Filson Wool Jackets are very popular and reliable for cold winter conditions, but how do they handle in the rain? Are Filson Wool Jackets waterproof?
Filson Wool Jackets are not technically “waterproof”, but they are water-resistant. These wool garments will repel light to moderate precipitation, but it’s important to remember there will be some limitations when you face extreme rain.
It’s also important to understand that Filson offers several different types of wool, which vary in thickness. The weight of the wool can also impact how efficient the jacket is at withstanding harsh weather. Filson Mackinaw Wool is the thickest, most heavyweight type of wool they offer.
I own the Filson Mackinaw Wool Cruiser Jacket. I wear my wool jacket in very wet winter conditions and it always performs well and keeps me dry. In the video below, I test the waterproofness of my Filson Mackinaw Wool Cruiser to give you a better idea how Filson wool reacts to water:
Although Filson Wool garments are not completely waterproof, Filson does offer certain types of clothes that are rated as waterproof. Most of these garments use Filson’s Rain Cloth™ waterproof fabric, which is a three-layer fabric consisting of an extremely tough, tightly-woven nylon shell that also has a waterproof/breathable membrane laminated to the interior.
In this article let’s take a closer look at how appropriate Filson Wool is for wet weather.
Is Filson Mackinaw Wool Good for Rain?
Filson Mackinaw Wool is not completely waterproof. However, wool is naturally water-resistant, and when you combine that with the heavyweight fabric and tight weave found in Filson Mackinaw Wool, these garments hold up well against bad weather.
Water-resistant means the garment will repel light to moderate precipitation but is not technically completely waterproof. Therefore, it’s important to understand that there will be some limitations with these garments. If you expose Filson Mackinaw Wool to extreme rain for an extended amount of time, it will eventually take on some water.
However, even though Filson Wool Jackets won’t be 100% waterproof, these garments are well-equipped to handle brutal weather conditions. Not only does the wool provide a water-resistant barrier, but it is also very good at insulating even when it starts to become damp.
The wool can absorb up to 30% of its own weight in water without feeling damp or clammy. And because Filson Mackinaw Wool uses a heavyweight, tight weave, it also stands up well against the wind.
Which Filson jackets are waterproof?
What are the Warmest Filson Jackets?
Types of Filson Wool
It’s also important to understand that Filson offers several different types of wool, which vary in thickness. The weight of the wool can also impact how efficient the jacket is at withstanding harsh weather.
Filson Mackinaw Wool is the thickest, most heavyweight type of wool they offer. Filson Seattle Wool is a midweight wool that will still provide good weather protection, but won’t be as coarse and heavyweight as Filson Mackinaw Wool. To read more about the difference, visit my article that compares Filson Mackinaw vs Seattle Wool.
Testing Waterproofness of My Filson Wool Jacket
As I mentioned earlier, I tested the waterproofness of the Filson Mackinaw Wool Cruiser Jacket that I own. I did this by exposing the garment to water for up to 30 minutes.
What I found was the garment only absorbed a tiny bit of water over that 30 minute timespan. I suggest you watch the video below to see how Filson Wool beads water and resists absorption.
Does Filson Make Waterproof Clothes?
Yes, although Filson Wool garments are not completely waterproof, Filson does offer certain types of clothes that are rated as waterproof. Most of these garments use Filson’s Rain Cloth™ waterproof fabric, which is a three-layer fabric consisting of an extremely tough, tightly-woven nylon shell that also has a waterproof/breathable membrane laminated to the interior.
Filson describes this membrane as having “millions of microporous holes” that are too small for rain to penetrate but still allows your body heat and vapor to escape the garment. For example, here is the Filson Skagit Rain Jacket that is waterproof.
The main takeaway is you can expect Filson Mackinaw Wool to provide water-resistance, but it won’t be completely waterproof. If you need a waterproof garment, Filson Rain Cloth™ fabric will be a better option.