What' the Scoop on (Filson's) Wool Vests?

Fanch · Jan 12, 2013

wdw said:
HWM looking seriously good on you Fanch.

Thanks Eric. Today was a cold, windy day; so, I wore my Filson 24 oz. Mackinaw wool "Elmer Fudd" hat that is insulated inside and has ear protectors that fit inside as well. The photo doesn't illustrate how the cap fits as a big salad bowl and offers tremendous protection against the elements.

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My Filson insulated oil tin cloth hat also is insulated and has inside ear protectors too.

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One can easily spend at least a couple of hours looking inside the flagship Filson store in Seattle.

wquiles · Jan 9, 2014

Peacoat said:
Got my Filson Mackinaw wool vest in Charcoal today. I have a 42" chest, but ordered a size 40 so it would fit tighter to the body for layering under a MC jacket. Perfect fit. I like a vest to fit close to the body for warmth and layering. It is 24 oz. 100% wool, relatively thin and dense, and should be a warm vest. Sort of like wearing a lightweight peacoat for a vest. Won't find out today how warm it is as we have been in an early Spring for the few weeks. It got down in the 20s once a while back, and I thought Winter was finally on the way, but no such luck.

Thanks to Thor for the recommendation. PC.

I am in the same boat as I also prefer a vest that is very close to the body. My North Face Thermoball jacket is size small, and it fits very close to the body - great fit that allows for a normal shirt underneath, but not a sweater. I am coat size 40, and have a Peacoat in size 40 and one in size 38, and I like the closer fitting of the size 38 Peacoat, so I am thinking that I should order the Mackinaw wool vest in 38 instead of 40.

Boyo · Jan 10, 2014

I would suggest going with the size 38, the Filson Mackinaw is cut pretty generously. ( if you are ordering direct, returns/exchange should not be an issue)

wquiles · Jan 10, 2014

I also have a vintage Filson Forestry Cloth Cruiser (Style 16) in Forest Green, in size 40, and it fits great, but obviously with room for layering (I would say my Cruiser fits somewhere in between my size 38 and size 40 Peacoats) so you are confirming my thoughts that the vest will be better in a size 38. Thanks

Update: I just got of the phone from Filson, and they indicated that the chest sizing on a size 38 Mackinaw Wool Vest is 41", and on a size 40 is 43". So the sales associate agreed that in my case (40" chest size with just a t-shirt) the size 38 would be a better, closer fit to the body, and that he would only suggest the size 40 vest if I planed on layering a little under the vest.

Boyo · Jan 10, 2014

There ya go...

wquiles · Jan 10, 2014

Boyo said:
There ya go...

Yup. Filson sizing can be pretty frustrating. This is a size "small", Filson Timberline Tin Cloth (USA Made), which is lined with cotton from the factory - now discontinued. It still fits big enough to comfortable layer under it:

And here is my size 40, vintage Filson Forestry Cloth Cruiser:

and my size 38, 1949 Peacoat for comparison:

Will

Fanch · Jan 10, 2014

All of the above look great on you. Filson Customer Service will send measurements on request.

apap · Jan 11, 2014

Nice vintage Forestry cloth cruiser! I have one as well; in size 38. I've had a number of Filson garments over the years. The mackinaw vest is one that I've kept and would buy again.

wquiles · Jan 11, 2014

apap said:
Nice vintage Forestry cloth cruiser! I have one as well; in size 38. I've had a number of Filson garments over the years. The mackinaw vest is one that I've kept and would buy again.

I hear you loud and clear - except for a synthetic North Face inner layer, and a Patagonia synthetic inner layer vest, I only have Filson jackets now - I have sold everything else I had (the Tin Cloth above was the first Filson jacket for me!).

The Forestry cloth cruiser is classy and light enough for just those chilly days. I of course have the Peacoat for the really cold days, and I just bought (today) a vintage Filson Mackinaw Cruiser, which should be old enough to still have the 26oz wool, unlike the newer (2009+ or so) 24oz wool that Filson is now using. The Mackinaw is also size 40, and it is also in Forest Green color. I will post pictures of it when I get it - hopefully next week.

TODD R CASPELL · Jan 18, 2018

Of all my manny vests it's my Filson I love best.

Filson Whipcord Western Wool Vest

Short Balding Guy · Jan 18, 2018

Filson vests are the "Cats Meow" (IMO). Yesterday the temps were a glorious 25'F here in Minnesota. The Filson vest was worn when catching up on yard chores. (Filson shirt and Stormy Kromer complete the ensemble.)

