The Filson Journeyman backpack review

• Forewords
• Introduction
• Heritage backpacks
• The case of the Filson Journeyman
• The Price
• What about those replicas?
• Real Vs. Fake, what are the differences?
• So why did I buy a Filson Journeyman?
• It's timeless and personal
• External Ressources

• Forewords
• Introduction
• Heritage backpacks
• The case of the Filson Journeyman
• The Price
• What about those replicas?
• Real Vs. Fake, what are the differences?
• So why did I buy a Filson Journeyman?
• It's timeless and personal
• External Ressources

FOREWORDS
// THE ONE-BAG QUEST

Does the perfect backpack exist? That’s probably the question many men – and no doubt many women – have asked themselves. It shouldn’t be too big, it needs to be practical, stylish. It shouldn’t stand out in a work environment, but let’s be honest, we do like that little adventurer/explorer vibe, don’t we? So it also needs to be perfect for our hikes and our trips here and there. And then there’s the material. Yes, nylon is cheap, it’s durable, it’s waterproof. But for those who are more sensitive, that’s a purely practical perspective. Where’s the sense of tradition or heritage? Do you think that’s trivial? Well, in that case, you might as well use a garbage bag – your belongings will stay dry.

Some will say : "you just need a backpack for work and a backpack for your weekend hikes". Sure, it makes sense. But I like the idea of having just one timeless thing. I don't like to collect stuff. And that's why many of us are looking for the perfect backpack. Again and again. The one that will last, made of materials that will last.

INTRODUCTION ⇪
// WHO'S THE GUY ANYWAY?

It’s now been two years that I’ve been searching for the perfect backpack. And I’ve seen quite a few come and go. At first, I had a budget of 100 euros. Yes. I have to admit, I didn’t know much about the market. I was more used to grabbing the first $20-bag I saw, usually something from Amazon. Then this “heritage” side of things got to me. First with leather boots, and I eventually went for Redwing Iron Rangers and Redwing Blacksmiths in “Copper Rough and Tough.” Then I wanted a timeless watch. I had a very bad experience with my Hamilton Mechanical Khaki field. I ended up supporting Redwood, a small Canada-based company which makes awesome military inspired watches. My Kilroy is just perfect.

And then there was that cap worn by Justin Theroux in the series The Mosquito Coast on Apple TV. Wow, it gives him the perfect look with that beard. As a side note, after a few hours of research, I realized it’s the same cap worn by Captain Quint in Jaws – made of waxed cotton. I finally chose a very similar model, same indescribable color, but in pigskin. Then there was the “Waxed Trucker Jacket” worn by Joel in The Last of Us TV show. Trump hadn’t yet become President of the USA, but importing that jacket from the Huckberry’s shop in the United States to France hurt a bit: 120 euros in customs fees. All in all, it ended up costing me nearly 420 euros. But I have to say, it’s perfect.

And then, I needed a good backpack.

HERITAGE BACKPACKS ⇪
// THE LIMITS

Backpacks with a "vintage" look can be found everywhere. Amazon and similar sites sell some for 40 or 50 euros. But this heritage aspect is only superficial. Oh, I’m sure they can last for years—sometimes the quality is actually there. But there’s still this feeling of being cheated, knowing they were assembled in China or Vietnam. And above all, these factories running at full speed are simply violating intellectual property rights that protect design concepts developed by real craftsmen in the United States or Europe. Have you noticed all those supposedly backpack-specific websites that only sell goods from Amazon or Aliexpress at a higher costs?

After hours of research, I wanted something that was both simple, yet with a touch of originality. The Biographer by Bradley Mountain or the Pack Animal Rally bag, in particular, caught my attention. So I bought some similar inexpensive bags—just to see.

I really wanted to define precisely what I really enjoyed. But in the end, I have to admit that hook or buckle closures aren’t really practical for everyday use. The retro/vintage/heritage style is nice, up to a point. And up to a certain place. Certainly not at work. In the end, I wanted something easy and straightforward; the zipper remains an essential element of practicality. And I wanted something a bit rugged without looking like a vagabond everywhere I go. I don't need that attention. I leave it to hipsters. And that brings us to the Filson Journeyman.

