Filson coats - anyone?

cuchulain said:

I'm 5'9 175 lbs and this is me in a 38R Filson Mackinaw Cruiser, I would be absolutely swimming in a 44R. I have a 43 inch chest and 32 inch waist for reference. I can't imagine how a 44R fits you perfectly when we're about the same size.

Sorry for the poor pic, but it at least gives an idea. I could honestly still size down to a 36R.

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I've been wearing my blue one this last week due to rain. It's a great jacket!
Mine is also maybe one size larger than I need, but for it's purpose, it's OK as I can layer the hell out of it...

Michael R. said:

I just bought a Filson Mackinaw Cruiser , size 44 R , I'm 5'8" 170-175 lb. and it fits Perfectly . I'm a 44 Chest . Bought a Mackinaw Western Wool Vest L , and it fit Perfect , so I took the chance on the Cruiser . I want to Thank Eric(@Short Balding Guy ) for introducing to Filson Clothing , Super Well Made in the USA ! @Michael A , Also !

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I am 6'2" and weigh ~185, chest 42" and wear a size 42 extra long Mackinaw Cruiser with the capability of layering underneath with a Filson vest. A size 40 extra long allows no layering. I'm swimming in a size 44 extra long. Michael R., let us know how your Filson works out for you.

They've got a new(er) fit I think is "Seattle" which is trimmer. I should have got one of those, but I love it regardless. Just another piece in the closet for specific uses...

I went through two of these jackets, the first was a medium Seattle Fit which was still huge, then I tried this 38 "Alaska fit" (again their sizing is all over the place s-m-l-xl, 36, 38, 40, 42, Alaska, Seattle), but I digress. So the nice seller sent me this 38 Alaska fit (pictured below) which hit the mark for me.

I would say the medium Seattle fit was basically a slight large 44 jacket size.

These pics are better, hopefully it can help someone with sizing:

Again this is a 38 Alaska fit Mackinaw Cruiser, classic. I'm 5'9 175 lbs 43 inch chest 32-33 inch waist (maybe a 34 over a long weekend). I can get a t-shirt, sweater under it no problem.

Yup, it's a great coat. Will last longer than me too...

Anyone looking for a size 42 double mac cruiser in charcoal?

http://www.filson.com/men/coats-jackets/wool-coats/double-mackinaw-cruiser-11010041.html#27

I got this and it is a size too big. I'm looking to trade for another double mac in a size 40.

In reference to sizing. I do all my sizing by the pit-to-pit measurement. I don't care about the assigned number or letter. Tell me the pit measurement, and we'll get it right almost every time. Filson is a type and utility of garment that doesn't marry well with a lot of tailoring. I hope they don't get too carried away with that.

In reference to wool and rain. Anyone remember the National Geographic (May, 1988) thats cover and main article was dedicated to wool?* Good quality wool, like that of Filson and old Pendleton, can absorb 30% of its weight in water before beginning to feel damp to the touch. From microscope photos, the reason wool feels rough on skin is that it is a scaly fiber and not a smooth fiber. I'm lucky insofar as I like the way it feels on my skin, but there's a reason why it bothers some.

In reference to Filson. Filson is the first time I remember falling in love with a piece of clothing that wasn't part of a uniform or costume. One of those childhood gamechangers.

*here's the NG article: http://tracingthreads.com/wool-fabric-of-history-national-geographic-1988/

Ernest P Shackleton said:

In reference to sizing. I do all my sizing by the pit-to-pit measurement. I don't care about the assigned number or letter. Tell me the pit measurement, and we'll get it right almost every time. Filson is a type and utility of garment that doesn't marry well with a lot of tailoring. I hope they don't get too carried away with that.

In reference to wool and rain. Anyone remember the National Geographic (May, 1988) thats cover and main article was dedicated to wool?* Good quality wool, like that of Filson and old Pendleton, can absorb 30% of its weight in water before beginning to feel damp to the touch. From microscope photos, the reason wool feels rough on skin is that it is a scaly fiber and not a smooth fiber. I'm lucky insofar as I like the way it feels on my skin, but there's a reason why it bothers some.

In reference to Filson. Filson is the first time I remember falling in love with a piece of clothing that wasn't part of a uniform or costume. One of those childhood gamechangers.

*here's the NG article: http://tracingthreads.com/wool-fabric-of-history-national-geographic-1988/

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I stick with the pit to pit measurements , too , never fails . And yeah , good wool is the only thing that can take water and still feel fine , or get soaked and still give warmth . Goose Down is light , and warm as long as its dry , but wet its useless .

So to add to the confusion re Mackinaw Cruiser fit: I tried on an older size 40 (from right before the switch to S,M,L sizing), and it was too big. The store also had a Medium Seattle Fit--honestly it didn't fit much different--still big. So I figured a 38 would be a good fit--I found a nice used one on Ebay in a 38 and it fits very snug--restricted in the shoulders, etc--very tailored looking--to me it feels more like what I would expect a true size 38 jacket to fit like--not the typically oversized Filson fit. FWIW I'm 5'10" and 160 lbs. The pit to pit on the coat is 22" and it's about 18" at the shoulders. So it has me thinking--this appears to be an older piece--wondering if sizing changed, or perhaps it was laundered at some point?
I'll probably keep it for now, but couldn't really do much layering--it's even a bit snug with a T-Shirt.

