Filson Bag Thread: With Pictures

[Samgoody]

At some point, I realized I had accumulated more Filson bags than I could use in my lifetime. I was traveling weekly, and in a sort of Battle Royale of luggage over months due to traveling so much, practicality won out and I found myself only using my black Filson Ranger backpack (1st Gen with leather trim) and a YKK zipper era tan tote.

Every time I tried something else in rotation I would go back to the Ranger and tote the next trip (which are probably my most inexpensive and modest Filson bags). I even tried a roller bag but I found it slow and clumsy outside of the smooth surfaces of hotels and airport terminals
My travel involves planes, trains, Uber/taxi and a lot of walking so it’s not surprising that a backpack won out (I found the compartmentalization of the Journeyman limited capacity too much versus the sack like Ranger and in some places I prefer no outer pockets for security).

The other thing is I kept noticing that the % of overseas manufactured Filson goods was increasing each season along with the pricing (particularly on clothing but even on new bags like the latest Journeyman) that it became farless enticing to purchase anything new from Filson since there were plenty of other options if I wanted to buy something made overseas - and like I said - I was basically using the same two Filson bags anyway! Anyway this is not a tirade against Filson’s overseas manufacturing per se but an explanation how I went from being a rabid fan to someone who rarely posts on this thread anymore. Maybe there are others in the same camp.

It's incredible how handy and useful the plain ol' zippered tote is. I use it as my EDC "briefcase" for work, but it's fantastic for weekend leisure travel, you could even use it as a workout bag, etc. Lightweight, great pockets, perfect length shoulder straps. Bought mine more than 15 years ago and it's still breaking in.

 

[mgrennier]

At some point, I realized I had accumulated more Filson bags than I could use in my lifetime. I was traveling weekly, and in a sort of Battle Royale of luggage over months due to traveling so much, practicality won out and I found myself only using my black Filson Ranger backpack (1st Gen with leather trim) and a YKK zipper era tan tote.

Every time I tried something else in rotation I would go back to the Ranger and tote the next trip (which are probably my most inexpensive and modest Filson bags). I even tried a roller bag but I found it slow and clumsy outside of the smooth surfaces of hotels and airport terminals
My travel involves planes, trains, Uber/taxi and a lot of walking so it’s not surprising that a backpack won out (I found the compartmentalization of the Journeyman limited capacity too much versus the sack like Ranger and in some places I prefer no outer pockets for security).

The other thing is I kept noticing that the % of overseas manufactured Filson goods was increasing each season along with the pricing (particularly on clothing but even on new bags like the latest Journeyman) that it became farless enticing to purchase anything new from Filson since there were plenty of other options if I wanted to buy something made overseas - and like I said - I was basically using the same two Filson bags anyway! Anyway this is not a tirade against Filson’s overseas manufacturing per se but an explanation how I went from being a rabid fan to someone who rarely posts on this thread anymore. Maybe there are others in the same camp.

Hey Soletrane. Good to hear from you again as it's been a minute.

I get it about having too many Filson bags. I think three things have caused this board to be less active.

1. The pandemic hit and most of us stopped traveling. Even car trips were very limited - thus less interest in the bags
2. Filson has shifted much of it's manufacturing overseas and some of the 'made in the USA' vibe is gone. Products are still good quality, just the price jump cannot be justified, especially among the loyalists (defined as nearly everyone on this site)
3. A Facebook group has become quite active, with quite a few members from this forum. That has seemingly taken off which has created a styleforum vacuum.

In any case, it's good to hear from you again. Hope you're doing well.

 

[TinMan3]

It’s an undeniable fact that the platform for the Facebook group is superior to Styleforum. It’s more user friendly and easier interact and moderate. I will say though that in it’s prime this thread was an exceptional group of people with like interests that got to know each other on a personal level and Filson was just the catalyst to make that happen. Still think about a handful of my core fellows weekly if not more often, so in my mind it’s a very different thing from the Facebook group which is closer to a large fan club than a group of dudes that in the right situation would love to go camping together and enjoy a good whiskey around the campfire.

I’m with @mgrennier that the pandemic played a huge roll in decreasing activity. The other lmajor driver In my eyes is the general disdain for the direction the company is headed. Testing the limits on how much they can gouge out of their customers. It’s not really something people like those on this forum are happy with or proud of. It doesn’t make me want to brag or talk positively about the company. Finally, life circumstances have changed for most everyone on this forum since the beginning of the pandemic, my wife had a baby and I changed jobs and I don’t think I’m the only ones whose life simply isn’t the same as it was.

I still think all of you folks are awesome and love seeing people find their grail item and be stoked about it. I hope this thread stays alive and well for the long term. Obligatory pic of the daily drivers, still in action.

 

[mgrennier]

It’s an undeniable fact that the platform for the Facebook group is superior to Styleforum. It’s more user friendly and easier interact and moderate. I will say though that in it’s prime this thread was an exceptional group of people with like interests that got to know each other on a personal level and Filson was just the catalyst to make that happen. Still think about a handful of my core fellows weekly if not more often, so in my mind it’s a very different thing from the Facebook group which is closer to a large fan club than a group of dudes that in the right situation would love to go camping together and enjoy a good whiskey around the campfire.

