The F-150 of Flannels: MuskOx Field Grand Flannel Review

If I asked you to think of what a flannel is, most would likely think of a soft, chunky cotton shirt with a bold plaid pattern. No snaps. No eccentric trim. No handcrafted embroidery. It’s a white Ford truck with heated seats. It’s not going to blow any doors off. It just “is.” Durable. Capable. Dependable.

When conjuring up the image of the quintessential flannel — warm, lofty, durable — as often as not, a simple plaid shirt comes to mind. There is no other flannel that better epitomizes the tightrope walk between brushed twill, robust construction, and the flannel we all recall from our youth than what MuskOx seems to pull off so effortlessly.

Tipping the scale at just over 8.2 ounces per yard, Detroit-based MuskOx’s Field Grand Flannel ($154) is a hearty cotton flannel with just the basics. It is a no-frills shirt, but all of it is superbly constructed with purposeful intent. It’s the F-150 of flannels.

In short: Hand-cut and sewn from custom-woven fabric milled in Portugal, the Field Grand is a significant upgrade to the traditional flannel without losing its way. MuskOx cuts no corners to bring to market the best flannel I’ve ever tested.

Looking for a new flannel for this winter? Check out GearJunkie’s Best Men’s Flannels Buyer’s Guide to compare the Field Grand to our other top choices.

MuskOx Field Grand Flannel: Review

MuskOx Company Background

If MuskOx is new to you, let me make the introduction. Aside from a few hats and tees, the brand only makes flannels. No pants, no gear, no distractions to pull attention from making the best damn shirt they can. MuskOx accomplishes this by stripping the shirt down to the essentials, not adding more — arguably a more difficult task. Inspired by the prehistoric mammal that survives in harsh environments, MuskOx builds flannels to last winter after winter.

Heeding the call, MuskOx has two flannels in its lineup: the Grand (8.9 ounces per yard) and the Field Grand (8.2 ounces per yard). Both retail at $154, are fantastic, and have been at the top of our flannel list. The Field Grand has the slight edge for hard-wearing activities.

How I Tested the Field Grand

At GearJunkie, I primarily lead testing on the travel pants and flannels categories. As our de facto fashion blogger, I wear them daily to work and put them to use on weekends, repairing my old Land Rover and taming yard debris. I pack them when I travel, tote them backpacking, and wear them occasionally when I work out.

Beyond testing, I study up on fabrics, thread counts, and collect charts comparing weight per square meter. Corner me at a bar, and I’m happy to chat up the qualities of brushed twill and what truly elevates a flannel to something worth buying.

Egyptian and U.S. Cotton, Woven in Portugal

MuskOx sources its Better Cotton Initiative (BCI) approved cotton from Egypt and the United States. Egyptian cotton exudes a certain quality — think hotel linens in Monaco with handmade chocolates placed on its 1,000-count weave. In technical terms, it’s the good stuff.

The cotton is then shipped to Portugal, where it’s milled, custom-woven, and hand-cut and sewn into an overbuilt chassis of a shirt. Which is what I love about the Field Grand. Its pattern and processes are entirely unique to MuskOx. You will never find the same fabric or pattern on another brand.

Of the brand’s two shirts, the Field Grand is constructed from a more densely woven fabric. It’s a little more rigid and less likely to catch on debris and tear, hence the name “Field.” It’s the flannel you want to reach for when heading out into the brush, and a good pairing if you are an active outdoorsman.

This shouldn’t imply that it feels stiffer, which it doesn’t. In fact, I’ve found the Field Grand to be one of the softest flannels I’ve ever worn, and I appreciate it for both its hard-wearing and comfort. I often pack the Field Grand on international trips. It’s comfortable in coach and is just enough to block the cool cabin air.

MuskOx maintains a stable of 15 or so colorways each season, refreshing the colors in spring and fall. This keeps the lineup new and somewhat collectible by the herd of enthusiasts.

A Locked-Down Construction

The heavy cotton panels are tacked together using flat-felled seams in the body, and flat-locked seams are used on the overstitched areas where the arms meet the torso. 

I appreciate flat-felled seams. It folds and interlocks three layers of material together, leaving seams clean-looking and increasing overall durability — when paired with the right material.

However, not every factory can achieve this. Due to the Field Grand’s hefty cotton fabric, flat-felling and triple stitching would result in uncomfortably bulky armpits, and it would eventually form what is called “roping.” 

You see roping in denim jeans, where the dye fades away in high-stress areas to reveal the underlying white cotton. It gives denim that desirable broken-in look. But it isn’t great in a shirt, and I’ve seen why in other heavyweight shirts that flat-fell the arms to the torso. It’s bulky and eventually frays, leaving our shirts looking a little ratty.

Minding the Details

The two front pockets are pattern-sewn diagonally to the shirt, and perhaps the only shortcut MuskOx took on the shirt. While a perfectly acceptable solution, aligning the pocket square pattern to the shirt pattern requires more time (read “money”) and produces more material waste. And that’s not something MuskOx wants to compromise on. 

MuskOx’s mission boldly states that the brand works hard to minimize its environmental footprint as much as possible. It uses recycled plastics in its buttons and packaging, and donates 10% of proceeds to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, giving back to its beloved muskox. These initiatives are more expensive, but they also create a positive impact.

Nit Picks

There’s not much to slight the Field Grand. If anything, it’s more about the product offering in general. MuskOx specializes in fat wefts of cotton that feel substantial in the hand. The shirts are best worn on crisp days or cool summer nights. It’s a lot of shirt for warm, sunny days.

The brand has dabbled in lighter-weight shirts and acknowledges that people naturally run hotter and cooler. We can probably expect to see another run at a midweight shirt, and MuskOx is working on shirts for tall buyers. 

But there are reams of midweight shirts to choose from, and to be honest, there’s something special about a company that sees a target and hits the mark. Game-changers are marked in nuance and small details. Aim small, miss small. In a way, I hope they don’t stray too far from their mission. The Field Grand is a classic, executed with precision.

Competition 

Cotton has become the standard in the modern flannel, and there is no shortage of good flannels. I particularly like Pladra, Vermont Flannel Co., and Devium. All pay close attention to sourcing and construction, with Devium going the extra mile, exceeding “Made in USA” standards. 

&SONS, Filson, and Pendleton also make great brushed-cotton shirts. The latter have great American roots. Interested in seeing more of our favorite flannels? Check out our top picks in flannels for men and women. But none really hit the high marks of comfort, durability, and simplicity that I’ve found with MuskOx. 

MuskOx Field Grand Flannel: Conclusion

Like our reliable truck, the MuskOx Field Grand Flannel is capable of heading up to the cabin to dispatch a cord of wood. But it’s equally happy to swing a leg over the barstool instead. And it does it with comfort and style. 

At $154, it’s real money, but fine apparel often is, and for the high-quality materials, fit, and finish, it’s tough to grouse much about the price tag. The worst thing of all is that you’ll likely have to wait to get your hands on a lighter cut from MuskOx for warm-weather use.

The material, construction, and overall mission of this flannel back up the talk. Whether you are looking for just one flannel or buying up a tier, this is the one to consider.