If you're truly a working man and a professional in an industry like logging, fishing, guiding, or even military, you can get some deep discounts. I don't pay full retail for brand new (not seconds) Filson gear.
Absolutely agree that second-hand is the way to go. Found a 70’s gorgeous red Woolrich coat at local Salvation Army a few years ago for $30.00! A killer find, it should last my lifetime. Win-win-win for the store, the environment, and myself! Sad to see Filson heading down the path of pricing themselves out the market, and losing sight of their focus.
Have you seen the Johnson coat? Really good. My wife bought me one at barn sale for 90 bucks. I already had a Woolrich but she bought it anyway. Great for western Massachusetts winters.
The problem with Filson is that the ownership has changed to a Private Equity firm that is backed by the person who started Fossil watches and currently makes substandard watches but markets them as high-end (Shinola Detroit) but is not high-end in quality. Yes, Filson had eclipsed its supply chain capacity and could not grow without an infusion of new capital but to stop catering to their original customer is usually the downfall of most brands. Especially when the new ownership is trying to recoup their investment in the brand.
The retail industry in America is just a big ponzi. Hedge funds buying up small companies, off-shoring production and using them as tax dodges. When comes to the Wall Street criminals, anything goes nowadays!
Filson lost the plot in the early 2000s when they moved the manufacturing location from Seattles 1st ave. The second hit came when they dropped the C.C. From their name. Now they are are just like all of the other brands that trade on their one e great name.
Most people love to wear Filson until it’s time to use it for it’s intended purpose. In which case a generic Buffalo plaid should suffice to hang out at the local micro brewery.
That's how I feel sometimes, but ultimately if I paid good money for a jacket that was meant to be abused doing work/jobs then you gotta put it to the test. At that point it truly becomes your jacket, unless the quality is lacking and it takes a shit.
@@dtowers7877 Exactly. These jackets are expensive because they're supposed to be bomb proof. If you ruin them by using them for their intended purpose, then you were wearing an over-valued piece of crap to begin with and should be glad that you can now replace it with something better.
Not to get laughed out of the comment section here, but I paid about $30 bucks for a lined, red buffalo plaid Schmidt work shirt at Tractor Supply 4 or 5 years ago as a Spring/Fall jacket, and works well as a Winter jacket in layers. Survived Johnstown, PA and Boston, MA winters just fine. I had to sew the side once, but other than that, it's been the most versatile jacket I ever bought and survived years of work conditions. Been looking at a Filson, but really love the nods to the other jackets too. Still great sleeper products out there that hold up. Also loved your boot videos as far as what brand to go with for my next purchase. Love the channel!
I've handled the Johnson Woolen Mills, the Stormy Kromer, and the Big Bill. Are are readily available here in Maine. Big Bill is a hell of a value. The Johnson Woolen Mills feels a little clunky and unrefined, but is made of great stuff. But the best is the Stormy Kromer. It's my pick to replace my Filson if it's ever lost or damaged, and vintage has gotten too pricy. You actually should handle one in person. You'll be impressed.
Every year wool suprises me when I put it on again. I was wearing a very lightweight Merino Wool sweater and was comfortable walking around in the mid 40s.
So it used to be 26oz wool, now its 24oz wool and they are making it more expensive now also? Plus they used to be all made in America, now they offshore for cheaper manufacturing. No more new Filson for me
It should be noted; Solid colors of this coat utilize 24oz, while for whatever reason the Plaid weave still retains the original 26oz fabric. Furthermore, it would appear this specific coat remains 'Made in the United States' as of the moment. (Hopefully not subject to change)
I bought 3 Jachs wool coats at Costco and they're absolutely amazing. Then I looked up Jachs and the history blew me away. They're comfortable, warm and the pockets are fantastic. Ppl always ask me what brand they are when I wear them.
@@samuelbuettner1214 it depends, but naturally wool is relatively lightweight for the warmth it offers. It's also hard to find wool over 24oz today, so while wool can be heavy ( I love heavy cozy wool ) you won't really get it today. To clarify, the weight rating is how much 1yd of the fabric weighs which happens to translate into the thickness / density of it. Higher weight wool will be be thicker and often denser, but there's no standard where we can say exactly the thickness it should be or how much a particular pattern and size of Jacket will weigh. I've got a lot more wool now than I did 2 years ago, and have learned quite a bit. The 60's woolrich mentioned in my original comment I estimate to be about a 28oz wool, it's very warm and not a heavy constricting jacket. Fit / style does play a part in that though. Btw weight is relative too, leather jackets for example aren't generally very warm and are heavy. You can get a wool jacket/ coat that's vastly warmer and significantly lighter weight. Sure it weighs more than say a down puffer...etc, but it has plenty of advantages that are more important.
@@TylerSnyder305thank you for that response 👍🏻 yea definitely relative, I agree ,of the natural fibers cant beat wool weight to warmth, I finally got some wool items but they have liners and they’re blends so my perception of their weight isn’t perfect, I got to pick up some vintage ones now
I’m in the UK and options are limited. I opted to go for the Stormy Kromer as I found a UK dealer. I am absolutely delighted with the coat, great quality, heavyweight and warm. I’m going to pick up a matching hat for this winter too.
Nice! Great option for the UK especially. Here is many parts of America we want to wear wool, but the weather extremes make it a bit less great of an option.
I just bought a Stormy Kromer jacket after a few weeks of research and I'm in love with it. Looks amazing, feels amazing, great design, and quite cozy. I can see myself using it as my main jacket for the unforeseen future. The only thing I don't like is that the hand warmers are too high up on the chest and not very cozy. With that said, the side pockets work fine and the double pocket with the button is a great feature that I've never seen before on a coat. Reading other reviews, I see two common complaints, which is that the jacket isn't warm enough for very cold winter weather, and that it fits too big. But both of these "bugs" are actually features. It seems they designed it that way on purpose so that you can optionally wear thick layers underneath if necessary, or just wear it as-is on less cold days without overheating. This makes it much more versatile and suitable for 3 seasons of the year instead of being strictly a winter jacket. And since I did buy it with fall hunting in mind, that's exactly what I wanted.
I sell used/vintage Filson, Pendleton and Woolrich cruisers. Eventho the Filson and Pendleton are the same wool, the texture is different. Filson's wool feels itchier and coarser while Pendleton's is a bit smoother, Pendleton also (usually) doesn't have the map pocket in the back. I feel that the best value of the three that I sell would be vintage Woolrich cruisers, they feel heavier and more heavy duty and are usually lined which could be a nice touch (debatable). But out of all the options that were presented here, I would definitely get that Stormy Kromer
@@TheMfmccarthy Of course you can. The only thing is that I'm based in Europe, meaning that my prices are in Euros and priced at marketvalue in Europe, which is similar to getting a new one in America. My advice is to find some curated vintage shops in the States.
Went to amazon and they still have them at $395. Finally pulled the trigger and got the otter green. I was really on the fence when I found the Scout Jacket by Schaefer Outfitters. 24oz Melton wool, Taffeta lining, Brass buttons, similar pocket layout, a full grain trimmed collar and made in the USA for $255. Almost got that one, maybe I should have, but been wanting the Filson for a looooong time.
+1 for Johnson Woolen Mills. I’ve been to their factory several times. Good people and excellent products. Also, Vermont Flannel Company teamed up with them to make a flannel lined wool shirt jac that’s really nice. Don’t forget about Bemidgi Woolen Mills as well. They make some nice options similar to the Filson as well as some nice heavy weight button up shirts. They’re also still selling the Filson Mackinaw on their website for the old price. I scored 2 of their heavyweight button up shirts for $40 at a garage sale. New never worn.
I’m very thankful that I was able to pick up a practically new mackinaw cruiser in green with the new price hike. It's exactly the one Wranglerstar has. Although slightly used, I fetched it for $250 because it has light wear on a cuff. Not an issue because I'd rather not spend double for the scuff to be gone.
I’m a big wool clothing and mackinaw fan but Filson is outta my price range. Big Bill is one of Canada’s best kept secrets for wool wear. It’s made in Canada and is high quality and very affordable. I have a 17 OZ plaid wool jacket from them which is more of a shoulder season weight in Canada but their wool pants are staples for my winter camping and snowshoeing outings.
