Filson Bag Thread: With Pictures

[mgrennier]

Nevadabob, you didn't like the Filson bear patch? I thought it was pretty nice. Is it the overt branding? Or did you want to customize more?

It's funny about patches. I've NEVER had one on any of my gear. Just can't get used to the permanency of them.

Probably same reason why I've never had a sticker on any of my cars, nor laptops. And no tattoos either...

#committalissues

 

[Soletrane]

Patches were popular in the 70s when 'backpackers' used to sew these patches on their gear to show the countries they visited or the places they have hiked. Others just sewed it on their denim jackets (or 'jean jackets' as we used to say in Canada).

I toyed with the idea of putting patches for every country I have been on my 242. But a lot of my travel is now behind me and it seems like I would be mostly now shopping online for country patches rather than buying them overseas. Worse yet, I don't like the idea of gluing patches - and sewing each patch on to heavy canvas seemed too involved (or expensive) to bother.

 

[nevadabob]

Hey, bart - I've often thought Filson should make a mason bag like the one you have pictured. I'm just one person, but I'd buy one!

soletrane - yeah, the patch was too much. I have always liked my Filson to say Filson without actually saying Filson...knowwudimean? However, I don't love how obvious the missing patch is. Perhaps it will fade over time.

tinman - no need to buy it back. It's yours if you want it. Just send me that address again.

 

[bart]

Hey, bart - I've often thought Filson should make a mason bag like the one you have pictured. I'm just one person, but I'd buy one!
...

The downfall of the Filson duffles to me is the narrow straight single zip opening. The mason type opens up much more and is easier to use. I'd prefer just a more squared off top profile and a U shaped zipper, which was basically like the old travel bags, I think they were called.

I have that duffle and a Klein tool bag in the mason style and they both have been good. That Jeep bag is over 15 years old (close to 20) and has served me well.

 

[bart]

I am also firmly in the no group on the overpriced leather pack and fabric handle bags. I won't rehash what's been said about prices and becoming a lifestyle brand many times before.

 

[jbarwick]

So I ended up picking up the dark brown non-zipper tote for Sierra Trading for $99. My foray into totes made me look at all leather versions but I really like the Filson tote...I was just drawn to it from the beginning of my search.

 

[speedy611]

Patches were popular in the 70s when 'backpackers' used to sew these patches on their gear to show the countries they visited or the places they have hiked. Others just sewed it on their denim jackets (or 'jean jackets' as we used to say in Canada).

I toyed with the idea of putting patches for every country I have been on my 242. But a lot of my travel is now behind me and it seems like I would be mostly now shopping online for country patches rather than buying them overseas. Worse yet, I don't like the idea of gluing patches - and sewing each patch on to heavy canvas seemed too involved (or expensive) to bother.

I’m with @mgrennier on this. I like my bags understated and tend not to like images or logos enough to want to see them on my stuff permanently.
No tattoos for me either for similar reasons.
All that said: here is an unusual combo - my gig vest with 20+ patches over the top of my soy lined short cruiser. The gig was Sunn O))), which was amazing.

 

[Soletrane]

So I ended up picking up the dark brown non-zipper tote for Sierra Trading for $99. My foray into totes made me look at all leather versions but I really like the Filson tote...I was just drawn to it from the beginning of my search.

Nice. The open tote has been my gym bag (good ventilation!) for years. And now more recently, it's my son's bag to carry a huge load of standardized test prep materials, plus portable dvd player, pencils, calculator, texts. It works well for this purpose and since it's open top, it's quick and easy access and loading.

 

[mgrennier]

I’m with @mgrennier on this. I like my bags understated and tend not to like images or logos enough to want to see them on my stuff permanently.
No tattoos for me either for similar reasons.
All that said: here is an unusual combo - my gig vest with 20+ patches over the top of my soy lined short cruiser. The gig was Sunn O))), which was amazing.

View attachment 1269395

Now that I think about it, I have an old motorcycle vest with a bunch of patches from my Sturgis trip during (one of) my mid-life crisis periods. I had some kind of skull and crossbones thing and a "I rode mine" patch to memorialize my Sturgis trip. I may have had a couple other ones on that but that was a one-time thing and I'm pretty sure I've not worn it since (also sold my motorcycle a few years ago too (2006 blacked-out Victory Vegas)).

Maybe it will make a good Halloween costume one day!

I almost got a tattoo on that trip. Had a few adult pops at lunchtime, wandered into a temporary tattoo parlor and got really close to jumping in the chair. I think I sobered up when I met the tattoo artist. His name? "Chaos". That sobered me up pretty quickly!

Sorry for the digression. Back to your normally scheduled Filson show.

