Developed in partnership with Chris Stapleton
This special-edition Chris Stapleton Signature Mackinaw Cruiser is the newest chapter in our partnership. When Chris saw a vintage plaid Cruiser from in our design archive, it resonated with his deep appreciation for heritage and revival. It had some patina and the color had faded, yet it stood ready for another fifty years of dependable service. We partnered with our mill to replicate the look and feel of that vintage wool for this special-release jacket.
Originally patented in 1914, C.C. Filson’s Cruiser was designed for foresters working in the rain-soaked Pacific Northwest forests. Originally offered as a pullover shirt as well as a button-front jacket, the Cruiser rapidly became one of the most imitated jackets on the market. With its utility and performance also appreciated by hunters, the Cruiser was soon offered in red/black plaid and bright scarlet colors. Our woolen goods were adopted by the U.S. Forest Service as early as the 1920s, and by the 1940s, Filson was producing variations of the Cruiser as U.S.F.S. field and uniform attire. That tradition continues today.
When you want to wear one jacket regardless of changing weather conditions, our original Mackinaw Wool Cruiser excels. It’s made with durable wool in an uncommonly tight weave that turns away wind while remaining highly breathable. Wool’s unique natural structure wicks moisture away for evaporation, enabling it to insulate dry or wet. Its wet-weather performance is the reason wool has been the fabric of choice for outdoor protection for centuries. With four flapped pockets on the front and a full-width pocket the entire back, two layers of wool protect most of the torso, right where it’s most needed.
