
“Filson” by Drew Coffman is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Filson is an outdoors apparel company based in Seattle Washington. Filson bags have become very popular due to their rugged good looks and dependability.
Who is Filson
C.C. Filson has an interesting part to play in US history during the Great Klondike Gold Rush. In 1897 he opened C.C. Filson’s Pioneer Alaska Clothing and Blanket Manufacturers to sell equipment to gold prospectors heading to the Yukon.
As you might imagine, mining for gold in the Yukon was rough business. So, Filson made very rugged durable gear to sell to his customers. He built a reputation for listening to his customers and improving his products to better serve in inhospitable climates.
The gold rush ended but Filson continued switching his focus to outdoorsmen in general.
What does Filson do well?
Filson bags are popular for a reason. They are made of very high quality materials and with great attention to detail. Filson bags are made of twill or tin cloth, bridle leather, and brass zippers. They have a rugged classic ascetic that looks great in most situations.
Of particular note is the Original briefcase and the Duffle bag in various sizes.

Photo by Robert Sheie
The Original briefcase has become a staple of the well dressed business world. It’s a fantastic choice for someone who needs a briefcase but doesn’t want to carry a traditional leather briefcase. The main compartment has two main dividers to help you organize papers or separate tablets and laptops. This bag also has a plethora of pockets to keep your stuff organized.

Photo by Robert Sheie
The Duffle bag is great for carrying more stuff. As with many Filson bags, you can pick the size that suits your needs. You can pack for a weekend trip and not look like you are off to the gym. Or you can go for the large and haul a significant amount of gear on an outdoors expedition.
I am very partial to my Filson Medium Field Bag.
Filson bags
You should check out what Filson has to offer. They are carried by many online retailers and if you happen to be in Seattle you should check out the flagship store. Infact they offer free factory tours.