@Stringmaster I bought a Large Mackinaw Western Wool Vest off of eBay (charcoal) , and its snug , but the seller had measured and said it must have been washed with Woolite at some point and shrunk , still works , just need a lighter shirt , and a little restrictive actually mostly in the chest . The length was a couple (2) of inches shorter than normal , but is okay .

The New Mackinaw Western Wool Vest I bought was Forest Green , and I love the new style collar . The Mackinaw Cruiser I bought was Forest Green , also . Large Vest , and 44 Cruiser all fit great . I was a little worried about the sizing matter , I've bought Eddie Bauer stuff that says Large and is more like XXL , but I was pleasantly surprised with Filson . I thought everything was true to size for me .

It doesn't matter how much care someone takes in washing a wool garment with water. Cold water. handwash cycles (on the new frontloader washers). Specialty cleaners. Line dried while doves sing and fairies dance beneath it. The fabric does shrink, and all the seams get weird. The size gets distorted. Most people don't do all those things, or any of them really, so the sizing is definitely affected if someone washed the wool garment. Then you have all these eBay and vintage sellers washing their finds with far less care than someone who owns them. A couple of quick tells about a wool garment: 1) if there is any wrinkling of the material, that should send up a flag. Wool does not wrinkle easily. Thick wool wrinkles even less easily. If you see wrinkles or unnatural bends/waves in the material, it has probably been washed in water. 2) look at all the stitching and seams. The stitching distorts less than the wool during a water washing, so the stitching pulls on the now-shrunk fabric. You get wrinkles around the stitching or waves in the fabric that make it look like "wrong" as it hangs or lays in the photograph (eBay), which is especially the case when they try to dry them, even on lowest heat. Most of these sellers aren't taking the time to line dry clothing. If everything has been properly cared for, the garment should lay perfectly flat. It should hang perfectly flat as well.

When I say distorted, what I mean is that it has at least shrunk a little, changing all the dimensions. Aside from dry cleaning, washing with water changes the garment. That doesn't mean it damaged or ruined the garment, but if you're buying off eBay, it should change your perspective. Another reason why getting an accurate pit-to-pit measurement is so crucial. There are a lot of seams in the pit area. That's the area of the garment that will be distorted the most from a water washing. That and the shoulder area. Personally, I find if the pit measurement is good for me, the shoulders usually follow. Strangely, it doesn't work the other way around as well. A good shoulder measurement doesn't mean it will fit well in the chest.

Michael R. said:

I just bought a Filson Mackinaw Cruiser , size 44 R , I'm 5'8" 170-175 lb. and it fits Perfectly . I'm a 44 Chest . Bought a Mackinaw Western Wool Vest L , and it fit Perfect , so I took the chance on the Cruiser . I want to Thank Eric(@Short Balding Guy ) for introducing to Filson Clothing , Super Well Made in the USA ! @Michael A , Also !

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Congrats on the Mac Cruiser and vest! Wear them proudly sir.

Best, Eric-

Filson just added a number of additional items on sale for at least 50% off.

Some stuff is 60% off now , but limited sizes available . Nice Coat @So33 !

I have a Double Mackinaw Cruiser in charcoal that my wife got for me as a gift when we lived in Alaska.
Here in south Texas, I get to wear it maybe 2 times a year.

My first Filson was a Mackinaw Cruiser in hunter green. I wore that from about 1995 to 2010 then sold it on Craigslist, IIRC. I wore that one nearly every single day through the long, 9 months of winter in Alaska. Those Filson virgin wool cruisers are really durable.

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Trying to add commentary to my picture above. 30 minutes wasted.
Went to the Marysville, WA Filson Outlet store today.
Added this to my Filson collection, $199.00.
On a side note they're doing a lot of shipping for call in orders on the discounted outlet pricing
For you out of area addicts.

First sighting of the season of Filson at my house today
DSCN5638 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
I wore the mackinaw vest while I was working in the yard re-waxing my brush pants. Felt good. I think it will be a regular companion for the next few months.

Michael

Michael A said:

First sighting of the season of Filson at my house today
DSCN5638 crop by Michael A2012, on Flickr
I wore the mackinaw vest while I was working in the yard re-waxing my brush pants. Felt good. I think it will be a regular companion for the next few months.

Michael

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Looking good Michael . I was thinking about breaking out my Mackinaw Vests yesterday . Its chilly time in TN , and supposed to be cooler next week .

Thanks Michael. I probably would have had the vest out yesterday if I had thought of it. It was definitely wool weather. The 10 day forecast says we are going to warm up except for Sun and Mon. But at this time of year the mornings and evenings are always jacket or vest weather. Looking forward to seeing your vests in action.

Michael