Update: Archival Duffel in Olive

In the next week, we will be releasing a few new colors of our popular Archival Duffel. Here's a preview of the new duffel in olive. The Archival Duffel is constructed from the highest quality materials: sturdy #8 cotton duck (18 oz), Horween leather, YKK zippers, and thread are of US origin. Webbing and most of our solid brass hardware is sourced from the UK. Edges are bound in waxed cotton tape and all stress points are bar-tacked or riveted. Meets TSA carry-on limits.

Olive duffel in situ at Inspiration Vol 03 in So. Cal

New Release: Archival Duffel

Our Archival Duffel is intended to be sturdy, simple baggage for your travels. Perfectly sized for carrying on airplanes, it's a compact tube with inside and outside pockets on the ends. The duffel's bottom is covered in a waterproof, super tough nylon truck tarp to put you at ease even when setting your bag down on grimy subway platforms or a dusty road. The main compartment is accessed through a heavy-duty #10 brass zipper with bootlace zipper pulls, covered by a weather-resistant storm flap. A stout, leather-trimmed 2" wide shoulder strap is comfortable and easily removed (strap hangs 20 to 24" from shoulder), and handles in our British military webbing are securely bar-tacked in place.

The duffel is constructed from the highest quality materials: sturdy #8 cotton duck (18 oz), Horween leather, YKK zippers, and thread are of US origin. Webbing and most of our solid brass hardware is sourced from the UK. Edges are bound in waxed cotton tape and all stress points are bar-tacked or riveted. Meets TSA carry-on limits.

Dimensions: 19.5" x 13" x 9.5" (Length / width / height)
Zipper opening: 17"
Volume: 50 liters
1 lb 9 oz

Made in USA

Shopping from the movies: Shoot the Moon (Parker 1982)

Some films are better watched on fast forward or reproduced as film stills. Shoot the Moon (Parker 1982) is just such a movie -- playing out like an Ingmar Bergman domestic drama populated by Woody Allen characters. While we're asked to focus on the dissolving marriage of Albert Finney and Diane Keaton, one's eye cannot help but wander to the the family's shared taste in classic clothing: wonderful cotton plaids, knits, woolens and jackets sourced (perhaps) from venerable brands like Barbour, Woolrich and Pendleton.

I've reproduced a few stills for reference:

Rugby stripes and heritage garb for kids

Knit cardigans

Plaids (and pencil sharpeners)

Barbour Solway Zipper jackets (and a fetching duffle)

Woolrich jac-shirts

Down vests

Pendleton blanket robes

Cotton knit caps

And a few a household accessories:

Rotary phones

Backyard tennis courts

Family station wagons

Archival Outing

We couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a Sunday afternoon paddle by canoe on the McKenzie River. The promise of fish and fine riparian views outweighed our reluctance to venture out into the drizzle. What care we when we have the best waxed cotton outerwear for the worst Oregon Spring in recent memory.

Rick's prized Grumman (a transplant, like Rick, from Minnesota)

Namesake

Prized canvas duck duffle (family heirloom)

Flies tied for the occasion

Preparing to launch

My assignment

In full wax garb

Passing view

Non archival footwear (and Filson fly-fishing strap vest)

Recommended substitution

Success! (first of several)

Shopping from 1952: Summer Camp Kit

Next week, I'll be heading to the Hood Canal for a weekend at my old summer camp. Since I'm fulfilling my packing list from the pages of the 1952 LL Bean catalog, I'll only need to shop for few perishable provisions (coffee beans, 35mm film and almonds).

I have a two shoe rule for traveling but I couldn't decide between the no-sole moccasin, camp oxford and canoe shoe, so I'll pack all three (and throw in the 9" moccasins just in case I do some ad hoc tramping and fishing).

All my gear will be packed in Bean Zipper Duffles and our trusty A.C. rucksack (camp tested by Sweet Juniper).


Camping in the movies:

Charlotte Vale's well appointed camp site (Now Voyager)

Archival Update: Filson Summer Sale

Vaughn Wascovich, Neylandville,Texas #2

Yesterday, friend/photographer/collector Vaughn W. emailed to tell me that Filson is closing out their first generation collection of tin cloth luggage.

Sale page here.

From what I know, Filson is changing the color of the webbing from olive to tan for a more "monochromatic" look. Personally, I prefer the contrasting olive webbing so I'll be placing an order for the small shell bag (and possibly the field bag--though I loathe those plastic quick release buckles). The tin cloth line is designed for shooting and hunting (as an alternative to the 22 oz twill luggage), but I've found that the lighter weight fabric, w/taffeta lining, makes for perfect grocery and bike errand bags. If you hunt around (or call Filson directly), you might be lucky enough to locate remaining stock of the original tin cloth tote with olive webbing--the best tote ever made...

What do you think of the new khaki colored webbing?

Addendum: if you know of a top quality source for US made webbing which looks like the kind used for the straps on the Filson tote... please send me an email (full Archival Webbing report coming soon!).

New luggage.

Best tote ever