Tag / filson review

by Beau H.

The Tuesday Steal: Take 50 Percent Off this Adventure-Ready Filson Messenger Bag

Filson messenger bag review.

It’s like we’ve been talking about lately on this Brooklyn style blog: As you prepare to go far afield (or perhaps just to your family cabin or on an adventurous coastal vacation), well, packing some of the best outdoor essentials goes a long way. And until you hit the trail, you might not know the pack you’ve brought with you — or your hiking sneakers, or your rain jacket, and so on — can pass muster.

The best thing to do when it comes to everyday carry gear is to prepare in advance in a major way: Filson has long had you covered in that regard, as you’re well aware if you read this blog and any of my Filson reviews.

Shop the best outdoor gear at Filson

From hard-wearing Filson Tin Cloth pants to lightweight shirting designed to protect you from the sun and keep you cool, Filson has a way with durable, tough, smart gear for all seasons — that very much includes the Filson Surveyor Messenger Bag. It’s the kind of reliable pack you’ll start to wonder how you ever traveled, hiked or adventured without.

And of course, since this is the Tuesday Steal (a deep dive into the best discounts on menswear and gear every week), well, the handsome yet functional Filson Surveyor Messenger Bag is yours for the taking — on sale for 50 percent off, at that.

Best messenger bags for men.

The Filson Surveyor Messenger Bag carries on the same legacy as the Pacific Northwest outfitter’s fleet of durable Filson bags and briefs, yet this one happens to be made from waxed Cordura nylon, rather than Filson Tin Cloth fabric or a similar build. Don’t let that detract you: This bag (a “Genuine Filson: as listed on its stylish label, after all) should still stand up to abrasions, dirt, grime and rain with ease while keeping your everyday carry essentials plenty safe within.

The Filson Surveyor Messenger Bag also adds some style points to your daily haul at home or on the road — the Service Green color is perfectly rugged. But it’s the specs that really set the hard-working Filson Surveyor Messenger Bag apart from the pack, including an interior padded laptop pocket and two sturdy zip exterior pockets — which I’ve found are much larger than normal messenger bag pockets, in my experience.

There’s also a full width back cargo stow pocket for items like a notebook or your passport, while the hardware — in a matching shade of Service Green, naturally — is as burly and sturdy as it gets. The fact that the exceptionally well-designed Filson Surveyor Messenger Bag is on sale right now — and is as versatile for the city and casually rugged look as it is for countryside adventures — is a downright steal as you ramp up your everyday carry essentials for the season ahead, my friends.

by Beau H.

The Thursday Buy: These Filson Dry Tin Cloth Pants are Up for Just About Anything This Spring

Best work pants for men this spring.

The right gear for the task at hand — spring cleaning, a day hike, a trip to your local brewery (or all three in one day) makes all the difference, as the good folks at Filson know. The legendary Pacific Northwest outfitter delivers dependable, durable style from head to toe (and in your accessories rotation, as well — its tough-as-nails bags are the stuff of legend).

Shop new spring workwear and more at Filson

And when it comes to the best work pants for spring — better known here as the right gear for the task at hand — the iconic outfitter has been delivering for years, to say the least. Filson Dry Tin Cloth fabric is arguably the backbone of the brand, the type of material trusted for decades, and found trucker jackets and the five-pocket work pants shown above, to name but a few style staples that get a workwear edge for the spring season (and beyond).

Designed with just about anything you can throw at ’em in mind, the Filson Dry Tin Cloth Work Pants are some of the best pants for spring for a reason, and it all starts with the company’s iconic, hard-working 100% cotton dry finish Tin Cloth fabric. It’s as supple and sturdy as waxed cotton, ready to take on the elements by repelling wind, rain, debris and abrasions of all sorts. The key is, it’s not waxed, yet tightly woven and durable as can be.

The Filson Dry Tin Cloth Work Pants are also finished with details like rivets at key stress points, reinforced rear patch pockets for your everyday carry, and a front watch pocket for further storage space. Another crucial design detail that elevates the sturdy Filson Dry Tin Cloth Work Pants? A metal shank button waist closure — no need to worry about key hardware failing you in the clutch. The famed outfitter notes that the Filson Dry Tin Cloth Work Pants were designed “with the cut of a favorite pair of jeans and the legendary durability of our signature canvas,” and that makes ’em sound like a truly terrific pair of work pants for spring, at least in my experience.

