Comments on: Eddie Bauer’s new “First Ascent” line http://poormansheli.com/2009/04/08/eddie-bauers-new-first-ascent-line/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=eddie-bauers-new-first-ascent-line Get off your ass Wed, 09 May 2012 16:59:54 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Justin http://poormansheli.com/2009/04/08/eddie-bauers-new-first-ascent-line/comment-page-1/#comment-2040 Justin Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:43:05 +0000 http://poormansheli.com/?p=571#comment-2040 Josh, thanks for the feedback! From what I can garner seeing the FA stuff, the newer product seems pretty damn nice. Still don't own any though as I'd rather spend that money on other company's product. Re: US manufacturing my mind was blown earlier today when I was at a local shop. Apparently Feathered Friends now has their clothing manufactured offshore! From what I was told they still manufacture their bags in the US (currently) they've offloaded all their apparel. Blew my mind (well, it'll be blown once I actually verify that, but as the guy that told me was a retailer of theirs I don't know why he'd lie) Josh, thanks for the feedback! From what I can garner seeing the FA stuff, the newer product seems pretty damn nice. Still don’t own any though as I’d rather spend that money on other company’s product.

Re: US manufacturing my mind was blown earlier today when I was at a local shop. Apparently Feathered Friends now has their clothing manufactured offshore! From what I was told they still manufacture their bags in the US (currently) they’ve offloaded all their apparel. Blew my mind (well, it’ll be blown once I actually verify that, but as the guy that told me was a retailer of theirs I don’t know why he’d lie)

]]> By: Josh http://poormansheli.com/2009/04/08/eddie-bauers-new-first-ascent-line/comment-page-1/#comment-2039 Josh Fri, 20 Apr 2012 02:07:58 +0000 http://poormansheli.com/?p=571#comment-2039 This is a pretty old string... I have several FA pieces (my buddy used to work there.) So far my experience has been: Rainier Storm Shell Jacket: Busted the zipper on the first one (my fault), I bought it on clearance from the website and they wouldn't let me exchange it because they changed the model. My buddy took care of me and sent me the new version. I have taken up a few cascade peaks, and worn it in pouring rain. I am pretty happy with it. The hood has a nice cut to it, fit well over my helmet.. not so well without one. Also the waterproofing seems legit. Front Point Jacket: This also came from my buddy. The softshell material feels kind of cheap. I have worn this in serious downpours and it seems to hold up well. The material has held up fairly well also, even after climbing the tuft out at smith rock. Base layers: I have an athletic build.. they fit great. Certainly better than the classic long john I use to wear. As for Down, I have no idea, I use a Marmot Ama Dablam and LOVE IT! My buddy has the Peak XV jacket and wore it up for a winter attempt of the Grand Teton. He said it was too warm :) Now he wants an Ama Dablam. But the quality was good. As for EB.. I would like them a lot more if they manufactured in the US. The bummer is niether do any of the big out door companies. Even if they say they do, a lot of them buy materials from china and just "assemble" in the US.. This is a pretty old string… I have several FA pieces (my buddy used to work there.)

So far my experience has been:

Rainier Storm Shell Jacket:

Busted the zipper on the first one (my fault), I bought it on clearance from the website and they wouldn’t let me exchange it because they changed the model. My buddy took care of me and sent me the new version. I have taken up a few cascade peaks, and worn it in pouring rain. I am pretty happy with it. The hood has a nice cut to it, fit well over my helmet.. not so well without one. Also the waterproofing seems legit.

Front Point Jacket:

This also came from my buddy. The softshell material feels kind of cheap. I have worn this in serious downpours and it seems to hold up well. The material has held up fairly well also, even after climbing the tuft out at smith rock.

Base layers:

I have an athletic build.. they fit great. Certainly better than the classic long john I use to wear.

As for Down, I have no idea, I use a Marmot Ama Dablam and LOVE IT! My buddy has the Peak XV jacket and wore it up for a winter attempt of the Grand Teton. He said it was too warm :) Now he wants an Ama Dablam. But the quality was good.

As for EB.. I would like them a lot more if they manufactured in the US. The bummer is niether do any of the big out door companies. Even if they say they do, a lot of them buy materials from china and just “assemble” in the US..