I have a couple of the wool and a couple of the moleskin vests. They wear tough and get frequent wearings.

I am enjoying the winter season.

Below are other vest pics.

Best, Eric -

Bfd70 · Jan 10, 2019

Old thread, but I just picked up a Filson Mackinaw vest. I was looking for a layer that would:
1. Provide warmth
But also
2. Fit close.
3. Stop at belt line.
Numbers 2 and 3 (well 1 too really) are so they’d be useful under short jackets that have limited room for layering ie my 1/2 belt and Vanxon C2.
Total home run. I give it a 9. Its got a good beat and you can dance to it. Would be a 10 if not slightly scratchy.

Short Balding Guy · Jan 10, 2019

Bfd70 said:
Old thread, but I just picked up a Filson Mackinaw vest. I was looking for a layer that would:
1. Provide warmth
But also
2. Fit close.
3. Stop at belt line.
Numbers 2 and 3 (well 1 too really) are so they’d be useful under short jackets that have limited room for layering ie my 1/2 belt and Vanxon C2.
Total home run. I give it a 9. Its got a good beat and you can dance to it. Would be a 10 if not slightly scratchy.

Congrats sir on your new Filson vest. You will have to report back over the season as to wearings. I find opportunities to wear them frequently each week thru the year.

Retromoto · Jan 11, 2019

I have a couple of the Filson wool vests, one in charcoal and one in green. I absolutely love the charcoal item, looks and fits good, plus heavy enough to provide real warmth. That said, the green one was received a few years afterwards as a present. The material is much thinner, certainly not as warm and fit just isn't there for me. I seldom wear it although since it was a present from my wife, can't bring myself to sell it. It was a real disappointment as I like green and thought it would fit the same as the charcoal vest. Both are the same size BTW. I've gave Filson a wide berth since and don't think I'll purchase from them again.

Fanch · Jan 11, 2019

All depends on where one lives. In N Texas 24oz Mackinaw wool is almost too heavy with which to layer, and I own only a couple of Filson 24oz Mackinaw wool western vests (brown and charcoal). More useful are my three Filson moleskin vests (tan, olive and Navy).

Grayland · Jan 12, 2019

Retromoto said:
I have a couple of the Filson wool vests, one in charcoal and one in green. I absolutely love the charcoal item, looks and fits good, plus heavy enough to provide real warmth. That said, the green one was received a few years afterwards as a present. The material is much thinner, certainly not as warm and fit just isn't there for me. I seldom wear it although since it was a present from my wife, can't bring myself to sell it. It was a real disappointment as I like green and thought it would fit the same as the charcoal vest. Both are the same size BTW. I've gave Filson a wide berth since and don't think I'll purchase from them again.

Several years ago when I was researching Filson Mackinaw jackets, I remember that the website specifically said that the green was lighter in weight than the other choices. I went with the charcoal. I'm a size 40 and bought a 38 and it fits great. I always wanted a Filson vest in light gray - that color hasn't been made for quite a while. I recently found one on eBay in a size 42 and had the sides taken in. Easy alteration and it looks great.

Retromoto · Jan 16, 2019

Grayland said:
Several years ago when I was researching Filson Mackinaw jackets, I remember that the website specifically said that the green was lighter in weight than the other choices. I went with the charcoal. I'm a size 40 and bought a 38 and it fits great. I always wanted a Filson vest in light gray - that color hasn't been made for quite a while. I recently found one on eBay in a size 42 and had the sides taken in. Easy alteration and it looks great.

Currently both colors are shown as 24 oz., that said, my guess is the older charcoal item I have is 28-30oz. It's a very substantial piece of clothing. Put this over a HD cotton T and canvas shirt and you're good to go in pretty cool weather.

Bfd70 · Jan 16, 2019

I planned on getting charcoal but it was out of stock in my size. Took a chance on green and was very pleased. Looks great. It is as heavy as i’d want it. Any heavier and i’d have to take it off everytime i came inside.

dancing james · Jan 1, 2021

Am contemplating a western vest, probably veering towards the Stormy Kromer rather than Filson but struggling to find a pit to pit measurement for either in large or x large.

Also will either of them fit an iPhone in their pockets?

What' the Scoop on (Filson's) Wool Vests?

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