Are You Crazy Filson?? Filson Mackinaw Cruiser Alternatives
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- Опубликовано: 29 июн 2024
- Filson increased the price of their Filson Mackinaw Cruiser by $100 in May of 2021 to nearly $500. This is a legendary coat and I’ve covered it extensively, including how to approximate the age of one if you buy it second hand. However, now that the price is nearly $500 it becomes somewhat less appealing. The Mackinaw Cruiser has a dedicated following for a good reason: the mackinaw wool resists wear, it's warm, and it looks fantastic. Still, the price tag will have many people looking for alternatives to the Filson Mackinaw Cruiser and that's what this video is all about.
BUY HERE:
-Filson Mackinaw Cruiser: bit.ly/3CAdtau
1. Orvis Wool Barn Coat: www.orvis.com/wool-barn-coat/...
2. Buffalo Jackson Ellis Wool Jacket: bit.ly/3x71CvI
3. LL Bean Maine Guide Parka: www.llbean.com/llb/shop/69101...
4. Legendary Whitetails Outdoorsman Jacket: bit.ly/3v80DKn
5. Weatherwool All-Around Jacket: weatherwool.com/products/all-...
6. Stormy Kromer Mackinaw Coat: bit.ly/34YoNfR
7. Patagonia Wooly Chore Coat: bit.ly/2Tbar9e
8. Le Mont St Michael Wool Work Jacket: bit.ly/3w7iN0b
9. Johnson Woolen Mills Wool Coat: johnsonwoolenmills.com/produc...
10. Big Bill Wool Jacket: bit.ly/3v1vsk0
11. Filson Jac-Shirt: bit.ly/3gavqSx
-Website: www.carlmurawski.com
-Instagram: bit.ly/2qIHzaB
-Music: bit.ly/3pa5v0r
#Carlmurawski #MackinawCruiser #Filson
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17. EDC Pen: bigidesign.com/carlmurawski
18. Work shirt:
19. Wool vest: bit.ly/3CqU3Vq
20. Wool Coat: bit.ly/3N2W9Qg
Timestamps:
0:00 Filson Price Increase
1:20 What Makes the Mackinaw Cruiser so Special?
1:57 Vintage Mackinaw Cruiser
2:12 Pendleton Mackinaw Cruiser
2:26 Woolrich Mackinaw Cruiser
2:59 Orvis Wool Barn Coat
3:28 Buffalo Jackson Ellis Wool Jacket
4:05 LL Bean Maine Guide Parka
4:39 Legendary Whitetails Outdoorsman Jacket
5:09 Weatherwool All-Around Jacket
5:45 Stormy Kromer Mackinaw Coat
6:08 Patagonia Wooly Chore Coat
6:34 Le Mont St Michael Wool Work Jacket
7:08 Johnson Woolen Mills Wool Coat
7:45 Big Bill Wool Jacket
8:21 Filson Jac-Shirt
Reviews of clothing, boots, and accessories for men, along with style advice and life philosophy. I've been working with my hands for my entire life as a mechanic, tow truck driver, and eventually a licensed electrician. Being a blue collar guy, I look for certain elements in a product: is it durable? Is it high-quality? Will it perform well over its service life? Whether boots, pants, jackets, or tools I believe it's best to buy once and cry once by getting the best you can afford. With so many options these days, choosing the best product can become a difficult decision, but that's where I come in. Helping you stay stylish, rugged, and handsome.
I don't care where it's made as long as it's made well, and allows you to buy less and buy better. 
Хобби
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Filson Mackinaw Cruiser: bit.ly/3CAdtau
1. Orvis Wool Barn Coat: www.orvis.com/wool-barn-coat/2SHL.html
2. Buffalo Jackson Ellis Wool Jacket: bit.ly/3x71CvI
3. LL Bean Maine Guide Parka: www.llbean.com/llb/shop/69101?page=maine-guide-wool-parka-primaloft
4. Legendary Whitetails Outdoorsman Jacket: bit.ly/3v80DKn
5. Weatherwool All-Around Jacket: weatherwool.com/products/all-around-jacket
6. Stormy Kromer Mackinaw Coat: bit.ly/34YoNfR
7. Patagonia Wooly Chore Coat: bit.ly/2Tbar9e
8. Le Mont St Michael Wool Work Jacket: bit.ly/3w7iN0b
9. Johnson Woolen Mills Wool Coat: johnsonwoolenmills.com/product/hunting-coat/
10. Big Bill Wool Jacket: bit.ly/3v1vsk0
11. Filson Jac-Shirt: bit.ly/3gavqSx
Ironic that a working man can no longer afford a coat made by a company that built clothing and its reputation on products for the working man.
