Archival Release - Archival Trail Cap

Archival has just released our new lightweight trail cap in gray waxed cotton.  Classic, five panel design made with a Horween leather tab back adjustment.  Ideal for all-weather walking, fishing, and hunting.  Made of a 6.25 ounce waxed cotton that's durable and lightweight.  For more information, visit the Archival Web Shop.

 Family of waxed cotton trail caps

Release - Archival Trail Caps in Natural

We are now offering our lightweight, waxed cotton Archival Trail Caps in natural.  Classic five panel design with leather tab back adjustment. Made of a 5.5 ounce waxed cotton/nylon that's both durable and lightweight.  The new natural cap is perfect for walking, hunting, fishing or outdoor tennis.  Made in USA

   
Full family of Archival Trail Caps 


New Archival Trail Cap blending into the environs

Wishful Shopping - Archival Edition

1.  Archival x Hollows leather cuff - $45
2.  Juniper Ridge Bar Soap - $10.00
3.  Archival Dopp Kit - $60
4.  Archival Marled Knit Cap - $18.00
5.  Benjo's Boot Laces - $9.00

Here a few last minute gift suggestions from the Archival web shop.  If you're local to Eugene (or Oregon), stop by our offices now through December 21st to make holiday purchase and see samples, prototypes, samples and other goods not listed on our site.  To set up an appointment - email info@archivalclothing.com.

Restock - Chester Wallace Totes

Our friend Patrick Long designed his Chester Wallace tote with all the features of a great bag: a six-pack fits in the bottom, you can carry it with the removable shoulder strap or by the tote handles, and there are enough pockets of all sizes to keep everyone happy.

Our current, custom Chester Wallace Tote offerings come in two fabrics: dry finish cotton duck and waxed cotton canvas. Quality materials ensure that your bag is bound to last a lifetime.  Features include a waterproof bottom, nylon webbing, and nickel hardware.

Current colorways include natural/camo, evergreen/navy and gray/brow

Customize your CW tote with an extra strap

Visit the Archival Web Shop for more information

Release - Archival Trail Cap in Tan

We couldn't find a lightweight waxed cotton baseball cap that was readily available and made in the USA, so we've produced one ourselves. Classic five panel design with leather tab back adjustment. Made of a 5.5 ounce waxed cotton/nylon that's both durable and lightweight. Ideal for all-weather walking, fishing, and hunting. One size fits most. If you have a larger head (sizes 7 3/4 and above), this cap might feel a bit small. Waxed fabric: 80% cotton, 20% nylon Now available in tan and navy

 

Archival Down Vests by Crescent Down Works

I really love down vests, so it was a treat to work with one of the finest down garment makers in the country on a really special project. Here's our take on a classic work/hunting vest, done with a lightweight waxed cotton shell, a nylon lining for easy layering, and a worsted wool rib collar, knitted by Washington's Centralia Knitting Mills. Made in Seattle, WA by Crescent Down Works.

The waxed cotton shell is weather-resistant and durable, much more so than the thin nylon typically used in backpacker's down vests. The collar is cozy but not so big you can't throw a jacket on over. The handwarmer pockets are stuffed with down so that your hands really stay warm. There's an inside pocket for the phone, or matches, or playing cards.

I'm very proud of this vest - it's handsome, durable, and functional clothing made in the Northwest - and that's what Archival's all about! Exclusive to Wilderness Workshop and our own web store. Very limited quantities.    

We visited Crescent Down Works a few months ago, be sure to check out the report from that trip.

Release - Archival Trail Cap

We couldn't find a lightweight waxed cotton baseball cap that was readily available and made in the USA, so we've produced one ourselves.   Classic five panel design with leather tab back adjustment. Made of a 5.5 ounce waxed cotton/nylon that's both durable and lightweight. Ideal for all-weather walking, fishing, and hunting.   Available via our Archival web shop.

One size fits most. If you have a larger head (sizes 7 3/4 and above), this cap might feel a bit small.

