment. All are around 20 years old and they show little signs of wear. Zippers have never been a problem. If you want the best quality, buy once-cry once with Filson.
One difference you didn’t mention is if you no longer want/need the Filson you can sell it and make most of your money back, or even make a profit. The market for used Filson is fairly robust.
I wonder if you treated the Rothco bag with a wax, like Otter Wax or Barbour wax, how would the wax change the look and functionality of the bag? It would likely stiffen the canvas fabric, making it appear more like the Filson bag, as well as, make the bag more waterproof.
First !
That sigma art lens looks great
+Bradley Morris i'm loving it
Andrew, Give Frost River a look. They are a smaller shop based out of Duluth, MN and are fantastic to work with. I had a messenger bag customized this past year and dealt directly with the designer of the product and got exactly what I was looking for. And everything is MADE IN USA!
Where did you get for $250? It's $325 on the Filson website.
Omg! Just discovered your channel and I love it! Thank's for a great review!
I carried my rothco until it was literally falling apart. It looked great but I have since bought a 250$ tumi sling
🍎🍊
I have been looking for a while for a good bag that has compartments. The only thing I found was an EDC Bag that makes me look like I'm off to war. Something to organize but still well stylish
I'll bet you look great in your high heels, too.
Nice review on these two bags. I've been using the Filson computer bag for two years now and absolutely love it, but I also bought it during a sale while I was in Portland. I've also owned a Waterfield messenger bag as well. Another great bag. The price of the Waterfield hasn't gone up as much as those of the Filson though.
Dude you are comparing a Ferrari with a Walmart bicycle.
none come close to the saddleback leather canvas bag.
Thanks for another great and comprehensive review. I have come to expect nothing less from your channel!
Can you take a look at the bertucci field watches?
it's good! can i know the rothco's color?
backpack. The only way to go.......
the right one is so great...❤❤❤
Got bag?
Nice video. I always buy local/USA made when I can. I guess it's the nationalism in me...
Does the Filson have to be waxed ?
if if it waxed canvas then you probably want to wax them from time to time.. maybe every 1 or 2 centuries.
I've been looking for a video about the Filson original briefcase as I'm considering buying one. Thank you!
What are your thoughts on Maxpedition bags.. I know they are not your style but they make some great products and I have several backpack's, a few duffel's in different sizes and a messenger bag.. As well as a few small organizer bags.
Their stuff is well-made from what I have heard and read. However, I'm on EDCForums, and there's an extensive thread detailing some very questionable customer service, shill posting, and legal threats from Maxped. It may be different now as this was several years ago, but I personally have avoided buying their products after reading about it. I bought a Vanquest EDC pouch over theirs, for example. Ymmv but I wanted you to be informed. 😁
edcforums.com/showthread.php/54279-Maxpedition
Politics aside... I am a fan and will continue to be..
+Keylitho Sure, and I don't judge. I just like to know when companies act up, and assume that others would want to know as well. If it were just the mediocre CS I'd be alright but when Maxped was found to be shill posting, and threatening legal action against an Internet forum for allowing someone to post their experience with the company, I tend to avoid. I also don't want to buy any Cold Steel products after they sued CRKT for no good reason. You can put out silly lock test vids all you want, but suing another company not for IP infringement or libel or something but because of their advertisement is just petty and helps nobody.
+Keylitho no doubt they're an industry standard
I like fossil bags
+Steve Smith cool! I have a fossil watch box that's held up really well
The Rothco deserves $0.25
Every dude needs a bag like the Rothco for that time you need a damn man bag. The other one not so much.
I really like the new style you've got of actually being on screen and with the nice looking background. but I would suggest dropping the black/white from the intro - your channel isn't actually that vintage. Also, I would hide the lav mic cord a little more, maybe under the table, and just do jump cuts instead of flashing to white when you edit. But that's just my advice, and I'm more of a talker than a doer like you.
Waxing the 25$ bag, would water repellent the bag, and would help stiffen the bag a little , not make it look sooo baggy LOL!!!!
Any bag made from mainly cotton costing over $100 is overpriced. I use Fossil bags that look like the Filsons and they last forever. Plus, they are made by craftsmen in China with high IQ not some high school drop out losers in America.
I'm sorry, but I as a ex-working man, would NEVER take a $250 bag on a real camping/hiking trip!!! If I was 'White tie' enough, I wouldn't ever consider going on a hiking/backpacking trip either!!! These two bags were obvious meant for TWO different customers unless you're in the top 1%!!! Rothco products are OK, but there are other brands out there that may fit your needs better and much, much less expensive, especially since most of us will replace our bags ever few years when new/better products become available! Thanks for taking the time to share this video with us, but... Let's keep the bushcrafters/backpackers/hikers seperate from those who wear suits and ties everyday (I was one of them for years!!!) and those who really get out in the woods and enjoy nature!
that Filson looks like a woman's bag. I wouldn't be seen dead carrying something so girly
Clearly not a confident person
+Corndog4382 oh dear do you own one of these ladies handbags?
Keir Taylor Filson specializes in hunting apparel/gear, therefore perhaps the most manliest of all bags. the natural patina over time adds to its badassness
Keir Taylor poor guy very insecure
Not confident.... or just can’t afford the Filson bags. They are absolutely wonderful.
A REAL man doesn't need a "man bag". Most men wear jeans or pants of some kind. Those pants and jeans already have four bags sewn into them...they're called POCKETS. Stop trying to feminize or emasculate men. Use your pockets brothers!!! But IF I were to turn into a skinny jean wearing, latte drinking, Volvo driving, tattoo'ed, Twitter using, vegan metrosexual anytime soon the Rothco would be my pick :) It is the more manly of the two by far. P.s. dig the channel :)
MAVERICK WATCH REVIEWS Let me stuff my laptop and 10 pounds of paperwork into my pockets
michael jay That 10lbs of paperwork can be stored digitally on your laptop. Welcome to the 21st century :)
MAVERICK WATCH REVIEWS Thank you for making my day, this is by far the stupidest comment I have heard in a while.
michael jay How is storing paperwork on your laptop stupid?...lol. Obviously you're tech illiterate...lol. Thanks for being so stupid...it keeps me employed!
Lmao thanks the opinion, insecure macho dude. Why are you so scared of guys that are different from you?
What's The Difference Between You And Me.