Are you familiar with Filson, the Carhartt for the 1% or maybe top 5%- maybe theres a
YouTube economist who breaks that down income levels and clothing brands.
Theyre an old brand established in 1897 and bought out by Bedrock manufacturing in 2012
buy a guy who saw a potential in marketing and thought rich farmhands, fishermen, and
lumberjacks would love this shit probably.
While ? of their stuff is made in a country known only as imported, some is made here
in the USA (with imported materials).
Which is the good Filson Unless you think a $125 imported flannel shirt from filson
is better than a $20 imported flannel shirt from Walmart.
Now you may not know that approximately 70% of what I do in life is pretend shop on the
internet for stuff I dont need and because of that I got Filson curious a few years ago.
I decided a Mackinaw cruiser was something I needed in life and bought one that was too
big off eBay.
Oops!
But through Reddit I learned Filson has a big sale a sale twice a year which I bought
the Filson Bell Bomber about 2 years ago in super extreme limited edition Harris Tweed
wool.
I paid $125 for it when it generally retails for $350 which I assume is the sort of workwear
aimed at those poor family farmers lobbying for the end of the estate tax.
The Bell bomber is a staple of the Filson catalog it comes in many different fabrics
but the gist is its a short cut jacket that sits above the hips with a lot of pockets.
And while the Harris Tweed version isnt currently made you can still find the regular wool ones,
which to me looks like a black and gray version of this one.
Lets assume the fabric feel and weave, construction, and wool thickness is similar between the
regular wool bell bomber and this one.
Or dont.
Its the best I could tell staring at product photos for 20 minutes- a real good use of
time.
Lets look at the construction first.
And youre like so were doing fashion reviews now huh?
If youre familiar with the dense weave of a mackinaw cruiser that truly can take a beating
well this is its cousin that shops at OG whole foods before internet walmart bought it out.
The mackinaw cruisers wool is pretty abrasion resistant, but this is more made from woven
wool multicolored pretty yarn.
And you might say oh a rug!
Occasionally I have had keys poke through but not damage the pocket, because it isnt
dense.
The jacket itself isnt blanket lined, and has a thin rayon liner that has a basic duty
to keep the itches down and not provide warmth.
The wool exterior is a bit amorphous and not rigid, and keeps you warm in non windy above
freezing temperatures.
Think high 30s-50s F , in dry weather.
The wool is technically known as medium scratchy so the collar isnt line and can rub you the
wrong way if your neck is exposed under the collar.
But whats great about is, I can wear it in cold rooms indoors, at my semi fancy place
of work, and also outdoors the place jackets are designed for.
The wool has a lot of different colors in it, so you might wear it with a lot of things.
It looks greyish brown but theres yellow and red or whatever left over wool thread Harris
Tweed found on the factory floor...
probably.
My favorite part is the pockets, which arent lined either.
Great for a bunch of wadded receipts, knives, flashlights, and whatever.
Since this is made from a wool yarn, I would not recommend overloading the pockets, because
wool can sometimes tear if stressed.
Im talking pounds of stuff rather than normal pocket stuff.
The side pockets extend around the side of the waist and can look lumpy sometimes.
The pockets have snaps, which work well.
Well one thing I dont like is there arent any vertical hand pockets.
So bring gloves if you dont want cold hands.
The Bell bomber is a basic style though, and there are versions made from heavier fabric,
some with blanket lining, some with the denser mackinaw style wool, and more but fit and
basic shape remains similar.
And every year they seem to discontinue a fabric, to reintroduce it later.
The zipper on the jacket is a heavy duty brass gold colored beast which is probably the most
durable work friendly part of the jacket.
You can also zip up from the bottom without having to zip downward...
I guess it would help if you have to get a tool off you belt or your hunting knife.
As far as the fit goes Im 6ft about 180lbs with a gut that I suck in for these videos
theres enough room in this jacket without being constricting or overly large.
Its not quite as baggy as a Carhartt medium coat..
I think this is considered Filsons Seattle fit, which is a bit slimmer than their Alaska
fit.
Complaints?
I wish the wool was a denser weave, but as it stands its not a chore coat or work coat.
I purchased this on sale not knowing exactly what to expect and one day I will probably
get a better fitting mackinaw cruiser, because I have no self control.
I wear this jacket daily in the winter.
It doesnt have a hood, so you might need a scarf or hat if your one of those people.
Or layer an American Giant hoody underneath it.The only problem Ive had is one of the
armpits the rayon liner has come un-threaded.
I have not repaired it yet, because it hasnt been a problem.
Its a nice looking utility jacket for cool weather, but not hard use.
I don't have any real fashion sense so it works well with slacks and a dress shirt or
jeans.
If I had to place a value on it I'd say $250 maximum.
I like it, but theres not too much to it.
The buttons on the sleeve cuffs are not functional which would be worth another $150 to me if
they fixed that issue.
And thats what I based my whole decision on.
If you believe that and like this review, put prefer every day carry reviews over fashion
show, subscribe to this channel give this video a thumbs up, comment and go buy a Carhartt
if you want a jacket you can work in and not look like a prick.
Thanks for watching!