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The Technical Guide from The manufacturers
Filson Materials
Your barrier against the worst that nature
can dish out
For 108 years, serious outdoorsmen have considered Filson the standard for
comfort and severe-weather protection. Beginning in 1897, Clinton C. Filson
designed his goods for the extreme conditions of the Klondike, based on the
experience of the hundreds of gold rush "Stampeders" he outfitted.
Since then, Filson has continued to develop unique, all-natural fabrics for
every outdoor condition. Whether you're active in drenching rain, brush and
briars, or severe cold and snow, Filson makes a natural fabric that will stand
up to the worst abuse, and keep functioning for many years -- in some cases for
generations.
Filson Tin Cloth
The toughness of legends -- 100% Cotton Tin Cloth in Oil or Dry Finish.
When customers try to describe just how tough our Cotton Tin Cloth is, claims of
"it actually saved my life" or "I've worn it for 50 years"
aren't uncommon. It earned the name Tin Cloth decades ago when tin was the
standard for toughness. Incredibly heavy and rugged, it's still the fabric of
choice for maximum protection against rain, wind, brush and abrasion. 12.5
oz. oil Finish Tin Cloth is the most durable, abrasion and wind resistant cloth
we make
To create the Oil Finish, our heavy, densely-woven cotton Tin Cloth is
completely soaked in a paraffin-based wax. The highly water repellent finished
fabric (12.5 oz. per yard), although very stiff at first, softens with use,
gaining character over the years. Not designed for machine washing or dry
cleaning. Clean by wiping or brushing only -- gains character with use.
11 oz. Dry Finish Tin Cloth: the same ruggedness with the convenience of
machine washability
The same tough 100% cotton Tin Cloth is pre-shrunk, then treated with a durable,
water repellent and stain resistant finish. The resulting fabric is slightly
lighter weight (11 oz. vs. 12.5 oz. per yard), has excellent breathability, is
much softer than our Oil Finish Tin Cloth and machine washable (allow for 2-3%
shrinkage). Dry Finish can be reproofed with a water repellent finish as the
water repellency diminishes with repeated washings.
Filson's Shelter Cloth
A lighter weight alternative to our Tin Cloth -- 100% Cotton in Oil or Dry
Finish
Shelter Cloth is both softer and more pliable than our Tin Cloth. Yet it's
surprisingly strong. Named after military shelter tents, this dense fabric is
made of high-quality, two-ply cotton yarns tightly woven in both directions for
added strength. Although we call this cloth 'mid weight', many would call it
'heavy-weight'. 8.5 oz. Oil Finish Shelter Cloth: when maximum protection
against rain and wind is your top priority
The perfect combination of fabric and finish for the outdoorsman who operates in
very wet conditions. Comfortable Shelter Cloth is treated with our famous
paraffin-based wax. The result is a garment that is extremely water repellent
and wind resistant, requires no break-in period and is comfortable the first
time you wear it. Not designed for machine washing or dry cleaning. Like our Oil
Finish Tin Cloth, it can be cleaned only by wiping or brushing it off, and gains
character with use.
8 oz. Dry Finish Shelter Cloth: protection and durability, plus comfort and
flexibility in a machine washable fabric.
Ideal wear for general outdoors, bird hunting and a variety of other sporting
activities. Dry Finish Shelter Cloth garments are treated with a durable, water
repellent and stain resistant finish. Rugged yet extremely flexible and
comfortable, with excellent breathability. Machine washable (allow for 2-3%
shrinkage). Dry Finish can be reproofed with a water repellent finish as the
water repellency diminishes with repeated washings.
Filson Cover Cloth
Supple, comfortable, water resistant, dense, lightweight 100% cotton in Oil
or Dry Finish
Lightweight, yet strong and durable. Tightly woven of very fine 2-ply yarns, we
developed Cover Cloth in response to requests for a natural, high performance
fabric that is breathable, with superior pliablilty, for a variety of
temperature conditions. We call this our "lightweight" fabric, but
many would call it "mid-weight."
6 oz. Oil Finish Cover Cloth combines freedom of movement with Filson rain
and wind protection
Stout 2-ply yarns are woven into a strong, dense fabric, then completely soaked
in our famous paraffin-based Oil Finish wax. The result is superior wind and
rain protection for warm conditions or strenuous activity, in a supple fabric of
remarkable comfort. Not designed for machine washing or dry cleaning. Clean by
wiping or brushing only, gains character with use. 6 oz. Dry Finish Cover
Cloth: cool, comfortable protection plus machine washable convenience
This durable 100% cotton fabric is ideal for moderate to very warm conditions.
Extremely comfortable and breathable, we've added a durable water repellent
finish that resists stains, for a highly functional and water-resistant fabric
with a wide comfort range. Machine washable (allow for 2-3% shrinkage). Durable
water repellent finish can be reproofed as the water repellency diminishes with
repeated washings.
Filson's 100% Virgin Wool
For more than a century, Filson 100% Virgin Wool has been synonymous with the
finest rugged outerwear money can buy.
It's not unusual to find Filson wool garments handed down from generation to
generation, treasured as much by the second owner as the first. That's because,
even in this age of synthetic wonder fabrics, wool continues to be the fabric of
choice for serious outdoorsmen. Naturally water repellent, wool will absorb as
much as 30% of its own weight in moisture without becoming damp or clammy. So,
it retains body warmth even when very wet.
