What Filson does

Filson (legal entity C.C. Filson Co, founded 1897 in Seattle, Washington) is a heritage American outfitter and manufacturer of outdoor apparel, bags, and accessories, originally established to outfit prospectors for the Alaska Gold Rush. The company builds its products around three proprietary material technologies — Mackinaw Wool (patented 1914, a 24-oz 2x2 twill weave), Oil Finish Tin Cloth (14-oz waxed canvas treated under heat and pressure), and Rugged Twill (industrial-strength luggage fabric with tested tear strength exceeding 1,400 pounds) — supplemented by PrimaLoft insulation and a proprietary darning repair method. Flagship products include the Tin Cloth Short Lined Cruiser Jacket and Alaskan Guide Shirt, supported by a lifetime guarantee and free repairs service.

Filson operates a direct-to-consumer go-to-market through owned e-commerce (filson.com) and 17+ company-owned retail stores across major US metros and Canada (Seattle, Portland, Chicago, New York, Boston, San Francisco, Washington DC, Los Angeles, Edina, Naperville, Vancouver, Toronto), with selective wholesale to authorized dealers to protect brand positioning. Revenue is generated through one-time premium unit sales at price points from $89 (entry T-shirts) to $599+ (premium outerwear) and $399-$499 (bags), with no subscription component. Customer segments span outdoor enthusiasts, workers/tradespeople, and heritage lifestyle consumers. The company extends brand reach through strategic collaborations including the Ford Bronco Filson SUV (2027 launch), Alaska Airlines business-class bedding (2026), and product partnerships with Blundstone, Stetson, and Housefly.

Filson is a privately held subsidiary of Bedrock Manufacturing Company, with Tim Bantle named President in January 2025. Manufacturing is centered at the Seattle factory with a Made in USA emphasis, complemented by domestic and global premium materials sourcing, and the company ships internationally to the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Japan.

Name

Filson

Legal name

C.C. Filson Co

Website

https://filson.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1897

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Filson (founded 1897, Seattle) manufactures and retails heritage outdoor apparel, bags, and accessories built on proprietary Mackinaw Wool, Tin Cloth, and Rugged Twill materials. It serves outdoor enthusiasts, workers, and heritage lifestyle consumers through owned DTC e-commerce and 17+ retail stores across North America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heritage Outdoor Apparel & Gear

NAICS

Apparel Manufacturing (315), Apparel Accessories and Other Apparel Manufacturing (31599), Luggage and Leather Goods Retailers (458320)

SIC

Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300), Leather & Leather Products (3100), Retail-Apparel & Accessory Stores (5600)

akta.pro primary industry

Outerwear & Cold-Weather Apparel Manufacturers (CRAAAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Wallets, Small Leather Goods & Accessories Manufacturing (IMAOAHAB), Outdoor Travel Gear (Duffels, Packs, Dry Bags) Retail (CRAMAAAI), Tech & Utility Accessories (Phone Cases, Watch Bands, Key Holders) (CRAAAJAK), Sports, Outdoor & Adventure Packs Manufacturing (Backpacks/Duffels) (IMAOAHAE)

Keywords

• Outdoor apparel
• Heritage clothing
• Waxed canvas jackets
• Hunting gear
• Rugged workwear

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices13 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Direct Product Sales: One-time sale of clothing, outerwear, bags, and accessories through owned e-commerce (filson.com) and retail stores. No subscription component; revenue driven by individual transaction volume and repeat purchases from loyal customers.
2. Wholesale to Authorized Dealers: Selective wholesale distribution through authorized retailers, maintaining brand positioning while expanding reach beyond company-owned locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Filson designs, manufactures, and sells heritage outdoor apparel, bags, and accessories for men and women, built from proprietary materials including Tin Cloth waxed canvas, Mackinaw Wool, and Rugged Twill. Products are sold direct-to-consumer through company-owned retail stores and filson.com, with selective wholesale through authorized dealers. The line spans waxed and wool jackets, shirts, pants, hunting and fishing gear, luggage, and field accessories, supported by a lifetime guarantee and in-house repair service.