For pursuits on duty and off, the Filson Dry Tin Cloth Work Pants also come in richly crafted, classic colors like the aptly named Whiskey — ideal for pairing with an indigo denim jacket, a henley and lace-up leather boots for sipping, well, some whiskey around the campfire this spring. And when the time comes to dial down and really get to work, well, the Filson Dry Tin Cloth Work Pants are up to the job — and then some. Would you expect anything else from Filson? No, sir.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Filson Ranger Lightweight Anorak – An Adventure-Ready Spring Rain Jacket

Best spring rain jackets for men.

When it comes to navigating the swiftly changing seasons, a dash of preparation goes a long way. That holds true for fighting off brisk fall and winter weather, yet when temperatures climb ever so slightly upwards, the pursuit still doesn’t stop, right?

Blustery spring days bring with ’em rain and wind — and the right outerwear is never more crucial than when your to-do list, your next trip or your daily commute comes beckoning, right? Enter Filson, legendary Pacific Northwest purveyors of some of the best spring rain jackets, period (and plenty more).

Learn more now at Filson

More specifically, the Filson Ranger Lightweight Anorak might be just what the doctor ordered as you scour the market for one of the best spring jackets around, my friends.

It’s part of the new Filson Spring Collection, a slew of positively tough-as-nails gear selections made to go far afield — fabrics like waxed cotton and sturdy wool take shape across silhouettes ranging from trucker jackets to overshirts and beyond. And yet, it’s the Filson Ranger Lightweight Anorak that just might have the most chops to take you from coast to coast, far inland and beyond.

The anorak, after all, dates back to Arctic peoples, with roots that trace back to early versions of the parka — and the smock-inspired design is not unlike a much more rain-ready version of your favorite hooded sweatshirt, this time complete with a snap-shut kangaroo pocket.

If you seek more coverage and protection from the elements, a piece like the Filson Ranger Lightweight Anorak, with slightly more coverage, a helpful hood and durable, lightweight waxed cotton structure, is a useful addition to your spring style rotation (and that’s an understatement).

Available in two crisp, classic colors (Dark Navy and Dark Beige), the Filson Ranger Lightweight Anorak should boast plenty of water and wind resistance, while its half-front zip collar includes a storm flap for added protection from the elements — the most foul spring weather doesn’t seem to be a match for the Filson Ranger Lightweight Anorak, at least in my experience with Filson outerwear.

Learn more now at Filson

Remarkably, that’s not the only thing this handsome, rugged anorak jacket has going for it — this piece is machine washable, a rarity among waxed cotton outerwear selections. Consider the fact that the drawcord hood also maximizes protection from the elements, and you’ve got a jacket that seems nearly unstoppable in terms of spring hikes, coastal getaways, log cabin weekends and rainy day strolls.

Place your trust in Filson as far as the best spring jackets are concerned, and I’ve got a feeling you’ll be rewarded handsomely.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: The Filson Waffle Knit Henley Offers the Utmost in Classic Comfort and Warmth

If it feels like we’ve reached the point in winter where there’s simply not much more to be done about the cold, where it feels like you’ve exhausted all your options as far as the most rugged gear (and warm gear, at that), well… fear not, my friends.

The good folks at Filson are here to save the day — at least in terms of your base layers, in the case of today’s Filson review — with one of the best henleys for men, a staple piece from a retailer that’s become an institution in the world of dependable outdoor performance (and style, of course).

The Filson Cotton Waffle Knit Henley seems simple on the surface, and sometimes, that’s not a bad thing when it comes time to bundle up for brisk weather. It boasts a thick waffle knit meant to bolster its heat retention and warmth in the cold, as the iconic Pacific Northwest retailer notes that the waffle knit of the aptly named Filson Cotton Waffle Knit Henley “creates a layer of air between the body and fabric for thermal retention and moisture management.”

Its ribbed cuffs and collar provide further durability — no need to worry about a sagging collar or flimsy cuffs, at least in my experience wearing Filson menswear. The two-button placket is shorter than other henleys on the market, but perhaps for good reason — the Filson Cotton Waffle Knit Henley is meant to be worn mostly buttoned up in chilly temperatures, although buttoning or unbuttoning one or both buttons delivers more airflow and temperature regulation.