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

It's funny about patches. I've NEVER had one on any of my gear. Just can't get used to the permanency of them.

Probably same reason why I've never had a sticker on any of my cars, nor laptops. And no tattoos either...

#committalissues

No tattoos for me either...yet. But I’m a car decal fiend. What’s your consensus on button pins? I love the way mine looks on my 257. I imagine it will look even better with fading

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

So I ended up picking up the dark brown non-zipper tote for Sierra Trading for $99. My foray into totes made me look at all leather versions but I really like the Filson tote...I was just drawn to it from the beginning of my search.

A little late of a welcome, but greetings to a fellow Cars We Drive member. Welcome to the best Filson conversation on the internet. Is your Tote your first Filson purchase?

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

Some classic eBay posts I know you guys all miss from me

1. $250 gets you a like new First Edition YKK Era #264 in Otter Green. Included are the dividers but no strap...hmmmmm usually the other way around with these Sportsman's

Filson Field Bag 264 0103 6681 | eBay

(One C.C. Filson bag you will never wear out. Includes 2 snap-in dividers to section off your gear. See pics and catalogue pages. (Yes, I kept all my Filson catalogues). Price dropped from what was a bit high).

www.ebay.com

2. @speedy611 this reminds me of that large Otter Green lot you purchased months ago, for $300 per bag it's a pretty good buy if you're hankering for covering most of your yearly Filson wants and needs. Not sure what era they are, but they look mostly in like new condition.

Filson Bag Lot XL Outfitter bag, Large Carry On Bag, Sportsman Bag All OD Green | eBay

<p dir="ltr">Filson Bag Lot XL Outfitter bag, Large Carry On Bag, Sportsman Bag All OD Green . Condition is Pre-owned. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.<br> Thanks for checking out my sale. I used all these bags when I was traveling for officiating wrestling and football. The XL Outfitter and the...

www.ebay.com

3. @speedy611 this one has got your name written all over it. Saw this and knew I wanted to share it with you and the group.

Rare Filson x Nanamica Red Label Messenger Bag - Green Twill, Bridle Leather | eBay

Condition is Pre-owned. cotton twill (water resistant). 12.1/2"(W) base tapers to 14.1/4"(W) top. cotton feather cloth liner.

www.ebay.com

Some things just don't mix. A heavily waxed Filson x Levi's Trucker and a Cigar stored in its pocket is certainly not one of them. Beautiful patina nonetheless.

Does this look dirty to anyone else here? I'm sure glad I chose Navy for my Journeyman, as the Journeyman in Tan doesn't age like the Tan we all know and love. Or maybe you guys like it and I'm off my rocker.

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

It gets better.....my gosh the price.

Filson

www.filson.com

Move over Saddleback Leather, there's a new player in town.

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

and still giddy with my old faithfuls 256 and beartooth Jac shirt getting a little work done this morning at a little known coffee shop called Starbucks. Highly recommended!

I am happy that you are still satisfied with your investments. I too am still giddy with my First Edition Navy Journeyman. I use it 5 days a week. One of these days I will dust off the #257, but I'm sure eventually it will earn it's place back in my life. I use the #264 every other Friday to travel 210 miles roundtrip to visit my friends at my Cigar Lounge, it still makes for a excellent hobby bag, holding my cigar humidor, whiskey and accessories in a neat order.

As far as recommending Starbucks, I'm a little reluctant to concur. As a former Small Business Owner of a Artisan Coffee Roastery, I still consider them to be the enemy

 

[OtterMeanGreen]

Not a Filson post but I Thought I'd take this moment to share with the group the thing that helped save my life and give it new meaning. It might seem trivial to some, but this thing has been a God-Send to me in these tough times. Whenever I am on-board my stress melts away and I am at one with my surroundings...or maybe I just have a heightened focus of not seriously hurting myself.

The best $450 I have ever spent. It’s a Electric Long Board called Ownboard WS1. It has a 12 mile range & a top speed of 25mph!! Plenty of room for my size 13 Etnies (first skateboard shoe...#giddy)

I'm sure many of you have seen one of these Electric Skateboards in urban environments, maybe even experienced the joy firsthand. Truth be told I have never skateboarded a day in my life before September. Now I’m carving some serious backroads and keeping up with traffic. It only took 2 weeks, so anything is possible with the right mindset.

It has enabled me to see some really beautiful landscapes that I blindly pass by in my car

The bottom is made of sturdy but flexible bamboo, not to mention two Samsung 6.0 Li-ion batteries with magnetic Hub Motors and a Bluetooth throttle & regenerative brake remote.

The fastest I’ve gone so far. What a ride, exhilarating doesn’t do it justice