It's not that company anymore
Unfortunately I think it's becoming a brand for highly paid urban professionals that like to occasionally LARP as working men.
@@JuanDeSoCal
Yeah all brands are catering to the urban professionals now.
If you're truly a working man and a professional in an industry like logging, fishing, guiding, or even military, you can get some deep discounts. I don't pay full retail for brand new (not seconds) Filson gear.
@@JuanDeSoCal hahaha "larping as working men" great line, reminds me of when politicians get their flannel on.
Absolutely agree that second-hand is the way to go. Found a 70’s gorgeous red Woolrich coat at local Salvation Army a few years ago for $30.00! A killer find, it should last my lifetime. Win-win-win for the store, the environment, and myself! Sad to see Filson heading down the path of pricing themselves out the market, and losing sight of their focus.
Have you seen the Johnson coat? Really good. My wife bought me one at barn sale for 90 bucks. I already had a Woolrich but she bought it anyway. Great for western Massachusetts winters.
@@fredeaston3988 Not familiar with the Johnson coat…Will definitely check it out!
@@SUGAR_HOUSE_WYE that won’t happen any more, since the thrift store will look items up and price based on the highest sale/auction price
The problem with Filson is that the ownership has changed to a Private Equity firm that is backed by the person who started Fossil watches and currently makes substandard watches but markets them as high-end (Shinola Detroit) but is not high-end in quality. Yes, Filson had eclipsed its supply chain capacity and could not grow without an infusion of new capital but to stop catering to their original customer is usually the downfall of most brands. Especially when the new ownership is trying to recoup their investment in the brand.
Ohhhh that’s why the filson store was next to the shinola store in Detroit. I was curious about that.
The retail industry in America is just a big ponzi. Hedge funds buying up small companies, off-shoring production and using them as tax dodges. When comes to the Wall Street criminals, anything goes nowadays!
Filson has definitely gone down in quality, up in price
Filson lost the plot in the early 2000s when they moved the manufacturing location from Seattles 1st ave. The second hit came when they dropped the C.C. From their name. Now they are are just like all of the other brands that trade on their one e great name.
I was going to buy one this fall but now decided to spend my money elsewhere.
Same!
Most people love to wear Filson until it’s time to use it for it’s intended purpose. In which case a generic Buffalo plaid should suffice to hang out at the local micro brewery.
That's how I feel sometimes, but ultimately if I paid good money for a jacket that was meant to be abused doing work/jobs then you gotta put it to the test. At that point it truly becomes your jacket, unless the quality is lacking and it takes a shit.
Lolol
@@dtowers7877 Exactly. These jackets are expensive because they're supposed to be bomb proof. If you ruin them by using them for their intended purpose, then you were wearing an over-valued piece of crap to begin with and should be glad that you can now replace it with something better.
I found me a 60's Woolrich off Ebay last year and I love it.
The practicality of a wool coat is off the charts.
Lightweight, warm, and comfortable.
Is wool lightweight? I always thought the drawback was it’s heavy
@@samuelbuettner1214 it depends, but naturally wool is relatively lightweight for the warmth it offers.
It's also hard to find wool over 24oz today, so while wool can be heavy ( I love heavy cozy wool ) you won't really get it today.
To clarify, the weight rating is how much 1yd of the fabric weighs which happens to translate into the thickness / density of it.
Higher weight wool will be be thicker and often denser, but there's no standard where we can say exactly the thickness it should be or how much a particular pattern and size of Jacket will weigh.
I've got a lot more wool now than I did 2 years ago, and have learned quite a bit.
The 60's woolrich mentioned in my original comment I estimate to be about a 28oz wool, it's very warm and not a heavy constricting jacket.
Fit / style does play a part in that though.
Btw weight is relative too, leather jackets for example aren't generally very warm and are heavy.