]]> By: Lany http://poormansheli.com/2009/04/08/eddie-bauers-new-first-ascent-line/comment-page-1/#comment-582 Lany Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:50:06 +0000 http://poormansheli.com/?p=571#comment-582 I can say as a petite woman that although I love Patagonia stuff, most of it is too long for me. Their down sweater also look awful. I admit that I want the down sweater more for everyday wear and hiking with my dog, but I want something that fits. I love the new Eddie Bauer down sweater in a petite size. I will say that I had to go to the large for every day wear so that I could fit a layer under it. Right now, I am 5'3" and 140. Losing weight though... I can say as a petite woman that although I love Patagonia stuff, most of it is too long for me. Their down sweater also look awful. I admit that I want the down sweater more for everyday wear and hiking with my dog, but I want something that fits. I love the new Eddie Bauer down sweater in a petite size. I will say that I had to go to the large for every day wear so that I could fit a layer under it. Right now, I am 5’3″ and 140. Losing weight though…

]]> By: PJ Jaime http://poormansheli.com/2009/04/08/eddie-bauers-new-first-ascent-line/comment-page-1/#comment-567 PJ Jaime Sun, 10 Jan 2010 03:42:55 +0000 http://poormansheli.com/?p=571#comment-567 I purchased the EB First Ascent Paradise 1/4 zip baselayer and pants to survive the subzero madness recently in Kansas City. Absolutely the best baselayer I have ever had and the price was good. Tried Patagonia, North Face and Land's End and this find was a good one. Soft, durable, and most of all, helped me stay warm. -PJ I purchased the EB First Ascent Paradise 1/4 zip baselayer and pants to survive the subzero madness recently in Kansas City. Absolutely the best baselayer I have ever had and the price was good. Tried Patagonia, North Face and Land’s End and this find was a good one. Soft, durable, and most of all, helped me stay warm. -PJ

]]> By: Nickel http://poormansheli.com/2009/04/08/eddie-bauers-new-first-ascent-line/comment-page-1/#comment-525 Nickel Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:45:12 +0000 http://poormansheli.com/?p=571#comment-525 I changed Eddie Bauer stores long ago, for Patagonia, REI and the similar. But when I was looking to insulate my Patagonia jacket for the Minnesota winter ski season, everything was either puffy or very expensive. In Black Friday, the Serrano cost me $119, that from the insulation, fashion and cost was perfect. I changed Eddie Bauer stores long ago, for Patagonia, REI and the similar. But when I was looking to insulate my Patagonia jacket for the Minnesota winter ski season, everything was either puffy or very expensive. In Black Friday, the Serrano cost me $119, that from the insulation, fashion and cost was perfect.

]]> By: Justin http://poormansheli.com/2009/04/08/eddie-bauers-new-first-ascent-line/comment-page-1/#comment-478 Justin Mon, 09 Nov 2009 04:16:54 +0000 http://poormansheli.com/?p=571#comment-478 Hey Chris, thanks for the feedback. Seems like this post has received a lot of comments (granted some are probably PR spam...), so it's good to hear some add'l real world feedback. My Patagonia down sweater has the same cut, really boxy. Always figured Patagucci to do a more athletic cut. I'm going to pick up one of the Mtn Hardwear ones one of these days, will let you know how it is. Hey Chris, thanks for the feedback. Seems like this post has received a lot of comments (granted some are probably PR spam…), so it’s good to hear some add’l real world feedback.

My Patagonia down sweater has the same cut, really boxy. Always figured Patagucci to do a more athletic cut. I’m going to pick up one of the Mtn Hardwear ones one of these days, will let you know how it is.

