Filson Bag Thread: With Pictures

[Tom Lebrando]

The leather straps on your brown 258 look great! My brown 258’s leather straps look just like the OG 258 that you have placed beside the brown one :/ $189 is a fantastic price for it!

I was thinking how did you manage to get your LTB past the cabin attendants at the boarding gate at that kind of carrying capacity. I suppose it’s mostly car travels when you’re using it as you have mentioned...

Thanks letsi. The leather on the brown 258 is newer and has the more translucent look than the older models. It also has the newer black label. Is your brown 258 the older label with the "Might as well have the best motto"? That might be why the leather is is different ... BTW just for clarification the green 258 next to the brown 258 is the heavy tin (HT) version, moss color, not OG. The earlier post of my beater 258 is OG and really faded at that.

The LTB works carry-on since it is technically 45" linear length. If you underpack it is more stealth and won't raise eyebrows from flight attendents. A nice smile and jovial banter with flight attendants helps to distract from your bag too ..... But yeah I think I only flew once with it, no problems.

 

[letsi]

Thanks letsi. The leather on the brown 258 is newer and has the more translucent look than the older models. It also has the newer black label. Is your brown 258 the older label with the "Might as well have the best motto"? That might be why the leather is is different ... BTW just for clarification the green 258 next to the brown 258 is the heavy tin (HT) version, moss color, not OG. The earlier post of my beater 258 is OG and really faded at that.

The LTB works carry-on since it is technically 45" linear length. If you underpack it is more stealth and won't raise eyebrows from flight attendents. A nice smile and jovial banter with flight attendants helps to distract from your bag too ..... But yeah I think I only flew once with it, no problems.

Yeah, mines made in 2011 so it comes with the older label. Yours probably with this label?

I should visit my filson retail shop soon if the newer leather are similar to the one you’re showing with the brown 258

Apologies for mixing up the HT258 from OG! Still beating myself up for giving up on one of those on Fleabay...

 

[Tom Lebrando]

Oh man, it’s fantatic. Looks better every day. I’ve added some good patina with a couple of incidents over the last 6 months too. The 261 has been my new go-to lately tho. It’s been a perfect every-day bag.

View attachment 967667

The 261's really are perfect day bags. They do good double duty as day / travel bags when you've flown to other cities. Yours looks really good. That twill must be pretty soft now after 20+ years. Leather too.

 

[Tom Lebrando]

Yeah, mines made in 2011 so it comes with the older label. Yours probably with this label?

I should visit my filson retail shop soon if the newer leather are similar to the one you’re showing with the brown 258

Apologies for mixing up the HT258 from OG! Still beating myself up for giving up on one of those on Fleabay...

Yeah it's definitely current model with that label. Hey don't beat yourself up there'll be another that floats by on the big auction board!

 

[Tom Lebrando]

Haha, let’s just leave it at that yah. That said, great pics all around! Here’re what remains of my Filson litter in my canvas bag corner after some trimming recently. Glad to say half of the Filson released twill colors are represented other than black, white and red. I do catch myself lusting for the HT 256 from time to time :/
View attachment 967668

Love that Tweed accented briefcase. Looks like some pretty good fading on the green twill too!

 

[yopossum]

Welcome Dave, I'm new myself but bought a 256. I have never had my hands on a 257. As far as the 256 goes, it is a great size but if you tend to want to carry a lot of extras, you could but it's more comfortable without them. It sort of helps you to be minimalist. In mine for everyday, I have a 13" MacBook Air, charger, cables, 2-3 external drives, some flash drives, a few pens, a small notebook, and some odd adapters for the air. Also a pack of dog treats. It works very well for me. Hope this helps! You could start with a 256, then get a 257, then get a LTB, maybe a duffle, and then some larger bags, locks, etc.. It's gonna be a slippery slope.

 

[letsi]

Also, just wanted to add......Coming from bags with more external exterior pockets for organization, and even some with an Admin Panel pocket (the 258 kinda has this exterior pocket), I was looking on google images of some "purse bag organizers" and got some pretty cool ideas. It would be nice to drop something like these inside the more open bag like a Filson.

But, the more I read and appreciate the Filson ruggedness, the more that idea seams sacrilegious. Why would I buy a nice rugged twill and leather beautiful Filson bag if I'm going to drop in a damn nylon piece of crap/not matching in design at all, type of thing to change the bag. Might as well look at other bags then, right?

I feel that for me personally, I will just be able to re-organize placement of things in my head, and will eventually just get used to the Filson type of setup. Its just different for me really, nothing more. Even most backpacks have the pen and miscellaneous pocket on the outside, apart from the main cavernous pockets.

But, with Filson, its almost more like the smaller things go directly in the middle of the bag, in between the books or laptop or whatever. So, just a different type of organization I suppose. Hey, I like changing it up anyways, there is probably some negatives to having my small nic-nac pocket (usually with expensive items anyway) being on the outside where someone can just unzip and steal something if you fall asleep on a train or something....

