Difference Filson Shelter, Tin and Cover cloth?

[andy richards]

Gentlemen,
What is the difference between Filson Shelter cloth, Tin Cloth and Cover cloth? I know all their jackets are more or less waterproof, but what is the difference in those fabrics?
I checked their website and I am getting confused right now what to order.
I am in the need of a outdoor jacket/parka which stands to rain and cold and good for hunting.
Don't want an "Aussi look Drizabone"... Also I would like to upgrade the jacket with a hood and lining.

Thanks,
Andy

 

[too much coffee]

Hello Andy!

Basically, Filson's Cover Cloth is a poplin cotton from the U.K. It has been waxed at the factory but doesn't have too much of an oily touch. It is relatively soft when compared to other Filson material and it is very long lasting.
Filson's Shelter Cloth is a medium weight cotton duck material. I believe it comes in an oil finish and a dry finish. Long lasting and rugged!
The crown jewel, so to speak, in Filson's lineup is their tin cloth material. It also is cotton duck but much thicker than Shelter Cloth. When you first get it, it's like a Front Quarter Horse Hide Jacket from Aero, very stiff and needs to be broken in. Remember your Half-Belt? The tin cloth comes in a dry and oil finish. To me, the Tin Cloth would be the longest lasting of the 3 and most suitable for your use in the NL when working outside in the wet and cold.
If it was a night on the town with the family, I would chose the Cover Cloth...not as Paul Bunyan looking but more cosmopolitan and you will stay dry.
The Tin Cloth is literally like wearing a thin sheet of armor even when broken in. It is impervious to thorns, tree branches, barbed wire and of course it is very water resiliant.
Hope this clears it up somewhat Andy.
Best regards, coffee

 

[rumblefish]

Andy,
It has to do with their weights; Cover cloth= heavy, Shelter cloth= heavier, Tin cloth= heaviest.

I have a Shelter cloth and a double Tin cloth pair of pants, both for hunting. I like these the way they are because the Shelter cloth is just rugged enough, but still allows for good movement While the Tin cloth pants are quite a bit more tough (and heavy and stiff), needed for sitting on the ground, dragging knees across the ground, etc. Both have always remained weatherproof with just a little maintenance once in a while. I though when I got the pants many years back I'd have to deal with them not breathing very well, like wear a pair of waders. Not so, as weatherproof as they are, I never get that steamy/sweaty feeling you get when you combine physical exertion with wearing slick rain gear. I don't know if I'd go as light as Cover cloth for hunting though.
I haven't been on their website in a long time, but I remember them explaining it somewhere. I believe all three now come waxed and unwaxed, depending on the garment.

 

[andy richards]

Thanks for the information, gents. That helps a lot.
I have set my eyes on a Filson 641N Tin Cloth Field Jacket + hood. I am wearing a suit size 42 so a size L will do... Does anyone know the armlength of a size Large?
Thanks,
Andy

 

[norton]

I have that jacket in an extra large, but I don't know the arm length. I'm 6"2" with rather long arms and am now a size 42, although I was a 44" when I bought it. The arms fit me well and though its a little large in the body, I usually have a wool jacket/liner in and it feels comfortable. I wear it all the time in the winter.

I believe Filson says on their web sight that the shelter cloth is more waterproof than the tin cloth because it's more tightly woven.

 

[rumblefish]

Thanks for the information, gents. That helps a lot.
I have set my eyes on a Filson 641N Tin Cloth Field Jacket + hood. I am wearing a suit size 42 so a size L will do... Does anyone know the armlength of a size Large?
Thanks,
Andy

I'm a 42-44 s and I wear Filson's mediums. Sleeves are a tad long for me, the rest fits how I want it. Oh I take it back, the sleeve cuffs on everything from them for me are bit too tight. I wind up moving cuff buttons on most of their shirts. My friend, who is about my size, has the same issue.

 

[Seb Lucas]

Gentlemen,
What is the difference between Filson Shelter cloth, Tin Cloth and Cover cloth? I know all their jackets are more or less waterproof, but what is the difference in those fabrics?
I checked their website and I am getting confused right now what to order.
I am in the need of a outdoor jacket/parka which stands to rain and cold and good for hunting.
Don't want an "Aussi look Drizabone"... Also I would like to upgrade the jacket with a hood and lining.

Thanks,
Andy

Andy, I don't like the Aussie oilskin look either but Drizabone also make standard looking Barbour and Filson type jackets. Everything Australian has a good range to look at. The Aussie Ranger (despite the silly name) is a great hunting jacket and I own one. The Jacana looks like a Barbour Trailmaster. Drizabone are 12 Oz oilskin and as tough as it gets.