Or, not quite. After considering the price - more on that below - I decided to buy a fake one - more on that below too.

Then I decided it was time for me to get a real Heritage backpack. Did I buy an original Journeyman? Not yet. If I were to spend several hundred bucks, I could at least choose a different style. The truth is, that Journeyman copy was actually pretty good! So last Christmas, I broke the bank and ordered a Goruck GR1 Heritage in Dark Oak. Again, that model was not available from Goruck Europe. I waited a month before receiving it and paid a total of 490 euros. Ouch !

After using the Goruck almost everyday for 5 months, I realized that something was just not very natural. I like that not does not stand out in a modern environment while embracing heritage materials. That was my orginal idea. However, It's tough. Like, way too tough and rigid. It's not flexible, you don't get things out of it easily. And it's heavy, even when nearly empty. I don't need that capacity on a daily basis. It's just 21L, but it feels bigger. I know it's crazy to complain about the toughness of a backpack but the way it is constructed kind of makes it bulky. I got a laptop, a couple of small items here and there, my keys and a pouch. However, my Goruck, with its clamshell opening, is amazing for my week-long travels and weekend getaways.

So then I did. I bought the Filson Journeyman

THE CASE OF THE FILSON JOURNEYMAN ⇪
// YES, THE REAL ONE

If you think outdoor workers were using the Journeyman backpack at the beginning of the mid-20th century, think again. The Filson Journeyman was initally introduced as The Twill Backpack on Filson's website in september... 2013. It is however, made from traditional material, that is oil tin cloth and brass zippers.

Reviewers tend to point that the Filson Journeyman is worn by Jack Ryan, for about 20 seconds in the first episode of the TV show. And that's certainly a great unexpected advertising for the Filson brand. What man does not want a Jack Ryan life?

Tan on Tan, winning plan

So I had this Otter Green copy, which I honestly had nothing bad to tell about. Yet, I wanted the real deal. So I decided on the tan version. Yes, I do have a tan waxed trucker jacket. Yes, I usually tend to look for slight contrasts in my clothings. But you know what? Those two tan items actually look great together. This picture used to be on the Filson website :

You might argue that Otter Green would look better : the thing is, those brass/gold clips on the green version annoy me. That's probably because on the fake bag that I got, they are more gold than brass. And it gives that Barbour feeling. And I hate those straight, large, shapeless, styleless Barbour jackets inherited from pseudo aristocratic uptight British hunters. There is no outdoor feeling in this for me. Barbour jackets have become the archetype of pseudo snobbish men always willing to show off their Rolex watches. Yes, obviously, I hate those.

So I went for the tan color.

A Journeyman in Tan or in Tan, what's your stand?

But which one? There are actually two tan versions, I have seen no one referring to that point.

The first one appears to be more popular - judging by Reddit. This is the one which does not have a tag in front. It comes and goes on the US website but is regularly listed on Filson EU. The second one looks more saturated. It's not exactly the same Tan color. Oh it's actually really nice. Maybe just a tad too much saturation there for me, which, in the end, does not look very natural. And it sports a white tag in front. People usually only refer to that tag, which is not very popular. But there is more, the zipper part is different. One is black, one is white. And the inside looks lighter on the newer tagged version.

I chose the one on the left, without the front tag. Though, to be honest, it was more about the color. That front tag could actually look awesomely vintage in 20 years.

The overall appearance

I would say the Journeyman is quite sleak. It's not too high, it's not too wide. Even though it does not stand out, it does bring this retro feeling with its front pocket. If you are used to Eastpack backpacks, the Journeyman is heavier. From the very beginning you can see there is a real difference in quality. The waxed canva adds a lot to that weight. It's not too heavy, though. A traditional Eastpack backpack weighs around 380 grams. That's three times lighter than a Journeyman backpack at 1.14 kg. In comparison, the Goruck GR1 Heritage is around 1.63 kg.

There is one thing though which I'm not a fan of: it has a rounded top. I find this a bit annoying. I would have prefered a more squared top part. If if were not for its front pocket, it could easily be taken for a regular school bag. It's a bit disappointing; at this high price, you would expect something that is a bit more unique.

