Filson dates back to 1897, when C.C. Filson himself began equipping gold prospectors from his Seattle shop during the Klondike Gold Rush. When it comes to original, old-time sportsman gear, they’ve got the track record, and they’re well known to be one of the best. You can count on virtually every piece of gear or clothing that Filson has made and expect it to last many years of hard use. And, considering the hefty price tag the Filson Journeyman carries with it, we don’t think decades of hard, rugged use is too much to ask, either.
The Filson Journeyman may look like any other canvas backpack, but with an asking price of $395, you can bet it delivers in ways that your run-of-the-mill canvas bag doesn’t. It’s made from a thick 22-ounce Rugged Twill cloth paired with a 15-ounce Tin Cloth, with an oil finish that combine to give it a water-repellent finish and make sure it’s abrasion-resistant. The back is padded while the leather shoulder straps are lined with moleskin for extra tear-resistant durability, plus a bit of comfort. All leather pieces (including the grab handle up top) are made from vegetable-tanned, full-grain leather.
Functionality isn’t skimped on, either. The inside is filled with a bunch of organizational dividers and pockets, and there is of course the obligatory padded laptop sleeve – large enough to hold 16” laptops and ensuring you can work wherever your day takes you. The front pocket is expandable, but snaps compactly shut when you don’t need the extra space.
Again, at $395, this seems like a lot of money to drop on a simple canvas-style backpack. But the style is timeless and will still look just as good 20 years from now as it does when you first put it on. The Made-in-the-USA quality means it’s got the quality and craftsmanship that will allow it to last that long, too.
