I have a double mackinaw packer coat with fleece collar. I packed mules in the mountains with it for 25 years. Still have it. The biggest advantage it has over ANY modern coat? You can dry it over a campfire without melting it. We Cowboys wear silk wild rags around our neck to keep the itch down. The pass through back big pocket is for game. Grouse, rabbits, etc. You will pass that coat on to your grandchildren.
Since everyone is correcting me saying the back pocket isn't for a map but rather for carrying dead game,, Filson themselves calls the pocket "a full-width map/chart pocket covering the entire back" - but yes, you can also fit a dead pheasant in there! ✰ Also, check out my 10 Best Boots On the Market! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-9kuHyyefNGE.html
Typically, game pockets are lined so blood doesn't get on the jacket, and map pockets are unlined. People use them for both, as you can put your own liner in the Filson and use it for game. I don't find Filson scratchy, but I can wear boiled wool underwear.
Great video. I went to the same Filson store in the LWS about a month ago to pick up this jacket in Charcoal... This is the greatest fucking jacket I've ever bought, arguably the best 400 bucks I've ever spent. It's extremely classic but interesting, too the point where people comment on it pretty regularly (and I notice a lot of people looking at it). The fit is fantastic if you're like me, and you're sick of jackets made for skinny European models where you can't fit hardly a flannel underneath without seriously limiting your arm mobility. You have FULL mobility in this jacket and it's so refreshing. Another huge thing is, living in nyc, it'll be freezing outside, but then you go in to the subway for a ~45 minute ride and you're sweating your balls off. Not with this jacket. It allows for that temperature variation, and you won't get out of the train with a damp undershirt, which for me is a huuuge relief. 11 out of 10 for this jacket. If you're on the fence, hop off and get this jacket.
I'm a retired professional forester. I've had two Filson cruisers in 50 years. The first one I basically "outgrew" as I gained a few pounds over the years, lol.
My grandpa was in the forest service in the 40’s. I just came home with his green jacket. No badges or gov emblems. It is amazing. Were yours more of a canvas than the blanket type of wool?
Setting the record straight on this - please read below. That is not a game pocket - that is a map pocket. This jacket is specifically designed for Timber Cruisers, it is not really a hunting jacket. You could use it for hunting if you wanted, but a wet pheasant is going to leave a stain. Hunting jackets usually have a pleated game pocket that is easy to clean. This jacket is designed for Timber Cruisers. And that back pocket is designed to hold maps, lots and lots of folded maps. A Timber Cruiser was someone who works for a logging company and hikes the woods taking notes on his maps, (emphasis again - lots of maps) indicating: timber types, tones per acre, board feet per acre, average trunk sizes measured DBH (that is Diameter Breast Height), dry bulb and wet bulb measurements, obstructions, map revision, and plotting for logging access roads. The Cruiser will usually have one set of maps for each of those criteria. The 4 narrow slot pockets at the chest are to hold different colored grease pencils for marking the various maps. The maps are then scrutinized back at the office to plan future logging operations. Now if you want to use this for hunting, (as I am sure people have) be my guest, but I myself wouldn't put anything fresh back there. Signed: Sincerely, a former forest worker. PS: these are awesome coats that seemingly last forever, though the cuffs will get frayed. I myself have only been able to wear out one. I currently have: 2 double Macks, 3 single Macks, 4 Cape Coats (my second favorite), 4 simple Jack-Shirts (my most favorite), a canvas Logger, and a canvas Packer. Over the decades I have burned through more expensive Gore-Tex shells than I can count or remember. But, if I were on a bush plane in Alaska going down, and faced with the prospect of a multi week walkout to civilization, I would hope that I would be wearing one of these. And if I could only own 1 coat, it would be a Mackinaw Cruiser. (in green). Cheers !
Can you elaborate what makes the jac-shirt your favorite? Planning on getting some but they're priced roughly the same as a full jacket which comes with more pockets so I'm in a pickle deciding between the two
@@denzellima3079I have both, u can layer with Jac shirts as inner or outer layer and are really warm, can come in 24 oz makinaw wool as well same as the cruiser. Cruisers can be overkill in some places like California
If you wear it 90 days a year, and say you live for another 30 years. That is 2,700 wears and works out as 14 cent a wear. Good price in the long term.
Just picked up a vintage Woolrich double-Mackinaw. Two layers on the sleeves, back, and 1/2 the front. Filson used Pendleton wool to make their coats, so a Pendleton coat is basically the same. Woolrich, Soo Woolen Mills, and others made the same type of high-quality wool garments. Lots of them out there to enjoy.
Hey man, thanks for the mention. I wear my dad's coat and will be leaving it to my son. One thing you might want to mention is that it's buttons for closure vs snaps or a zipper. The buttons do take a bit longer to fasten than a zipper or snaps. And as to the sizing, you are on point with buying it a bit larger. Winter coats should always be bought with some extra room since you might be wearing a bulky sweater or an extra layer underneath.