 

[Tony No-Toes]

Andy, I sent Filson an email and requested a full range of samples. They sent everything in both dry and oil and it helped out a lot. Your size might depend on the cut too. I'm 5'11 and 200lbs with a 43 inch chest and I have a large Tin Cruiser and it's ever so slightly short in the arm length and has fuller cut in the body. I have a bomber in a large that I could probably wear a medium in. I tried on once a Big Creek jacket in large and it was one of the best fitting jacket's I've put on. If nothing else you could order both sizes and send back the one that fits best. Joe's Sporting Goods is the best retailer I've used for Filson.

I will say that the Tin cloth gives off waxy smell when It gets warm that the shelter or cover cloth does not, for whatever reason. My wife reminds me about this a lot but I sure like the jacket. Hope this helps.

 

[andy richards]

Thanks gents,
I will sent them a request for samples. I wish there was a retailer here in Europe... Buying two jackets means I have to pay twice tax and custom fees... Last year november I've visited Houston, Dallas, Auston and San Antonio. Been to Cabela's and others, but they did not stock a Filson jacket I was looking for. So I ended up in buying a US made Carhartt jacket at Cabela's and a Filson packer hat in Austin...
About sizing: I am 6ft1, weight 190, chest 42-43. I was toying with the idea of buying a Filson Field jacket model no 641N in tin cloth with hood and wool liner in size Large. Do you think that would be too big for me? Also I would like to wear a sweater under it as well...
Thanks guys,
Andy

 

[Tony No-Toes]

I should point out that I usually wear a 44L...

 

[Tony No-Toes]

Thanks gents,
I will sent them a request for samples. I wish there was a retailer here in Europe... Buying two jackets means I have to pay twice tax and custom fees... Last year november I've visited Houston, Dallas, Auston and San Antonio. Been to Cabela's and others, but they did not stock a Filson jacket I was looking for. So I ended up in buying a US made Carhartt jacket at Cabela's and a Filson packer hat in Austin...
About sizing: I am 6ft1, weight 190, chest 42-43. I was toying with the idea of buying a Filson Field jacket model no 641N in tin cloth with hood and wool liner in size Large. Do you think that would be too big for me? Also I would like to wear a sweater under it as well...
Thanks guys,
Andy

I'm thinking a large would work in that style. I forgot that you lived in Europe, Andy. That makes returns a big pain. I know that you can contact customer service and get measurements for any of their builds. When I called them, they were able to give me precise measurements on several jackets to compare with the ones I had to get an idea of how others would fit. I wish they'd just post them to the site to make it easier for us all.

 

[Tony No-Toes]

Europe Filson

Hey Andy, this is kinda cool: http://mistercrew.com/blog/2009/10/10/filson-italy-black-label-fw2009/
A line of goods for Europeans that we're not privy to here in the states? I suspect some of these are built in Europe. Cool stuff and something to think about.

 

[Tony No-Toes]

I'd buy this jacket, this very moment if it were easy for me: http://mistercrew.com/files/2009/10/filson_fw09_logger_coat_1.jpg

 

[andy richards]

Thanks Tony,
Thanks for the links. I think I will go for the tin cloth field jacket and see how it works out.
The field coat looks very rugged and that's just what I need.
Thanks,
Andy

 

[too much coffee]

Andy;
I used to have a tin cloth field coat many moons ago........lost track of it somehow but it was a Large and I used to wear a flannel shirt and Carhartt vest under it when it was cold. I was 6'0 and 184 at the time. The large will work for you.
Good choice and you won't regret it.
Best regards, coffee

 

[andy richards]

Thanks coffee, that helps.
I tried to order the complete package, jacket, liner and hood thru Joe's Sporting Goods but he won't ship to Holland . It seems like a good place to order though... On the eBay there is only one seller who has the Large right now (but has a lousy feedback - also won't answer my mail...) so I have to find another retailer, which are unfortunately more expensive...
Andy

 

[Tony No-Toes]

Rocker's Speed Shop in Paris carries Filson. I've emailed them before about other things and they seem like a great bunch. If nothing else they might be able to refer you if they don't have the exact jacket you're looking for
http://www.rockerspeedshop.com/blouson-moto.php

 

[andy richards]

Thanks Tony!
Wow! Great shop with a nice collection, but those prices are setting me off...
Considering everything, I just placed an oder with Crane's Country Store. The jacket was $ 261 and that is a good price I guess... Also ordered the matching hood and wool liner. Can't wait to wear it in the soaking rain .
Andy

 

[Nigel]

I've been following this thread with interest as I am considering adding some Filson products to my collection. I missed a Filson Double Mackinaw on eBayUK earlier this year[huh]. How did things go with Cranes Andy? I bookmarked their site as they looked good to deal with.

 

[Tony No-Toes]

I'm sure you'll do fine with Crane's for this order.
I bookmarked Rockers primarily because they're always updating their site and seem always to have a neat variations of all the major manufactures I like, or at least like to look at: Filson, Aero, Langlitz, Churchill, Lewis, etc.