Eddie Bauer First Ascent - Go or No?

PatMas wrote: Eddie Bauer will warranty just about anything. I brought a pair of pants back with ripped knees and torn seams and was just like ‘I heard you guys have a good warranty’ and they said go grab a new pair or something else and will discount the price of the pants

But I have no reason to believe the next pair will be durable.

Seems like they discontinued the original sandstone hoody too. Was a decent piece.

I just found out yesterday about the existence of Eddie Bauer Microtherm. It's a very lightweight down with no baffles. All encased in a waterproof (coated, not Goretex) shell. Magazine reviews tend not to factor in durability and I can't really trust a review of an item when that item is a paid advertisement a few pages away.

Outside and a few other similar publications gave it glowing reviews. It's been up Everest. It's very expensive for Eddie Bauer but it's very cheap compared to Patagonia or Arcteryx.

If I'm ever in a shopping center, I'll look at it. 

I have two down jackets, a fleece, and a hiking rain shell from EB - the quality is pretty good and the warranty is unbeatable. The stores will swap pretty much anything for any reason, and the return window never closes.

I am sold on the quality of their stuff.  I have their 0 degree down Kara Koram sleeping bag, and it is excellent.  I am about to get their -30 bag for Denali once it goes on sale.  That bag has slightly more down fill than the Western Mountaineering -40 bag, and it's also 850+ fill.

I think their First Ascent clothes are 90% as good as the Patagonia/Dead Bird equivalents, but with the sales, they are a much better value.  Their Peak XV parka is top notch so long as you aren't a weight weenie.

Just bought my partner a pair of the First Ascent pants and the Sandstone Hoody. Great quality. Agree that it appears equivalent to many pricier brands.  

There Guide Pro pants are the only thing I still have, everything else ive gotten rid of. They still dont fit right, Im 5'7'' 160lbs 29" waist and they have a backseat big enough for my mother... But for $50 pants a belt fixes it. I think Eddie Bauer is crap, theres is no such thing as always %50 off. Thats called marking up prices to make it appear discounted and make you think youre getting a good deal. Im guilty of having a few arcteryx pieces, but I always look on ebay, or geartrade, or even here. and Backcountry always has really good sales. Montbell has some awesome down jackets too and you can save money by purchasing from the japan website. It kinda depends on if you know its a sport you want to stick with. Some people will say, buy some less expensive gear or rent until you know you like it. I think its an investment, and we all know already, were gonna like it lol.

I've got a hooded soft shell with a fleece backer from them. Cost like 60$ during their holiday discount of 60%. It's pretty decent and stretchy but I generally prefer stuff from Rab or Mountain Hardwear even if it's pricey.

i have two pairs of their guide pro pants and i love them. been holding up great for over a year now with a bunch of days on rock, ice, and hiking, as well as wearing around town.

Seems like the guide pro pants and shorts are the go to items at Eddie. Anyone have any luck with the guide gloves? 

Eddie Bauer outlet in Colorado Mills mall is having a season ending sale; everything was heavily discounted. All there first ascent stuff was 60+% off and still had quite a bit of inventory as of 1/27. Picked up some guide pro pants for ~45$. Just fyi for anyone in CO..

North Col wrote: Seems like the guide pro pants and shorts are the go to items at Eddie. Anyone have any luck with the guide gloves? 

They're alright.  They are pretty durable and have good dexterity.  They could be warmer.  My hands and fingers tend to run cold, and I find myself taking mitts when it gets into the teens or lower because I don't think the EB gloves will be enough.

I bought an Eddie Bauer FA puffy in 2011.  I still have it and wear it, which keeps me warm.  It has duct tape patches, coffee stains, and smells bad, but it gets the job done.

I have a zip up synthetic down sweater of theirs and the tag says it’s from Fall 2010. It has the built in hand cover that pushes inside when you don’t want it. I bought it on sale for $40 and I’d say it was well worth it. It’s been my go to jacket for 8-9 years for all but the coldest days when the big puffy comes out. The worst wear and tear are a couple small holes at the bottom of the zipper and one of the sleeves.

I guess the First Ascent line of products was designed specifically by Whittaker and Viesturs, who said that it was refreshing that the company basically said: "here, you have full reign over the development and design of the line". If they are behind their product that they designed and then later wore on different mountains I will believe them.  

That being said, I have worn the First Ascent line for years and have loved every single item. I've worn their products on hikes throughout the Rocky Mountains and on Mount Haleakala. Weather conditions throughout the Rocky Mountains tend to be erratic and their products have more than held up in those conditions. Not a professional outdoorsman by any means, just someone giving their experience.

Love all the EB stuff. They own half the technology other brands use and just lease it out to them. Unbeatable for the price. 

I have a first ascent puffy jacket from 2010. This is the one of the most abused pieces of gear I own, and it looks like new still. Not sure about their quality these days, but  don't they have a lifetime guarantee?