You know medium regular mackinaw (not double) probably would have looked great on me but a big jacket isn't the end of the world, and i like the extra room it gives me with the game pocket. Too big jeans and shirts though, disaster!
Excellent product. I’ve had mine for just about 20 years. It works most of the time but when you have those extremely cold windy days in the single digits I need to break out my parka.. I also wear the FILSON wool vests which make an excellent second layer.
Once you have a jacket with a poacher's pouch, you'll always look for it. As for Filson products. Everything I've gotten from them has been phenomenal. But they're overpriced. That said, if you get the US-made stuff, you'll never have to buy another one as long as you live. If you're someone who doesn't need a lot of options in your life, this is the perfect coat.
The plaid versions are 26 oz btw..and I do wear mine with a tshirt (your skin will get used to it). I own the double due to the temps I live in, absolutely love it. I own many of the top brands of outdoor gear (arcteryx,Patagonia,norrona,old Sierra designs etc) filson would be my choice if shit hits the fan.
Presently have a forest green Mackinaw cruiser (size 42, newer models do not come in numerical sizes). The back pocket IS a map pocket made for US Geological Survey (USGS) maps.Handwarmer pockets did not appear until the Seventies or early Eighties. I once had the double Mackinaw in Advantage Timber camouflage in size 42 and WAS slightly smaller in cut as noted by the presenter. Filson has outlet shops in Washington and Minnesota that have lower prices on returned items.
mine is a navy/black version, with buffalo plaid lining. LOVE IT. The back pocket as I've been told is to carry your birds. The ones your lab retrieves. Awesome.
Still one of your best reviews. I have three of their wool coats and don’t find them itchy at all. They are warmer than anything else in cold, damp weather by far, in my experience.
Thanks for the comment about the sizing. I just got a Mackinaw for Christmas and I was questioning the fit. But people at the store laughing in your face blew me doubts away. Also this coat and hearing you say that it will last for the rest of my life makes me aware I won’t live forever. I’m already anxious leaving it in a Diner on some road trip in 30something years. And makes me wonder which kid I want to hand it over to once I’m getting old even though I don’t have any kids yet. Great Video! Happy Holidays!
Thank for the very best review of the Filson coat. I was so tired of hearing about someone’s dads or grand fathers coat. This is the type of review that makes me ready to make a purchase. Thanks again.
I have a cruiser and a long sleeve collared shirt addresses the itchy wool issue. A sweater or other layer addresses the wind resistance which is mainly between button holes and at the neck. A scarf (cashmere for you sensitive guys 😀) would cover this area as well. I wear this jacket well below zero Fahrenheit and appreciate the breathable properties when working outdoors. Thanks for the review.
I just picked up a mackinaw Jac shirt for 210 brand new. Ox blood color which is 26oz wool with 8 oz cotton lining. It’s got insulted sleeves as well. I live in California so the look of mackinaw cruiser would look odd so I went with the Jac shirt. I can’t recommend it enough. It breathes better then my Arc’Teryx Atom Lt jacket.
Filson’s now like Barbour, every hipster wants one to wear with their Blundstone or 1000 Mile boots. But the best cruisers are Johnson Woolens Mills hands down.
My Barbour Beaufort also has that big pocket in the back. It’s awesome. I throw gloves or a winter hat in there and I forget it even is in there. Then when it’s cold, my gloves are there.
Being from PA Woolrich used to be the jam. They’ve changed quite a bit over the years unfortunately. Fortunately there’s still lots of gems to be found in thrift stores.
Agreed. I found a vintage Pendleton wool jacket on eBay and I love it. Much more comfortable than the Filson and much better pocket placement for hand warming.
Sticker shock for sure. I love Filson stuff though. I kind of wish I didn't sell my mackinaw cruiser, had the fairly-rare brown one. I still have a Yukon wool Weekender jacket (AKA Mile Marker), which is a really nice, less scratchy wool. Warmth is hard to compare since I didn't own both at the same time, but probably just a little less warm than the mackinaw. But I just layer if it's really cold. I prefer the cruiser pocket layout, but I like how the wool weekender is somewhat of a field coat - has a draw string for the waist and drapes pretty nicely.
Woolrich used to make the wool for the Mackinaw Cruiser. Unfortunately, their pricing structure has gone off the rails. I remember the same shirt I bought for $75 is now going for $300 literally a year later.
I have a Woolrich version, maybe it's a double, and it is lined with a cotton moleskin. A hand me down from my father and maybe from his father. Still holds its shape well and the Woolrich version has a VERY tall collar; like it goes damn near to the top of my head!
Love the video! I love how you do items that arent the most trendy but still good products. I wanted to see if you would do a pair of corcoran 1510 jump boots??? I'm interested in your opinion. Theyre only 140 bucks which is interesting.