I have had the big bill merino coat for about a year and love it. It’s about 18oz wool which is on the Lighter side but when layering it’s great. This winter I’m planning to purchase the pants from them and maybe one of the heavier jackets. The quality is great and the only thing I wish was different is that they used a heavier duty zipper. That being said after a year have had no problems with it.
I wore one with two pockets for field work and it is nearly indestructible. I wore it in the Aleutians, Nevada, Texas, and the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico. It was my single most useful jacket in all kinds of weather, from chilly mornings to snowstorms and gale force winds. It is too bad that such great clothing will only be affordable to posers who have never worked a day in the field.
My Filson jacket is very durable. It has survived many days in the coffee shop while I worked on my screenplay. I almost panicked when it got damp from the mist the other day, but it seems ok.
Being in the PNW I’ve seen a bunch of Filson Mackinaw cruisers and even owned and sold a couple. I bought a Johnson Woolen Mills coat a few years ago from a yardsale and I think the quality is just as good. I like the coat I have with the nice Adirondack plaid pattern. Looks and fits great. Easy decision to sell the Filson and keep the Johnson, especially due to the high resale price of Filson. Nice video Carl. I agree that people should look elsewhere for something comparable before paying for the brand name.
I currently have the legendary whitetails jacket and I can confirm that is one tough jacket and serious about warmth and wind protection. I HIGHLY recommend it
I own a weather wool anorak in the mid weight Lynx pattern. By far the best wool jacket I own except maybe my vintage pea coat. Ralph is the owner and is an absolute gem to work with. Just a small family owned business in NJ. Can’t recommend their products enough. Great great products
Yeah all fine, but how much wool do you have in that jacket anyway? And is is the cheapest wool you can get on the market? If not, you're getting Switzerlanded.
I bought a vintage Pendleton mackinaw in red and black plaid and I love it MORE than my vintage Filson. Pure virgin wool, unlined and has hand warmer pockets and a larger collar than the Filson. I paid $30 plus shipping on eBay. Gold!
I also bought a vintage Wool rich in red and black plaid and I love it. Sports snap adjustable wrists, but buttons down the front and has a large, almost Navy pea coat style collar. I think it probably is better than the Filson Cruiser from an actual use perspective. Almost two decades ago I bought a new Filson Double Mackinaw cruiser and I loved that jacket, but I don't think it was as rugged as this old Woolrich. Plus, if you did any walking in it beyond flat ground it became intolerably hot. Imo wool is best in layers, with a single 24-28oz layer being best for an outer layer with a tight weave, and a midweight wool sweater with semi-loose weave as the midlayer. The midweight wool sweater layer has been a staple of mine for the last 5 years in the PNW and is perfect for temps starting at around 55 Fahrenheit and below.
Your video popped up as recommended (right after I was shopping the Filson site). The price of a 12-pack a week for a year to buy a heavy-duty coat that will last 50 years is not a bad deal. I have two; the first is forty winters old and still looks good and is holding up like a cask iron skillet...
Big Bill is owned by Codet. Their stuff is VERY well made and super affordable. (Their standard green is a bit too 'Kelly Green' for me, but otherwise it is very utilitarian and serviceable.)
Way late so this probably won't be seen, but one alternative that looked the best to me was Bemidji Woolen Mills. They have a shirt-jac and double Mackinaw type jacket, plus a lined hunting jacket. And they are 30oz wool! The only Filson alternative I found that is actually heavier. I bought a vintage one off Ebay that's on the way and we'll see how it looks.
Much as I would desire a Filson Mackinaw Cruiser jacket; the $500 price tag does give one pause. Thank you for offering these alternatives; I will check them out.
@@davidlandrum Your perception of it “being worth it” may have something to do with the fact that you bought it back when it only costed you HALF as much as it does now...
Schaefers Outfitters Scout Jacket looks like another good alternative. (been wanting to get one just dont really need it lol)It is like $255 and Is 24oz wool with 3 color options. They make other models too.
There's only two companies I buy my wool from - Filson and Pendleton. Don't get me wrong, I like Merino wool and blends, but there's sometimes only 100% wool will do. Retailers like Filson have had to make the best they can out of a bad situation. Workers started buying more Carhartt denim and fleece and ditched the leather, wool, and tin cloth. If it wasn't for the hipsters, I don't know how they would stay in business. Fortunately, there's still some of us that appreciate the outdoors and a quality garment that we can someday pass down. I'm not crazy about the prices, but if you do some creative shopping, there's deals out there. Filson's Black Friday sale is pretty good. Also try retailers like Moosejaw and Backwoods. Local retailers as well. There's an old fashioned general store near me that if you hit them when it's not Winter or Fall, you can get some good deals on Mackinaw wool. If you wait until Fall/Winter, you may be out of luck as they run out of these products in the popular colors fast.
Also want to put in a good word for the Legendary Whitetails Outdoorsman jacket. Bought it last fall and wasn’t expecting much for the price but it kept me warm all winter here in MA except on super bad days when I needed a hood.
Filson is on its third owner since the late Nineties. A private equity firm has steered Filson to increase market share with t-shirts, decals, and Smokey Bear accessories. My Forest Green Cruiser is in numeric size 42 and cost around $295. Johnson Woolen Mills is a great US-made choice; I own several of their trousers.
After trying WeatherWool, it's hard to want anything else and I have their shemagh and it's epic. I will say that I know a lot of Canadians rocking those Big Bill jackets.
I still use the map pocket that is historic in the filson , but now it usually carries a tablet for work. It is also tradition in my family heritage of loggers.
I have the Big Bill wool vest. If the coat is made with the same material and with the same level of quality, anyone would be very happy with this coat. I plan to buy one in the fall.
Good wool lasts forever. I have merino Australian wool army fatigues from the 1950s-- they're fantastic. Warm in the winter, not hot in the summer. Surprising. I wear these pants from -20F to 80F.
I picked up a Johnson woolen Mills 100% wool jacket in hunter green for $169 where everything else in this town was over $400 for the same coat it just depends on who's selling it and some of the coats weren't as heavy as the Johnson
I really want to see you review a Buffalo Jackson, leather good like their travel duffel bag. It certainly looks as good as filwon stuff but 1/3 the price.
Regarding Johnson Woolen Mills, their quality is legendary in New England. I still have a pair of Johnson wool hunting pants I bought in 1986, as well as several newer pairs of different styles. I've also owned an original Filson Macinaw I bought new in the late 80s (worn through early 2000s) and replaced it with a Johnson coat that I still wear. It's a solid replacement, and nice because it's lined with soft flannel to avoid a bit of the itching.
Buying second hand and vintage is not only really fun, but you really can get some high quality garments for dirt cheap. I'm currently waiting on a vintage Woolrich coat I got for twenty bucks! A lot of people (myself included) are usually nervous about the fit not being correct, but for how cheap you can get some pieces, even with you getting it tailored it still comes out to a fraction of the price you'd be paying for it new.
When I lived in Alaska, I had the green mackinaw cruiser and wore it heavily, daily for well over a decade. I didn’t make much money so I didn’t have a car or even a bicycle. I saved up my paychecks and bought the cruiser. It saved me from freezing to death more than once. It was worth every penny. After wearing it daily for about 15 Alaskan winters, I think the Filson mackinaw is worth the cost. You have to expect cost increases with the crashing economy we have on the tail of Covid-19. So even at $500, I think it’s still worth it.
Tour reviews on jeans/pants are top notch! I've already made purchases off your suggestions and have been very satisfied. Can you please do some reviews on shorts? Jean shorts, cargo shorts also tactical/shooting range shorts if you can? Thanks, keep up the good work
Awesome shoutout to Stormy Kromer. It's still based in the U.P. and that keeps them humble because they have a great core customer base in the U.P., Northern Wisconsin, and Northern Minnesota. Their original hat with the earflaps is an iconic look around here. haha
Pretty much, the only reason why im digging the mackinaw cruiser. Is the amount of pockets and the possibility to put a jacket over it. Tensaw or Wills For colder temps.
Carl, I just spoke to a Filson rep two weeks ago asking about upland hunting pants and the Tin Cloth Field jacket (after she told me they wouldn't be making a replacement for my 1995 Tin Cloth Packer anymore ever). She told me they are currently looking to make a couple items outsourced elsewhere. She said there are many products that will not be reintroduced after they are ready to begin production. The reason she stated was they can no longer be competitive making garments in their Seattle factory. We didn't talk Mac Cruisers because I have four, the first as old as 1981 and as new as 1996. The products in tin that she said the would be kept were the tin jacket, the short tin cruiser, and the full tin cruiser, sometime around December this year. So if you really want a Mac Cruiser made in the United States, 100 percent 24 oz. virgin wool, you best give them a call now. It really sounded like they won't be making them in the USA.