Filson Mackinaw wool
And there is no finer wool than Filson 100% virgin Mackinaw wool. Filson wool
comes from a small band of hardy sheep in a special region of the U.S. Their
wool has thick sturdy fibers for rugged durability and warmth. Woven to our
unique specifications, it is proven to provide greater resilience, more natural
insulating qualities and superior water repellency. Whether you're caught in a
snowstorm or perspiring heavily from exertion, you can rely on Filson Mackinaw
wool to help control your body temperature and avoid hypothermia. Dry Clean. In
coats, vests, pants, bibs, hats and blankets and as an insulating layer in our
Highlander Boot.
Filson Merino worsted Wool
In sweaters, long-johns, socks, shirts, gloves and caps So smooth, so
comfortable, you won't believe it's wool. Exceptionally smooth and supple, we
start with long, fine, Merino fibers for strength and resilience. Then we give
that yarn a very tight, "worsted" twist for a firm finish that feels
good against your skin and wears well.
The technical fabric that's 100% natural
Long Filson Merino fibers are 3 1/2 times finer than a human hair. Their length
and ultra fineness result in itch-free smoothness plus remarkable strength.
Wool, nature's miracle fiber, also provides these technical benefits:
breathability, wicking, warmth even when wet, and temperature regulation in a
wide range of weather conditions. The result: unparalleled performance and
comfort.
Why we say "100% Virgin Wool"
never "100% Wool"
You may have noticed we always say "100% Virgin Wool", never just
"100% Wool".
The difference matters when you're trying to keep warm.
"Virgin" wool comes straight from the sheep, so its fibers are as long
as they can possibly be. Long fibers give Filson wool its natural strength,
warmth, and water absorbing capacity.
But "non-Virgin" wool has been previously processed in ways that
shorten or weaken the fibers. For example, much non-Virgin wool comes from
factory trimmings, whose fibers are shorter from having been cut. Manufacturers
who use such wool (we don't) often add nylon to their fabric, to reinforce the
weakened wool fibers. But nylon lacks warmth and can't absorb water -- it
subtracts the very qualities you count on in Filson wool.
That's why Filson wool coats, sweaters and long-johns are always "100%
Virgin Wool", with no nylon added, ever.
Filson Moleskin
Soft -- yet can break a chilly wind, is easy to care for and is very durable
Moleskin is a very comfortable, tightly-woven cotton fabric in use for almost
200 years. The luxurious feel of Filson's 100% Cotton Moleskin garments makes
them a pleasure to wear, yet they're plenty durable enough to keep up with your
other Filson clothing. Machine washable, allow 3-5% shrinkage.
It's speculated that cotton Moleskin was named for its likeness to the
ultra-soft fur of a mole. It has long been popular in Britain and other cooler
climates because it can block a chilly wind, is easy to care for and is very
durable. We started using Filson Moleskin for collars on our Shelter Cloth
jackets, and it was so well liked that began offering it in appropriate weights
for vests, pants and shirts. Machine wash/line dry, allow for 3-5% shrinkage.
Dry cleaning recommended for best performance.
Filson Brushed Twill
Lives up to our motto "Might As Well Have the Best"
Used in our Alaskan Guide Shirt, its quality and weight easily surpass anything
else available in this type of shirt. Beefy 100% cotton (7 oz. per square yard),
its dense weave creates durability, and helps block the wind. Yet the brushed
surface makes this fabric soft to the touch, and very comfortable, for a garment
you'll reach for every day. Machine wash/line dry, allow 2-3% shrinkage.
Filson Safari Cloth
Keeps you both cool and protected in very warm conditions
Cool, comfortable and lightweight, our 100% cotton Safari Cloth is made with
long-staple fibers for maximum durability. Two-ply yarns woven in both the warp
and weft create a strong, long-wearing fabric that breathes like only cotton can
-- keeping you both cool and protected in very warm conditions. Light (only 6
oz. per yard) and breathable, Filson's Safari Cloth is perfect for safari,
travel and general warm weather use. It's treated with a water repellent, stain
resistant finish. Machine wash/line dry. Allow for 2-3% shrinkage.
Filson Feather Cloth
The lightest weight cloth we make for the hottest conditions
Incredibly lightweight comfort and sun protection in the heat. Used to make our
most popular lightweight shirt, which we believe is the lightest outdoor shirt
available today. 100% Cotton, 3 ounce. Machine wash/line dry, allow 2-3%
shrinkage.
Filson Rugged Twill and Bridle Leather
The toughest luggage you'll every own
Nearly indestructible, Filson luggage is built to withstand continual use on the
move under the most arduous conditions.
Our Rugged Twill is an industrial weight 22 oz. per yard. Densely woven for
superior strength and long lasting toughness. Before assembly, this fabric is
soaked in our special paraffin based wax, making it highly water repellent. The
fittings are just as tough -- brass zippers and padlocks to resist corrosion in
fresh or salt water and full-grain vegetable-tanned bridle leather from the
strongest part of the hide.
Meticulously made at our factory in Seattle, Washington, the quality of our
luggage is unsurpassed. Each piece is made to last a lifetime. Clean by wiping
or brushing only--gains character with use.
Our duffle bag will carry a 1968 1500 c.c. Single Port Volkswagen engine.
Will yours?
How tough is a Filson Rugged Twill bag? To find out, we loaded a 1968 1500 c.c.
Single Port Volkswagen engine in our Extra Large Duffle, and hoisted the bag and
engine six feet in the air. The duffle and the engine both survived. Safety
warning: this Volkswagen engine weighs 230 pounds. If you choose to try this
experiment at home (which we don't recommend), please use appropriate safety
equipment to avoid risk of injury (to yourself -- you won't hurt the bag.)