What was once old is new again. Fashion is absolutely the one aspect in life where this is true, and outdoor apparel is no exception. Take for example, the Filson Mackinaw Wool Vest. It looks like a throwback to a simpler time, like, say, the 1890s, where men wore fancy garments all the time, whether at church or while building barb wire fences. But why bring back this sort of vest in 2015? Because it is timeless, and it works. I’ve been wearing the Mackinaw Vest (much to the amusement of my friends) everywhere from backcountry ski trips to rounds of golf and bachelor parties in downtown Salt Lake.
Filson is an American company established in 1897. They still make all their clothes and gear right here in the good ole’ US of A (Seattle to be exact). The Mackinaw Vest features:
- Button-front closure
- Chest utility pocket
- Slotted utility pocket
- 2 handwarmer pockets
- 100% USA virgin wool
Now, first off, I’m not a hunter, rancher, or old-school cowboy that Filson seems to be targeting with their apparel. This vest is totally a shout out to those guys. I am a backcountry skiing/mountain biking/trail running type. But, we are all outdoorsy, so why shouldn’t gear that works for the classic outdoor crowd work for us new-age outdoorsmen? With that thought, I took the Mackinaw ski touring in the Wasatch. Here is what I found:
Construction: Filson is known for the quality of their products, and the Mackinaw Vest is no exception. Construction is bomber, the wool is thick, and the stitching seems like it will last until the end of days. This is a vest you buy so you can hand it down to your firstborn son.
Features: This vest is pretty simple really. Button-down front is not ideal for ski touring, but it looks nice for wearing out on the town. Hell you could probably pair it with a suit coat for those special occasions. There are two hand pockets and two front pockets. The left side pocket is actually three small, narrow slots that I suppose are good for storing your cigars or shotgun shells. The right pocket I found to be the perfect size to hold a whiskey flask.
Performance: This is not a technical piece. But I took it skiing anyway. And you know what? It worked surprisingly well during aerobic activity in the cold. My core stayed warm but I never overheated. It breathes like a champ. It didn’t feel great under pack straps and the front buttons were pressure points under chest straps and my avalanche beacon. But hey, this is a vest meant for building barb-wire fences, not backcountry skiing, so I give it a pass.
Size: Sizing is difficult. Filson does not abide by the standard S, M, L – instead building garments to specifics, like a fine vest should. So I had my wife measure my admittedly sunken chest and I came out as a size 42. But when I got the vest, it was a bit too large, especially around the lower torso. So either sizing is off, or my wife was trying to make me feel good by lying about my chest size.
After testing on ski tours, I took the vest on a more traditional venture – golf. While playing a rookie round at Nibley Golf Course in Salt Lake on a chilly evening, the vest kept me warm and didn’t hinder my beginner swing. Plus it looked sharp paired with another outdoorsy staple: a flannel shirt.
The Good: Warm, classy looking, bomber construction, made in the USA
The Bad: Pressure points under pack straps, sizing is finicky – best try it on before purchasing.
Final Word: The Filson Mackinaw Wool Vest will make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time… or on the set of Portlandia. Fancy yourself up on a chilly date night, pair it with a bolo tie at a cowboy wedding, or even take it backcountry skiing. This vest will be up to the task and look good doing it.