Thought this might be the best place to post this. I have been a huge fan of Filson gear for quite a while. Their stuff is tough and top notch. From their wool bibs and coats for MN winters and deer hunting to backpacks and brush pants for South Dakota pheasants. And it only gets better with age as you all know. Well I received their new catalog in the mail yesterday and noticed a very distinct departure from previous catalogs. So much that I called Seattle to inquire. The company was sold to an outfit in California this January and there strategy is to grow. Some of their gear such as the leather and tin cloth will continued to be made in Seattle. Other items such as shirts are going to be manufactured overseas. Some of the new items in the catalog included leather coats and stupid looking sweaters and other imported crap with a Filson label slapped on. Looks like Filson might be going the way of Orvis, Abercrombie, Eddie Bauer or LL Bean, just another sell-out big retailer. The employee I spoke to on the phone was an 8 year employee and he said these issues are a daily topic at the company. Seems sad and I hope we don't see a dip in quality but I suspect the process has already begun. What a shame.

I agree they have great clothing, it is a shame to hear about outsourcing some of their stuff. I work for a major aerospace company and it makes me sick where we are outsourcing to and the lame reasons.

Say it ain't so! I sent them an email asking the same thing. I might as well go down to China-Mart and buy crap there. This is really a downer tonight. Done ruined a nice Maker's Mark buzz.

even worse was what happened to Gokey

We all share the hope that Filson won't go the way of Abercrombie and Fitch. One thing I did notice is that only the "Lodge Collection" seems to be filled with the outsourced stuff. If the profit margins on this junk are high enough to enable Fislon to still produce the standard gear at competitive prices, then I guess I am willing to make a deal with the devil. That said, I don't hold out too much hope that the standard line won't be infected by the new management. I have started stocking up on stuff I have always thought about ordering and replacements for stuff that I love and worry may wear out one day.

JMHO,

JohnTheGreek

I love their stuff...I've got three items on today! "Might as Well have the Best" Let's hope they can keep living up to that.

As a former 49 year resident of Seattle and frequent shopper (and buyer!) of Filson gear this is indeed a shock!
Sad day!
I love Filson gear and have many garments, hats and gun cases (my favorites!) from them!
I also will contact the Filson folks and make known my feelings on their gear being made overseas!
My Uncles who were all loggers in Washington States Cascade mountains wore their Filson "tin pants", doing that incredibly rugged work for 10+ years before they needed to be replaced!
They are rolling over in their graves at this news - I am sure!
After the HORROR that overtook another Seattle based (originated in Seattle) business - Eddie Bauers! You would think that lesson would be known by the Filson folks! What a wonderful outdoor store (I bought a mint condition pre-64 Model 70 Supergrade in caliber 257 Roberts from the "old style" Eddie Bauers store!) that was at one time!
That was not just a loss it was a crime! I still have two wonderful Eddie Bauer Goose Down oversized sleeping bags that I purchased 35 years ago! They are still as warm and rugged and as good looking as the day I bought them! Oohhh to have the "old" Eddie Bauers back!!!
Woe is me!
What next?
Hope for the best!
Hold into the wind
VarmintGuy

Just looked at their web site. Quote "After 108 years we thought it was time to come inside" I want to puke!

I heard a great line that I have now on my desk, interestingly it came from a moronic manager who is running his department into the ground, anyways.

when you outsource your work you outsource your reputation.

Sad when it happens to good companies.

Red

We see this happen everywhere.

Unfortunately nowadays for greedy been counters and unscrupulous lawyers who run firms it is just too easy to increase the value of their stock options by outsoucing everything but the finance department of firms who formerly manufactured excellent products and employed many people.

I forgot to mention: It is us who vote on their policy every day with our wallets and credit cards!

China is just around the corner and, at the moment it is always cheaper. Who knows China's long term strategy...