It's hardly surprising... labour and materials are cheaper elsewhere. That's the cost of having semi decent wages and better working conditions. You want a better standard of living, and much of it provided for by taxes paid by companies and employees. The money has to come from somewhere. You can't have your cake and eat it. Besides, the idea that everything made in the USA is good quality, whilst everything foreign is of poor quality is ridiculous. I wouldn't touch a lot of stuff made in the USA.
@@another3997 Even I don't believe everything made in the USA is super high quality. Nor do I believe all things from overseas is total junk. If I wanted to buy a Barbour jacket I'd rather have it made in Britian rather than Uganda. It's more of a historical rather than a quality issue for me. It dose not have to work that way for everything or everyone. You earn your money, you spend it as you please. I know I will.
Competing with overseas peasant labor is tough, for sure, but I would never spend $500 on something like that. Ripoff. Filson should be able to make it for $100-$150, in America.......wool is currently $12 per kilo or around $5 a pound.
You said it. Buy vintage Woolrich or Pendleton, or one of the many smaller makers like Soo Woolen Mills. Plenty of Mackinaw Cruisers out there. I picked up a mint Double Mackinaw for $140 on EBay. Got a nice "shirt jac" for $70, too.
I’ve got my Dad’s Johnson Woolen Mills cruiser it is without a doubt the best hunting coat I’ve ever owned. Even better than the “new stuff” that’s on the market. yeah it’s a little heavy but I’m not whining.
I don’t know if it’s scarcity marketing or not, but Filson jackets fly off the shelves. So I guess from purely a profit standpoint, makes sense to raise the price. If you want a real treat, visit Folsom’s store in the Ballard neighborhood, Seattle.
Cool vid Carl, thanks! There are plenty of great wool jackets out there at a reasonable price. Filsons prices are friggin absurd...that said they are like Nike, there's no real substitute for the name if the name brand is what a person wants. They'll probably keep selling products because they are like a Porche or Ferrari in brand recognition for work wear but it's damned unfortunate they've gone away from providing great workwear for the normal working man who can't afford those stupid prices. Big difference between "functional workwear" and "fashionable workwear". The alternatives offered in this video are awesome though.
I snagged a used green Filson cruiser on eBay for $120, maybe 6 years ago, it was and still is immaculate - I had been scoping these for about a year. Once I got it I tracked the model number to show a 2006 fab date. Total score. At the time I think they were just under 400 new. I just buy used/vintage Pendleton coats most of time, but I will say the Filson is built like a tank, glad to have this one and glad when the weather is cold enough to justify wearing it.
I have the Big Bill jacket. It is a no-nonsense, durable item. it is NOT a fashion accessory - the cut is very basic and the colour is "unnatural". I take mine deer hunting and also keep it handy to throw on when I need to get an armload of firewood.
Do the math $500 divided by 30 years or more then sell it used for almost what you paid for it- not really that complicated - you think that equation works with your Legendary Whitetails poc?
FILSSON’S FATAL 1917 MACKINAW CRUISER DESIGN ERROR WAS FIXED BY LL BEAN IN THEIR MAINE GUIDE WINTER PARKA KNOCKOFF! Every one of the combined 4 MacKinaw Cruisers and Double MacKinaw Cruisers that I purchased from Filsson between 1992-2017 had the wool on the edge of the seam on the outer right sleeve below the elbow wear through on an average of as little as 2 years. This wasn’t even from any sort of heavy use. It was just from riding buses to work and sitting in restaurants. It took me 2 months to realize that my Bean’s coat was different because the company had actually analyzed the Filsson design and had spotted the design flaw. Instead of there being an exposed seam in this area of the coat, there’s a flat panel. I love my Maine Guide Parka. It cost as little as $230 from Beans versus the $430 that I paid for my last Double MacKinaw Cruiser that I purchased in 2017. It has pockets on the inside. Although it uses zippers, I haven’t experienced any problem. It also differs from most of the coats in this feature in that it’s a longer coat which I really appreciate during 60 mile an hour chinook winds in Colorado because my butt is covered and warm. It falls within the category of what Filsson was calling their Alaskan cut when they reduced the length in most of their coats. I will never buy another Filsson product again because of the inferior grade of wool used in making my last coat. I had the right inside pocket panel split within a month of purchasing my $430 Double MacKinaw Cruiser. This was just from putting my hands in my pockets. The same thing happened on the other side two years layer. The wool used in their coats is described as “imported”. My wife who’s a knitter thinks that the jacket may be made from wool taken from sheep that are just raised for their meat which yields an inferior grade of wool. Many people blame this sort of thing on the purchase of the parent company by Bedrock Manufacturing in the early 2000’s. Thank you for mentioning Bean’s Maine Guide Winter Parka in your video!
Carl, nice and very useful video. Congrats!!! BTW, you being a proud owner of 2 Mackinaw Cruisers, are you sure when you said it has no handwarmer pockets? They should be behind the cargo pockets on the lower section of the jacket. I'm after a 26 oz Mac Cruiser (24 oz for the solid coloured ones, or so says Filson on their webpage), I've been researching for a few years now and I just love it. I live in Europe, so the price here has gone up to 550 euros, which is like 570 USD. That's just crazy, plain and simple!!! It was 495 euros a few days ago (about 520 USD). Woolrich is, as you said, a far cry from what they used to be. WeatherWool is the best jacket in my opinion, but it's too expensive and I don't like zippers. WW seems to make the best wool there is. A shirt of shirt jacket are my go-to options. Some other choices are good, but as I said, I just don't like zippers because they can fail and repairing them is a bummer because you have to take it to a seamstress unless you can operate a sewing machine (I don't). Buttons, I can saw them with no further issues in a couple of minutes. And I try to avoid blends, and the only brands which make 100% wool jackets are Filson and WeatherWool (there might be other brands but it's unbeknownst to me). I own one of Filson Jac Shirts (actually it's featured in your video) and I'm very happy with it. But paying 550 euros for a brand new Mac Cruiser is just a steal. As I've been told, Filson Mac Cruisers do a poor job blocking the wind. But I guess if you layer down properly it shouldn't be a problem. I love the Mac Cruiser, and I'll eventually get one, but rising the price that much is kind of a no-go. I love the Pendleton wool and the amount of pockets, especially the rear (map, game) pocket. Filson, get yourself together and price your garments accordingly!!!
I have had numerous Filson coats over the years. They are well made but not to the tune that they are asking for today. I moved away from them when they started to import. I bought a Big Bill coat last winter and loved it. Great fit and plenty of warmth. Bought it from Tall Tales Outdoors in PA. Also bought 2 pairs of BB wool pants from them (regular and cargo). Good price and fit. Made in Canada by Codet. Good construction and quality.
I have a Filson then got a Johnson Woolen Mills coat a few years later. The lining in the Johnson makes it that much warmer than the Filson I forget I have one in the closet.
Its june, Im in norther california. Wearing wool underwear (meriwool) socks (darn tough) pants (armani exchange) and shirt (mkm 36.6). I am not in the valley though and its been 60s at night and high 80s day. Pants are thin like slacks. wool can also be cooler in the heat if youre not wearing a winter thickness. Spacesuits use camel wool because it insulates from heat as well as cold. The "its warmer" reputation comes from wet insulating properties, and that some wools like peacoats or mackinaw are much thicker than others,nwich is what sticks in the mind. I buy all mine second hand except the socks and underwear. I may like wool more than Karl, I just dont have the cash.
Hey Carl, your lined shirt-jac is the full weight 24 oz mackinaw….but is an imported vs made in the USA garment. The 18 oz Seattle wool versions don’t have a lining and are still made here in the states. You seem to be combining two separate offerings in your recommendation of the shirt-jac.
I have quite a few Filson products that are over 20 years old. All I can say is that the new stuff in nothing like the old ones. Lower quality at a higher price? No thanks.
Second hand is where it’s at. I paid $230 for my Mackinaw in green. 90s jacket and in mint condition. Absolutely love my Mackinaw and appreciate the quality they had in their earlier years. I just bought an identical one for my grandfather. Price/availability has gone up, but an 80s one for $350.