You can get a wool jacket/ coat that's vastly warmer and significantly lighter weight.
Sure it weighs more than say a down puffer...etc, but it has plenty of advantages that are more important.
@@TylerSnyder305thank you for that response 👍🏻 yea definitely relative, I agree ,of the natural fibers cant beat wool weight to warmth, I finally got some wool items but they have liners and they’re blends so my perception of their weight isn’t perfect, I got to pick up some vintage ones now
Not to get laughed out of the comment section here, but I paid about $30 bucks for a lined, red buffalo plaid Schmidt work shirt at Tractor Supply 4 or 5 years ago as a Spring/Fall jacket, and works well as a Winter jacket in layers. Survived Johnstown, PA and Boston, MA winters just fine. I had to sew the side once, but other than that, it's been the most versatile jacket I ever bought and survived years of work conditions. Been looking at a Filson, but really love the nods to the other jackets too. Still great sleeper products out there that hold up.
Also loved your boot videos as far as what brand to go with for my next purchase. Love the channel!
Not at all man, it doesn’t matter how much a jacket cost or the name brand on it as long as it works! Cheers bro!
Every year wool suprises me when I put it on again. I was wearing a very lightweight Merino Wool sweater and was comfortable walking around in the mid 40s.
Great content as always and Loving the production Carl. That outro with the tunes and screen design is next level epic
Thank you!!!
Coarse wool is very cheap relative to finer wool used in suits, trousers, etc.
There's probably $40 of wool at most in that jacket.
@Mr Mr your mama wearing it home.
@Mr Mr somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed
@Mr Mr I got 9 heavy wool coats, 4 are mackinaw, the most I’ve paid for one is $90, simply cope with your inability to find things
@Mr Mr lol the majority of your comments are so salty
@Mr Mr they on your top 😂😂😂
I've handled the Johnson Woolen Mills, the Stormy Kromer, and the Big Bill. Are are readily available here in Maine. Big Bill is a hell of a value. The Johnson Woolen Mills feels a little clunky and unrefined, but is made of great stuff. But the best is the Stormy Kromer. It's my pick to replace my Filson if it's ever lost or damaged, and vintage has gotten too pricy. You actually should handle one in person. You'll be impressed.
Hi Carl! Glad you told your audience about us! Thank You and Best Regards --- Ralph from WeatherWool
My pleasure!!
I bought 3 Jachs wool coats at Costco and they're absolutely amazing. Then I looked up Jachs and the history blew me away. They're comfortable, warm and the pockets are fantastic. Ppl always ask me what brand they are when I wear them.
It was already beyond what I could afford so I've been waiting to hear about alternatives for a while now.
THE JACK SHIRT!!! It’s always appealed to me because of the lining it has. Always thought it was a great touch to not have the wool against the skin and I noticed some iterations had a heavier wool than the mackinaw? Could be remembering that wrong but always wanted to pick one up
I just bought a Stormy Kromer jacket after a few weeks of research and I'm in love with it. Looks amazing, feels amazing, great design, and quite cozy. I can see myself using it as my main jacket for the unforeseen future. The only thing I don't like is that the hand warmers are too high up on the chest and not very cozy. With that said, the side pockets work fine and the double pocket with the button is a great feature that I've never seen before on a coat.
Reading other reviews, I see two common complaints, which is that the jacket isn't warm enough for very cold winter weather, and that it fits too big. But both of these "bugs" are actually features. It seems they designed it that way on purpose so that you can optionally wear thick layers underneath if necessary, or just wear it as-is on less cold days without overheating. This makes it much more versatile and suitable for 3 seasons of the year instead of being strictly a winter jacket. And since I did buy it with fall hunting in mind, that's exactly what I wanted.
Absolutely Awesome video! Just what I'm Looking for.
Tour reviews on jeans/pants are top notch! I've already made purchases off your suggestions and have been very satisfied. Can you please do some reviews on shorts? Jean shorts, cargo shorts also tactical/shooting range shorts if you can? Thanks, keep up the good work
Thank you!!!!
