Filson Bag Thread: With Pictures

[MarioImpemba]

During my recent travel with my Rucksack, I noticed one of the little flaps that the straps attach to is half ripped-out at the seam...
a little disappointing in a $265 backpack after 1 year of light use. My LL Bean rucksack is over 10 years old and I've loaded it up with +80 pounds on multiple occasions, with nary a loose thread. Anyway, time to try out the Filson guarantee and see what the premium I'm paying for a Filson product gets me.

I went to the Filson store in Portland yesterday, and said I needed a repair. The employee first asked if I had called customer service and then told me they don't do repairs on site... OK... I hadn't called CS because I figured it'd be better/easier to just go to the very store I purchased the damn thing. After I received some blank stares, I asked if they could ship it to be repaired for me at least, which they reluctantly took down my info and processed for me. Then I was told Filson will contact me directly to handle the claim and if I owe anything for repairs. We'll see what happens next, but so far I am less than thrilled with this purchase.

My other complaint is even with the shoulder pads I purchased from Filson, the thing is still so damn uncomfortable on the shoulders. Whomever said Filson is a fashion-piece more than functional, nailed it. I believed the domestic origins and customer service commanded the premium, but so far I am underwhelmed; maybe I expect too much.

UPDATE: I emailed Filson today asking if there were any updates, as I had not heard and took my rucksack to the Portland store over a week ago. I got a call same-day, telling me it will be covered under warranty @no-cost, and should be completed by the end of the week.

Great customer service! So far, all the American companies I've dealt with eventually came through with great service.

 

[AriGold]



UPDATE: I emailed Filson today asking if there were any updates, as I had not heard and took my rucksack to the Portland store over a week ago. I got a call same-day, telling me it will be covered under warranty @no-cost, and should be completed by the end of the week.

Great customer service! So far, all the American companies I've dealt with eventually came through with great service.

Glad to hear it worked out. Overall I think most people had decent experiences with Filson Customer Service and the quality of the product really is top notch. And Yes as i have said before, buying filson is for the style, as there are many more technically superior products on the market.

 

[hooker4186]

Pullman Lifestyle Shot.
This thing is a bottomless pit.

 

[Kwaker]

Red label navy tote is now on STP for $90 ... but be sure to wait for the 35% off coupon code before you buy.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/filson-tote-bag~p~6170w/?filterString=s~filson/&colorFamily=01

 

[MarioImpemba]

Red label navy tote is now on STP for $90 ... but be sure to wait for the 35% off coupon code before you buy.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/filson-tote-bag~p~6170w/?filterString=s~filson/&colorFamily=01

Sold-out like a mf!

 

[wdahab]

Red 257

Man, I just don't have a use for a second 257, but use one of the various discount codes (STP13 is 25% off) and it gets you down to ~$150 shipped, which is a ridiculous deal for a 257, let alone a red one.

Also, just bought a natural (red label) small field bag on the Clymb, about $100 shipped. My 257 is great, but it's overkill on days when I just have a book, an ipad, and some sun glasses. Hoping that the natural gets good patina to it.

 

[LawrenceMD]



Red 257

Man, I just don't have a use for a second 257, but use one of the various discount codes (STP13 is 25% off) and it gets you down to ~$150 shipped, which is a ridiculous deal for a 257, let alone a red one.

Also, just bought a natural (red label) small field bag on the Clymb, about $100 shipped. My 257 is great, but it's overkill on days when I just have a book, an ipad, and some sun glasses. Hoping that the natural gets good patina to it.

^Thanks!

I ended up buying it. I used the facebook coupon SFBMM5413 and got 35% off so even with tax (I didn't know STP charged tax on NY residents) it came to $141.

Damn you, wdahab I ended buying a red briefcase that's probably totally superfluous because of you.

I do recall that these were available in Europe maybe last year (the blue or red 257) but sold for exorbitant prices. But at $141? might as well.

Then again I can always just gift it (I know my wife will probably want this - I bought her a red zippered tote a couple years back and its her go-to mini-vacation/roadtrip bag.

 

[wdahab]

Yeah, completely superflous for me too. But of course, I keep thinking "it's a filson, and there may never be red ones again, and it's so cheap." But I'm going to just pretend like red won't patina as nicely over time, and honestly when would I have a real use for two of these.

 

[LawrenceMD]



Yeah, completely superflous for me too. But of course, I keep thinking "it's a filson, and there may never be red ones again, and it's so cheap." But I'm going to just pretend like red won't patina as nicely over time, and honestly when would I have a real use for two of these.

I'm jealous of places where STP doesn't charge tax, because then this will be less than $130 with shipping. At less than $130 its less superfluous.

 

[laundry day]

I'm so tempted to buy that red 257, but I have a navy 256 on the way. One one hand, it's a superfluous red bag, but on the other hand, it's cheap.

 

[Kwaker]

At $130 ... I don't think that I can pass on it even though I'm not convinced that I can rock the red. I guess I could always flip on ebay.

 

[laundry day]

Oops, I accidentally input my name, address, credit card information, and hit submit. :\

 

[wdahab]

It really is tempting, but I have to remember that instead of buying it for $130, I can just allocate that toward a pair of natty CXL something-or-others shoe-wise. If I have too many bags, it won't get enough use to get a great patina. It's stupid to buy it as a backup in case I lose my otter green 257. Some other excuse that will keep me from buying a second filson bag today.

As an aside, does anyone have experience with that "natural" small field bag, color-wise? Some places have it looking beige, others have it bleach white. Also, anyone have any feelings on how the straps on these red label bags compare to the bridle leather on normal filsons? Is it kind of a veggie-tan leather (which I'd imagine would patina great, as it darkens) or a dyed-tan (which will patina nicely, but not darken as much).

Personally, I'm hoping for a beige bag with veggie-tan straps, just because I think it won't look as pristine once I start really beating it up.

 

[milesbeyond]

For all of those that are trying to pick this up, download the iPhone or Android STP app for free shipping!

I literally have been staring at the submit button but can't do it. Already have my Otter Green 257. Wish I hit buy on the Red Label tote.

 

[OlafG]

I bought a red one as well. It was simply too good of a deal to pass on. I still want the 257 in tan as well.