Great to hear about some alternative options here in the UK as we can get the filson sure but the prices would make your eyes water! Equivalent of $600! Even 2nd hand! Still searching for a good wool work shirt. There is a few quality home makers left in the UK but also very expensive! Like you say what kid's want to go into those traditional trades now, thanks for taking the time searching!
So, I think the only drawback to what I’ve been doing is the outer layer is 100% cotton but. I’ve climbed several high peaks in the ADK mountains with nothing but a heavy wool thermal layer and a thick cotton flannel, both from L L Bean and I felt great the whole way up. As long as you’re moving the thermal layer and flannel was all I needed.
THE JACK SHIRT!!! It’s always appealed to me because of the lining it has. Always thought it was a great touch to not have the wool against the skin and I noticed some iterations had a heavier wool than the mackinaw? Could be remembering that wrong but always wanted to pick one up
I have one that was only $20 USD brand new. I do not remember the brand but I have worn it all winter every winter for 5 years now and it is still like new. Just went to check the brand, and it is a Wolverine. I have two of them. Cannot be beat for $20 each.
Solid info! Thank you. Have owned a Pendelton virgin wool Jac-Shirt 18oz for 40 years when it was made entirely in the USA. warm, breathes, very water resistant, keeps you warm when wet, solid (gotta wear long sleeve T under it because of scratchiness.) Never have had to repair! Filson is going crazy! Also, you might mention the navy pea coat! I mean ISSUE, not some knock off. Ebay has them, Army Navy surplus, on line. Mine is 50 years old, 28oz. wool and amazing! Yes, you can work in it, abuse it and it laughs at you! And...the huge, wrap around collar with throat button (massive buttons) has saved me countless times in the wind, salt water, sleet and snow. Shake it off and its good to go! Also, you can brush off beer, stains, etc. and, they are satin lined with deep pockets and inside pocket. I'd put my 50 year old pea coat against ANY Filson cruiser of that or any other era. Tough, reliable, warm, water resistant, socially acceptable in the woods, on the street and on a date. Classic, American and tough.
Got a navy peacoat from my father in law from when he was in Korea, so it's pretty old. It has a much slimmer cut and shorter sleeves for a medium. But it's dense with a nice long collar that can be popped to protect from wind. Will probably wear it until it completely falls apart. I can't say all vintage clothes were quality but there are definitely pieces out there that can last another lifetime.
Are the hand warmer pockets on the cruiser big? I just finally got a Filson Mackinaw Jac-Shirt . I've been wanting one forever and didn't like the limited colors the past few years until this new one. I missed out on the Dark Military Plaid which was amazing but sold out. The hand warmer pockets are CAVERNOUS! Normal opening, but WOW I can fit quite a bit inside that pocket. What a pleasant surprise.
Agreed. Great video. So many clothing companies are price gauging like crazy, increasing prices just because they can. I don’t mind paying for quality and longevity (which is rare in an industry of essentially “disposable” clothing. I would still buy the jacket if it is going to last me 30 plus years…..that is IF the new ones will still last as well as the old ones have.
While I don’t own a Kromer Mackinaw jacket, I do love their wool hats. I do, however, have a vintage 1960s Coast Guard peacoat. Last year, I also purchased a Varusteleka wool fleece jacket. It’s nice and toasty (if a little itchy), and very modern with velcro wrist closures and patch panels.
Although I don't own the wool jacket my experience with Big Bill workwear has been really good. I have a bunch of their 9oz flannel shirts that have held up really well and it seems like most of their stuff is made in Canada and the US. Gostwear is a Montreal based store so that makes sense.
I bought the legendary white tails in black and red. Update: I sent it back because it feels cheap. The shell does not feel like wool at all. I have a jacket that is 30% wool and it feels closer to a 100% wool jacket than the legendary white tails which claims 61% wool in the shell.
I own several Filson garments, but I will never buy another. The one time I had to return a garment, they told me they would not repair or replace it because I had spilled bleach on it. I absolutely, positively, did not get bleach within 100 feet of it at any point, but they were sure they knew more than me and would not repair or replace it. I don't mind paying premium prices for premium products and premium customer service, but Filson has neither.
What I think you forgot would be weather wool it's heavier denser that comes in two different styles pull over and jacket lot of colors price is up there too
I might not get it, but spending more than $200 on any fabric jacket is crazy to me. There's maybe $50 of wool in the Filson, no amount of heritage is going to make it worth it in my mind.
I bought a “ Codet “ green wool coat with insulation , and a green shirt jac with no insulation and no lining, it has a shoulder cape. Bought them around 2005, I think. I believe both are 24 oz wool.....very warm, still have both....I can not find them any place now, maybe out of business ? Made in Canada... Thanks for the vid and information, good to know.
Heads up about the wool used in the jacket this year. No longer made by Pendleton. It is an Italian wool company. The jacket has a different feel to it. May be a bit lighter in feel. A Softer wool and the hang is more draped over the body. Bad?.. hmmm depends on what you want.... Still a nice jacket.
Get ready to make a video about alternatives for the the tin cloth short lined cruiser because something tells me its price is gonna go from $350 to $450, whenever it goes back in stock.
Filson Mackinaw Cruiser: bit.ly/3CAdtau
1. Orvis Wool Barn Coat: www.orvis.com/wool-barn-coat/2SHL.html
2. Buffalo Jackson Ellis Wool Jacket: bit.ly/3x71CvI
3. LL Bean Maine Guide Parka: www.llbean.com/llb/shop/69101?page=maine-guide-wool-parka-primaloft
4. Legendary Whitetails Outdoorsman Jacket: bit.ly/3v80DKn
5. Weatherwool All-Around Jacket: weatherwool.com/products/all-around-jacket
6. Stormy Kromer Mackinaw Coat: bit.ly/34YoNfR
7. Patagonia Wooly Chore Coat: bit.ly/2Tbar9e
8. Le Mont St Michael Wool Work Jacket: bit.ly/3w7iN0b
9. Johnson Woolen Mills Wool Coat: johnsonwoolenmills.com/product/hunting-coat/
10. Big Bill Wool Jacket: bit.ly/3v1vsk0
11. Filson Jac-Shirt: bit.ly/3gavqSx
Ironic that a working man can no longer afford a coat made by a company that built clothing and its reputation on products for the working man.
It's not that company anymore
Unfortunately I think it's becoming a brand for highly paid urban professionals that like to occasionally LARP as working men.
@@JuanDeSoCal
Yeah all brands are catering to the urban professionals now.
If you're truly a working man and a professional in an industry like logging, fishing, guiding, or even military, you can get some deep discounts. I don't pay full retail for brand new (not seconds) Filson gear.
@@JuanDeSoCal hahaha "larping as working men" great line, reminds me of when politicians get their flannel on.
Absolutely agree that second-hand is the way to go. Found a 70’s gorgeous red Woolrich coat at local Salvation Army a few years ago for $30.00! A killer find, it should last my lifetime. Win-win-win for the store, the environment, and myself! Sad to see Filson heading down the path of pricing themselves out the market, and losing sight of their focus.
Have you seen the Johnson coat? Really good. My wife bought me one at barn sale for 90 bucks. I already had a Woolrich but she bought it anyway. Great for western Massachusetts winters.
@@fredeaston3988 Not familiar with the Johnson coat…Will definitely check it out!
@@SUGAR_HOUSE_WYE that won’t happen any more, since the thrift store will look items up and price based on the highest sale/auction price
The problem with Filson is that the ownership has changed to a Private Equity firm that is backed by the person who started Fossil watches and currently makes substandard watches but markets them as high-end (Shinola Detroit) but is not high-end in quality. Yes, Filson had eclipsed its supply chain capacity and could not grow without an infusion of new capital but to stop catering to their original customer is usually the downfall of most brands. Especially when the new ownership is trying to recoup their investment in the brand.
Ohhhh that’s why the filson store was next to the shinola store in Detroit. I was curious about that.
The retail industry in America is just a big ponzi. Hedge funds buying up small companies, off-shoring production and using them as tax dodges. When comes to the Wall Street criminals, anything goes nowadays!
Filson has definitely gone down in quality, up in price
Filson lost the plot in the early 2000s when they moved the manufacturing location from Seattles 1st ave. The second hit came when they dropped the C.C. From their name. Now they are are just like all of the other brands that trade on their one e great name.