]]> By: Chris http://poormansheli.com/2009/04/08/eddie-bauers-new-first-ascent-line/comment-page-1/#comment-477 Chris Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:32:12 +0000 http://poormansheli.com/?p=571#comment-477 I purchased (online) the first ascent men's marino baselayer (top and bottom), as well as the downlight sweater (all size M). The downlight sweater is super light, but it is obvious that the company has designed this jacket/sweater for the 'average' man, not an athletic one. The cut was too loose and bulky for me. Are all guides fat? Secondly, the baselayers were all off on sizes... the top was too big while the bottoms WAY too small in the waist. Another obvious design flaw is the lack of a cutout (to pee) in the crotch. Who designs something like this with no cutout? Obviously had no input from a real guide/athelete/anyone who wears these things. Sending them all back. I purchased (online) the first ascent men’s marino baselayer (top and bottom), as well as the downlight sweater (all size M). The downlight sweater is super light, but it is obvious that the company has designed this jacket/sweater for the ‘average’ man, not an athletic one. The cut was too loose and bulky for me. Are all guides fat? Secondly, the baselayers were all off on sizes… the top was too big while the bottoms WAY too small in the waist. Another obvious design flaw is the lack of a cutout (to pee) in the crotch. Who designs something like this with no cutout? Obviously had no input from a real guide/athelete/anyone who wears these things. Sending them all back.

]]> By: John http://poormansheli.com/2009/04/08/eddie-bauers-new-first-ascent-line/comment-page-1/#comment-474 John Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:17:07 +0000 http://poormansheli.com/?p=571#comment-474 I get and appreciate what EB is trying to do. Hypothetically, let's say that their gear lives up to the hype. What I feel is missing is the knowledge from the sales associates. No offense to all the nice soccer moms and bored college girls, but they couldn't answer any of my technical questions. They will tell me what they have been trained to say, then smile and nod when they run out of a script. If they get some good looking "dirtbags" in their that know their stuff, then you might have something (especially if they lower their prices). For those EB stores that have staff that is well versed in the outdoors, awesome, I hope it filters out to all their stores. I get and appreciate what EB is trying to do. Hypothetically, let’s say that their gear lives up to the hype. What I feel is missing is the knowledge from the sales associates. No offense to all the nice soccer moms and bored college girls, but they couldn’t answer any of my technical questions. They will tell me what they have been trained to say, then smile and nod when they run out of a script. If they get some good looking “dirtbags” in their that know their stuff, then you might have something (especially if they lower their prices). For those EB stores that have staff that is well versed in the outdoors, awesome, I hope it filters out to all their stores.

]]> By: Justin http://poormansheli.com/2009/04/08/eddie-bauers-new-first-ascent-line/comment-page-1/#comment-452 Justin Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:32:29 +0000 http://poormansheli.com/?p=571#comment-452 LOL, are you saying that people on the internet are skeptical? Appreciate the feedback though, it's always good to have first hand accounts on gear. Report back when you've had it for awhile, curious how it holds up long-term - does it keep it's loft, lose feathers, etc. Looks like a decent piece of gear to my untrained eye though. LOL, are you saying that people on the internet are skeptical? Appreciate the feedback though, it’s always good to have first hand accounts on gear. Report back when you’ve had it for awhile, curious how it holds up long-term – does it keep it’s loft, lose feathers, etc. Looks like a decent piece of gear to my untrained eye though.

]]> By: eliump http://poormansheli.com/2009/04/08/eddie-bauers-new-first-ascent-line/comment-page-1/#comment-451 eliump Fri, 30 Oct 2009 22:28:13 +0000 http://poormansheli.com/?p=571#comment-451 In anticipation that some on this site might dub me as working for Eddie Bauer in some fasion I wanted to make it known that I have nothing to do with Eddie Bauer or any other PR firm for that matter. I'm a long distance, recreational hiker when I'm lucky enough to be able to do so. (read, able to get blocks of time off my job) I'm kind of a gear freak who, like all others who fit into that category, appreciates fine new hiking/backpacking offerings from whatever company puts it out there for me to experience. I know a lot of people haven't had the opportunity to try the sweater for themselves so I thought I'd give my take on the downlight sweater. Elisa In anticipation that some on this site might dub me as working for Eddie Bauer in some fasion I wanted to make it known that I have nothing to do with Eddie Bauer or any other PR firm for that matter. I’m a long distance, recreational hiker when I’m lucky enough to be able to do so. (read, able to get blocks of time off my job) I’m kind of a gear freak who, like all others who fit into that category, appreciates fine new hiking/backpacking offerings from whatever company puts it out there for me to experience. I know a lot of people haven’t had the opportunity to try the sweater for themselves so I thought I’d give my take on the downlight sweater.

Elisa

]]>