Retailer Eddie Bauer is a staff favorite here at Benosh. Your humble writer noticed this winter that many of my favorite shirts, especially, seem to all be Eddie Bauer products. So I’d thought we’d touch on this outdoor outfitter and some of their newest gear.
One of the biggest things at Eddie Bauer isn’t necessarily something you’d think of right off for the spring and summer seasons—their First Ascent line of products. I asked Dorreen Jarman at Eddie Bauer about First Ascent and why an active (but perhaps not Everest-climbing) Benosh reader might want to consider First Ascent.
First Ascent is not just for mountaineers. Although we’ve worked with professional guides to design and test First Ascent, the majority of the products are appropriate for a range of outdoor activities. In fact, we recently outfitted a group of ski writers on a backcountry skiing and fly-fishing adventure and got great feedback about how the gear performed on the mountain and in the streams. In Fall 2010, First Ascent will introduce a collection of ski pieces guide built by professional guides, including brothers Reggie and Zach Crist. Follow the Born Out There Blog to continue watching how we put our gear to the test in the outdoors.
She pointed me to the BC-200 Jacket, a 3-layer, waterproof and breathable hard shell that is both under 11 oz…and under $200. It’s a first at that price. “A jacket in a summer gear article?” you might ask. Yes, Doreen would answer—because according to the website, and I quote, “It’s so breathable and lightweight, you can wear it anywhere, any day of the year. Perfect for hiking, climbing, cycling or any other time when you’re active… Quite possibly the most versatile gear you’ll ever own.” That’s a strong claim, and we’ll look forward to getting our hands on one for a full product test.
Also, I recommend looking for Eddie Bauer products with Travex® technology. Travex® is Eddie B’s wind-resistant, moisture-wicking fabric. It’s UPF 50+ and naturally breathable, so it will keep you dry with its water-repellent shell, wick away your sweat, and keep you from getting sunburned. I recently picked up a Travex® Guide Shirt, and I’m greatly impressed by these attributes.
If you check out the Born Out There blog mentioned above, you’ll perhaps note one other attribute I’d like to cover—their activity in the outdoor community. For instance, Eddie Bauer is a sponsor for the Teva Mountain Games this June in Vail, Colorado—the “nation’s largest celebration of mountain sports, lifestyle, and music,” according to the blog. There’s a lot of fun, family-friendly, free stuff to do and see.
Be sure to hop on Eddie Bauer’s site to look for hot summer products. They’ve got a customer loyalty program, a Pro Deal program, and opportunities for sponsorships that can help save you money. Don’t forget to take a look at the sale and clearance lists and to visit us on Twitter @BenoshMag, where we’re following @FirstAscent, @TevaMtnGames, and others!