+1 for Johnson Woolen Mills. I’ve been to their factory several times. Good people and excellent products. Also, Vermont Flannel Company teamed up with them to make a flannel lined wool shirt jac that’s really nice. Don’t forget about Bemidgi Woolen Mills as well. They make some nice options similar to the Filson as well as some nice heavy weight button up shirts. They’re also still selling the Filson Mackinaw on their website for the old price. I scored 2 of their heavyweight button up shirts for $40 at a garage sale. New never worn.
I have the Orvis wool coat. It’s great and full of thoughtful features. It’s basically the wool version of the Heritage Barn Coat.
I have had the big bill merino coat for about a year and love it. It’s about 18oz wool which is on the Lighter side but when layering it’s great. This winter I’m planning to purchase the pants from them and maybe one of the heavier jackets. The quality is great and the only thing I wish was different is that they used a heavier duty zipper. That being said after a year have had no problems with it.
I’m in the UK and options are limited. I opted to go for the Stormy Kromer as I found a UK dealer. I am absolutely delighted with the coat, great quality, heavyweight and warm. I’m going to pick up a matching hat for this winter too.
Nice! Great option for the UK especially. Here is many parts of America we want to wear wool, but the weather extremes make it a bit less great of an option.
Great video! Good info. and well organized 👍
I love my Stormy Kromer wool vest. I’m glad to see it on the list and hope you’ll feature more SK products on the channel. Excellent quality!
Much as I would desire a Filson Mackinaw Cruiser jacket; the $500 price tag does give one pause. Thank you for offering these alternatives; I will check them out.
Hoping you're well sir! Dont forget to check the second hand market, there are some great bargains to be had.
Went to amazon and they still have them at $395. Finally pulled the trigger and got the otter green. I was really on the fence when I found the Scout Jacket by Schaefer Outfitters. 24oz Melton wool, Taffeta lining, Brass buttons, similar pocket layout, a full grain trimmed collar and made in the USA for $255. Almost got that one, maybe I should have, but been wanting the Filson for a looooong time.
I’m very thankful that I was able to pick up a practically new mackinaw cruiser in green with the new price hike. It's exactly the one Wranglerstar has. Although slightly used, I fetched it for $250 because it has light wear on a cuff. Not an issue because I'd rather not spend double for the scuff to be gone.
Jeepers, how have I managed to stay alive for all these years without spending $250 for a used lightweight coat. 🤷🏼♂️
@corepathway
u must love commie trash
Great to hear about some alternative options here in the UK as we can get the filson sure but the prices would make your eyes water! Equivalent of $600! Even 2nd hand! Still searching for a good wool work shirt. There is a few quality home makers left in the UK but also very expensive! Like you say what kid's want to go into those traditional trades now, thanks for taking the time searching!
Awesome video!
Also want to put in a good word for the Legendary Whitetails Outdoorsman jacket. Bought it last fall and wasn’t expecting much for the price but it kept me warm all winter here in MA except on super bad days when I needed a hood.
Black Bear Brand is also a good Filson alternative.
It’s even more expensive
Bruh
What a wonderful presentation :)
I currently have the legendary whitetails jacket and I can confirm that is one tough jacket and serious about warmth and wind protection. I HIGHLY recommend it
Your reviews have taught me so much. I mean this channel is amazing! What do you think about Legendary Whitetails? Is this a legit brand with quality?
I sell used/vintage Filson, Pendleton and Woolrich cruisers. Eventho the Filson and Pendleton are the same wool, the texture is different. Filson's wool feels itchier and coarser while Pendleton's is a bit smoother, Pendleton also (usually) doesn't have the map pocket in the back. I feel that the best value of the three that I sell would be vintage Woolrich cruisers, they feel heavier and more heavy duty and are usually lined which could be a nice touch (debatable).
But out of all the options that were presented here, I would definitely get that Stormy Kromer
Where can one buy vintage Filson
Can I maybe buy something from you?
@@TheMfmccarthy Of course you can. The only thing is that I'm based in Europe, meaning that my prices are in Euros and priced at marketvalue in Europe, which is similar to getting a new one in America. My advice is to find some curated vintage shops in the States.
Do you have a link to your site I am based in Europe and am considering a jacket like this? Thank you
Glad I bought mine earlier this year!
Excellent video. Subscribed.
Thank you!
