Looking for a tough outdoor winter jacket.

Another vote for Filson. It may cost you a few hundred but really you'll wear it for the rest of your life. They worst that will happen is eventually you may need elbow patches. Oh, and since you're working with fire obviously you want to avoid any nylon. Wool won't melt.
 
If you are buying a Filson, Ebay is your friend. Filson has been under new management for a while now and prices are going up while quality is going down. There are plenty of good nearly new Filson coats listed for much less than new.
 
Is the quality going down across the board, or is this just the overseas made stuff? I've heard the wool and waxed cotton is still made in the US and just as good.
 
Chignecto Woodsman said:
Is the quality going down across the board, or is this just the overseas made stuff? I've heard the wool and waxed cotton is still made in the US and just as good.
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I have some older stuff, some going back maybe to the 1930s, some more recent and some brand new. The older stuff is definitely better. The newer stuff is sized weird too. I have a new whipcord wool cruiser, size 46 which should fit me a bit loosely. It does, however I can barely fit my arms through the sleeves. Sent it back for another, same thing. Filsons explanation was "thats the way the design pattern is". I have the same coat, same size, same material from the 1970s and its just fine. It almost seems that Filson has gone from being a genuine outdoor outfitter to a mall storefront catering to yuppie wannabes whose biggest outdoor adventure is likely to be an afternoon at the local high school football field. See here for more info - http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Lumbersexual
Not to mention that they have discontinued some of their better stuff. The tin shirt for instance, my favorite cold weather shirt, is no longer available. However, you can get a $200 cotton lumberjack shirt made in some foreign country far to the west. :mad:
 
Carhartt is difficult because most of their products don't come in a size 'small,' and 'med' tends to be enormous for a 'med.' :)

I found a Carhartt 'Quick Duck' that works for me, so that's what I wear these days. Mine is the Woodward model.
carhartt-100107-908-f_01.jpg


And just like that I may have to bring it out today. It's 22˚ out, and everything is all iced-over. :)
 
The Bad Axe came today and it is a very nice jacket. I love the zippered pits and the roll up hoo. I also own the Shoreline and I'm wondering if those more knowledgeable could tell me which would be better as an outer shell? Which would breathe better? I was about to buy a Gore-Tex shell, but could this function close enough that I wouldn't need one?

Bad Axe
http://www.carhartt.com/products/Insulated-Bad-Axe-Jacket-100728
Shoreline
http://www.carhartt.com/products/carhartt-men-outerwear-rainwear-rain-gear/Shoreline-Jacket-J162

It's probably not what the OP was looking for, but if it would function well as a shell it's worth the money on sale. I really appreciate bohdisattva for suggesting it earlier!
 
A cheaper, but not necessarily cheaper made, alternative to Carhartt is a brand called Bern. My old man works for DelDOT and they buy Bern so he gifted me his hardly worn chore coat, it's the warmest jacket I've ever worn, and that's comng from somebody who's endured Pittsburgh winters all their life. Tough too, everything is triple stitched with the same heavy material Carhartt uses for the outer layer.
 
FYI, I spoke to Carhartt and found out the Bad Axe has been discontinued because of issues. They won't tell me what those were, but it's strange they couldn't correct them. That's a shame because I loved the idea of a Carhartt rain jacket with zippered pits.

I emailed their help department and they told me it was discontinued because it didn't sell well. Who knows...
 
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I've owned many Filson coats and are extremely durable however can be stiff at times especially the oiled tin fabric and not completely warm.
I would recommend getting a size up from what you normally wear in oiled tin or wool and layer underneath with a form fitting goose down vest from Feathered Friends (also Seattle made). This will give you maximum protection, warmth and mobility as you work.
 
bladeninja said:
I've owned many Filson coats and are extremely durable however can be stiff at times especially the oiled tin fabric and not completely warm.
I would recommend getting a size up from what you normally wear in oiled tin or wool and layer underneath with a form fitting goose down vest from Feathered Friends (also Seattle made). This will give you maximum protection, warmth and mobility as you work.
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I've owned and worn a Filson #10007 (now called the Tin Jacket - Alaska Fit) for more than a dozen years. Before anyone buys one, he should accept than any waxed tin cloth is going to smell/stink. Just part of owning them.
 
leghog said:
I've owned and worn a Filson #10007 (now called the Tin Jacket - Alaska Fit) for more than a dozen years. Before anyone buys one, he should accept than any waxed tin cloth is going to smell/stink. Just part of owning them.
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No doubt Filson is top notch. Your experience is proof of that. The smell wasn't really an issue as it was to others...I'd brush my coat and pants off outdoors and drape them over a chair by the fireplace to warm them up then reapply the wax every few months of regular wear. Goes on like butter.
 
Ebbtide said:
THIS.
Add a good "wooly pully" sweater and you are good to go.
With money left over.
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I'm sorry but really? Never heard of it. Had to look it up. Might as well get a 15 gal. kitchen bag and make a DIY poncho. Really? That's horrible advice.
 
Ditto on the ebay path to a Filson. I've acquired lots of Filson garments and bags there at tremendous savings.
 
No one mentioned the Fire Hose iron range winter jacket from
Duluth Trading ? not bad for around 90 bucks.
The coat is around 104 ,Really tuff stuff.
 
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