Anyone feel similar? Or different? I would love to hear some general concept type thoughts on your opinions of how these bags (probably 257-ish type bags) handle your smaller Admin panel type stuff?

Again, I tend to think about the pockets and what I now need to buy to fill them lol. I've always been like that. New bag means new pocket knife and small flashlight just to keep in that bag, some new pens and accessories for the smaller pockets, etc. Even a nice new leather type of notebook/journal (still to research and find) for notes that goes well with the feel of the rugged Filson feel....

And, usually this could end up going further in more of a general change up for me. Perhaps a new wallet, watch.....I don't know! It could go anywhere!!!
(actually that reminds me, i keep forgetting to drop of my redwings for new soles since mine finally ripped through lol, i know, unrelated)


Yea......I'm that guy I guess......


just loving this thread so far though, and real glad I found this forum. Big trouble for the old wallet though...

dave

I would say the dimensions of the 258 in the main storage area is almost exactly the same as 257 other than the fact that it has the extra “pouch” in the front to serve as an extra pocket. Why I said almost is due to the fact that capacity of 258 is negated by having “additional” foam cushioning inbuilt to the bag’s sides. I’ve personally modified the internal dividers and removing some of these foam cushion as I found them adding on weight, taking up space while not exactly adding on protection for the side of the bag that has the front “pouch”.

I apologize again for this blasphemous act but I found that my 258 did have more allowance to stow bulky items after my modification. Gadgets in the front pouch while packing cubes goes to the main compartment. I thought they really should offer a 258 with front pocket configuration like the 24hours tin briefcase but I guess that would come too close to the 48hrs duffel so prob no luck on that end...

Love that Tweed accented briefcase. Looks like some pretty good fading on the green twill too!

Thanks for the appreciation, I’m a bit torn myself if I should rewax the twill back to OG as it’s fading towards Tan color...

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

Hi all -

I just wanted to say a quick thanks to everyone. I reached a decision and have a Vermilyea Pelle standard briefcase in-bound in a few weeks. I appreciate all the advice and discussion from everyone here - I have learned much. I look forward adding a larger Filson for longer trips soon.

Cheers

View attachment 967291

So you're posting on a Filson forum with many obsessive members and you're saying that you'd rather have a Vermilyea Pelle instead...ouch!!! I guess it's my fault for sharing that review, I guess we lost another one boys.

HAHA in all seriousness; enjoy your incoming VP, they have some quality stuff (even if it is Filson-inspired stuff). That screenshot you posted does look very nice, although I gotta have my storm flap.

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

Hey, thanks! Makes me feel a bit better now. So, I did see some of those pics already but that thread helps out for sure. In the picture you attached here, it almost looks like the 258 is just a tad bit more slim than the 257, which obviously isn't the case looking at the measurements. Since I can't get all 3 right now lol, i'm more between the 257 and 258, although it scares me how many people say the 258 is that much more bulky in every day use. Thanks for the help so far!

Yeah that picture totally does a disservice to just how big the #258/70258 is, which is basically a #257 with a front pouch installed. I love the pics that @Tom Lebrando provided of his Otter Green version (he's a fellow Talon/OG appreciator). Team d'OG baby!!

eBay is your best bet for Filson, but one must tread carefully, as there are some detractors and scam artists on there. Make sure you vet one photo posters and avoid those utilize stock photo listings (even if their prices are rock bottom low). If it were me I would avoid buying a #70257 and focus mainly on the #257. The #70257 indicates when Bedrock took control and they changed production materials and redesigned it a little; so a pre-2012 build date is what you want to lookout for. When I say "changed production materials" I mean the eventual usage of a lighter weight interior twill or the usage of shelter cloth (as found in the front pouch of the #70258). Bedrock also added bottoms to the 3 main compartment pockets sewn into the laptop storage divider (which some might argue is better but I enjoy the open design).

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

I'm a little surprised that I didn't get much of a response from my Rolling Carry On discussion with Filson's CS Dept. They (or he) basically just admitted that they won't repair or replace it after a year or so, if the zipper fails, and rather force you to buy a brand new bag. Also what I found to be alarming is that he said unless you are buying from Filson direct or an authorized dealer, then you're not covered by their "Lifetime Warranty". So I guess according to Eric, that includes eBay? How would they prove that anyways?

BTW I found it kinda amusing that my CS Rep was named Eric and we were in a way arguing a little, as that is my twin brothers name...and that is what twins do best...argue

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

Also, just wanted to add......Coming from bags with more external exterior pockets for organization, and even some with an Admin Panel pocket (the 258 kinda has this exterior pocket), I was looking on google images of some "purse bag organizers" and got some pretty cool ideas. It would be nice to drop something like these inside the more open bag like a Filson.

