This is a new Sunday series that I’m calling Stuff that Works. Each Sunday I’ll pick an item that is for me a foundation element in my line up of stuff that matters or as legendary Texas singer songwriter Guy Clark put it – “The kind of stuff you reach for when you fall.”

It’s been raining a lot here in Kansas City and rainy days always lead me to my Filson Shelter Cloth Packer Hat. I’ve had this particular one for about twenty years now and it’s certainly seen some rain. I wear it mostly to hike, canoe, and camp. Filson makes things to last a lifetime, so I probably won’t need another one any time soon.

The Filson story is one that’s become rare in the world of manufacturing. C.C. Filson founded his company in Seattle at the start of the Klondike gold rush and outfitted those headed north to find their fortune. The company quickly gained a reputation for high quality clothing that was both functional and comfortable.

After the gold rush Filson outfitted loggers, hunters and anyone making a living working outdoors. The company still manufactures most of what they sell in one of Seattle’s only remaining union factories.

Few things are made to last a life time these days, but Filson products are guaranteed to do so. My rainy day Filson hat is simply stuff that works.