filson

FILSON - EXCELLENT QUALITY FOR OVER 120 YEARS

Born in 1850, CC Filson inherited his father's pioneering spirit and love of the outdoors. After living in Nebraska and traveling across the country as a railroad man, he moved to the small town of Seattle, Washington, around 1890.

Filson couldn’t have picked better timing. In 1897, the Great Klondike Gold Rush began, and thousands of fortune seekers were pouring into Seattle, heading north. Armed with a strong work ethic, a reputation for honesty, and years of experience dressing settlers and gold prospectors in the Pacific Northwest, CC Filson was ready for fame. Here’s what he had to say in our 1914 catalog:

“To our customers: if a man is headed North, he should come to us for his clothing, because we have learned what is best to wear in that country from the experience of one Northerner - and not just one - but hundreds. Our materials are the best available, knowing that the best is the result of constant research and that quality is of vital importance. You can absolutely count on our products in both materials and workmanship.”

THE GOLD RUSH YEARS: 1897-1899

In 1897, Filson opened CC Filson's Pioneer Alaska Clothing and Blanket Manufacturers, specializing in clothing for prospectors in the Klondike Gold Rush.

Stories of harrowing experiences in the Yukon were reported. Hume Nisbet’s 1897 journal painted this picture: “Try to recall your sensations on the coldest night you ever spent; try to multiply by a thousand the most terrible sensation of icy cold that ever penetrated your marrow; even then you cannot imagine spring in Chilkoot Canyon, much less midwinter in the Klondike.”

It was for these harsh conditions that Filson created his products. He had a factory and produced Mackinaw wool clothing and blankets, knitwear, and sold boots, shoes, moccasins, and sleeping bags specially designed for the frigid North. Filson kept in touch with customers, improving his products to meet their specific needs. Gold miners depended on Filson. In those days, clothing was not a matter of choice, but of survival.

DURABLE AND COMFORTABLE CLOTHING FOR HUNTERS AND FISHERMEN, TECHNICIANS AND EXPLORERS, SAILORS AND MINERS

The Gold Rush was over, but Filson continued to listen to its customers, and outdoorsmen continued to buy Filson’s rugged clothing. Building on its heritage in lumberjack apparel, Filson later introduced clothing for the lumber industry, including the Filson Cruiser, the piece that would earn Filson a place in history. Designed and named by CC Filson, and patented on March 3, 1914 under US Patent #1088891, the Cruiser Shirt continues to be a top-selling piece in the Filson collection.

WORLDWIDE REPUTATION FOR HONESTY, QUALITY AND DURABILITY

Filson continued to produce its clothing from the finest materials available, providing a guarantee on every item in the collection. If it didn't have an item the customer needed, it would be made just for them. The Filson name became synonymous with reliability, satisfaction and honesty. By the 1960s, Filson's reputation as the premier supplier of apparel for those who enjoy the outdoors had spread around the world. In addition to being available at the best retailers of quality outdoor apparel, Filson clothing was mail-ordered from as far away as Greenland.

“The goods we are talking about should not be confused with the far lower and cheaper quality that is full of the market. Such products not only do not serve the purpose for which they are intended, but the people who wear them would feel better if they did not wear them.”