How to Make the Most of an Outdoor Bag This Winter

Many people prefer to stay cozy indoors during the cold winter months, but

there are also winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, and

activities you can only enjoy in winter, such as stargazing, hiking, and hot spring hopping.

Not just rain but snow, and having to carry around bulky winter gear—

these are the challenges of outdoor activities in this season, but having one sturdy outdoor bag can solve those worries.

The brand we'd like to introduce is FILSON, an outdoor bag brand that got its start in Seattle, USA, in 1897.

During the era of the Gold Rush, it was founded as a specialty brand for outdoor clothing

that could withstand even the harsh conditions of gold mining.

Made with a commitment to quality materials and uncompromising design and stitching,

its products have long been favored by American forest rangers, hunters, and adventurers for their outstanding durability,

and a history spanning over 100 years since its founding is itself a testament to that high quality.

When you think of a bag suited for outdoor use, capacity and durability are probably the first things that come to mind,

but there are other important points as well, such as:

・Having storage compartments that allow you to separate your belongings

・The bag itself being lightweight

・The opening closing securely, and the bottom resisting wear

・Being resistant to water and dirt

・The parts that touch your body, like the shoulders and back, being sturdy

These are just a few of the qualities people look for.

FILSON bags, made with serious outdoor use in mind, cover all of these points.

They're resistant to water and dirt, feature storage spaces designed with specific purposes in mind,

and the more you use them, the more the true character of the materials shows through.

Let's take a closer look right away.

【FILSON Bags for Every Occasion】

The body of FILSON bags is made from cotton twill, a weave also known as diagonal weave.

Cotton twill is woven with spaced-out threads, resulting in a thick, sturdy construction.

It's also characterized by diagonal weave lines on the surface and an overall sheen.

The surface is treated with water-repellent finishing, so it can withstand a bit of rain without soaking through.

The handles are made of bridle leather. Bridle leather has historically been used for horse tack,

and after tanning, wax is worked into it, giving it a supple yet durable quality.

As you use it, you can enjoy watching it gradually develop creases and change in color over time.

The FILSON tote bag is just the right size to carry over one shoulder,

and while it's spacious enough to fit a laptop or A4 documents, its compact finish makes it easy for both men and women to use.

With pockets on the front, back, and both sides, storage is never a problem.

It's great not only as a work bag for commuting or school, but also as a rainy-day bag, or even for a quick stroll nearby.

This is the FILSON Small Pack.

It's a backpack characterized by a drawcord opening and a bridle leather belt motif.

By using nylon and cotton as materials,

it achieves a generous capacity while weighing only about 560g, and it's also built to resist tearing.

The bottom is made with water-repellent-treated cotton twill,

so it resists soaking through even when wet, making it a bag that can hold up under heavy loads.

A drawcord opening, like a drawstring pouch, that you open and close by pulling the cord.

It opens wide, letting you take items in and out without stress, and another nice feature is how easily it closes securely with just a cinch.

It has enough capacity to hold an A4 binder with room to spare, and there's a removable zippered pocket on the inside as well.

It's a comfortable size not only for men but also for women to wear.

This is a bag you'll want for occasions when you need your hands free—like walking with your kids, riding a bike, hiking, or camping.

When you need to carry bulky items like boots or thick coats for winter sports,

or need something perfect for a short trip, the Duffle Small Bag is just right.

A duffle bag originally referred to a cloth sack used by sailors and seamen to hold their personal belongings,

and today the term refers generally to large, cylindrical bags of this type.

The handle, which needs to be highly durable to carry large loads, is made from a thick bridle leather strap.

Brass hardware is used, giving it a substantial, solid feel.

Since the body is water-repellent, there's no problem putting in slightly damp items.

What's more, this duffle bag has a surprising feature: when not in use, you can adjust the strap

and fold it flat.

This eliminates the concern that a large bag will take up too much space when stored—a thoughtful design that considers the user.

This wide-mouthed bag is the Utility Bag.

Versatile in use, this bag offers excellent storage, with numerous pockets not only on the outside but also on the inside.

Its wide opening makes it easy to fit large items, and since it stands on its own, the bag itself

can also be used as a storage item.

Whether you're packing lunch boxes for the whole family or storing a blanket.

Or perhaps filling it with toys and games, or camping cookware

this is a utility bag that can be used in so many different ways.

It's the perfect bag for occasions when you have a lot to carry.

【Things to Use Together with Your Outdoor Bag】

For winter outdoor activities, protection against the cold is a must.

Having a blanket you can easily carry with you means you can use it over your lap or draped over your shoulders.

PENDLETON is a blanket brand founded in America, just like FILSON.

Featuring vivid designs based on traditional patterns of Native Americans, these blankets are a pleasure just to look at.

Weighing around 500g, these blankets are lightweight and can be rolled up small enough to fit in a bag, so you can carry them around without any worry when heading out.

Since they contain wool, their warmth is also guaranteed.

This is a side-gore boot from

Blundstone, which has been manufacturing boots in Australia based on the original work boot design for over 150 years.

The upper is made of water-repellent-treated leather, and the joint between the upper and the sole

is constructed using a waterproof injection method, making it resistant to rain and dirt.

The durability that allows for long-term wear and the aging character that develops with use are features unique to leather.

The deep grooves on the sole provide a slip-resistant effect, and

thanks to the SPS (Shock Protection System), which reduces the impact on your feet while walking by 33%,

the boots are designed to reduce fatigue even after long periods of walking.

While these aren't rain boots, they're a work boot worth choosing for outdoor occasions where things might get a little dirty,

or for days when you'll be doing a lot of walking.

For winter outdoor activities, don't forget warm food and drinks either.

Made from stainless steel that looks sturdy at a glance, STANLEY's

lunch boxes and food jars are built so robustly that they're even used by the military.

The food jar features a double-walled vacuum insulation on the inside,

allowing it to keep hot food warm for extended periods of time.

The cap closes securely and is leak-resistant, so you can even carry warm soup with you.

Both the lunch box and the food jar are simple in design, but resistant to breaking if dropped and resistant to water,

making them convenient outdoor items to have on hand.

【Caring for Your Outdoor Bag】

The FILSON bag, which has been treated with a water-repellent finish,

is designed to resist water and stains, but to prevent mold and odor, after use please

wring out a damp cloth firmly, wipe away any dirt, and let it dry thoroughly.

Also, if the bag comes into contact with sand or similar substances, brushing it can remove dirt that has worked its way into the fabric.