Made in USA

  Tom modeling summer prototype of the trail cap in a future color - ranger tan

New Release: Archival Plain Waxed Jacket

Our first piece of outerwear, the Archival Plain Waxed Jacket is meant to be a reliable, comfortable outer shell to ward off rain and wind. Ideal for walkers, cyclists, fishermen, sailors, and anyone else who loves being outside in all weather. The Plain Waxed Jacket is unlined, with raglan sleeves and two welted handwarmer pockets. Cut just below the waist. Made of a waxed cotton/nylon fabric that's both durable and lightweight. Collar, cuffs, and pockets are lined in soft wool flannel. Cuffs and back adjust with a snap, and a stout two-way brass zipper is backed with a storm flap to keep out the drafts. Fully finished inside and out, using felled seams and twill tape, this jacket is built well to last long. Available in navy.

Fully finished inside and out

Stout, two way brass. zipper backed with a storm flap

Wool flannel lined cuffs, pockets and collar

Archival DIY: Rewaxing a Filson Packer Hat

If you're looking for a post holiday diversion, here's a tutorial from Chris at Otter Wax on reproofing your Filson Packer hat. Feel free to apply this technique to other waxed cotton items that have lost their finish in the past year. Otter Wax available here.

Otter Wax is fine for both Filson tin and shelter cloth fabrics

In case you missed it, here's the original post from Chris on waxing dry canvas sneakers.

Shopping from the Past: Barbour Solway Jacket

Barbour Solway on cover of 1967/68 catalog (via Thornproof)

I stopped receiving Barbour print catalogs several years ago. Browsing the online web shop, I have a hard time tracking the ever shifting Barbour lines (Beacon, Sporting, Gold Label, Heritage, Lifestyle, Ladies, etc). Favorite styles are disappearing behind new Barbours with printed linings, updated silhouettes and Steve McQueen plotlines. Many of the Barbours made from the original, "thornproof" 8 oz waxed cotton have been discontinued. Missing from the Barbour line for several years is one of my all time favorites, the Solway Zipper Jacket.

Solway in Barbour 1967/68 catalog (via Thornproof)

In its day, the Solway was one of Barbour's flagship models. Here's a nice illustrated summary of the Solway's principal features which include three outside patch pockets, inside game pocket, wind cuffs and a buckle belt.

The Solway zip was designed as both a shooting and "fowling" jacket. It was quickly adopted for for general country wear.

Per the 1964/65 catalog patter, the Solway is well suited for use in cold, damp conditions: "The quest for the ideal coat is over, invincibly waterproof, able to stand up to endless hours of rain and not let one drop through." Of all the Barbours, the Solway appears to have inspired the most testimonials. My favorite is the story of the gent whose Solway protected him from an enraged Zebra.

The buckle belt adds a dash of style

In 1961, the Solway zipper jacket had spinoff models including the Solway Smock

Here are a few historic examples of Solway Zipper jackets captured from ebay:





There seems to be a disturbing trend towards having the belt and belt loops removed on Solway jackets. Recent ebay auctions list this as a garment feature. Since this is a signature feature of the Solway, I strongly advise against this practice.

Loopless, beltless Solway Zipper Jackets

ST, in Solway, tramping through the W. 18th wetlands

I missed this special close out sale on Solway jackets via Sierra Trading Post. Ignominious end to a coat that once graced a catalog cover.

Archival Restock: Chester Wallace Totes

For December, we're adding a new Chester Wallace tote the AC web shop. The colorway is evergreen and navy with a flash of yellow. Body and base are made from #10, vat dyed, government spec'd waxed cotton. While I had originally requested a green and black combination, Patrick, the bag's designer, suggested olive with a navy base. In his words, "the green was more with the navy than with black in an Albers way".

We're also adding replacement Chester Wallace straps to the AC web shop so you can mix and match colorways at home.

Archival DIY: Rewaxing Canvas Sneakers

AC friend and Otter Wax founder Chris Chase proposed that we put together a series of DIY videos on reproofing canvas products. We wanted to test wax a range of artifacts from dry finish canvas sneakers to an AC flap musette. Unlike traditional fabric waxes, Otter Wax is made from natural materials and is 100% petroleum free. In the video below, Chris demonstrates a method for rewaxing canvas sneakers that doesn't require a double boiler or heat gun. This is the first in a series of AC x Otter Wax reproofing videos. Start gathering your dry finish canvas goods.

Chris reproofing a pair of Superga canvas sneakers

Post reproofing

Otter Wax. All natural, petroleum free fabric wax.

For interested parties, here's our original post on reproofing a Filson duckbill cap using Martexin wax.