If you’re old like me, you remember when Eddie Bauer was one of the premier outdoor clothing and supplies stores in the country. I’d go to the Eddie Bauer at the mall and load up on new gear regularly. A mall, by the way kids, was a place where we used to go to hang out with friends and do occasional shopping. It was awesome. But I digress.
Like malls, Eddie Bauer has become a thing of the past. So why reminisce over all this? Well I was recently invited to a local event from Ford showcasing a new partnership with Filson, who is the new hot name in all things outdoor. And the partnership between Filson and Ford creates the first-ever Bronco Filson SUV.
I was invited to a reveal in my hometown of Cincinnati where I got to see two different variants of the Bronco Filson, which will be available in 2027 and becomes the newest member of the Bronco lineup.
“For nearly 130 years, Filson has built products for people who depend on their gear in the harshest conditions imaginable,” said Alex Carleton, chief creative officer at Filson. “The Bronco Filson is a natural extension of that legacy, combining uncompromising capability with thoughtful craftsmanship and utility-driven design. This vehicle was created for people who see the outdoors not as an escape, but as a way of life.”
A representative at the event told me, “Just like the gear Filson has supplied to pioneers and the U.S. Forest Service for more than a century, the Bronco Filson is built to deliver confidence and performance in harsh trail conditions.”
So what’s under the hood?
I can’t say for a certainty as when one attendee attempted to pop the hood on one of the Bronco Filsons, and a Ford representative quickly swooped in and said that we couldn’t see what was under the hood nor take any photos. However, Ford has already released the details to the media so I’m not sure what the secrecy was about.
The Bronco Filson will get the 3.0-liter EcoBoost V6, the same engine shared with Bronco Raptor refined with application-specific tuning . According to Ford, this gives Bronco Filson the power and torque to handle a wide range of conditions. Every Bronco Filson comes standard with the Sasquatch package, which includes:
- Front and rear electronic locking differentials
- High-performance Fox shocks with internal bypass technology to improve off-road durability and reduce harshness over rocky terrain
- 35-inch rugged-terrain tires — the largest of any premium 4×4 SUV — that help reduce road noise without sacrificing off-road grip
And how about that Bronco Filson cabin?
Filson designers worked side-by-side with the Bronco team to curate a premium cabin — one where every material had to earn its place.
“There is a massive difference between premium and precious,” said Paul Wraith, global design director, Sport Utility Vehicles. “If you’re hesitating because you’re afraid to get the cabin dirty, it doesn’t belong in a Bronco. Every material we chose with Filson had to be honest, tactile, and relentlessly durable. And like a great piece of gear, this interior isn’t meant to wear down, it’s designed to wear in, aging beautifully alongside you and your adventures.”
Colors and materials are inspired by Filson’s legendary outdoor palettes and textures. The interior features perforated, quilted leather and durable woven fabric seat trim inspired by Filson’s rugged twill, a leather-wrapped instrument panel and steering wheel, and brass accents on the steering wheel bezel and G.O.A.T. Modes dial.
These are the nicest, most-comfortable seats I’ve experienced in a Bronco.
Some cool exclusive Filson features
The neatest feature I saw inside were the Filson-inspired removable saddlebags. These attach to the driver’s side door and offer a wide-range of options for storage. Another interesting feature for the Bronco Filson are the power running boards which deploy automatically for easier entry and exit given the vehicle’s high ground clearance.
You can buy accessories like color-matching gas cans with the Filson name on them.
Outside, the Bronco Filson features a unique front grille with distinct BRONCO lettering, heritage-painted wheel arches, painted mirror caps, and exclusive trail sight tie-downs designed to secure longer items like canoes. Available colors include Bronco Filson exclusive Field Green Metallic, Marsh Gray, Avalanche Gray, Desert Sand, Shadow Black, and Oxford White.
Bronco Filson First Edition details
To commemorate the launch of this historic collaboration, Ford will offer an exclusive Bronco Filson First Edition for North America, featuring:
- Exclusive Iron Sands Copper Metallic exterior paint color
- Unique fender badge
- Custom serialized console badge commemorating the Ford x Filson collaboration
- Filson-inspired cargo storage bags
Having seen it in person, I can say the Sands Copper Metallic exterior paint color will certainly stand out.
See it for yourself before ordering
The Bronco Filson is on a multi-city tour allowing potential customers see it up close before ordering. Orders open fall 2026, with vehicles arriving in showrooms early 2027. Interested customers can sign up now for updates and early access.
Bronco Filson has a targeted starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price in the mid $70,000s. To complement the vehicle, a limited-edition Bronco x Filson collection will be available beginning June 4 exclusively at Filson stores and Filson.com.
