Filson Bag Thread: With Pictures

[Principle]

Below is a link to an album I’ve created to illustrate what happens when you wash a Filson bag (Tan 257). I normally wouldn’t wash a Filson bag, but this was my school bag that sat on the floor of a low level biohazard lab every day. In addition to any microscopic organisms that may be stuck to the bottom of my bag, there was also indigo stains on the back pockets, oil stains on the corners of the bag, and various areas where the bag rubbed up against bleach disinfectant. I now use the 257 as a beach bag.

Washed the bag in a front loading washing machine, no spin cycle, cold water, and normal detergent. Dried the bag upside down in the laundry room and then left it outside for an afternoon to fully dry. Yes, the indigo stains washed off, so did all the dirt.

Result? Washing the canvas will definitely clean the bag itself, but even on the gentlest cycle, the bridle leather gets damaged. After washing, the leather was dehydrated/felt crunchy and areas that were most worn lost some of the dark brown color. The leather also became wrinkly on the surface. The zipper became wavy but also became less sharp and zipped much more quickly and smoothly.

To restore the leather, I used a heat gun and Red Wing Leather Conditioner. Melted the leather conditioner into the leather. I did this process repeatedly until the leather was soft and pliable again. Color of the leather was also restored.

Verdict: I do not recommend washing a Filson bag unless you absolutely have to. It just doesn't look the same after. I also own a navy 258, which is my workhorse bag, so I had the opportunity to compare new v. washed Filson bags.



Link to Album: http://imgur.com/a/3VqOt?gallery

I don't think that using your washing machine was the most gentle way to treat that bag. I too work in a bioengineering lab and more recently spilled some yogurt along the side (unrelated event). This proved to be too difficult to remove with a brush once it dried so I had to swallow my pride and wash the bag. I did this with some gentle soap in luke warm water and gently scrubbed the areas that needed it.

I eventually dried the bag in the sun, it has shrunk slightly, but looks much better without the stains.

One thing I noticed prior to washing was that the leather already felt dry and cracked. Any detergent will strip the oils in the leather, so it can be expected that it'll need some fresh oil and an overnight rest.

 

[goatandtricycle]

I've just snagged a medium travel in Tan for £160. Is this a good deal? If was a total impulse buy

 

[letsi]

^ I guess it's okay to pay that if you really wanted it in tan?

https://www.outlandusa.com/p/filson-70246-medium-rugged-twill-travel-bag-dark-brown
Outlandusa above is selling it for USD199 with shipping but only in dark brown

 

[goatandtricycle]

Well I'd have to pay import tax and possibly delivery for the UK

 

[letsi]



Well I'd have to pay import tax and possibly delivery for the UK

Then you have your answer

 

[Soletrane]



I've just snagged a medium travel in Tan for £160. Is this a good deal? If was a total impulse buy

This is an excellent price even in the US (250USD). Those places that still have a few of these bags left usually sell at the MSRP of $325. With the recent exception noted of $199 in brown (the least popular color). Given the price of Filson I have seen in the UK, you made out very well.

 

[Churchill W]

PSA for those who live nearby or are visiting the Tanger Outlets in Rehoboth, DE. The Orvis outlet there has a 258 and medium duffle in navy. Don't remember the price of the 258, but the duffle is $220 and I think you can use a Tanger coupon for an extra 20% off.

Sent from my Nexus 5 using Tapatalk

 

[patrick_b]

I finally got around to customizing my shoulder strap. I much prefer the older style non-padded version. However, I find it slips off my shoulder from time to time but it's still better than the padded version (IMO). Two of my Filson bags have the older shoulder pad (pictured below) and two have the newer padded style.




I always liked this custom strap I found pictured earlier in this thread:



I thought I'd combine the original 1" strap and make a larger shoulder pad, minus the padding. The leather I used is ~10oz English bridle, 10 1/2" long by 2 1/2" wide. The original is 8 1/2" long x 2 1/8" wide and a bit thinner.

My version & the original.



Pictured on my ~8 yr old 256.



Functionally, it works just as I'd hoped. The added width seems to help more than the length but it doesn't slip anymore. I bought enough leather to make a few and I already see some necessary changes. For instance, I'm afraid I didn't leave enough space between the oval punches. It may be a weak spot down the road (probably years down the road but it's en easy fix for the next version).

In the end, I'm happy with the result. It should also break in and become a bit more uniform in color over time. I'll add them to my other filson bags as well.

 

[milw50717]

That's pretty nice work. I think it makes quite a difference in the look over the padded versions.

BTW That must be the cleanest 8 year old bag I have ever seen. Hand clean with a brush every few months ?

 

[patrick_b]



That's pretty nice work. I think it makes quite a difference in the look over the padded versions.

BTW That must be the cleanest 8 year old bag I have ever seen. Hand clean with a brush every few months ?

Thanks for the kind words.

It's on the front seat of my car most days and I fly a few times a month. Guess I've been lucky, tan has stayed nice for all these years.

 

[eksoderstrom]

Many of these old tan Filson bags look a lot lighter than the tan canvas I've seen in person and in more recent photos. Has the canvas color they use changed? I thought the tan was supposed to darken with age, not fade.

 

[Mr Engineer]

Which color should I purchase? I am debating between the Olive and Tan

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Filso...l?dwvar_UL00052_Color=BRWN&contentpos=1&cgid=

 

[jeremyleediaz]

Which color should I purchase? I am debating between the Olive and Tan

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Filso...l?dwvar_UL00052_Color=BRWN&contentpos=1&cgid=

Personally a fan of tan.

You're welcome for the rhyme.

 

[patrick_b]



Many of these old tan Filson bags look a lot lighter than the tan canvas I've seen in person and in more recent photos. Has the canvas color they use changed? I thought the tan was supposed to darken with age, not fade.

They all fade over time.

 

[Soletrane]



Which color should I purchase? I am debating between the Olive and Tan

http://www.brooksbrothers.com/Filso...l?dwvar_UL00052_Color=BRWN&contentpos=1&cgid=

I would say tan - not knowing anything about your preferences or work environment. I personally would get navy because I work in a corporate work environment and the navy looks the most corporate to me. Others might choose black or brown for similar reasons.