Coarse wool is very cheap relative to finer wool used in suits, trousers, etc.
There's probably $40 of wool at most in that jacket.
@Mr Mr your mama wearing it home.
@Mr Mr somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed
@Mr Mr I got 9 heavy wool coats, 4 are mackinaw, the most I’ve paid for one is $90, simply cope with your inability to find things
@Mr Mr lol the majority of your comments are so salty
@Mr Mr they on your top 😂😂😂
Most people love to wear Filson until it’s time to use it for it’s intended purpose. In which case a generic Buffalo plaid should suffice to hang out at the local micro brewery.
That's how I feel sometimes, but ultimately if I paid good money for a jacket that was meant to be abused doing work/jobs then you gotta put it to the test. At that point it truly becomes your jacket, unless the quality is lacking and it takes a shit.
Lolol
@@dtowers7877 Exactly. These jackets are expensive because they're supposed to be bomb proof. If you ruin them by using them for their intended purpose, then you were wearing an over-valued piece of crap to begin with and should be glad that you can now replace it with something better.
I was going to buy one this fall but now decided to spend my money elsewhere.
Same!
Not to get laughed out of the comment section here, but I paid about $30 bucks for a lined, red buffalo plaid Schmidt work shirt at Tractor Supply 4 or 5 years ago as a Spring/Fall jacket, and works well as a Winter jacket in layers. Survived Johnstown, PA and Boston, MA winters just fine. I had to sew the side once, but other than that, it's been the most versatile jacket I ever bought and survived years of work conditions. Been looking at a Filson, but really love the nods to the other jackets too. Still great sleeper products out there that hold up.
Also loved your boot videos as far as what brand to go with for my next purchase. Love the channel!
Not at all man, it doesn’t matter how much a jacket cost or the name brand on it as long as it works! Cheers bro!
I've handled the Johnson Woolen Mills, the Stormy Kromer, and the Big Bill. Are are readily available here in Maine. Big Bill is a hell of a value. The Johnson Woolen Mills feels a little clunky and unrefined, but is made of great stuff. But the best is the Stormy Kromer. It's my pick to replace my Filson if it's ever lost or damaged, and vintage has gotten too pricy. You actually should handle one in person. You'll be impressed.
Every year wool suprises me when I put it on again. I was wearing a very lightweight Merino Wool sweater and was comfortable walking around in the mid 40s.
So it used to be 26oz wool, now its 24oz wool and they are making it more expensive now also? Plus they used to be all made in America, now they offshore for cheaper manufacturing. No more new Filson for me
It should be noted; Solid colors of this coat utilize 24oz, while for whatever reason the Plaid weave still retains the original 26oz fabric. Furthermore, it would appear this specific coat remains 'Made in the United States' as of the moment. (Hopefully not subject to change)
I bought 3 Jachs wool coats at Costco and they're absolutely amazing. Then I looked up Jachs and the history blew me away. They're comfortable, warm and the pockets are fantastic. Ppl always ask me what brand they are when I wear them.
I found me a 60's Woolrich off Ebay last year and I love it.
The practicality of a wool coat is off the charts.
Lightweight, warm, and comfortable.
Is wool lightweight? I always thought the drawback was it’s heavy
@@samuelbuettner1214 it depends, but naturally wool is relatively lightweight for the warmth it offers.
It's also hard to find wool over 24oz today, so while wool can be heavy ( I love heavy cozy wool ) you won't really get it today.
To clarify, the weight rating is how much 1yd of the fabric weighs which happens to translate into the thickness / density of it.
Higher weight wool will be be thicker and often denser, but there's no standard where we can say exactly the thickness it should be or how much a particular pattern and size of Jacket will weigh.
I've got a lot more wool now than I did 2 years ago, and have learned quite a bit.
The 60's woolrich mentioned in my original comment I estimate to be about a 28oz wool, it's very warm and not a heavy constricting jacket.
Fit / style does play a part in that though.
Btw weight is relative too, leather jackets for example aren't generally very warm and are heavy.
You can get a wool jacket/ coat that's vastly warmer and significantly lighter weight.
Sure it weighs more than say a down puffer...etc, but it has plenty of advantages that are more important.
@@TylerSnyder305thank you for that response 👍🏻 yea definitely relative, I agree ,of the natural fibers cant beat wool weight to warmth, I finally got some wool items but they have liners and they’re blends so my perception of their weight isn’t perfect, I got to pick up some vintage ones now
I’m in the UK and options are limited. I opted to go for the Stormy Kromer as I found a UK dealer. I am absolutely delighted with the coat, great quality, heavyweight and warm. I’m going to pick up a matching hat for this winter too.
Nice! Great option for the UK especially. Here is many parts of America we want to wear wool, but the weather extremes make it a bit less great of an option.
I just bought a Stormy Kromer jacket after a few weeks of research and I'm in love with it. Looks amazing, feels amazing, great design, and quite cozy. I can see myself using it as my main jacket for the unforeseen future. The only thing I don't like is that the hand warmers are too high up on the chest and not very cozy. With that said, the side pockets work fine and the double pocket with the button is a great feature that I've never seen before on a coat.
Reading other reviews, I see two common complaints, which is that the jacket isn't warm enough for very cold winter weather, and that it fits too big. But both of these "bugs" are actually features. It seems they designed it that way on purpose so that you can optionally wear thick layers underneath if necessary, or just wear it as-is on less cold days without overheating. This makes it much more versatile and suitable for 3 seasons of the year instead of being strictly a winter jacket. And since I did buy it with fall hunting in mind, that's exactly what I wanted.
I sell used/vintage Filson, Pendleton and Woolrich cruisers. Eventho the Filson and Pendleton are the same wool, the texture is different. Filson's wool feels itchier and coarser while Pendleton's is a bit smoother, Pendleton also (usually) doesn't have the map pocket in the back. I feel that the best value of the three that I sell would be vintage Woolrich cruisers, they feel heavier and more heavy duty and are usually lined which could be a nice touch (debatable).
But out of all the options that were presented here, I would definitely get that Stormy Kromer
Where can one buy vintage Filson
Can I maybe buy something from you?
@@TheMfmccarthy Of course you can. The only thing is that I'm based in Europe, meaning that my prices are in Euros and priced at marketvalue in Europe, which is similar to getting a new one in America. My advice is to find some curated vintage shops in the States.
Do you have a link to your site I am based in Europe and am considering a jacket like this? Thank you
Went to amazon and they still have them at $395. Finally pulled the trigger and got the otter green. I was really on the fence when I found the Scout Jacket by Schaefer Outfitters. 24oz Melton wool, Taffeta lining, Brass buttons, similar pocket layout, a full grain trimmed collar and made in the USA for $255. Almost got that one, maybe I should have, but been wanting the Filson for a looooong time.
+1 for Johnson Woolen Mills. I’ve been to their factory several times. Good people and excellent products. Also, Vermont Flannel Company teamed up with them to make a flannel lined wool shirt jac that’s really nice. Don’t forget about Bemidgi Woolen Mills as well. They make some nice options similar to the Filson as well as some nice heavy weight button up shirts. They’re also still selling the Filson Mackinaw on their website for the old price. I scored 2 of their heavyweight button up shirts for $40 at a garage sale. New never worn.
I’m very thankful that I was able to pick up a practically new mackinaw cruiser in green with the new price hike. It's exactly the one Wranglerstar has. Although slightly used, I fetched it for $250 because it has light wear on a cuff. Not an issue because I'd rather not spend double for the scuff to be gone.
Jeepers, how have I managed to stay alive for all these years without spending $250 for a used lightweight coat. 🤷🏼♂️
@corepathway
u must love commie trash
I’m a big wool clothing and mackinaw fan but Filson is outta my price range. Big Bill is one of Canada’s best kept secrets for wool wear. It’s made in Canada and is high quality and very affordable. I have a 17 OZ plaid wool jacket from them which is more of a shoulder season weight in Canada but their wool pants are staples for my winter camping and snowshoeing outings.
I have had the big bill merino coat for about a year and love it. It’s about 18oz wool which is on the Lighter side but when layering it’s great. This winter I’m planning to purchase the pants from them and maybe one of the heavier jackets. The quality is great and the only thing I wish was different is that they used a heavier duty zipper. That being said after a year have had no problems with it.
