Items for Sale

From time to time, I will buy certain items specifically for review purposes or will receive multiple colors of the same item. I have decided to offer my readers the opportunity to purchase these items at a discount and will be posting the first sale item later today:)

The rules are simple: send me a message to let me know you are interested. After receiving confirmation that the item is still available, simply make payment from a verified PayPal account (make sure you use a Confirmed Address). I will include USPS Priority shipping with Delivery Confirmation for free. This offer is only available for my readers in CONUS.

Check back periodically under the “For Sale” tab for new listings!

First Look: Filson Outfitter Bag 238

Today, I received my new Filson 238 Outfitter Bag (Large) in the mail and I wanted to share my first impressions of this unique piece of luggage.

First, the bag is huge. When full, it measures 20” wide, 18” tall and 14” deep. It is too large for carry on travel, so it would need to be checked at the airport. However, it would make the perfect weekender for camping, hunting, skiing or snowboarding.

QUICK STATS

  • Price: $415 USD
  • Dimensions: Top 20”W x 12”H x 14”D ; Bottom 20”W x 6”H x 14”D
  • Layout: (1) main compartment; (1) wet/dry compartment; (2) full-length exterior zippered pockets; (2) open exterior end-pockets and (2) full-length interior side pockets.

Comparison Pics to Filson Medium Travel Bag 246

To help you get a true understanding of the size/volume of this bag, I have taken a few pictures of it next to the Filson Travel Bag Medium 246:

NOTE: this is the Large Outfitter bag. Filson also makes an Extra-large Outfitter Bag 239, although I am not sure it would as practical due to the weight when full. The Large size seems to offer the best tradeoff between capacity and ease-of-use.

Build Quality

I own many other Filson bags, but this one definitely takes the build quality up a notch. The main sides of the 238 are double-walled to create full-length exterior zipper pockets and there are also two interior pockets that run the entire length of the bag.

The leather straps are much wider on this bag than on my other Filson pieces and the handles continue in one solid piece across the bottom (unlike the small Duffle Bag (220) and the medium Travel Bag (246) which both use a split strap design underneath).

NOTE: I chose Otter Green, because I tend to prefer darker colors for travel-size pieces that will need to endure rougher handling and wetter/dirtier conditions.

Unique Features

The most unique feature of the Outfitter bag is the spacious zippered compartment (on the bottom) that is nearly 6” tall. It is designed to keep wet/muddy clothing/boots separated from the other gear stored in the main compartment.

In addition, this compartment is designed to collapse when it is not being used, thereby reducing the overall dimensions of the bag and making it much more manageable. In fact, when the bottom compartment is flat, this bag is very similar (in both function and appearance) to the large Filson Travel Bag (248).

Final Thoughts

I highly recommend this bag to anyone that needs a go-anywhere, do-anything travel case that can move a lot of wet or dry gear in style. The Large Outfitter exudes quality and seems rugged enough to tackle any task you can throw at it.

What’s new for October?

Hello everyone…

I hope this post finds you well and that you are enjoying the cooler Fall weather. I just wanted to give you a sneak peak at the new content that will be added to the site during the month of October.

First Impressions

I have a Filson 238 Outfitter Bag (Large) in Otter Green scheduled to arrive any day now and I will be posting my initial thoughts/impressions after the unboxing.

In-depth Review

This month, the bag I will be reviewing is the Filson 240 Carry On Bag (Small). I consider it a wonderful hybrid bag, because it works equally well as a daily carry (messenger-style) bag as it does a travel bag for short getaways. I will be posting lots of great pics and telling you everything you could ever want to know!

The Ultimate 256 vs 257 Briefcase Comparison

The question I am most often asked, especially from those looking to buy their first Filson bag, is whether to buy the 256 Original Briefcase or the 257 Briefcase Computer bag. These bags are similar enough in both their size and feature-set to cause considerable confusion for the first-time buyer.

In the Ultimate Briefcase Comparison, I will be breaking down the differences and explaining how the pros/cons of each bag should guide your final decision. I will also be posting lots of great side-by-side comparison pictures so that you can get a better idea of which bag is best for your particular needs.

As you can see, we have a busy month planned.

Thanks for visiting and please stay tuned!

History of an Iconic Brand

Great companies are built on a set of unwavering principles. The best way to understand what makes Filson products so special is to learn a bit about the unique history of the C.C. Filson company and about its founder, Clinton C. Filson.

Klondike Gold Rush

C.C. Filson, a railroad conductor by profession, moved to Seattle in 1892 and began to manage a small trading post. By the Fall of 1897, the Klondike Gold Rush was in full swing, bringing a rapid influx of prospectors to the area. These men were not properly equipped for the harsh conditions that they faced and were in desperate need of proper clothing, blankets and outdoor gear.

Mr. Filson observed a need in a rapidly expanding market that was not being filled, so he decided to use his expertise to create his own outdoor gear specifically suited for the unique challenges being faced by the prospectors. The company, originally named C.C. Filson’s Pioneer Alaska Clothing and Blanket Manufacturers, was born.

The company quickly built its reputation as a purveyor of the finest goods available, based upon the belief that if you build a superior product, it would render the competition irrelevant. To this end, C.C. Filson created the famous Filson guarantee:

We guarantee every item purchased from us. No more, no less. Your satisfaction is the sole purpose of our transaction.

This short, simple statement is not only a guarantee, but is actually a mission statement that has remained unchanged in over 100 years. Quite simply, Filson builds the best quality gear, suited for the most extreme conditions that is guaranteed to perform. This customer-centered approach to business is what causes Filson enthusiasts to form such an emotional connection to the brand.

In addition, the ability to adapt to an ever-changing market, while remaining true to their commitment to world-class quality is what makes Filson so special. These timeless principles were infused into the culture of the company in 1897 by C.C. Filson, and they are what the brand is best known for today.

Welcome to FilsonFan.com

Thank you for visiting FilsonFan.com…a place to share real-world images and product reviews of the luggage and bags made by the CC Filson Co of Seattle, Washington.

There are two primary reasons that this blog was created:

1) As my collection has grown, I realized that many people were unaware of CC Filson and its rich history and that there were not many helpful, independent reviews online.  One of my goals for this site is to share my enthusiasm for the Filson brand and also to help people choose the bag that is the best fit for their needs. My reviews will highlight the pros/cons of each piece, include lots of pictures and also offer comparisons between similar pieces (256 vs 257).

2) I find many images of Filson luggage to be timeless and to embody the true adventurer’s spirit that exists inside all of us.  I wanted to create a place not only to showcase my own original photos of Filson luggage, but also to link to those images on the web that I find most compelling. (In addition, if you have pictures you would like to share, please send them my way and I will feature the best ones on the site.)

Welcome aboard!

Disclaimer: this site is not affiliated nor endorsed by CC Filson Co of Seattle, WA. It is a privately owned blog and the opinions expressed here are mine and mine alone.