Dusters..The Ultimate Survival Garment??

Nic Ramirez

Nic Ramirez

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Apr 17, 2003
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Hey anyone have the Filson Duster?? I like the interchangeable liners and such.

Also they're damn cool lookin. I want to use it for outings in the Pacific Northwest, namely Washington State.

Just wanted to know if anyone had any experience with this or other dusters?
 
Oh yeah and for those who don't know what a duster is:

465OTH.jpg


More info at:

http://www.filson.com/465OT.HTM
 
I tried one while riding my Harley. Like the guy on the TV show. Didn't work out too well. Too much flapping and on rainy days a lot of water got underneath.

A few years ago, students at Cooper Union University in NYC, designed a special "duster" for homeless people, for year round use. Had extra long flaps would could be pulled down, zippered, and converted into a sleeping bag. Also had a lot of pockets, internal and external, to carry all of one's possessions. Homeless guys can't leave their stuff lying around in their cardboard boxes and supermarket carts as they get ripped off by other homeless. Sad situation.
 
Filsons definitely have old-school style and quality of construction is tops. I have a few Filson garments and a shoulder bag. Their sheer toughness, smart time-tested designs, and no-nonsense warranty make them potentially and hazardously addictive for knife knuts. Filson is sort of the "Randall knives" of men's garments. Classic.

My tin-cloth packer sees a lot of use late fall-early spring and I would certainly trust it as "survival gear." Filson's "natural materials only" philosophy makes for great breathability and relatively easy self-repair, if necessary; but their garments can also be very heavy and bulky. The paraffin-based soak for the outerwear is excellent at first but will eventually wear off. You can get better rain protection, flexibility and mobility from synthetics (coat and pants), at literally 1/5 or less the weight of the duster.

But if near-indestructible toughness and warmth are your priorities, a Filson shelter cloth duster (or even a packer for more versatility) with optional liner is an excellent way to go. Choose the vest liner based on how far north or south you are. The 24 oz. wool liner would be uncomfortably warm and unnecessarily bulky unless you are in well below freezing climates. In fact, I almost never snap in my liner, and just use the packer as my outer layer.

The Cooper Union designed duster sounds great -- ingenuity put to good use. Curious to know what materials were used; presumably synthetic like lined ripstop or similar?

Glen
 
You can't beat Filson but with a duster you have problem. Walking on level ground is fine but if you walk on any uneven ground you will be stepping allover those long tails and falling down. If they can snap up out of the way that would help. Of course you could add afew snaps yourself. Good luck. akraven
 
That's a fantastic point akraven. I didn't even think of that. The places I hike are anything but level. That sure makes me re-think things-
 
OR just trim it up to your 6 inches off the floor an wear striped socks!
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kiddin
 
Philson makes good stuff that lasts.

But it can be heavy, will get heavier when it gets wet, (it's not totally waterproof like some synthetics). For wool stuff they are great.

My new "shelter cloth" hat has mildewed, and a much older "tin cloth" hat hasn't ??

The waxed garments acquire a "patina" which may not be suitable for many city occasions. The "dry finish" may be better for some--but it is not quite as water repellent. Both will eventuall get wet and part of the water repellancy comes from the fibers swelling, like an old canvas tent.

The duster is a specialized garment designed to protect a person on horsback. For other uses, I think there are better choices in their line.
 
Originally posted by Fraser
Homeless guys can't leave their stuff lying around in their cardboard boxes and supermarket carts as they get ripped off by other homeless.
Click to expand...

They can't afford dusters either.:rolleyes:
 
The Aussie equivalent is a drizabone

http://www.drizabone.com.au/

I've had one for years and have seen them passed down a generation on some farms. They are almost an aussie icon and a symbol of the bush. They've got a certain outback style about them and love wearing mine but I agree with Storyvilles assessment of this type of coat.