I wore one with two pockets for field work and it is nearly indestructible. I wore it in the Aleutians, Nevada, Texas, and the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico. It was my single most useful jacket in all kinds of weather, from chilly mornings to snowstorms and gale force winds. It is too bad that such great clothing will only be affordable to posers who have never worked a day in the field.
My Filson jacket is very durable. It has survived many days in the coffee shop while I worked on my screenplay. I almost panicked when it got damp from the mist the other day, but it seems ok.
I was very sad when Filson sold out a few years ago. It doesn't surprise me they cost more and offer less (like Woolrich), it's the way of the world.
Being in the PNW I’ve seen a bunch of Filson Mackinaw cruisers and even owned and sold a couple. I bought a Johnson Woolen Mills coat a few years ago from a yardsale and I think the quality is just as good. I like the coat I have with the nice Adirondack plaid pattern. Looks and fits great. Easy decision to sell the Filson and keep the Johnson, especially due to the high resale price of Filson.
Nice video Carl. I agree that people should look elsewhere for something comparable before paying for the brand name.
I have the Orvis wool coat. It’s great and full of thoughtful features. It’s basically the wool version of the Heritage Barn Coat.
I currently have the legendary whitetails jacket and I can confirm that is one tough jacket and serious about warmth and wind protection. I HIGHLY recommend it
I own a weather wool anorak in the mid weight Lynx pattern. By far the best wool jacket I own except maybe my vintage pea coat. Ralph is the owner and is an absolute gem to work with. Just a small family owned business in NJ. Can’t recommend their products enough. Great great products
Big Bill deserves more praise. They manufacture in both Canada and the US. Somehow they still manage to keep prices low.
Yeah all fine, but how much wool do you have in that jacket anyway? And is is the cheapest wool you can get on the market? If not, you're getting Switzerlanded.
I have their wool overalls. They are fantastic.
I have the Big Bill merino wool jacket and the wool vest. Bulletproof. And the Canadian prices are lower (same price but $CDN). And they go on sale.
I bought a vintage Pendleton mackinaw in red and black plaid and I love it MORE than my vintage Filson. Pure virgin wool, unlined and has hand warmer pockets and a larger collar than the Filson. I paid $30 plus shipping on eBay. Gold!
I also bought a vintage Wool rich in red and black plaid and I love it. Sports snap adjustable wrists, but buttons down the front and has a large, almost Navy pea coat style collar.
I think it probably is better than the Filson Cruiser from an actual use perspective.
Almost two decades ago I bought a new Filson Double Mackinaw cruiser and I loved that jacket, but I don't think it was as rugged as this old Woolrich. Plus, if you did any walking in it beyond flat ground it became intolerably hot. Imo wool is best in layers, with a single 24-28oz layer being best for an outer layer with a tight weave, and a midweight wool sweater with semi-loose weave as the midlayer.
The midweight wool sweater layer has been a staple of mine for the last 5 years in the PNW and is perfect for temps starting at around 55 Fahrenheit and below.
Your video popped up as recommended (right after I was shopping the Filson site). The price of a 12-pack a week for a year to buy a heavy-duty coat that will last 50 years is not a bad deal. I have two; the first is forty winters old and still looks good and is holding up like a cask iron skillet...
Hi Carl! Glad you told your audience about us! Thank You and Best Regards --- Ralph from WeatherWool
My pleasure!!
Big Bill is owned by Codet. Their stuff is VERY well made and super affordable. (Their standard green is a bit too 'Kelly Green' for me, but otherwise it is very utilitarian and serviceable.)
Call Bemidji woolen mills in Minnesota. They will make you a custom fit coat that will outlast that Filson
Way late so this probably won't be seen, but one alternative that looked the best to me was Bemidji Woolen Mills. They have a shirt-jac and double Mackinaw type jacket, plus a lined hunting jacket. And they are 30oz wool! The only Filson alternative I found that is actually heavier. I bought a vintage one off Ebay that's on the way and we'll see how it looks.
Much as I would desire a Filson Mackinaw Cruiser jacket; the $500 price tag does give one pause. Thank you for offering these alternatives; I will check them out.
Hoping you're well sir! Dont forget to check the second hand market, there are some great bargains to be had.
The Mackinaw is NOT worth 500. NO simple wool shirtcoat is worth 500$.
Do you own one?
@@davidlandrum No - and I never will, because it isn’t worth the money 😬
@@O_Rei I own one. It is worth $500.
@@davidlandrum Your perception of it “being worth it” may have something to do with the fact that you bought it back when it only costed you HALF as much as it does now...
@@O_Rei I have no problem buying another one.
Black Bear Brand is also a good Filson alternative.
It’s even more expensive
Bruh
Schaefers Outfitters Scout Jacket looks like another good alternative. (been wanting to get one just dont really need it lol)It is like $255 and Is 24oz wool with 3 color options. They make other models too.
There's only two companies I buy my wool from - Filson and Pendleton. Don't get me wrong, I like Merino wool and blends, but there's sometimes only 100% wool will do. Retailers like Filson have had to make the best they can out of a bad situation. Workers started buying more Carhartt denim and fleece and ditched the leather, wool, and tin cloth. If it wasn't for the hipsters, I don't know how they would stay in business. Fortunately, there's still some of us that appreciate the outdoors and a quality garment that we can someday pass down. I'm not crazy about the prices, but if you do some creative shopping, there's deals out there. Filson's Black Friday sale is pretty good. Also try retailers like Moosejaw and Backwoods. Local retailers as well. There's an old fashioned general store near me that if you hit them when it's not Winter or Fall, you can get some good deals on Mackinaw wool. If you wait until Fall/Winter, you may be out of luck as they run out of these products in the popular colors fast.
Also want to put in a good word for the Legendary Whitetails Outdoorsman jacket. Bought it last fall and wasn’t expecting much for the price but it kept me warm all winter here in MA except on super bad days when I needed a hood.
Filson is on its third owner since the late Nineties. A private equity firm has steered Filson to increase market share with t-shirts, decals, and Smokey Bear accessories. My Forest Green Cruiser is in numeric size 42 and cost around $295. Johnson Woolen Mills is a great US-made choice; I own several of their trousers.
You should do a whole video on Pendleton. Such cool history, and still making nice stuff.
Yes, made in the USA and you could buy 2-3 of theirs for what these "wanna-be's" get for theirs!
a lot of pendleton is made in china now, not much usa made stuff these days
After trying WeatherWool, it's hard to want anything else and I have their shemagh and it's epic. I will say that I know a lot of Canadians rocking those Big Bill jackets.
I still use the map pocket that is historic in the filson , but now it usually carries a tablet for work. It is also tradition in my family heritage of loggers.
I have the Big Bill wool vest. If the coat is made with the same material and with the same level of quality, anyone would be very happy with this coat. I plan to buy one in the fall.
It was already beyond what I could afford so I've been waiting to hear about alternatives for a while now.
Your reviews have taught me so much. I mean this channel is amazing! What do you think about Legendary Whitetails? Is this a legit brand with quality?
I have never heard of this jacket before, buy owning one has now become my top priority
They're great, but fantastic deals to be had on the second hand market!
Good wool lasts forever. I have merino Australian wool army fatigues from the 1950s-- they're fantastic. Warm in the winter, not hot in the summer. Surprising. I wear these pants from -20F to 80F.
I picked up a Johnson woolen Mills 100% wool jacket in hunter green for $169 where everything else in this town was over $400 for the same coat it just depends on who's selling it and some of the coats weren't as heavy as the Johnson
I really want to see you review a Buffalo Jackson, leather good like their travel duffel bag. It certainly looks as good as filwon stuff but 1/3 the price.
Regarding Johnson Woolen Mills, their quality is legendary in New England. I still have a pair of Johnson wool hunting pants I bought in 1986, as well as several newer pairs of different styles. I've also owned an original Filson Macinaw I bought new in the late 80s (worn through early 2000s) and replaced it with a Johnson coat that I still wear. It's a solid replacement, and nice because it's lined with soft flannel to avoid a bit of the itching.
Buying second hand and vintage is not only really fun, but you really can get some high quality garments for dirt cheap. I'm currently waiting on a vintage Woolrich coat I got for twenty bucks! A lot of people (myself included) are usually nervous about the fit not being correct, but for how cheap you can get some pieces, even with you getting it tailored it still comes out to a fraction of the price you'd be paying for it new.