Your video popped up as recommended (right after I was shopping the Filson site). The price of a 12-pack a week for a year to buy a heavy-duty coat that will last 50 years is not a bad deal. I have two; the first is forty winters old and still looks good and is holding up like a cask iron skillet...
Would be interested to hear your takes/see a video on the transition/downfall of Woolrich and its heritage. Great work Carl
I own a weather wool anorak in the mid weight Lynx pattern. By far the best wool jacket I own except maybe my vintage pea coat. Ralph is the owner and is an absolute gem to work with. Just a small family owned business in NJ. Can’t recommend their products enough. Great great products
Agreed. Great video. So many clothing companies are price gauging like crazy, increasing prices just because they can. I don’t mind paying for quality and longevity (which is rare in an industry of essentially “disposable” clothing. I would still buy the jacket if it is going to last me 30 plus years…..that is IF the new ones will still last as well as the old ones have.
So it used to be 26oz wool, now its 24oz wool and they are making it more expensive now also? Plus they used to be all made in America, now they offshore for cheaper manufacturing. No more new Filson for me
It should be noted; Solid colors of this coat utilize 24oz, while for whatever reason the Plaid weave still retains the original 26oz fabric. Furthermore, it would appear this specific coat remains 'Made in the United States' as of the moment. (Hopefully not subject to change)
I’m a big wool clothing and mackinaw fan but Filson is outta my price range. Big Bill is one of Canada’s best kept secrets for wool wear. It’s made in Canada and is high quality and very affordable. I have a 17 OZ plaid wool jacket from them which is more of a shoulder season weight in Canada but their wool pants are staples for my winter camping and snowshoeing outings.
So many more practical and comfortable options presented. Only a brand name fantastic would buy the Filson Mackinaw at that price point.
My Filson jacket is very durable. It has survived many days in the coffee shop while I worked on my screenplay. I almost panicked when it got damp from the mist the other day, but it seems ok.
I have never heard of this jacket before, buy owning one has now become my top priority
They're great, but fantastic deals to be had on the second hand market!
I still use the map pocket that is historic in the filson , but now it usually carries a tablet for work. It is also tradition in my family heritage of loggers.
I was very sad when Filson sold out a few years ago. It doesn't surprise me they cost more and offer less (like Woolrich), it's the way of the world.
I wore one with two pockets for field work and it is nearly indestructible. I wore it in the Aleutians, Nevada, Texas, and the Sierra Madre mountains of Mexico. It was my single most useful jacket in all kinds of weather, from chilly mornings to snowstorms and gale force winds. It is too bad that such great clothing will only be affordable to posers who have never worked a day in the field.
I have big bill wool work bib, coveralls. Simply amazing and worth it. Had to get hemmed, but great!
I bought a vintage Pendleton mackinaw in red and black plaid and I love it MORE than my vintage Filson. Pure virgin wool, unlined and has hand warmer pockets and a larger collar than the Filson. I paid $30 plus shipping on eBay. Gold!
I also bought a vintage Wool rich in red and black plaid and I love it. Sports snap adjustable wrists, but buttons down the front and has a large, almost Navy pea coat style collar.
I think it probably is better than the Filson Cruiser from an actual use perspective.
Almost two decades ago I bought a new Filson Double Mackinaw cruiser and I loved that jacket, but I don't think it was as rugged as this old Woolrich. Plus, if you did any walking in it beyond flat ground it became intolerably hot. Imo wool is best in layers, with a single 24-28oz layer being best for an outer layer with a tight weave, and a midweight wool sweater with semi-loose weave as the midlayer.
The midweight wool sweater layer has been a staple of mine for the last 5 years in the PNW and is perfect for temps starting at around 55 Fahrenheit and below.
Big Bill deserves more praise. They manufacture in both Canada and the US. Somehow they still manage to keep prices low.
Yeah all fine, but how much wool do you have in that jacket anyway? And is is the cheapest wool you can get on the market? If not, you're getting Switzerlanded.
I have their wool overalls. They are fantastic.
I have the Big Bill merino wool jacket and the wool vest. Bulletproof. And the Canadian prices are lower (same price but $CDN). And they go on sale.
Although I don't own the wool jacket my experience with Big Bill workwear has been really good. I have a bunch of their 9oz flannel shirts that have held up really well and it seems like most of their stuff is made in Canada and the US. Gostwear is a Montreal based store so that makes sense.
