The most popular types of Filson waxed jackets will use either a Filson Tin Cloth, Filson Shelter Cloth, or Filson Cover Cloth outer-shell fabric. The Filson Tin Cloth is a heavyweight cotton canvas, the Filson Shelter Cloth is a midweight cotton canvas, and the Filson Cover Cloth is the lightest-weight cotton canvas fabric.
The Filson Tin Cloth Waxed Jackets are popular because they are very durable and the oil-finish makes them highly water-resistant. The most popular Filson waxed jacket is the Filson Lined Tin Cloth Cruiser, which is available in both a long and a short-length version. I like the short version, which finishes above the waist like a trucker jacket.
Here are the most popular types of Filson Waxed Jackets:
- Filson Lined Tin Cloth Cruiser Jacket – This is Filson’s classic waxed cruiser jacket. It is made with Filson Tin Cloth, which is their most durable, heavyweight canvas. The oil finish adds even more abrasion resistance and makes the fabric highly water-resistant. It is lined with a dry canvas fabric for extra durability and warmth. This version finishes just past the waist, but Filson also offers a shorter version we discuss next. Click here to view the Filson Tin Cloth Cruiser Jacket (paid affiliate link takes you to Filson.com).
- Filson Short Lined Tin Cloth Cruiser Jacket – This is the shorter version of Filson’s classic waxed cruiser jacket. It finishes slightly above the waist in a sort of trucker-style fit. This short version also uses Filson’s oil-finished Tin Cloth as the outer-shell fabric in combination with a dry Filson Cover Cloth lining for extra durability and warmth. The oil-finish makes this jacket highly water-resistant and capable of taking on harsh environments. Click here to view the Filson Tin Cloth Cruiser Jacket (paid affiliate link takes you to Filson.com).
- Filson Down Cruiser Jacket – This jacket is unique because it combines Filson’s waxed cotton shell with 650-fill power goose down for protection in the coldest, wettest weather. This jacket uses Filson Cover Cloth and Filson Shelter Cloth as the canvas fabric, which is their midweight and lightweight canvas. This jacket won’t be as durable as Filson Tin Cloth, but it is very durable compared to most types of nylon down jackets, and the oil-finish makes it highly water-resistant. Click here to view the Filson Down Cruiser Jacket (paid affiliate link takes you to Filson.com).
- Filson Tin Cloth Work Jacket: This jacket is very similar to the Filson Short Lined Cruiser from above, only this Filson Waxed Jacket is tailored a bit more towards being a work jacket. It finishes above the waist so you can pair it with a tool belt, and it has snap buttons which makes it easier to button and unbutton with work gloves on. It uses oil-finished heavyweight Tin Cloth for the outer shell and is lined with lightweight dry Cover Cloth canvas. The hand pockets are flannel-lined and the collar is wool-lined for added warmth. Click here to view this jacket at Filson.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Filson.com).
- Filson Cover Cloth Woodland Jacket: This jacket uses the lighter-weight Filson Cover Cloth canvas, which is still very durable, but won’t be as thick and tough as Filson Tin Cloth. Yes, this jacket is oil-finished making it highly water-resistant. It fits more like a coat that finishes past the waist for added weather protection. It is lined with an extra layer of dry Cover Cloth and comes with a detachable hood. It is compatible with Filson’s zip-in jacket liners in case you want to add even more warmth to this jacket. Click here to view this jacket at Filson.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Filson.com).
- Filson Tin Cloth Field Jacket: This is a versatile jacket that can be used for many reasons, including work. The outer-shell is made with heavyweight Filson Tin Cloth and is oil-finished to add weather protection. This jacket is built to maximize storage with two large front cargo pockets and a back game pocket. It also has chest pockets and internal pockets. This jacket comes unlined, but it is compatible with Filson’s zip-in jacket liners. It is also compatible with Filson hoods. Click here to view this jacket at Filson.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Filson.com).
Filson Tin Cloth is the most popular type of waxed cotton canvas that Filson uses. It is extremely durable, but there are certain situations where Filson Shelter Cloth or Filson Cover Cloth might make more sense.
In this article let’s discuss some of the pros and cons of different types of Filson waxed jackets so you can find an option that fits your needs.