Product overview

Filson is an American outdoor apparel and gear company founded in 1897, originally outfitting prospectors for the Alaska Gold Rush. The company offers a unified portfolio of heritage outerwear, shirts, pants, bags, and accessories built from signature materials including Mackinaw Wool, Tin Cloth (waxed canvas), and Rugged Twill. The product line spans men's and women's categories including waxed canvas jackets, wool jackets, insulated jackets, Jac-Shirts, vests, flannel shirts, T-shirts, sweaters, hoodies, pants, shorts, bibs, hunting gear, fishing apparel, bags (briefcases, backpacks, duffle bags, tote bags, dopp kits), and accessories (hats, gloves, wallets, belts). Notable flagship products include the Tin Cloth Short Lined Cruiser Jacket ($359) and Alaskan Guide Shirt ($149). The company has also launched brand collaborations including the Ford Bronco Filson (2027 launch) and partnerships with brands like Alaska Airlines for bedding, Blundstone for boots, and Stetson for hats. Filson operates both direct-to-consumer e-commerce and physical retail stores, with manufacturing primarily in Seattle using domestic and global materials.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Waxed Canvas Jackets Waxed canvas jackets using Oil Finish Tin Cloth providing water-resistant protection from weather, brush, and abrasion for outdoor enthusiasts, sportsmen, and tradespeople.
• Wool Jackets Wool jackets including the iconic Mackinaw Wool Cruiser (patented 1914), Seattle Wool, and Forestry Cloth styles providing warmth, wind resistance, and breathability in cold and wet conditions.
• Insulated Jackets Insulated outerwear combining shell fabrics (waxed cotton, ripstop nylon) with insulation materials (goose down, PrimaLoft, polyester) for various weather conditions and activities.
• Jac-Shirts Versatile overshirts bridging shirt and jacket wear, made in Mackinaw Wool, cotton canvas, and waxed cotton for reliable warmth and protection.
• Pants & Shorts Durable outdoor pants and shorts including Tin Cloth pants, cotton pants, wool pants, and shorts built for outdoor work and recreation.
• Bags & Luggage Heritage and modern material bags including briefcases, backpacks, dopp kits, tote bags, and duffle bags made with Rugged Twill, Tin Cloth, and waxed canvas.
• Accessories Outdoor accessories including hats and caps, gloves, wallets, socks, footwear, belts, bandanas, and suspenders made with premium materials for protection and durability.
• Hunting Gear Specialized hunting apparel and gear including upland guide strap vests, shooting vests, brush pants, and game bags designed for hunting activities.
• Fishing Apparel & Gear Clothing and gear engineered for anglers combining design and manufacturing experience with input from seasoned fishermen for performance on the water.
• Tin Cloth Short Lined Cruiser Jacket Flagship waxed canvas jacket built with 14-oz oil finish Tin Cloth, body lined with dry finish Cover Cloth, metal shank-button closures, adjustable hem, and multiple utility and chest pockets.
• Alaskan Guide Shirt
• Field & Cabin Gear Home, cabin, camp, and outdoor essentials including knives, drinkware, blankets, towels, candles, and dog accessories crafted for life outdoors.
• Base Layers Next-to-skin layers including ultrasoft merino wool for mixed weather and vintage-inspired waffle-knit cottons for dry conditions.
• Rain Gear Technical rainwear made from waxed cottons and nylon fabrics with waterproof membranes, providing highly water-resistant and windproof protection.
• Outlet Store Discounted select gear featuring discontinued styles, previous seasonal colors, and occasional excess inventory at added savings across men's and women's categories.
• Ford Bronco Filson SUV (limited-edition collaboration) Premium off-road SUV collaboration between Ford and Filson featuring Bronco with Raptor's twin-turbo 3.0L EcoBoost V6 engine, Sasquatch package with 35-inch tires, and Filson heritage-inspired interior materials. Limited First Edition model available early 2027.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products can be reproofed to maintain and improve water resistance over years of use
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Ford Motor CompanyflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 June 2026Ford and Filson collaborated to create the Bronco Filson, a premium off-road SUV featuring a 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, standard Sasquatch package with 35-inch tires, and Filson-inspired interior materials. Orders open fall 2026, vehicle available early 2027 with pricing around $70,000. A limited-edition Bronco x Filson clothing and accessories collection was also launched. This builds on a previous 2020 collaboration on a wildfire conservation concept vehicle.