Shop rugged outdoor gear at Filson now

Out of all of the best henleys on the market, you might say that the Filson Cotton Waffle Knit Henley is the one most built for work, hunting or trekking far afield — or simply layering underneath a waxed trucker jacket to hit up your local bar. If any or all of those things sound of interest — and sound like the kind of place you could put one of the best men’s henleys to work — then the Filson Cotton Waffle Knit Henley deserves place of pride in your wardrobe.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Filson Heathered Wool Jac-Shirt – A Reliable Winter Weekend Layer

A man can never have enough sturdy, dependable menswear at his disposal, especially for frigid winter days and nights, and that’s where I find Filson gear and menswear continues to come in mighty handy, season after season, year after year.

The legendary Pacific Northwest heritage brand has been a foundational part of my wardrobe for years now, making some of the best waxed outerwear, thermals, denim and yes, one of the best shirt jackets for men.

As temperatures continue to plummet, and as I continue to put gear to the test for this Brooklyn style blog, I continually reach for Filson — perhaps you’re in the same boat? And with the drop of the new Filson Spring 2025 Collection, it’s time once again to see what’s in store from this legendary company.

Learn more now and shop at Filson

The new Filson Heathered Wool Jac-Shirt isn’t quite all that new, in fact — or rather, it’s an update in term of color and fabrication to the iconic Filson line of Jac-Shirts, which are burly, thick and utterly incredible in terms of winter warmth, at least in my experience. As Filson tells it, the Jac-Shirt “has provided versatile warmth for nearly five decades,” and it’s a sentiment I agree with wholeheartedly.

Filson Jac-Shirt.

This edition of the Filson Heathered Wool Jac-Shirt is made from a warm wool blend for stretch and the right amount of insulation.

And in matters of style points, it’s the Blue Heather variation of this particular Filson Heathered Wool Jac-Shirt that puts it a cut above the rest — that shade of blue almost gives it a ruggedly casual appeal, if you’re looking for something to layer over a white Oxford shirt with tobacco-hued chinos, for instance. But of course, the Filson Heathered Wool Jac-Shirt is at its best when paired with a thermal henley and canvas work pants on exceptionally brisk mornings.

The straight hem offers slightly more coverage than a traditional shirt, while front-button flap pockets offer crucial everyday carry storage space. And since this is Filson we’re talking about here, know that the brand delivers plenty of sizes and a limited lifetime guarantee on the Filson Heathered Wool Jac-Shirt.

Beyond that, this durable shirt jacket should provide plenty of room to layer over your favorite knitwear essentials — can you ask for much more from one of the best men’s shirt jackets? In my book, the Filson Heathered Wool Jac-Shirt is a certified winter style winner.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Filson Alaskan Guide Flannel Shirt – A Discounted Steal for Black Friday And Cyber Monday

Filson Alaskan Guide Flannel Shirt review.

For as much as Thanksgiving weekend is about quality time with family and friends, not to mention utterly delicious food and drink, it’s also an expert time to think about the menswear classics your wardrobe could use. That holds true whether you look at this weekend as a shopping starting point or as a bit of a refresher, and that’s where my friends at Filson can help.

Learn more and shop at Filson

And in my experience, it never hurts to opt for classics from a time-honored brand, especially when those classics just so happen to be on sale. Take the Filson Alaskan Guide Flannel Shirt, a tried-and-true style staple from the legendary Pacific Northwest outfitter.

Right now, you can get one of the best flannel shirts for men at a downright steal of a price: Try as much as 60 percent off. It’s got all the trappings of a new wardrobe favorite, with a rich selection of colors and timeless plaid patterns available, but it only gets better from there.

To be fair, there’s a host of the best menswear deals on rugged gear aplenty within the confines of the Filson Black Friday Sale, but let’s start with a must-have shirt for cold winter days, shall we? The Filson Alaskan Guide Flannel Shirt hits the mark in every regard as far as flannel shirting is concerned, with its tightly woven, brushed cotton twill construction for a soft yet durable handfeel.

Details like gusseted chest pockets give the Filson Alaskan Guide Flannel Shirt the functionality of a workshirt or shirt jacket, as do the pleated shoulders for greater range of motion.

Best men's flannel shirt to buy now.

And yet, the Filson Alaskan Guide Flannel Shirt also functions as the kind of casually cool shirt you can rock easily with dark blue jeans and brown leather lace-up boots for a laidback evening on the town. And when cold weather and your winter to-do list happen to pick back up, the Filson Alaskan Guide Flannel Shirt is there at every turn, you matter which color, size or style you select.

