The day my Filson bag got mistaken for a trashed jacket on the bus

I've had this Filson rucksack for about 8 years now. It's been through rain in Portland and dust storms in New Mexico. Last Tuesday I was taking the bus home from work and set it next to me on the seat. Some guy sits down, picks it up, and asks the driver if anyone lost a beat up jacket. I had to tell him no, that's my bag. It looks that rough. The canvas is faded to a weird gray tan and there's a patch on the bottom where I rubbed through the fabric hauling mail bags. But honestly, that's why I love it. Nothing else I've owned held up that long without falling apart. Has anyone else had a piece of gear get so worn it looks like trash but still works perfectly?

2 comments

2 Comments

the_drew15d ago

@emery879 I see your point but eight years of brutal use and still going is proof enough for me.

emery87915d ago

Jump right into pointing out that the bus driver probably thought the same thing about that guy. I had a similar moment with my old waxed canvas duffel that's been to like 15 states and back. The top flap is held together with fishing line and the leather straps have gone from brown to a weird greyish black. But here's the thing, it still carries all my work gear without ripping or leaking. There's something about gear that's ugly but unstoppable that just feels right, you know? Like it earned every scratch and faded spot the hard way.