But, the more I read and appreciate the Filson ruggedness, the more that idea seams sacrilegious. Why would I buy a nice rugged twill and leather beautiful Filson bag if I'm going to drop in a damn nylon piece of crap/not matching in design at all, type of thing to change the bag. Might as well look at other bags then, right?

I feel that for me personally, I will just be able to re-organize placement of things in my head, and will eventually just get used to the Filson type of setup. Its just different for me really, nothing more. Even most backpacks have the pen and miscellaneous pocket on the outside, apart from the main cavernous pockets.

But, with Filson, its almost more like the smaller things go directly in the middle of the bag, in between the books or laptop or whatever. So, just a different type of organization I suppose. Hey, I like changing it up anyways, there is probably some negatives to having my small nic-nac pocket (usually with expensive items anyway) being on the outside where someone can just unzip and steal something if you fall asleep on a train or something....

Anyone feel similar? Or different? I would love to hear some general concept type thoughts on your opinions of how these bags (probably 257-ish type bags) handle your smaller Admin panel type stuff?

Again, I tend to think about the pockets and what I now need to buy to fill them lol. I've always been like that. New bag means new pocket knife and small flashlight just to keep in that bag, some new pens and accessories for the smaller pockets, etc. Even a nice new leather type of notebook/journal (still to research and find) for notes that goes well with the feel of the rugged Filson feel....

And, usually this could end up going further in more of a general change up for me. Perhaps a new wallet, watch.....I don't know! It could go anywhere!!!
(actually that reminds me, i keep forgetting to drop of my redwings for new soles since mine finally ripped through lol, i know, unrelated)


Yea......I'm that guy I guess......


just loving this thread so far though, and real glad I found this forum. Big trouble for the old wallet though...

dave

I may not be the most organized on here, but I am just in love with the front stash pocket of the #257 (the storm flap snap side). Right now I have a iPhone battery pack, headphones, lighting cable, space pen, usb, lip balm, and wallet all in there.

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

@speedy611

OG LTB vs HT LD shown for comparison.

LTB is definitely shorter in width and maybe a little taller than LD. That HT bag is H E A V Y .... and can't imagine carrying too long without getting shoulder burn. I just use it for long road trips where it just gets thrown in back of the pickup. I'd say the LD is about 50% bigger in volume.

View attachment 967564 View attachment 967565

Awesome photos! What did you pack into the LTB to make it look that way, a quilt lol?

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

Thanks letsi. The leather on the brown 258 is newer and has the more translucent look than the older models. It also has the newer black label. Is your brown 258 the older label with the "Might as well have the best motto"? That might be why the leather is is different ... BTW just for clarification the green 258 next to the brown 258 is the heavy tin (HT) version, moss color, not OG. The earlier post of my beater 258 is OG and really faded at that.

The LTB works carry-on since it is technically 45" linear length. If you underpack it is more stealth and won't raise eyebrows from flight attendents. A nice smile and jovial banter with flight attendants helps to distract from your bag too ..... But yeah I think I only flew once with it, no problems.

I'm about as particular with what fade my Otter Greens have then I am with what zippers they utilize. I love a good fade on my Filson's (but one that has done it naturally and in a preserved kind of way)

Below is my mid-late 1990’s #257 and my 2003 #261; which are notably distinguishable in their Otter Green shades:

 

[speedy611]

Awesome photos! What did you pack into the LTB to make it look that way, a quilt lol?

@Tom Lebrando - thanks for those fantastic photos of the duffle and LTB. That heavy tin is stunning.

More generally, looking at the various photos of the 258s over the last few pages, I’m reminded that for business use, one way to make any of the briefcases look smarter is just to remove the shoulder strap. To my eye, a ‘briefcase’ is has only carry handles. The strap tends to add visual clutter. Very subjective of course, but I think that makes more difference than the colour.

To add to the 261 love, here is a repost of 2 flavours...

 

[GzStudio]

Yeah that small carry-on was a late 90's grad school thing. But oh man I love me some heavy tin ... I have that HT open tote too (gets a grocery getting workout every other day). I think Soletrane has one for his workouts at the gym. Also picked up the zippered tote in HT as well. Used primarily for air travel for low-key look. Since GZ is THE Filson bag hookup specialist I wonder if he has the small field bag in heavy tin ???? Howz your weatherproof briefcase working for you? That new leather is tempting especially if it was in a 240 carry-on format.

The small field bag is the only bag that I have not had in heavy tin (outside of that monstrous tote/briefcase deisign that they had). I currently have the open tote, 256 and 258 (brand new) in heavy tin. I use the 256 and open tote a lot.

weatherproof is just fine. It is actually larger (taller) than the regular 256 and seems to have a bit more volume as well. Still trying to source a weatherproof duffle.