Quote:
Originally Posted by
broken_oracle 
Was happy to find this thread. I spent much of my youth backpacking, camping, fishing & canoeing around the Midwest and currently work half in the trades, half in the arts. Yet I had never heard of Filson at all until I stumbled upon an incredibly well-made flannel shirt in a secondhand store down here on the southside of Chicago. Had to buy it for the $7 they were asking, even though it was several sizes too large - ended up giving it to a friend. The shirt was new with the tags on; the label said "Filson", I looked that up online, and bingo. Everything should be built that well.
However, no one in Illinois seems to carry Filson clothes or gear [except a small flyfishing shop with limited stock], and so I'm left to buy blind online. I hear their clothes run large... if I wear a size 40R when it comes to your average suit or Carhartt jacket, should I get the size 40 double mackinaw or a 38? Keep in mind I've got some orangutan arms here, and my combination of slim rib cage/wide shoulders/lanky arms has always caused problems with fitting (6' 1.5", 170 lbs, 32w x 34i, 12D shoes). I spend a lot of time outside all winter long, which on the shores of Lake Michigan is none too pleasant - was wearing four layers today, and I'm hoping a coat like this will cut it down to two. Plus it will probably last the rest of my life, and won't look as bulky or haggard as my beat-up N3B parka.
Related: What is Crane's exchange policy, for reasons of size?
"There's no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing."
We exchange no problem, just leave the tags on. The shipping is on you of course.
Consider buying a 40 Long double mac. You could probably get away with a 38 but don't expect to layer under it if you do.
What fly shop is carrying Filson? I'm a fly fishing fiend and lived on the south side for eons. I made it a point to hit all the fly shops around there.
If you're into serious bass fishing hit a place called Manhattan/Monee Reservoir. Best kept largemouth secret in the area.