A range of sizes are available, and when you consider the fact that you can score the Filson Alaskan Guide Flannel Shirt at up to 60 percent off, it’s absolutely a deal worth shopping from one of the best brands to buy on Black Friday weekend. Cheers to that, my friends.

by Beau H.

See Now, Buy Now: This Filson Down Bomber Jacket is An Outdoor-Ready Layer for Every Adventure

Filson men's bomber jacket review.

I’m of the opinion that a wardrobe packed with the best men’s style essentials should be ready for anything that comes your way, especially when weather on the horizon is of the frigid, snowy variety.

And for those instances and just about anything else out there, I tend to trust Filson and the brand’s heritage-minded, exceptionally rugged and highly durable menswear. Take the Filson Down Bomber Jacket, now part of the new Filson Holiday 2024 Collection.

Shop holiday menswear and more from Filson

It’s the type of piece that showcases what the Pacific Northwest brand is all about, including a commitment to quality materials, rugged durability and performance. Yes indeed, the Filson Down Bomber Jacket is packed with bells and whistles that elevate it above even the best men’s bomber jackets, and that’s more than ideal when it comes to your winter wardrobe. Let’s count the ways this jacket can bolster your seasonal layering, shall we?

Priced at a fairly agreeable $450, the Filson Down Bomber Jacket punches above its weight class given that some other bomber jackets on the market don’t boast the strong, warm 650-fill power down found within this coat (remember, the higher the rating, the warmer the jacket).

Details like wool-lined pockets and wool-blend ribbed knit cuffs at the wrist, waist and collar further bolster the warmth of the Filson Down Bomber Jacket while keeping out wind, snow and rain.

But the real kicker when it comes to the extreme toughness of the Filson Down Bomber Jacket is its water-resistant waxed cotton exterior, all the better to take on demanding elements this time of year without missing a beat. It’s lined in nylon and comes equipped with an interior snap pocket for your everyday carry essentials, and it doesn’t hurt that the two-tone waxed cotton build is rugged and stylish at the same time.

Best bomber jackets for men.

Of course, you can also find the Filson Down Bomber Jacket in a seriously cool Otter Green color, complete with the same tough-as-nails specs and performance you expect from the legendary outfitter. Better still is the fact that this handsome bomber jacket will develop its own patina over time, getting better with age the more times you wear it on adventures far afield (and closer to home). Layer up accordingly with your new favorite bomber jacket, and you certainly won’t go wrong this holiday season.

by Beau H.

The Sunday Sale: This Filson Sport Shirt Is Nearly 50 Percent Off at Huckberry Right Now

Filson men's sport shirt review.

If you peruse the pages of this Brooklyn style blog on the regular, you’ll know that I tend to favor classic brands with a penchant for durability, versatility and long-lasting quality. Of course, many of the wares sold by my friends at Huckberry fit the bill, as do the rugged menswear essentials sold by Filson.

So when the two come together — as with the Filson Twin Lakes Sport Shirt shown above — the results are nothing short of a must-buy, particularly as we hit the heart of the fall season. It’s part of a slew of menswear selections up for grabs via the Huckberry Sale section that you can put to good use right now, something I also value when scouring the market for the best gear for guys.

And while it’s not as burly or thick-knit in terms of construction as other Filson men’s shirts, I’d wager you’ll find plenty of use for its moisture-wicking polyester-nylon construction — particularly when worn atop a thermal shirt and beneath a waxed field jacket.

Shop men’s shirts and more at Huckberry

The Filson Twin Lakes Sport Shirt is up for grabs via Huckberry right now for close to 50 percent off, a downright steal considering it comes in a wear-with-nearly-anything Dark Olive Drab color. And with two front-button chest pockets and an interior utility pocket, your everyday carry essentials are close at hand, no matter the situation. For the right blend of utility and layering-ready fall style, I’d wager the Filson Twin Lakes Sport Shirt — especially on sale right now — is about as reliable a bet as you can make on this fine Sunday.

by Beau H.

Style Pick of the Week: Filson Waffle Knit Henley – The Right Way to Layer for Early Fall

Best henley for men.

It seems as though it was only yesterday we were talking about the best summer style essentials here on this menswear blog, but it’s never too soon to start dreaming of crisp weather, leaves underfoot and of course, a wardrobe packed with the best fall style essentials.

I like to build my fall wardrobe from the ground up, so to speak — tough leather boots, a great pair of jeans and often, a trusty base layer like one of the best henleys for men. And in this day and age, it’s tough to get much, well, tougher and more stylish than Filson and the Filson Waffle Knit Henley.