The zippers

The Journeyman comes with big brass Filson-branded YKK zippers. And they look absolutly amazing. I'd say this is a big selling point for the Journeyman backpack. So sturdy! From the start, those zippers are very smooth. I've heard some complain it might get stuck in the top overlap fabric. It has never for me though. Those zippers are not coated for a better water resistance. I have experienced such a zippers on the Goruck. They tend to be OK but less smooth in my experience.

The front pocket

No need to go over every little details. You already did that and watched plenty of videos on YouTube. One thing to note, however, is that the front pocket can tend to be a mess. A mess without a zipper. Some people do not like that. Which I can certainly understand. Now, for my Goruck GR1, I bought this front admin panel on eBay which was specifically made to go in the front pocket. Guess what? It actually fits perfectly in the Journeyman front pocket as well. I like my backpacks to be on the slimmer side (and that's why I got the GR1) so I'd never put a big pouch in that front pocket. A Swiss army knife, a pen, an electronic cigarette, a bottle of eliquid, tissues, AirPod, keys... with this admin panel, everything is placed side by side and can be grabbed quickly.

Now if I'm honest I would not have liked a zip on the front pocket. I think the way the flap has been cut and the clip give the bag its unique appearance. Some people like the Filson Dryden packback. I personnaly do not. It looks too much of a school bag to me. There is, in my opinion, absolutly no uniquess in the Dryden model.

Unfortunately, in my case, I still have some doubts about the quality control. As shown in the photo below, the cut isn’t perfect—one side is higher than the other. Honestly, for a $400 bag whose price is based solely on a supposedly high-quality brand, it doesn’t look good at all. I was expecting a bit more attention to detail.

The padding

Nothing beats the GR1 heritage strap padding. Yet, unless you're actually running with a 25 lbs rucking plate, you will never need that kind of padding. At all. In fact the padding of the strap is part of what makes the GR1 unsuitable for EDC. It's the little details: those strap not only are thick, but they are also wide and therefore not as easy to fiddle with. The Journeyman strap padding is decent enough for a three-hour hike if you're not filling up the bag with stones.

That handle

People complain about the top leather handle of the Journeyman. They say it's too tight to grab the bag. I don't know. I think I got regular size hands, and it does not bother me to take the bag with three fingers. Not only that, but I'd never hand carry a backpack for more than 2 minutes anyway.

The laptop sleeve

The Journeyman may be on the heritage side, you nevertheless find a laptop sleeve. Oddly enough, I have seen some people on Reddit getting rid of it. The general feedback for that compartment is that it lacks padding at the bottom, as it is not suspended. Sure, The laptop would certainly be more protected inside the supposedly bomb-proof GR1 back pocket. After all, it has a hard plastic frame sheet.

I have that padfolio in which I place my 13-inch MacBook Air. It works just fine. Something a bit like this one. I cannot really point to that specific model as it was given to me about 20 years ago. But here it is in picture. And I advise getting one, not only for that but also for the waterproofness.

The weatherproofness

Oh, the bag is indeed well-protected against the elements. The waxed canva does its job very well. It can perfectly handle a normal rain. When it's raining hard, though, I forget about the style. I don't have much choice: I commute to work on a bicycle. So, I take out my packable rain trousers and jacket and, yes, I add a backpack protection. But to be honest, when it's pouring, I'd use that protection on any backpack, even on nylon ones.

So where do I put my water bottle?

That's another thing I read about the Journeyman: the lack of external side pockets to place your water bottle. Unless you hack your backpack with third-party modular elements, the water bottle will have to be put inside the bag. And some do not like the idea of placing it near a latop, which, again, I can perfectly understand. That's also why I advise this padfolio for your laptop. Besides, it will help the bag stand still.

The lack of side pockets gives the Journeyman its sleek appearance. Yet, they could have done something. I believe they could have simple added a discret horizontal strap on each side where the zip ends. Just one Molle strap to enable people attach a bottle holder. In fact they could sell this bottle holder in addition, like Goruck does. And it would certainly be popular. It's not they did not want to; they just did not think about it.