Big Bill is owned by Codet. Their stuff is VERY well made and super affordable. (Their standard green is a bit too 'Kelly Green' for me, but otherwise it is very utilitarian and serviceable.)
Great video.
Bought the Johnson Woolen mills coat on ebay about 3 years ago for 90 buck. Warm as hell, love the pocket layout, has the rear glove/bird/map pocket.
Should review the Orton brothers Vermont country store wool coat! Think it would be right up with the best
While I don’t own a Kromer Mackinaw jacket, I do love their wool hats. I do, however, have a vintage 1960s Coast Guard peacoat. Last year, I also purchased a Varusteleka wool fleece jacket. It’s nice and toasty (if a little itchy), and very modern with velcro wrist closures and patch panels.
I snagged a used green Filson cruiser on eBay for $120, maybe 6 years ago, it was and still is immaculate - I had been scoping these for about a year. Once I got it I tracked the model number to show a 2006 fab date. Total score. At the time I think they were just under 400 new. I just buy used/vintage Pendleton coats most of time, but I will say the Filson is built like a tank, glad to have this one and glad when the weather is cold enough to justify wearing it.
I love Filson and have the whole set of the outfit in forest green. I have the bibs and cargo pants. I also have a great Vermont woolen mills Elmer Fudd suit that is just awesome ! Love the classic wool. The ultimate super fabric.
After trying WeatherWool, it's hard to want anything else and I have their shemagh and it's epic. I will say that I know a lot of Canadians rocking those Big Bill jackets.
Schaefers Outfitters Scout Jacket looks like another good alternative. (been wanting to get one just dont really need it lol)It is like $255 and Is 24oz wool with 3 color options. They make other models too.
When I lived in Alaska, I had the green mackinaw cruiser and wore it heavily, daily for well over a decade. I didn’t make much money so I didn’t have a car or even a bicycle. I saved up my paychecks and bought the cruiser. It saved me from freezing to death more than once. It was worth every penny. After wearing it daily for about 15 Alaskan winters, I think the Filson mackinaw is worth the cost. You have to expect cost increases with the crashing economy we have on the tail of Covid-19. So even at $500, I think it’s still worth it.
I have a Johnston Woolen Mill wool shirt/jac. It is great. It is very soft, and is worth a good look.
Cool vid Carl, thanks! There are plenty of great wool jackets out there at a reasonable price. Filsons prices are friggin absurd...that said they are like Nike, there's no real substitute for the name if the name brand is what a person wants. They'll probably keep selling products because they are like a Porche or Ferrari in brand recognition for work wear but it's damned unfortunate they've gone away from providing great workwear for the normal working man who can't afford those stupid prices. Big difference between "functional workwear" and "fashionable workwear".
The alternatives offered in this video are awesome though.
Carl, great video. I have a question. I was able to buy an old wool packer coat for $150. However, the shearling collar is damaged and beyond repair. Where do you recommend to purchase a new collar? Thanks again.
Only Carl Murawski would be making a video about a wool jacket in June.
😂
😂 guilty!!!!
Its june, Im in norther california. Wearing wool underwear (meriwool) socks (darn tough) pants (armani exchange) and shirt (mkm 36.6). I am not in the valley though and its been 60s at night and high 80s day. Pants are thin like slacks. wool can also be cooler in the heat if youre not wearing a winter thickness. Spacesuits use camel wool because it insulates from heat as well as cold. The "its warmer" reputation comes from wet insulating properties, and that some wools like peacoats or mackinaw are much thicker than others,nwich is what sticks in the mind. I buy all mine second hand except the socks and underwear.
I may like wool more than Karl, I just dont have the cash.
Plan ahead!
Nothing beats wool for warmth water repellent and durability! I still have wool shirts I have from high school and I graduated in 1975. 🦌🌲🦅
You should do a whole video on Pendleton. Such cool history, and still making nice stuff.
Yes, made in the USA and you could buy 2-3 of theirs for what these "wanna-be's" get for theirs!
a lot of pendleton is made in china now, not much usa made stuff these days
I have the stormy Kroger coat outstanding coat all around!
Carl, nice and very useful video. Congrats!!!