When I lived in Alaska, I had the green mackinaw cruiser and wore it heavily, daily for well over a decade. I didn’t make much money so I didn’t have a car or even a bicycle. I saved up my paychecks and bought the cruiser. It saved me from freezing to death more than once. It was worth every penny. After wearing it daily for about 15 Alaskan winters, I think the Filson mackinaw is worth the cost. You have to expect cost increases with the crashing economy we have on the tail of Covid-19. So even at $500, I think it’s still worth it.
Tour reviews on jeans/pants are top notch! I've already made purchases off your suggestions and have been very satisfied. Can you please do some reviews on shorts? Jean shorts, cargo shorts also tactical/shooting range shorts if you can? Thanks, keep up the good work
Thank you!!!!
Awesome shoutout to Stormy Kromer. It's still based in the U.P. and that keeps them humble because they have a great core customer base in the U.P., Northern Wisconsin, and Northern Minnesota. Their original hat with the earflaps is an iconic look around here. haha
Great content as always and Loving the production Carl. That outro with the tunes and screen design is next level epic
Thank you!!!
Should review the Orton brothers Vermont country store wool coat! Think it would be right up with the best
Pretty much, the only reason why im digging the mackinaw cruiser. Is the amount of pockets and the possibility to put a jacket over it. Tensaw or Wills For colder temps.
Carl, I just spoke to a Filson rep two weeks ago asking about upland hunting pants and the Tin Cloth Field jacket (after she told me they wouldn't be making a replacement for my 1995 Tin Cloth Packer anymore ever). She told me they are currently looking to make a couple items outsourced elsewhere. She said there are many products that will not be reintroduced after they are ready to begin production. The reason she stated was they can no longer be competitive making garments in their Seattle factory. We didn't talk Mac Cruisers because I have four, the first as old as 1981 and as new as 1996. The products in tin that she said the would be kept were the tin jacket, the short tin cruiser, and the full tin cruiser, sometime around December this year. So if you really want a Mac Cruiser made in the United States, 100 percent 24 oz. virgin wool, you best give them a call now. It really sounded like they won't be making them in the USA.
It's hardly surprising... labour and materials are cheaper elsewhere. That's the cost of having semi decent wages and better working conditions. You want a better standard of living, and much of it provided for by taxes paid by companies and employees. The money has to come from somewhere. You can't have your cake and eat it. Besides, the idea that everything made in the USA is good quality, whilst everything foreign is of poor quality is ridiculous. I wouldn't touch a lot of stuff made in the USA.
@@another3997 Even I don't believe everything made in the USA is super high quality. Nor do I believe all things from overseas is total junk. If I wanted to buy a Barbour jacket I'd rather have it made in Britian rather than Uganda. It's more of a historical rather than a quality issue for me. It dose not have to work that way for everything or everyone. You earn your money, you spend it as you please. I know I will.
Competing with overseas peasant labor is tough, for sure, but I would never spend $500 on something like that. Ripoff. Filson should be able to make it for $100-$150, in America.......wool is currently $12 per kilo or around $5 a pound.
You said it. Buy vintage Woolrich or Pendleton, or one of the many smaller makers like Soo Woolen Mills. Plenty of Mackinaw Cruisers out there. I picked up a mint Double Mackinaw for $140 on EBay.
Got a nice "shirt jac" for $70, too.
I’ve got my Dad’s Johnson Woolen Mills cruiser it is without a doubt the best hunting coat I’ve ever owned. Even better than the “new stuff” that’s on the market. yeah it’s a little heavy but I’m not whining.
I don’t know if it’s scarcity marketing or not, but Filson jackets fly off the shelves. So I guess from purely a profit standpoint, makes sense to raise the price. If you want a real treat, visit Folsom’s store in the Ballard neighborhood, Seattle.
Cool vid Carl, thanks! There are plenty of great wool jackets out there at a reasonable price. Filsons prices are friggin absurd...that said they are like Nike, there's no real substitute for the name if the name brand is what a person wants. They'll probably keep selling products because they are like a Porche or Ferrari in brand recognition for work wear but it's damned unfortunate they've gone away from providing great workwear for the normal working man who can't afford those stupid prices. Big difference between "functional workwear" and "fashionable workwear".
The alternatives offered in this video are awesome though.
I snagged a used green Filson cruiser on eBay for $120, maybe 6 years ago, it was and still is immaculate - I had been scoping these for about a year. Once I got it I tracked the model number to show a 2006 fab date. Total score. At the time I think they were just under 400 new. I just buy used/vintage Pendleton coats most of time, but I will say the Filson is built like a tank, glad to have this one and glad when the weather is cold enough to justify wearing it.
I have the Big Bill jacket. It is a no-nonsense, durable item. it is NOT a fashion accessory - the cut is very basic and the colour is "unnatural". I take mine deer hunting and also keep it handy to throw on when I need to get an armload of firewood.
Do the math $500 divided by 30 years or more then sell it used for almost what you paid for it- not really that complicated - you think that equation works with your Legendary Whitetails poc?
FILSSON’S FATAL 1917 MACKINAW CRUISER DESIGN ERROR WAS FIXED BY LL BEAN IN THEIR MAINE GUIDE WINTER PARKA KNOCKOFF! Every one of the combined 4 MacKinaw Cruisers and Double MacKinaw Cruisers that I purchased from Filsson between 1992-2017 had the wool on the edge of the seam on the outer right sleeve below the elbow wear through on an average of as little as 2 years. This wasn’t even from any sort of heavy use. It was just from riding buses to work and sitting in restaurants. It took me 2 months to realize that my Bean’s coat was different because the company had actually analyzed the Filsson design and had spotted the design flaw. Instead of there being an exposed seam in this area of the coat, there’s a flat panel. I love my Maine Guide Parka. It cost as little as $230 from Beans versus the $430 that I paid for my last Double MacKinaw Cruiser that I purchased in 2017. It has pockets on the inside. Although it uses zippers, I haven’t experienced any problem. It also differs from most of the coats in this feature in that it’s a longer coat which I really appreciate during 60 mile an hour chinook winds in Colorado because my butt is covered and warm. It falls within the category of what Filsson was calling their Alaskan cut when they reduced the length in most of their coats. I will never buy another Filsson product again because of the inferior grade of wool used in making my last coat. I had the right inside pocket panel split within a month of purchasing my $430 Double MacKinaw Cruiser. This was just from putting my hands in my pockets. The same thing happened on the other side two years layer. The wool used in their coats is described as “imported”. My wife who’s a knitter thinks that the jacket may be made from wool taken from sheep that are just raised for their meat which yields an inferior grade of wool. Many people blame this sort of thing on the purchase of the parent company by Bedrock Manufacturing in the early 2000’s. Thank you for mentioning Bean’s Maine Guide Winter Parka in your video!
Carl, nice and very useful video. Congrats!!!
BTW, you being a proud owner of 2 Mackinaw Cruisers, are you sure when you said it has no handwarmer pockets? They should be behind the cargo pockets on the lower section of the jacket.
I'm after a 26 oz Mac Cruiser (24 oz for the solid coloured ones, or so says Filson on their webpage), I've been researching for a few years now and I just love it. I live in Europe, so the price here has gone up to 550 euros, which is like 570 USD. That's just crazy, plain and simple!!! It was 495 euros a few days ago (about 520 USD).
Woolrich is, as you said, a far cry from what they used to be.
WeatherWool is the best jacket in my opinion, but it's too expensive and I don't like zippers. WW seems to make the best wool there is. A shirt of shirt jacket are my go-to options.
Some other choices are good, but as I said, I just don't like zippers because they can fail and repairing them is a bummer because you have to take it to a seamstress unless you can operate a sewing machine (I don't). Buttons, I can saw them with no further issues in a couple of minutes.
And I try to avoid blends, and the only brands which make 100% wool jackets are Filson and WeatherWool (there might be other brands but it's unbeknownst to me).
I own one of Filson Jac Shirts (actually it's featured in your video) and I'm very happy with it. But paying 550 euros for a brand new Mac Cruiser is just a steal.
As I've been told, Filson Mac Cruisers do a poor job blocking the wind. But I guess if you layer down properly it shouldn't be a problem.
