I know Filson stuff gets mentioned here from time to time- looking at the posts, it's mostly the vests, but I thought I'd ask..

Based on LOTS of recommendations I read in different places, and partly out of curiosity, I finally bought my first Filson, a "Cover Cloth Field Jacket".

This isn't one of your manly Filson canvas-so-thick-it-stands-on-it's-own jackets, this is the wimpy lightweight stuff that is advertised as being "comfortable without break-in" (which makes you wonder about the other stuff) but it is the "oiled finish". This is the stuff our grandparents called "oilcloth", or sometimes "oilskins", though I suspect that last term more properly refers to something far older and more literal...

Now, "lightweight" is a relative term, and this is light only in comparison to the other Filson jackets and coats. I had previously tried on Filson Shelter Cloth coats in a store (there aren't many, here on the "other" coast), so I had absolutely no illusions about backpacking with this thing. I bought it for wear about town and commuting (involving a particular daily "stroll" where I get caught in ALL kinds of weather with fair regularity), and MAYBE a cool weather day hike or two.

So far, I've gotta say I have mixed reactions.

Drove around town with it on a bit over the weekend, no problem except that the fabric feels a bit damp and "clammy" whenever it's cool. Ok.so... I've read comments that attribute almost mystical qualities to the break-in period of the waxed/oiled fabrics, so I figure that may lessen over time.

This morning's subway commute, no problem. Ok, one guy who sat down next to me changed seats after a minute, but there was an empty one suddenly available. I don't THINK it was me...

Out in the cool wind, it cut the wind pretty well, but still felt clammy. Not a "warm fuzzy" jacket, at least without a liner.

Back out, some hours later, it's a bit warmer out, but I had gotten chilled, so I zip up. Maybe the build-up of body heat inside is what made the difference... but when I made it to Starbucks (a lot of stuff seems to come out of Seattle these days), I kept catching a whiff of... something. Not quite kerosene, not quite turpentine, more... like a New Jersey refinery, actually...

I honestly didn't make the connection at first, since I'd worn the thing before with no problem, but after catching the smell again in an elevator on the way back, I checked the jacket when I took it of, and sure enough.. though, ten minutes later, I guess when the fabric cooled again, it was gone. No trace.

Ok, anyone have any experience with this stuff? Am I safe in assuming that part of the "break in" period is having these volatiles "boil off" (ok, ok, evaporate) and leave behind something more waxy than oily, less damp and clammy, that *doesn't* have a "distinctive" fragrance when it gets warm?

Or is this just normal for Seattleites? <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Thanks...