I have had about a half-dozen over 40+ years, but, I live in BC where winter IS winter. I am not suggesting a specific amount, I do not usually suggest down jackets for most people or most uses. I do have some skepticism, but I note that their advertising has been aimed at the serious climbing community as far as selling the gear, with the pitch to their 'regular' customers being more along the lines of 'this is our heritage'.

There is an Eddie Bauer store here in the SFBay Area, so I will try to get some time to go there and examine the gear closely. They did make excellent gear years ago (my Eddie Bauer Karakoram expedition down sleeping bag is still serviceable after almost 50 years - bought in 1960, and as you will note in the photos of my Antarctic trip, the parkas and other down gear the 4 original first ascent party members had with them were still in excellent condition) Also, the motivation for Eddie Bauer is to 'get back to their roots' with the recognition that they took some wrong turns with their endorsements of Yuppie SUVs. I paid $175.00 for it, then, that shocked some of my recreational-outdoors friends, BUT, they have had maybe TEN jackets each since and I still use this one on serious WAS a lot of money, but, it has paid off and will last the remainder of my life.Īt present, I would not waste my time with EB gear, I would buy a jacket from Nunatak or FF and look after it.įor what it is worth, I know several of the consultants for the Eddie Bauer First Ascent line personally and think they have enough personal integrity to want to be sure the gear is what is being advertised. I have worn this, as one should over a single, light layer of merino wool at a measured-40 in perfect comfort and, after long use, it is still in perfect shape, with only one small mend and a couple smudges from an old packframe. Case in point, my only down jacket is an original 'Richard Egge' double duvet I bought in 1974 and have used for 35 years. IMO, it is precisely those with strictly limited budgets who SHOULD be buying the BEST gear as it lasts FAR longer and thus is a much better value.

There are reasons why the top makers, ID, WM, FF and a few others, have higher prices than the 'average' and usually 'offshore' producers do. I have said this here before, but, will repeat it in backpacking gear, you really DO tend to get exactly what you pay for.

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