BTW, you being a proud owner of 2 Mackinaw Cruisers, are you sure when you said it has no handwarmer pockets? They should be behind the cargo pockets on the lower section of the jacket.
I'm after a 26 oz Mac Cruiser (24 oz for the solid coloured ones, or so says Filson on their webpage), I've been researching for a few years now and I just love it. I live in Europe, so the price here has gone up to 550 euros, which is like 570 USD. That's just crazy, plain and simple!!! It was 495 euros a few days ago (about 520 USD).
Woolrich is, as you said, a far cry from what they used to be.
WeatherWool is the best jacket in my opinion, but it's too expensive and I don't like zippers. WW seems to make the best wool there is. A shirt of shirt jacket are my go-to options.
Some other choices are good, but as I said, I just don't like zippers because they can fail and repairing them is a bummer because you have to take it to a seamstress unless you can operate a sewing machine (I don't). Buttons, I can saw them with no further issues in a couple of minutes.
And I try to avoid blends, and the only brands which make 100% wool jackets are Filson and WeatherWool (there might be other brands but it's unbeknownst to me).
I own one of Filson Jac Shirts (actually it's featured in your video) and I'm very happy with it. But paying 550 euros for a brand new Mac Cruiser is just a steal.
As I've been told, Filson Mac Cruisers do a poor job blocking the wind. But I guess if you layer down properly it shouldn't be a problem.
I love the Mac Cruiser, and I'll eventually get one, but rising the price that much is kind of a no-go. I love the Pendleton wool and the amount of pockets, especially the rear (map, game) pocket.
Filson, get yourself together and price your garments accordingly!!!
Regarding Johnson Woolen Mills, their quality is legendary in New England. I still have a pair of Johnson wool hunting pants I bought in 1986, as well as several newer pairs of different styles. I've also owned an original Filson Macinaw I bought new in the late 80s (worn through early 2000s) and replaced it with a Johnson coat that I still wear. It's a solid replacement, and nice because it's lined with soft flannel to avoid a bit of the itching.
I have had numerous Filson coats over the years. They are well made but not to the tune that they are asking for today. I moved away from them when they started to import. I bought a Big Bill coat last winter and loved it. Great fit and plenty of warmth. Bought it from Tall Tales Outdoors in PA. Also bought 2 pairs of BB wool pants from them (regular and cargo). Good price and fit. Made in Canada by Codet. Good construction and quality.
I have the Big Bill wool vest. If the coat is made with the same material and with the same level of quality, anyone would be very happy with this coat. I plan to buy one in the fall.
Good wool lasts forever. I have merino Australian wool army fatigues from the 1950s-- they're fantastic. Warm in the winter, not hot in the summer. Surprising. I wear these pants from -20F to 80F.
I really want to see you review a Buffalo Jackson, leather good like their travel duffel bag. It certainly looks as good as filwon stuff but 1/3 the price.
Bro im in southern california , San Diego To be Exact and if it gets under 60 over here we look ridicilous with scarfs and gloved up. Your Content is fire ⚡
Being in the PNW I’ve seen a bunch of Filson Mackinaw cruisers and even owned and sold a couple. I bought a Johnson Woolen Mills coat a few years ago from a yardsale and I think the quality is just as good. I like the coat I have with the nice Adirondack plaid pattern. Looks and fits great. Easy decision to sell the Filson and keep the Johnson, especially due to the high resale price of Filson.
Nice video Carl. I agree that people should look elsewhere for something comparable before paying for the brand name.
Filson is on its third owner since the late Nineties. A private equity firm has steered Filson to increase market share with t-shirts, decals, and Smokey Bear accessories. My Forest Green Cruiser is in numeric size 42 and cost around $295. Johnson Woolen Mills is a great US-made choice; I own several of their trousers.
Thanks for bumping up the bids on The gray Pendleton Mackinaw I scored off ebay. I thought I found a steal! haha
I’m sorry!!! Unintended consequences!
Way late so this probably won't be seen, but one alternative that looked the best to me was Bemidji Woolen Mills. They have a shirt-jac and double Mackinaw type jacket, plus a lined hunting jacket. And they are 30oz wool! The only Filson alternative I found that is actually heavier. I bought a vintage one off Ebay that's on the way and we'll see how it looks.