Explaining Different Types of Filson Waxed Jackets
Filson waxed jackets are popular because they are both water-resistant and durable, and they have a timeless style that looks good both on and off the clock. Their are three types of cotton canvas that Filson will use as outer shell fabric in these waxed jackets:
| Type of Canvas | Weight | Ounce |
|---|---|---|
| Filson Tin Cloth | Heavyweight | 14 ounce |
| Filson Shelter Cloth | Midweight | 11 ounce |
| Filson Cover Cloth | Lightest-weight | 8 ounce |
The Filson Tin Cloth jackets provide the most durability and best weather protection. However, the break-period with Filson Tin Cloth will be greater than Filson Shelter Cloth or Filson Cover Cloth.
What is the point of waxed canvas?
Traditional waterproof rain gear is usually nylon based or rubber based. The nylon garments are very lightweight and not durable enough for harsh terrain. The rubber based garments are not breathable and miserable to work in.
In the early 1900’s, there became a need to find a way to make a water-ready garment that was tough enough to handle brush and harsh terrain, but still breathable enough to be active in. By 1920, Filson launched a new outerwear clothing line based on this need, and called it “waterproofed khaki”.
Over time, the term Tin Cloth has taken the place of “waterproofed khaki”, and although this material isn’t technically truly waterproof, the oil-finished version is as close to being truly waterproof as you can make cotton canvas.
Here is a video where I test the waterproofness of my Filson Tin Cloth Jacket:
Since then, Filson has also introduced the Shelter Cloth and Cover Cloth material as midweight and lightweight waxed canvas options.
The style of waxed canvas has also spread to casualwear as people search for a way to incorporate rugged outerwear into a wardrobe. It is especially popular for those living in cold, wet climates and for those who spend time hiking, fishing, hunting, or camping.
Types of Filson Waxed Jackets that use Tin Cloth
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Exceptional durability and toughness | Can feel stiff initially |
| Water resistant due to wax finish | Requires periodic re-waxing |
| Some versions lined for added warmth | Built for moderate cold but not extreme cold |
| Wind resistant due to tight weave | Not machine washable |
| Timeless style and rugged aesthetic | Waxed finish reduces breathability |
| Short versions are tool belt friendly |
Filson Tin Cloth is the most heavyweight (14-ounce) cotton shell fabric that Filson offers. The heavyweight fabric in combination with a tight weave and an oil finish make these garments abrasion resistant, wind resistant, and highly water resistant.
Here I am wearing my Filson Tin Cloth Cruiser:
The downside is because of the heavyweight fabric, these jackets do require a break-in period and can feel a bit stiff off the rack. Eventually, with time, Filson Tin Cloth breaks in and feels very comfortable to wear.
These Tin Cloth Filson Waxed Jackets are built to handle mild to moderate cold temperatures on their own, and have a roomy design so you can layer underneath them in extreme cold.
Here are the four most popular Filson Tin Cloth Waxed Jackets:
- Filson Lined Tin Cloth Cruiser Jacket – This is Filson’s classic waxed cruiser jacket. It is made with Filson Tin Cloth, which is their most durable, heavyweight canvas. The oil finish adds even more abrasion resistance and makes the fabric highly water-resistant. It is lined with a dry canvas fabric for extra durability and warmth. This version finishes just past the waist, but Filson also offers a shorter version we discuss next. Click here to view the Filson Tin Cloth Cruiser Jacket (paid affiliate link takes you to Filson.com).
- Filson Short Lined Tin Cloth Cruiser Jacket – This is the shorter version of Filson’s classic waxed cruiser jacket. It finishes slightly above the waist in a sort of trucker-style fit. This short version also uses Filson’s oil-finished Tin Cloth as the outer-shell fabric in combination with a dry Filson Cover Cloth lining for extra durability and warmth. The oil-finish makes this jacket highly water-resistant and capable of taking on harsh environments. Click here to view the Filson Tin Cloth Cruiser Jacket (paid affiliate link takes you to Filson.com).
- Filson Tin Cloth Work Jacket: This jacket is very similar to the Filson Short Lined Cruiser from above, only this Filson Waxed Jacket is tailored a bit more towards being a work jacket. It finishes above the waist so you can pair it with a tool belt, and it has snap buttons which makes it easier to button and unbutton with work gloves on. It uses oil-finished heavyweight Tin Cloth for the outer shell and is lined with lightweight dry Cover Cloth canvas. The hand pockets are flannel-lined and the collar is wool-lined for added warmth. Click here to view this jacket at Filson.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Filson.com).