The Journeyman is better suited for a EDC backpack

If you work in an office, if you like to go for a walk downtown, or go hiking here and there on the weekend, then I find the Filson Journeyman much more suited for an everyday carry backpack than the GR1 Heritage. The canva is much thicker than your average Amazon backpack but compared to Goruck's it is just more flexible, it's lighter, and the straps are not annoying on a daily basis.

THE PRICE OF THE FILSON JOURNEYMAN ⇪
// $400. WTF.

Sometimes, you think something is expensive, but you can't really tell if this item is really worth the price. For instance, that's usually the case with Apple's products. After all, there might be some advanced unique technologies developed in a smart way... but you're not sure. Here, let me get this straight : no, the Journeyman is NOT worth $400 in terms of manufacturing.

The Filson Journeyman is sold at $395 on a regular day.
During commercial events, like on Black Friday, it usually goes on sale at $275.

What does that mean? You ask

Well, companies in Europe or in the USA are not allowed to lose money when selling items. That's true even during commercial events like on Black Friday.

So when selling the Journeyman at $275, Filson does NOT lose money.

They are not doing a gift to you in any way as Filson does not suddenly turn into a philanthropic entity. They remain a company.

What does that mean, you ask again?

It means that on a regular day, you can tell yourself that the Filson Journeyman backpack already is overpriced by $120. And on Black Friday, when Filson sells it at $275 they still make money.

What about the manufacturing costs? You ask

The Filson Journeyman is not a product made in the USA anymore (though with Trump at the head of the country, they might reconsider).

The Filson Journeyman is now made in Vietnam. Now hear this :

The average hourly wage for factory workers in the USA is between $16 to $25.
The average hourly wage for factory workers in Vietnam is around $1 to $2.

The fact that the manufacturing process is now made in Vietnam has absolutely no incidence on the quality and finishing of the product. Despite having received a bag with a very poorly cut flap on the front pocket, I trust Filson to have the same Quality & Control center set up over there.

However, we can say for sure that the manufacturing costs of the Filson Journeyman has been slashed by 15. But Filson have not decreased the price of the Journeyman in any way have they?

Now given that Filson manufacture their backpacks in Vietnam, you can be sure that out of that $275 price tag during Black Friday, they still make a great deal of money on this bag.

The unknown elements here, of course, is the price of the material used by Filson

WHAT ABOUT THOSE REPLICAS? ⇪
// ZOOM ON A $100-COPY

A few months ago, I posted a video on YouTube. Put off by the retail price, I ordered a replica of the Filson Journeyman on Aliexpress. But not just any replica. As I explain in the video description, there are two levels of copies. The first is sold for around 50-60 euros. The quality is clearly not the same, if only when it comes to the zippers. And then there’s the higher tier, at around 100-110 euros. The waxed cotton canvas is thick, the bag features large YKK zippers that work perfectly. The exact same as on the orginal, except they are note Filson-branded. The finish is impeccable. Here is the video (no sound, it's normal) :

No, it’s not a Filson, but obviously, if you put things in perspective, this backpack, sold around 110 euros, exudes quality and will no doubt serve anyone for years. Oh, and for your information, it was made in China. And over there, the average hourly wage for factory workers is around $6.50, so six times higher than in Vietnam. But they nevertheless managed to produce a high-quality backpack.

REAL VS FAKE: WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES? ⇪
// THE SMALL DETAILS

Yes, I thought it could be fun to actually see the differences between the two bags.

The fabric

The material used by Filson feels more supple to the touch than that of the copy. You can clearly see that the canvas has been waxed. In comparison, the Chinese copy uses a fabric that is just as thick but probably less refined. Filson states they use "100% cotton Rugged Twill + 14-oz. oil finish Tin Cloth + Moleskin + poly/cotton lining". The other one claims that "the main boday is made of 15OZ high-density oil and wax canvas"

The draining holes

Chinese manufacturers have decided to give Filson a run for its money. They have designed a copy, including features that have disappeared over time from the original Journeyman. For example, this is the case with the water drainage holes placed at the bottom of the front pocket. These have disappeared from the Filson bag… without any real reason.