Buying second hand and vintage is not only really fun, but you really can get some high quality garments for dirt cheap. I'm currently waiting on a vintage Woolrich coat I got for twenty bucks! A lot of people (myself included) are usually nervous about the fit not being correct, but for how cheap you can get some pieces, even with you getting it tailored it still comes out to a fraction of the price you'd be paying for it new.
Call Bemidji woolen mills in Minnesota. They will make you a custom fit coat that will outlast that Filson
Prepare for more inflation.
Yeah
I have a Filson then got a Johnson Woolen Mills coat a few years later. The lining in the Johnson makes it that much warmer than the Filson I forget I have one in the closet.
I picked up a Johnson woolen Mills 100% wool jacket in hunter green for $169 where everything else in this town was over $400 for the same coat it just depends on who's selling it and some of the coats weren't as heavy as the Johnson
All my shit is from thrift stores or Ross. I wear the same outfit everyday: black skinny jeans and a tighter-fitting dark-colored blank shirt (no logos etc.) with occasional little switch ups. It works for me. Not for everyone for sure. I just stopped giving a shit about caring too much about superficial bullshit like what clothes people wear.
Awesome shoutout to Stormy Kromer. It's still based in the U.P. and that keeps them humble because they have a great core customer base in the U.P., Northern Wisconsin, and Northern Minnesota. Their original hat with the earflaps is an iconic look around here. haha
I Agree about Woolrich. Use to be a big fan but they completely went in another direction. To bad
So I was curious, after buying my vermont socks after your recommendation I've fallen in love with their brand. I got to thinking, is there a similar brand in durability and made in the U.S. like vermont but for underwear?
Unfortunately not that I've found. The best I've tried by a large margin are the 2UNDR Powershift, I believe they're Australian.
Bemidji Woolen Mills from Bemidji, MN makes a very similar jacket to the Filson Double Mackinaw. It’s called Superior Heavy Lined Hunting Coat. I have one it’s very very well made.
Hey Carl, happy holidays man… Love your feeds 🤙
I’m not trying to back Filson’s pricing here but when you think about it this way maybe it makes ‘some’ sense ahah! You go to Walgreens these days and walk out with a small bag of of stuff and what it normally costed is now like double sadly. You can’t walk out of a store without spending over 100 dollars and that pretty much goes for everything these days 😣
I do like Filson’s stuff and a lot of it is indeed overly priced, however I see why this has happened sort of like everything else these days and again……sadly.
PS ~ My answer was the Filson Jac Shirt as you mentioned and I simply layer beneath it and purchased it in a larger size to allow it. The only thing I miss though ( At least on the one I bought ) has no side hand warmer pockets though sadly, so I just make sure to be wearing gloves when it’s that cold.
I have the Big Bill jacket. It is a no-nonsense, durable item. it is NOT a fashion accessory - the cut is very basic and the colour is "unnatural". I take mine deer hunting and also keep it handy to throw on when I need to get an armload of firewood.
I have one in camo , can’t beat it in cold weather
You said it. Buy vintage Woolrich or Pendleton, or one of the many smaller makers like Soo Woolen Mills. Plenty of Mackinaw Cruisers out there. I picked up a mint Double Mackinaw for $140 on EBay.
Got a nice "shirt jac" for $70, too.
I’ve got my Dad’s Johnson Woolen Mills cruiser it is without a doubt the best hunting coat I’ve ever owned. Even better than the “new stuff” that’s on the market. yeah it’s a little heavy but I’m not whining.
Are the hand warmer pockets on the cruiser big? I just finally got a Filson Mackinaw Jac-Shirt . I've been wanting one forever and didn't like the limited colors the past few years until this new one. I missed out on the Dark Military Plaid which was amazing but sold out. The hand warmer pockets are CAVERNOUS! Normal opening, but WOW I can fit quite a bit inside that pocket. What a pleasant surprise.
Me: “mom, can we get filson?”
Mom: “no, we have filson at home”
The filson at home:
I have one that was only $20 USD brand new. I do not remember the brand but I have worn it all winter every winter for 5 years now and it is still like new. Just went to check the brand, and it is a Wolverine. I have two of them. Cannot be beat for $20 each.