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Post by downriver on Aug 9, 2021 20:46:41 GMT -8
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BigLoad
Trail Wise!
Pancakes!
Posts: 12,850
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Post by BigLoad on Aug 9, 2021 21:24:09 GMT -8
It's a tough market. Competition in some of their traditional categories has sunk to nothing as even hunters have switched to lighter weight, less durable gear. Where they're the last man standing, Filson's prices have gone through the roof. I'm tempted to go for some Filson at ridiculous prices while it's still around, because you can't get a Woolrich or LL Bean Double Mackinaw anymore.
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FamilySherpa
Trail Wise!
Tangled up in Rhododendron
Posts: 1,791
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Post by FamilySherpa on Aug 10, 2021 4:00:07 GMT -8
Filson's prices are ridiculous on some of the most frivolous things. I'm fine with charging a premium for a well made piece of clothing, but something fairly rudimentary like a cloth & Velcro wallet, probably not worth $100.
They've pigeon holed themselves into such a niche market (more of a customer profile than a market, tbh). I'd be surprised if they last another 5 years.
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Post by gcvrsa on Aug 17, 2021 7:50:14 GMT -8
It's a tough market. Competition in some of their traditional categories has sunk to nothing as even hunters have switched to lighter weight, less durable gear. Where they're the last man standing, Filson's prices have gone through the roof. I'm tempted to go for some Filson at ridiculous prices while it's still around, because you can't get a Woolrich or LL Bean Double Mackinaw anymore. The only thing keeping Filson afloat anymore is lumbersexual hipsters. Their prices have always been high, but in the past decade, the prices of traditional gear like Filson, Duluth Pack, etc, have skyrocketed because of fashion interest.
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Post by gcvrsa on Aug 17, 2021 7:53:23 GMT -8
I really regret letting go of my Woolrich Stag Shirt, a forest green one. I still have my Stag Jackets in red and brown, though, and I won't make that mistake again. They really aren't cut for women, but that's not a new problem for women in need of serious backcountry gear.
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rangewalker
Trail Wise!
Agitate, organize and educate.
Posts: 1,029
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Post by rangewalker on Aug 18, 2021 13:20:34 GMT -8
The only thing keeping Filson afloat anymore is lumbersexual hipsters. If they wanted real they should stick to Big Mac. In the late 70's I had to go to Tacoma to talk to railroad lawyers about access to some drilling locations. I called Filson since I was going to stay in Seattle if they had a storefront that sold seconds or sales demo. The phone line went silent. Then the level angriest sixth-grade teacher's voice put me in my place, "We don't have seconds." Dialtone. I have owned and worn out two Tin Cloth vests for survey work. I did buy a canvas hat that was $30 more than my current Tilley and half the value. About the time I could afford a full Mackinaw of my lumberjack dreams (grins), I knew better.
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muleman
Trail Wise!
Forester
Posts: 91
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Post by muleman on Sept 7, 2021 6:40:49 GMT -8
Filsons go back 3 generations in my family. I have worn out some in the woods. I still have a Forestry Cloth cruiser jacket from 1974. It is the orignial Alaskan Tuxedo. My Dad gave it to me when I finished forestry school.
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Post by dayhiker on Sept 7, 2021 8:25:42 GMT -8
Imported of USA fabric - Pendleton went that way awhile ago . . .
They still sell their shirts in Made in Oregon stores
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Post by downriver on Sept 7, 2021 12:22:35 GMT -8
Imported of USA fabric - Pendleton went that way awhile ago . . . They still sell their shirts in Made in Oregon stores They went away from the USA years ago; it made the news here in Portland, Oregon. Their shirts really went down in quality when the did that. No quality control. So many have gone overseas to Asia with the same results—-no quality control. Woolrich is the only one as far as wool goes who has kept up their standards—-at least until a few years ago. I have not looked at a Woolrich product for the last few years. Regards, DR
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Post by downriver on Sept 7, 2021 12:24:10 GMT -8
Filsons go back 3 generations in my family. I have worn out some in the woods. I still have a Forestry Cloth cruiser jacket from 1974. It is the orignial Alaskan Tuxedo. My Dad gave it to me when I finished forestry school. What a cool graduation gift! Where did you go to forestry school? If you care to share. Respectfully, DR
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Post by downriver on Sept 7, 2021 12:26:51 GMT -8
Leather goods quality control has gone down, too. It’s another industry I’m disappointed in. I bought a couple of Filson belts 11 years ago that are still holding up well.
Regards,
DR
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muleman
Trail Wise!
Forester
Posts: 91
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Post by muleman on Sept 7, 2021 12:36:42 GMT -8
Hi DR, The University of Washington when it was the greatest forestry school in the world. Now they do not even offer an undergrad degree in the subject.
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Post by downriver on Sept 7, 2021 13:43:32 GMT -8
Hi DR, The University of Washington when it was the greatest forestry school in the world. Now they do not even offer an undergrad degree in the subject. Wow...! They use to have some great instructors, too. I have several books written by professors from U of W.
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rangewalker
Trail Wise!
Agitate, organize and educate.
Posts: 1,029
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Post by rangewalker on Sept 13, 2021 10:44:51 GMT -8
They went away from the USA years ago; it made the news here in Portland, Oregon. Their shirts really went down in quality when the did that. No quality control. So many have gone overseas to Asia with the same results—-no quality control. Few companies that have gone overseas, especially China, do not invest in agents on the ground to work through their Asian supply chain. The very few, like Osprey, actually moved to Viet Nam, for four years, and then set up a Korean management firm to coordinate design, quality control, and logistics. If they don't, then the Trade Ministry gives the manufacturing to whomever their homies are. And it can change midstream.
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Post by cheaptentguy on Sept 13, 2021 12:44:56 GMT -8
The $495 price for the Mackinaw jacket is blowing my mind. www.filson.com/mackinaw-cruiser-alaska-fit.htmlI know that many of us don't understand real production costs because most of us are used to goods made with cheap southeast Asian labor. Can somebody with knowledge of production explain what really goes into the making of this jacket that would make it cost that much? Or is it largely a premium price for a perceived premium product?
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