Owner Review: Filson Mackinaw Wool Vest

Name: Jens Porup
Age: 31
Gender: male
Height: 1.67 m (5'6")
Weight: 68 kg (149 lb)
Email address: jens@porup.com
City, State, Country: Melbourne, VIC, Australia
 Date: 13 February 2006
Backpacking Background: I have tramped many of the great trails in New
Zealand, including the grueling 10-day Stewart Island Circuit. More
recently I completed an eight-day bushwalk on the Overland Track in
Tasmania. I plan on spending most of 2006 travelling and trekking in
South America, living out of a backpack, and seriously abusing my gear.


Manufacturer: Filson
Year of manufacture: early 2002
Manufacturer's web site: http://www.filson.com/
Filson's Retail Price: USD $97.50
Sizes: available in even sizes between 36 and 54 (chest measurement in inches).
Colors: available in navy, forest green, gray, red/black check, gray/black check, 
charcoal and dark brown.
Weight: made of 26 oz (728 g) virgin wool. On my dodgy kitchen scale, 
my size 36 (charcoal) vest weighs approx. 480 grams (17 oz).

Brief Description:
The Filson Mackinaw Wool Vest is an incredibly warm, versatile garment
suitable for all cool weather, cold weather, and high-altitude
conditions.

Filson is not a name that usually comes up in discussions of light-
weight backpacking. This is understandable, as most of their garments are
designed for outdoor work or hunting, not hiking. The Mackinaw Wool Vest
is the definite exception to this rule.

I have worn this vest around town in -30 C (-34 F) weather in Chicago,
on rainy, sea-level tramps in New Zealand, and mountain bushwalking on
the Overland Track (up to 1,617 metres [5,305 feet]) in Tasmania. I have
used this vest for both day walks and 10-day long pack-carrying trips.
It is like armor-plating from the cold and wind, and because of the
extraordinarily tight weave of the wool, is water-resistant as well
(although not waterproof).

Filson claim that their virgin wool products are warmer, gram for gram,
than Thinsulate. They quote several studies they've funded to prove
this. While I can't say for certain either way, my experience backs up
this claim.

It is not as lightweight, however, as most polyester "fleece" type
fabrics. I have always, personally, avoided fleece jackets, so I cannot
give you a definite comparison. However, having worn both wool and
polypropylene long underwear on the trail, and knowing that the
polypropylene stuff makes me overheat, while the wool breathes much
better, I would speculate that the wool vest is also more breathable
than a similar "fleece" would be. I have certainly never felt overheated
wearing this vest--simply unbuttoning lets out most of the heat,
allowing me to cool off.

This is what makes the vest a great mid-layer for warmth. It is easily
added over the top of a shirt, but unlike a sweater, I don't need to
remove it to cool off when I work up a sweat.

The cut of the vest gives full freedom of movement to the arms, and in
no way impedes one's movement. Additionally, the firmness of the fabric
provides extra padding against chafing from backpack straps.

The right chest pocket provides a space for a compass, wallet, or
notebook, and the left chest pocket is divided into three pencil
pockets, suitable for flashlight, knife, writing implement, chopsticks
(don't laugh!), or whatever else might be needed. There are also two very
effective hand warmer pockets at the bottom front of the garment.

I have owned a Filson Mackinaw Wool Vest on and off for more than ten
years (I lost my first one several years ago, and had to replace it). It
is warm, durable, and suitable for both hiking and around town. It is
unquestionably my favorite hiking garment, and I cannot recommend it
highly enough.