I’m with @mgrennier that the pandemic played a huge roll in decreasing activity. The other lmajor driver In my eyes is the general disdain for the direction the company is headed. Testing the limits on how much they can gouge out of their customers. It’s not really something people like those on this forum are happy with or proud of. It doesn’t make me want to brag or talk positively about the company. Finally, life circumstances have changed for most everyone on this forum since the beginning of the pandemic, my wife had a baby and I changed jobs and I don’t think I’m the only ones whose life simply isn’t the same as it was.

I still think all of you folks are awesome and love seeing people find their grail item and be stoked about it. I hope this thread stays alive and well for the long term. Obligatory pic of the daily drivers, still in action.

View attachment 1843267

All true TinMan. I think there are quite a few of us that have actually met people on this forum (although no one knows for sure what @Soletrane looks like. LOL).

I was at a summer party the other day and a friend (who I've known for YEARS) showed up with a tan Filson tote. Instant respect for him!

 

[mgrennier]

All true TinMan. I think there are quite a few of us that have actually met people on this forum (although no one knows for sure what @Soletrane looks like. LOL).

I was at a summer party the other day and a friend (who I've known for YEARS) showed up with a tan Filson tote. Instant respect for him!

Plus, inside that tote was 2 bottles of whiskey, bitters, and Luxardo cherries. That may have helped.

 

[A JEDI IM]

Plus, inside that tote was 2 bottles of whiskey, bitters, and Luxardo cherries. That may have helped.

With what he was packin’, the friend became a better friend!

 

[spacemanvt]

Question about the Flag blue color zipper tote

Is this color a one off or will it come back around again? I saw my friends in person and am kicking myself for not ordering one.

 

[FilsonDude]

Question about the Flag blue color zipper tote

Is this color a one off or will it come back around again? I saw my friends in person and am kicking myself for not ordering one.

this blue?

these three colors came out at the same time and were a limited run.

 

[spacemanvt]

this blue?

these three colors came out at the same time and were a limited run.

View attachment 1847968

Exactly that one. Dang, I guess I'll need to hunt around to find one or just get a normal color one. Any good resources to find one at a reasonable price? Ebay has gone crazy

 

[letsi]

Hi guys, haven't been in this thread for a while and glad to see it's still alive and reving up once more
Just checking in to see if anyone is keen to purchase a 242 Olive Large Carry-on from the talon zippers era?
It's sitting in my store for a while and I've not had the chance to use since purchasing it back in late 2019...
Would love for it to go to a good home, couple of caveats is that there's a black strike on the filson label indicating it's most likely a sale cart item way back and there're couple of small glue/adhesive stains on the front flap.
I'll post up the pics if there're interest for it here. Cheers!

 

[mohamed alfaris]

Just got 48 hour in cinder , didn’t like the color on twill ( only saw it in photos), but it looks nice on the tin canvas, more deep grey. Very similar to the store photos.
I expected it to be bigger , more depth, I can’t put folded shirt on it’s back , only maybe on the side with cube.
i was leaning towards the Oliver green but it wasn’t in stock, now it is if any wants one.

 

[BLNDRWMN]

Exactly that one. Dang, I guess I'll need to hunt around to find one or just get a normal color one. Any good resources to find one at a reasonable price? Ebay has gone crazy

Checked a great store I know of for you and they have one in stock--their last one. HepCat is in Sweden; they ship promptly and are great to deal with internationally (I'm in Australia). I bought my 24H in Cinder from them before it was available in the US. Price is $308 ex-VAT, I think that's maybe 30$ more than retail but probably cheaper than eBay for this item now! I recall my 24H from these guys was a similar price to US RRP. Shipping was around 20$ for DHL, very fast.

Filson - Tote Bag w/ Zipper - Flag Blue LTD EDITION

Buy Filson - Tote Bag w/ Zipper - Flag Blue LTD EDITION from HepCat Store in Lund, Sweden. Fast worldwide shipping at fixed rates and safe payments with Klarna, PayPal and credit card. Tough, weather-resistant zippered bag with countless uses. Filson classic Tote Bag with Zipper, built with our...

www.hepcat.se

 

[spacemanvt]

Checked a great store I know of for you and they have one in stock--their last one. HepCat is in Sweden;

Thank you!

 

[linablair]

Hi guys, haven't been in this thread for a while and glad to see it's still alive and reving up once more
Just checking in to see if anyone is keen to purchase a 242 Olive Large Carry-on from the talon zippers era?
It's sitting in my store for a while and I've not had the chance to use since purchasing it back in late 2019...
Would love for it to go to a good home, couple of caveats is that there's a black strike on the filson label indicating it's most likely a sale cart item way back and there're couple of small glue/adhesive stains on the front flap.
I'll post up the pics if there're interest for it here. Cheers!

Just here to say that this is my favorite piece of luggage! I’ve got one in navy.

 

[Samgoody]

Made in America news re: Filson-adjacent bag maker J.W. Hulme, maker of the famous Gokey bags.

After a customer revolt, leathermaker J.W. Hulme returns to its made-in-U.S. heritage

The remodeled St. Paul store reopens Monday. Also returning: the lifetime guarantee on its bags and other canvas and leather goods.

www.startribune.com