Heavy
Won't keep you dry all day, day after day as they eventually leak somewhere.
They smell - mine is a combination of horses and sweat. So while I'd love to wear mine on social occasions where I want to emphasise a rugged bushman image - it tends to have the opposite than desired effect on ladies.

So while I love to wear mine on walks when the soft rain is wafting through the bush. If staying dry becomes critical I go for Gore-tex.
 
Originally posted by Ming65

Won't keep you dry all day, day after day as they eventually leak somewhere.
Click to expand...

Ming how long have you had yours? I bought a 3/4 length drizabone last year and the past two rain storms (pretty heavy and sustained rain) its leaked, not through the seams but through the material itself. I'm pretty ticked off as I bought it because they have a bulletproof reputation. Did I just get a dud or is this common for these coats?
Because of that I wouldnt recommend a drizabone. Also I dont think there designed for cold weather as, unless you get one two sizes to big, you'd have difficulty fitting a decent liner underneath, and the arms can be on the short side.
D.
 
I've had mine for approximately 10 years Donn. It's the same as yours - what they call the Short Coat. I've always found some dampness coming through during very heavy rain, especially if I move around a lot. About 2-3 years ago I noticed that the waterproofing was really starting to fail so I bought some of the waterproofing oil that they recommend (drizabones own brand) and reconditoned the coat -now it performs the same as before. Still looks the same as when I bought it as well - very durable. I found if you really soak this stuff and work it in with a hairdryer it makes the coat very waterproof.

I'm quite happy wearing mine all day in the rain when I'm helping out on friends stations - it breaths well and the slight dampness that is a combination of sweat and some leakage evaporates readily.

To me it is a work coat - suited for wet, dirty and muddy conditions as they are nearly indestructable. I wouldn't subject my gore-tex jacket to the sort of dirt, grease and faecal matter that the drizabone laughs at. They are also pretty good value here (AUS $145 compared to $300+ for a decent Goretex)

But for any trekking/adventuring a goretex lined jacket suited to the temperatures always wins hands down in my view. Lighter, absolutely waterproof (in my experience). With the right sort of thermals underneath I've stayed warm and dry in some horrendous conditions.
 
I've had mine for approximately 10 years Donn. It's the same as yours - what they call the Short Coat. I've always found some dampness coming through during very heavy rain, especially if I move around a lot. About 2-3 years ago I noticed that the waterproofing was really starting to fail so I bought some of the waterproofing oil that they recommend (drizabones own brand) and reconditoned the coat -now it performs the same as before. Still looks the same as when I bought it as well - very durable. I found if you really soak this stuff and work it in with a hairdryer it makes the coat very waterproof.

I'm quite happy wearing mine all day in the rain when I'm helping out on friends stations - it breaths well and the slight dampness that is a combination of sweat and some leakage evaporates readily.

To me it is a work coat - suited for wet, dirty and muddy conditions as they are nearly indestructable. I wouldn't subject my gore-tex jacket to the sort of dirt, grease and faecal matter that the drizabone laughs at. They are also pretty good value here (AUS $145 compared to $300+ for a decent Goretex)I also don't think they where made with freezing cold conditions in mind. Mild subtropical winters are more the go here (although they where invented by a Scotsman).

But for any trekking/adventuring a goretex lined jacket suited to the temperatures always wins hands down in my view. Lighter, absolutely waterproof (in my experience). With the right sort of thermals underneath I've stayed warm and dry in some horrendous conditions.
 
Well, Cooper Union is one of those liberal, left wing engineering schools that work extensively with the homeless - feed, raise funds, build shelters, etc. I think its a requirement of all students, in order to "humanize" engineers.

Anyway, I don't recall the original materials of construction but I believe one is on display at the Met, made from recycled plastic. Waterproof, vermin proof, and will last 1,000 years.
 
Anyone have any experience with cloaks...oyu know like elves wear?
Seriously, looks like a serious alternative to a wearable shelter-half, poncho, windbreaker, etc. as long as you're just walking in the woods (pretty embarrasing around town...LOLOL) if it's made right....
 
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