- Filson Tin Cloth Field Jacket: This is a versatile jacket that can be used for many reasons, including work. The outer-shell is made with heavyweight Filson Tin Cloth and is oil-finished to add weather protection. This jacket is built to maximize storage with two large front cargo pockets and a back game pocket. It also has chest pockets and internal pockets. This jacket comes unlined, but it is compatible with Filson’s zip-in jacket liners. It is also compatible with Filson hoods. Click here to view this jacket at Filson.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Filson.com).
Types of Filson Waxed Jackets that use Shelter/Cover Cloth
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Very good durability and toughness | Not as durable as Tin Cloth |
| Water resistant due to wax finish | Not as many options as Tin Cloth |
| Can be paired with down insulation | Need to re-wax periodically |
| Shorter break-in period than Tin Cloth | Not machine washable |
| Doesn’t feel as stiff as Tin Cloth | Waxed finish reduces breathability |
Filson Shelter Cloth (11-ounce) is the midweight canvas fabric that Filson uses in waxed jackets and Filson Cover Cloth (8-ounce) is the lightest-weight canvas fabric Filson uses in waxed jackets. These canvas materials are still very durable but won’t be quite as strong as Filson Tin Cloth.
The benefit of these materials is they are more flexible than Filson Tin Cloth, and have less of a break-in period. Because they aren’t as stiff as Tin Cloth, they can be paired with down insulation for added warmth. For example, the Filson Down Cruiser Jacket uses a combination of Shelter Cloth and Cover Cloth to create a durable shell around the down insulation.
I think the Filson Down Cruiser jacket is one of the warmest jackets that Filson makes. If you need premium warmth in you Filson Waxed Jacket, the Down Cruiser will be a better option than many of the Filson Tin Cloth jackets.
Filson does not offer as many jackets using these two types of canvas fabrics. Here are the most popular:
- Filson Down Cruiser Jacket – This jacket is unique because it combines Filson’s waxed cotton shell with 650-fill power goose down for protection in the coldest, wettest weather. This jacket uses Filson Cover Cloth and Filson Shelter Cloth as the canvas fabric, which is their midweight and lightweight canvas. This jacket won’t be as durable as Filson Tin Cloth, but it is very durable compared to most types of nylon down jackets, and the oil-finish makes it highly water-resistant. Click here to view the Filson Down Cruiser Jacket (paid affiliate link takes you to Filson.com).
- Filson Cover Cloth Woodland Jacket: This jacket uses the lighter-weight Filson Cover Cloth canvas, which is still very durable, but won’t be as thick and tough as Filson Tin Cloth. Yes, this jacket is oil-finished making it highly water-resistant. It fits more like a coat that finishes past the waist for added weather protection. It is lined with an extra layer of dry Cover Cloth and comes with a detachable hood. It is compatible with Filson’s zip-in jacket liners in case you want to add even more warmth to this jacket. Click here to view this jacket at Filson.com (paid affiliate link takes you to Filson.com).
To read more, visit my article that compares Filson Tin Cloth to Shelter and Cover Cloth.
Are Filson Waxed Jackets Warm Enough for Winter Cold Weather?
Filson offers a wide range of jackets that vary in warmth. That said, the majority of their waxed jackets are best used in mild to moderate winter conditions or combined with extra layering to be used in more extreme conditions.
Filson does use a generous cut in many of their jackets so that you can easily layer underneath in colder, more extreme conditions. But on their own, most Filson jackets generally are best suited for mild to moderate winter conditions. Given their origins in the Pacific Northwest, these jackets are designed to handle the region’s characteristic wet and rugged terrain in mild to moderately cold temperatures.
As I mentioned above, if you need premium warmth, I would suggest the Filson Down Cruiser which combines a the waxed canvas shell with 650-fill power goose down for protection in the coldest, wettest weather.
Filson offers both lined and unlined versions of most of its classic waxed canvas jackets. The lined versions will obviously be a bit more suitable for extreme cold, but I personally find that it is still best to layer underneath these lined jackets if I’m working in dangerously sub-zero conditions.
That said, Filson waxed jackets use a very tight weave which not only adds durability and toughness, it also makes the jacket more wind-resistant and enhances the insulating qualities of the jacket. However, most Filson work jackets don’t have bulky insulation, so for extreme cold, layering is often needed.
These rugged types of Filson waxed jackets are very popular due to their toughness and versatility. They handle well in wet conditions and on their own can handle moderately cold temperatures or be combined with layering for more extreme cold. The high-quality materials and timeless style makes these Filson waxed jackets popular as both workwear and casualwear.