I love the Mac Cruiser, and I'll eventually get one, but rising the price that much is kind of a no-go. I love the Pendleton wool and the amount of pockets, especially the rear (map, game) pocket.
Filson, get yourself together and price your garments accordingly!!!
I have had numerous Filson coats over the years. They are well made but not to the tune that they are asking for today. I moved away from them when they started to import. I bought a Big Bill coat last winter and loved it. Great fit and plenty of warmth. Bought it from Tall Tales Outdoors in PA. Also bought 2 pairs of BB wool pants from them (regular and cargo). Good price and fit. Made in Canada by Codet. Good construction and quality.
I have a Filson then got a Johnson Woolen Mills coat a few years later. The lining in the Johnson makes it that much warmer than the Filson I forget I have one in the closet.
Only Carl Murawski would be making a video about a wool jacket in June.
😂
😂 guilty!!!!
Its june, Im in norther california. Wearing wool underwear (meriwool) socks (darn tough) pants (armani exchange) and shirt (mkm 36.6). I am not in the valley though and its been 60s at night and high 80s day. Pants are thin like slacks. wool can also be cooler in the heat if youre not wearing a winter thickness. Spacesuits use camel wool because it insulates from heat as well as cold. The "its warmer" reputation comes from wet insulating properties, and that some wools like peacoats or mackinaw are much thicker than others,nwich is what sticks in the mind. I buy all mine second hand except the socks and underwear.
I may like wool more than Karl, I just dont have the cash.
Plan ahead!
Hey Carl, your lined shirt-jac is the full weight 24 oz mackinaw….but is an imported vs made in the USA garment. The 18 oz Seattle wool versions don’t have a lining and are still made here in the states. You seem to be combining two separate offerings in your recommendation of the shirt-jac.
Thank you for the clarification! 🍻
My understanding is that the mackinaw jac-shirt is 26oz wool with 8oz cotton flannel lining. I love mine in red (oxblood).
Yep, looks like the last few years at the very least were the 26oz mack….my bad
I have quite a few Filson products that are over 20 years old. All I can say is that the new stuff in nothing like the old ones. Lower quality at a higher price? No thanks.
I love my Stormy Kromer wool vest. I’m glad to see it on the list and hope you’ll feature more SK products on the channel. Excellent quality!
Second hand is where it’s at. I paid $230 for my Mackinaw in green. 90s jacket and in mint condition. Absolutely love my Mackinaw and appreciate the quality they had in their earlier years. I just bought an identical one for my grandfather. Price/availability has gone up, but an 80s one for $350.
Great to hear about some alternative options here in the UK as we can get the filson sure but the prices would make your eyes water! Equivalent of $600! Even 2nd hand! Still searching for a good wool work shirt. There is a few quality home makers left in the UK but also very expensive! Like you say what kid's want to go into those traditional trades now, thanks for taking the time searching!
So, I think the only drawback to what I’ve been doing is the outer layer is 100% cotton but. I’ve climbed several high peaks in the ADK mountains with nothing but a heavy wool thermal layer and a thick cotton flannel, both from L L Bean and I felt great the whole way up. As long as you’re moving the thermal layer and flannel was all I needed.
THE JACK SHIRT!!! It’s always appealed to me because of the lining it has. Always thought it was a great touch to not have the wool against the skin and I noticed some iterations had a heavier wool than the mackinaw? Could be remembering that wrong but always wanted to pick one up
I have one that was only $20 USD brand new. I do not remember the brand but I have worn it all winter every winter for 5 years now and it is still like new. Just went to check the brand, and it is a Wolverine. I have two of them. Cannot be beat for $20 each.
I Agree about Woolrich. Use to be a big fan but they completely went in another direction. To bad
Solid info! Thank you. Have owned a Pendelton virgin wool Jac-Shirt 18oz for 40 years when it was made entirely in the USA. warm, breathes, very water resistant, keeps you warm when wet, solid (gotta wear long sleeve T under it because of scratchiness.) Never have had to repair! Filson is going crazy! Also, you might mention the navy pea coat! I mean ISSUE, not some knock off. Ebay has them, Army Navy surplus, on line. Mine is 50 years old, 28oz. wool and amazing! Yes, you can work in it, abuse it and it laughs at you! And...the huge, wrap around collar with throat button (massive buttons) has saved me countless times in the wind, salt water, sleet and snow. Shake it off and its good to go! Also, you can brush off beer, stains, etc. and, they are satin lined with deep pockets and inside pocket. I'd put my 50 year old pea coat against ANY Filson cruiser of that or any other era. Tough, reliable, warm, water resistant, socially acceptable in the woods, on the street and on a date. Classic, American and tough.
Got a navy peacoat from my father in law from when he was in Korea, so it's pretty old. It has a much slimmer cut and shorter sleeves for a medium. But it's dense with a nice long collar that can be popped to protect from wind. Will probably wear it until it completely falls apart. I can't say all vintage clothes were quality but there are definitely pieces out there that can last another lifetime.
Are the hand warmer pockets on the cruiser big? I just finally got a Filson Mackinaw Jac-Shirt . I've been wanting one forever and didn't like the limited colors the past few years until this new one. I missed out on the Dark Military Plaid which was amazing but sold out. The hand warmer pockets are CAVERNOUS! Normal opening, but WOW I can fit quite a bit inside that pocket. What a pleasant surprise.
Agreed. Great video. So many clothing companies are price gauging like crazy, increasing prices just because they can. I don’t mind paying for quality and longevity (which is rare in an industry of essentially “disposable” clothing. I would still buy the jacket if it is going to last me 30 plus years…..that is IF the new ones will still last as well as the old ones have.
While I don’t own a Kromer Mackinaw jacket, I do love their wool hats. I do, however, have a vintage 1960s Coast Guard peacoat. Last year, I also purchased a Varusteleka wool fleece jacket. It’s nice and toasty (if a little itchy), and very modern with velcro wrist closures and patch panels.
Stormy Kromer is where it's at? I got mine half off in late season a couple of years ago.
Although I don't own the wool jacket my experience with Big Bill workwear has been really good. I have a bunch of their 9oz flannel shirts that have held up really well and it seems like most of their stuff is made in Canada and the US. Gostwear is a Montreal based store so that makes sense.
I bought the legendary white tails in black and red.
Update: I sent it back because it feels cheap. The shell does not feel like wool at all. I have a jacket that is 30% wool and it feels closer to a 100% wool jacket than the legendary white tails which claims 61% wool in the shell.
I own several Filson garments, but I will never buy another. The one time I had to return a garment, they told me they would not repair or replace it because I had spilled bleach on it. I absolutely, positively, did not get bleach within 100 feet of it at any point, but they were sure they knew more than me and would not repair or replace it. I don't mind paying premium prices for premium products and premium customer service, but Filson has neither.
Nothing beats wool for warmth water repellent and durability! I still have wool shirts I have from high school and I graduated in 1975. 🦌🌲🦅
What I think you forgot would be weather wool it's heavier denser that comes in two different styles pull over and jacket lot of colors price is up there too
I might not get it, but spending more than $200 on any fabric jacket is crazy to me. There's maybe $50 of wool in the Filson, no amount of heritage is going to make it worth it in my mind.
I bought a “ Codet “ green wool coat with insulation , and a green shirt jac with no insulation and no lining, it has a shoulder cape. Bought them around 2005, I think. I believe both are 24 oz wool.....very warm, still have both....I can not find them any place now, maybe out of business ? Made in Canada... Thanks for the vid and information, good to know.
Big Bill is what Codet used to be in Canada. I also have a Codet wool coat and pants from 2000. Still going strong.
I wanted a Filson cruser they can keep it for all I care
Try the outlet stores also. Or work there, employee said there discount is 70% off of retail. Makes you wonder what there true cost is at the company.
Heads up about the wool used in the jacket this year. No longer made by Pendleton. It is an Italian wool company. The jacket has a different feel to it. May be a bit lighter in feel. A Softer wool and the hang is more draped over the body. Bad?.. hmmm depends on what you want.... Still a nice jacket.
Get ready to make a video about alternatives for the the tin cloth short lined cruiser because something tells me its price is gonna go from $350 to $450, whenever it goes back in stock.
I have a Johnston Woolen Mill wool shirt/jac. It is great. It is very soft, and is worth a good look.
I love them but I'd prefer a coat that doesn't shrink in the rain. Any recommendations?