Great review, I have both as well, regular and double. Both second hand on eBay from fellows who moved from the cold north to Florida and Texas respectively. Not much need for a heavy wool Mackinaw in either state. My regular weight is green/black plaid, the double is all green. Both were also in "long/tall" versions which are great on my 6'6" frame. Coats to last a lifetime. I also owned a vintage Woolrich, red/black plaid "Pennsylvania Tuxedo"
Excellent stuff! I wonder what happened in that alternate universe where I got the right size of the double mackinaw and I was wearing that every day instead.
Hmm. My 1940s Woolrich is designed identically but is lined with a comfortable cotton. I bought it for a song at an antique shop. Made in Pennsylvania.
I have a green one that is old. Well I am no longer young either. Check out the story of Patrick - Duluth Woolen Mill and the original Mackinaw fad. Their slogan was Bigger Than the Weather.
You are good in predicating prices lol jacket just hit the highest price of $495. You should start giving us some heads up about crypts and stocks future prices as well 😂
I only ware wool socks year around. My feet stay reasonably cool and dry in the summer and in winter they perfectly warm and dry even when my boots have completely failed to keep water out. I'm seriously considering one of these.
Thanks so much.. Certain generations of Filson based on board room battles and CEO casualties, their stuff has (S/M/L/XL) sizing or it will have numbers sizing. (40/41/42/43....ect) I wish it would settle.
I have had my Mackinaw Cruiser for years, it is my go to for a cold New England winter day. It just looks out of place to me in NYC, but I guess times have changed. Good review. If it ends up being too itchy for you, just let me know and I will take it off your hands.
The plaid pattern makes it look too much like a thick flannel shirt. It's hard for me to see it as a coat. 100% wool is rare nowadays but does have great properties as you mentioned.
I always thought these would look very bulky because of all the front pockets, but it looks alright on you. I have something similar from Pendleton (I think from the 90s). I 100% agree that these are best bought second hand.
Your comment just saved me. Might cost me another 100$(used).. but handwarmer pockets make all the difference. I love my filson vest. I presumed the pendlton cruiser was identical but slightly lighter. Thanks
I think you are sensitive to wool. When my dog gets up in the middle of the night I throw my mackinaw wool coat right on my bare skin and it feels soft to me. There might be a break in period, and there are certainly softer woods out there but there are also much itchier woods out there too(looking at you wooly mammoth blanket co.) . I find the mackinaw wool to be very nice and very warm. I just ordered my wool cruiser today in the blue plaid wool they offer now. Something your review didn’t mention(or I missed) is that the plaid versions of the coat come in a heavier wool. 26oz vs 24oz. I can say from experience that the 2oz makes a big difference!
Hello there! Thank you for this thoroughly, we'll put together video. As I'm into market for my first one, as many of us here, it would help immensely if you would tell us your height/weight and chest measurements. The large fits you just perfect! Hope you are well, TGA
I heard the big pocket in the back is actually for old school Upland Game hunters to stuff the birds into after the dogs bring them back. Edit: It looks like you addressed this already. Lots of old Willis and Geiger jackets have this as well. You should do a video on W&G- one of the greatest American Brands of all time and most people never heard of them.
Haha I was just talking about those. I might? It's risky venturing into a new category, I kind of want to focus on bags and jackets for a bit before doing flannel but I do want to do it eventually Brandon.
These must be popular. Most of their stock of these jackets is sold out or only available in the odd sizes. So much for waiting for a post holiday sale.
I was was skeptical that this was going to just be a cheesy, annoying video shilling for some company (which, I suppose could still be the case) but that Cruiser does sound/look like a great coat. I can not tell a lie. I mean, the jacket sounds bad-ass and you, Nick, seem to be a genuine believer in it. I've always been a sucker for good wool stuff.
Haha thanks Kit! Check out my Instagram, I wear it all the time. I'm a total convert to wool stuff because of this jacket. Trying to find a good 100% wool pea coat next...
@@Stridewise filson used to make one called the hatch peacoat. I picked one up 3-4 years ago brand new for less than $200. I think it didn’t really find a fanbase for whatever reason hence the price, but it’s a great coat. Not a super heavy pea coat, but a little warmer and more wind resistant than a single mac due to it being a tighter weave, double breasted, and lined. Tbh it’s in most ways a better coat than a single mac but I prefer the mac based on style and the fact that so many douchenozzles wear pea coats.
I recently obtained one of these on Ebay. From what I've learned about deciphering label, I think it was made in 2012. But, the cuffs only have one button, not two like I expected. Any insight as to why?
Great Video along Great Information about the Jacket , but I have only one. question.. I am 6'6 &195 lbs my Sleeves length are 39' so what size do think I should order ...
I really want this jacket, but hearing that it’s itchy is a big turn off for me. I have a jacket from Taylor Stitch that I bought a couple of years back and it’s like 90% wool, and I wore it once. The itchiness was something I didn’t like at all.
