xtatik
Explorer
Oil finished cotton like what Filson makes is actually very good in inclement weather. Its totally wind and water proof. You also have wool that maintains 80% of its insulation when wet, and down that is very warm, light and packable.
Natural clothing is also very comfortable because it breaks in better than synthetics.
Synthetics are awesome for certain things also, but natural is not obsolete by any means. Most people just haven't forked over the investment to find out how truly great WELL crafted natural clothing is.
Yeah, Being a birdhunter I'm familiar with Filson oil and tin cloth products. Lotsa' nostalgic romance built into the brand in that sport, but form follows function for me in the field and I have given up on them in recent years due to better synthetics. I used to have a pair of their tin cloth upland chaps and they did a decent job of turning back cactus thorns but they're nowhere near as good as the synthetics I wear now for that purpose. Cabela's Briarguard pants use a type of ripstop nylon pant with a Turtleskin facing that not only repels thorns, they will stop a Rattlesnake strike as well. They are lighter than a pair of jeans and repel water better as well. If they do get wet they dry very quickly.
http://www.turtleskin.com/puncture-protection.aspx