Learn more now at Filson

It’s a rugged layer that’ll come in handy before you know it, whether it’s worn beneath a rugged flannel shirt or alongside your favorite trucker jacket (one from Filson would assuredly come in handy). The Filson Waffle Knit Henley is an icon in the cold-weather rotation from the lauded Pacific Northwest heritage outfitter, made with a blend of Peruvian cotton in a durable waffle-knit weave.

The two-button collar of the Filson Waffle Knit Henley gives you options in terms of customizing your fit, and it doesn’t hurt that the light heather gray color will team with just about anything in your wardrobe (indigo Filson jeans very much included). It’s also the type of staple suitable for work — crisp fall days in the yard — or play, so to speak (tailgate layering, anyone?).

And because it hails from Filson, the Filson Waffle Knit Henley is about as durable as it gets, at least in my experience with the brand. Preparing for fall just got substantially easier, all thanks to a rugged favorite from an iconic brand.

by Beau H.

The Friday Read: Rugged Summer Gear from Filson, Buck Mason x J. Press & A Paris Olympics Watch

Filson summer menswear review.

Just as we roll into another July weekend, perhaps you’re feeling as if your summer menswear and gear could use a bit of a refresh, or just a few more selections to help you get over the hemp. This Friday, and many other days here on the blog, I recommend diving into Filson menswear, which runs the gamut — from the road to the river and back. In my personal experience, they’re a brand that always delivers, be it rugged good looks, standout performance in any season, or a mix of the two.

Learn more now at Filson

Be it quick-drying swim trunks, carefully crafted T-shirts, some of the best lightweight buttondown shirts or the very best waxed canvas bags on the market, Filson is a nearly indispensable part of my summer wardrobe — I’d imagine you feel the same way.

If not, consider this a friendly summer weekend reminder, especially as things continue to heat up out there. And for more Filson reviews on this blog, click that link. Now, onward to business — what’s still left on your summer reading and shopping list?

I’ve recently been sent an exciting read I’m looking forward to checking out, the classic tome “A Really Big Lunch,” by legendary Michigan writer Jim Harrison. In fact, my newfound writer pal and fellow Michigander Matt Medendorp sent this volume my way.

It’s an iconic book that’s long been on my list, and t should prove an apt read to while away hot summer days in Brooklyn (cold beer not far out of reach, of course). Have you had the chance to check out that title? I’ll deliver my own review once I’ve pored through its pages!

Buy “A Really Big Lunch” now

For a few more summer recommendations to guide your own weekend, keep on scrolling through below, my friends. Cheers!

  • Out of all of my favorite menswear brands, Buck Mason delivers some of the most consistent surprises, or pleasant surprises rather, while staying in its lane as a purveyor of modern-meets-classic, Americana style. What do I mean by this? Well, expertly crafted Oxford shirts, the best blue jeans and perfectly cut T-shirts do the trick. And you can find all of this close at hand in the new Buck Mason x J. Press menswear collection, a retro-meets-21st-century offering showcasing what both brands do best. Read about it more via my latest for Maxim.com.
Shop Buck Mason & J. Press menswear now
  • Here’s something a tad more illustrious and luxurious than just one of the best Oxford shirts, and it’s got some flair going for it ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, too. Omega, the official watch brand of James Bond and the Official Timekeeper of the Olympics (since 1932, no less!) just debuted a stunning Paris 2024 special-edition watch, and it’s a stunner made from Bronze Gold alloy. Read all about it via another feature from yours truly at Maxim.com.
  • Let’s go from talking about classic menswear and luxury watches to some “news you can use” right away, so to speak, via the good folks at Huckberry. The lineup of Wellen menswear at Huckberry already focuses on sustainability and style, and it gets a revamp here with a new lineup of Wellen performance gear you can wear, well, just about anywhere. And accordingly, I wrote about possibly your new favorite daily T-shirt over on the blog earlier this week — give it a look, my friends.
Shop Wellen menswear and more at Huckberry

That’ll wrap up today’s Friday Read quite nicely indeed, if I do say so myself. To follow along with my weekend adventures in Brooklyn, be sure to give me a follow on Instagram. And to keep up with more stylish menswear for summer, tune in tomorrow and Sunday for a duo of featured weekend men’s style picks. Cheers and thanks, as always, for reading!