The inner sides

Additionally, the internal side fabric panels, positioned on the right and left and used to block the main zipper, have also disappeared from the original. Some people used them as an internal pocket. On the copy, they are present, although not very deep and certainly not usable as pouches.

The zippers

As I explained earlier, on the Chinese model, the zipper is exactly the same as on the original. The only notable differences are: it is, of course, not Filson-branded, and it is gold-colored—much too gold for my taste. However, to be honest, it works perfectly and without any snags. It’s extremely smooth. And this is the same for the internal zipper pocket.

The snap buttons

The snap buttons are clearly of higher quality on the original Filson model compared to the Chinese copy. In fact, the side snap buttons on the front pocket didn’t really work when I received it. I had to use pliers to tighten them a bit and make them usable.

The strap padding

The strap padding is a bit different. In fact, it’s a bit surprising, but it’s actually thicker on the Chinese copy. On the other hand, the materials used on the original are much higher quality. From what I understand, there’s waxed canvas on the top and a particularly soft moleskin on the inside. The inside of the strap on the copy looks like it's made of some sort of nylon.

SO WHY DID I BUY A REAL FILSON JOURNEY MAN ? ⇪
// LONG-TERM THINKING

Yes, why did I give my money to Filson when everyone on YouTube seems to believe that they are failing?

On the one hand, let's just say that money was not a problem at that point. And when this is the case, I enjoy buying something nice that I've been eyeing for a long time. At one condition, though : this item needs to last.

On the other hand, I really wanted to compare a genuine Filson backpack with a fake one.

And then there is the legacy. Should it be that replica or the Filson, both will probably be fine well after I pass away. The bag will have gone to different places around the world. It will have become part of my everyday carry. Would I rather pass along to my kids a backpack from Filson which can be fixed in case of problem, or one that was bought from a shady store on Aliexpress ? When you think about the long term and as an investment, things suddenly change. It's not so much about finding a way to buy the best bag at the cheapest price, but about finding the bag that can last, which can be fixed and which will remain timeless.

IT'S TIMELESS AND PERSONAL ⇪
// NOBODY CARES. AT ALL

It may be because I'm in France and people here are not used to buying/importing American-made goods, but no one will ever notice what you are wear anyway. Iron Ranger ? Nawww, they still have Doc Marteens in mind. Filson Journeyman ? Nawwww, they only know one brand, Eastpack.

And in fact, that's perfectly OK. Heritage-inspired gears are not made to be fashionable. They're made to fit as many people as possible while using quality materials. They're made to be timeless and to last a long time. I first realized that about 10 years ago. I realized that I kept buying those Clarks Desert boots because I did not like the trendy shoes. And those just look fine with anything.

No one will ever notice you have a $400 Filson Journeyman backpack. I should probably not say that but, by extension, they surely won't notice either if you have a fake Journeyman...

So if you buy, buy it for you. Because you want the real deal, which, as we saw, is not so much of a good deal... unless you decide it is, because in the end, you're the one who decides the value of things. It's not just about the manufacturing costs. A lot of people are willing to spend $800 on a smartphone that they’ll use every day for the next five years. So if you are willing to spend $400 on this backpack and plan to use it every day for the next twenty years, who am I to judge its true value?

EXTERNAL RESSOURCES ⇪
// THE BIG PICTURE

Are you still unsure whether you should invest?

In that case, it might be better to check out other opinions. Several YouTubers, for example, have published video reviews of the Filson Journeyman. Some are specialized in backpacks in general, others in heritage accessories and clothing.

It is worth noting, however, that while on Speen I intend to write independent, non-affiliated reviews, I can’t guarantee that this is the case elsewhere. Quite often, manufacturers send them products to test. I’m sure this doesn’t stop them from remaining neutral—in fact, they usually make a point of being transparent themselves. But it’s still worth mentioning. By the way, if I ever become affiliated myself, I’ll make sure to state it here as well.

Here is a selection of video reviews about the Filson Journeyman backpack:

Finally you can look around Reddit communities, and read users' comments and discussions about the Filson Journeyman here and here.

Anyways that was a first shot at a first review. Hope this helped.