• Alaska AirlinescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 March 2026Filson supplies premium bedding and amenity kits for Alaska Airlines' first-ever International Business Class Suites on Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. The suites feature lie-flat beds, privacy doors, and luxury dining as part of Alaska's strategic expansion into long-haul international routes.
• BlundstoneminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 October 2025Blundstone partnered with Filson to release a new Chelsea boot range, combining Blundstone's footwear expertise with Filson's outdoor heritage brand positioning.
• StetsonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilson collaborated with Stetson on the Wolf Canyon Hat, made of quality fur felt with signature Filson Bridle Leather.
• HouseflyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFilson collaborated with Housefly on fly fishing gear, described as 'actually stylish fly fishing gear' in the partnership announcement.
• Larson Made KnivesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLarson Made Knives appears at Filson Ballard store for free pocketknife sharpening events, showcasing handcrafted knives and engaging with Filson customers.
• Various Local PartnersminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFilson partners with local businesses for in-store events including Flowers by Chanyn (bouquets), Big Shucker (oyster shucking), Milkweed Studio/Loved Ones Coffee/Nerves Coffee (coffee tastings), Bluestone Lane (coffee), and local artisans for Makers Markets.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Duluth Trading Company: Direct-to-consumer American apparel brand focused on rugged workwear, outdoor clothing, and accessories for tradespeople and outdoor enthusiasts; comparable customer segments and product categories to Filson.
• Pendleton Woolen Mills: Multi-generational American wool and textile brand selling wool blankets, jackets, shirts, and accessories with a heritage/Western positioning that parallels Filson's Mackinaw Wool franchise.
• Woolrich: Heritage American wool and outerwear brand (founded 1830) with a portfolio of wool jackets, blankets, and outdoor apparel that overlaps Filson's Mackinaw Wool and cold-weather categories.
• Orvis: American heritage retailer specializing in fly fishing, hunting, and country lifestyle apparel and gear; competes with Filson's hunting, fishing, and Sportsman product lines for the same outdoor enthusiast customer.
• Red Wing Shoes: Heritage American brand (founded 1905) producing rugged footwear and work apparel with Made-in-USA emphasis and a similar premium 'built to last' positioning as Filson.
• Carhartt: American workwear and rugged apparel brand (founded 1889) selling durable outerwear, bibs, and accessories to tradespeople and lifestyle consumers — directly comparable to Filson's workwear and Tin Cloth product lines.
• Eddie Bauer: Heritage American outdoor apparel brand (founded 1920) competing across outerwear, fleeces, and rugged casualwear; overlaps directly with Filson's waxed canvas and wool outerwear categories at similar premium-but-not-luxury price points.
• L.L.Bean: Iconic American outdoor and heritage brand founded in 1912, offering apparel, outerwear, bags, and outdoor gear with a strong lifetime-guarantee/repairs model that closely mirrors Filson's positioning and DTC-plus-retail GTM.

Broad incumbents

• Patagonia: Larger, environmentally-positioned outdoor apparel brand with broader technical-performance product lines and global wholesale footprint; competes with Filson in premium outdoor outerwear but at greater scale and a more technical/sustainability narrative.

Emerging players

• Filson (alternative: Taylor Stitch): Smaller heritage-style American apparel brand focused on durable, responsibly-made shirts, jackets, and accessories; addresses a similar premium casual/heritage customer with growing DTC traction.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@filson
• Facebookfacebook.com/filson
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cc-filson
• Instagraminstagram.com/filson1897
• TikToktiktok.com/@filsonlife
• Xx.com/filson

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Filson