Filson patented the “Mackinaw Cruiser” in 1914. It was originally designed for timber cruisers—workers who measure trees and collect forest data. The back has a double layer of wool for warmth and to accommodate a roomy back pocket for storing maps. The same coat is still in production today with only a few modifications.
C. C. Filson was founded in 1897 to outfit Klondike Gold Rush miners for harsh conditions. Between 1897 and 1900 an estimated 100,000 prospectors headed to the Yukon. Seattle was the embarkation point for almost two-thirds of them, and so local merchants clamored to “mine the miners” by selling supplies. Mackinaw fabric—a term for heavy, dense wool—was one of the first products Clinton C. Filson advertised. He made blankets, coats, and boot insulation out of the durable and warm material.