Eddie Bauer Taught Me How to Dress for the Cold
- 1/7
Eddie Bauer Taught Me How to Dress for the Cold
I am not well versed in cold. I’ve lived in Houston, Texas almost my entire life, so chilly winds weren’t something I’d had to prepare or dress for—until Eddie Bauer invited me to Alaska in January. Before the trip (and my recent move to New York), the most layers I’d had on me at one time was in bed, wearing pajamas with a top sheet and comforter on top.
During my week in Girdwood, I tested all the brand's winter gear in my proverbial Polar Plunge (which I'll never actually do) and learned, for the very first time, how to be cold. You might think of Eddie Bauer as casual wear because of its trendy quilted jackets, but the brand actually designed the first patented down jacket in 1936, outfitted the first American's ascent of Mt. Everest, and continues to keep its finger on the pulse of outdoor gear innovation through the Guide Built Process program. Through the Guide Built Process, the design team works with professional guides in various fields—think alpine climbers, skiers and snowboarders, fisherman, kayakers, and adventure travelers—to discover what's missing from gear, all the way to putting the final touches on products before they're sold.
I tested a range of Eddie Bauer's winter gear—and not just to go on a cold morning walk. Between snowmobiling, hiking around, and snowshoeing in snowy, icy Alaska, Eddie Bauer's line-up kept me warm, dry, and made me forget completely that I knew nothing about how to dress for the cold. Here are the products that made it happen.
Popular Mechanics; Danny Perez, Eddie Bauer - 2/7
1) Tripletherm Alpine Parka
Eddie Bauer
eddiebauer.com
$499.00
This parka doesn't make you feel like you're in a sleeping bag but that you are one. I wore this snowmobiling in a medium snowfall and was surprised how well it cut the freezing wind.
The 800-fill Responsible Down Standard goose-down, often called RDS down, uses three-layer technology that stacks the baffles in a zig-zag pattern for continuous insulation, preventing any cold spots or down migration. Its durable water-resistant finish repelled wind and snow all day, and the zippered hand pockets kept my hands warm when I wasn't wearing gloves.
The internal mesh dump pockets are great for dropping in my phone, beanie and gloves. It's cut for an oversized fit so it's easy to layer under, but not too loose to keep warm. It is bulky—it's a down parka after all—but very lightweight for how warm it is.
Eddie Bauer claims you can conquer 8,000-meter peaks in this coat, and I don't doubt it, but I'll be using mine to conquer my first New York City winter.
eddiebauer.com - 3/7
2) Easy River Pullover Hoodie
Eddie Bauer
eddiebauer.com
$99.99
Hoodies are an ideal layer, but don’t fold up well, and I wanted to save as much space in my carry-on for bigger jackets that are nonnegotiable in a place like Alaska.
This pullover is the perfect answer—it’s lightweight and easily foldable, with a double-knit fabric that’s warmer than it looks. The hood is paired with a cowl neck, so it does a better job at keeping in heat than traditional hoodies. The hood itself isn’t as bulky as dense fleece, making it perfect for layering (I hate the feeling of a hood gathered up at the base of my neck).
I used this pullover as a mid-layer while snowmobiling and it was warm yet breathable. The zippered kangaroo pocket kept things secure, and the thumbholes at the cuff came in handy when I took off my gloves. It’s cut closer to the body, so it looks stylish on its own, too.
eddiebauer.com - 4/7
3) MicroTherm FreeFuse Stretch Down Jacket
Eddie Bauer
eddiebauer.com
$194.25
Many down jackets aren’t the most flattering—and I understand they prioritize warmth—but can’t we have a bit of form with function? Apparently, we can.
Eddie Bauer’s Freefuse jacket is the first down jacket to not make me feel like a marshmallow while still keeping me as warm as one in a s’more. Its 800-fill down is sewn into a single sheet of fabric in discontinuous channels, saving extra weight and minimizing cold spots. Plus, the grid-like pattern is simply more interesting than the typical horizontal baffles.
The nylon-and-Spandex shell gives it a good bit of stretch for comfortable mobility, and it’s DWR-treated to bead away water. This jacket can serve as a mid-layer in extreme cold, but I usually use it as a top layer with a sweatshirt underneath. I used this in Alaska as a casual coat for around town, and now I use it biking around Brooklyn on windy nights—it’s the most versatile down jacket I have.
eddiebauer.com - 5/7
4) Hunt Pac Faux Shearling-Lined Boot
Eddie Bauer
eddiebauer.com
$133.00
Falling down is funny except when it's you, and I constantly fear slipping on slick crosswalks covered in ice. The Hunter Pac boot has prevented any embarrassing falls and always keeps my feet warm and dry.
The full-grain leather upper is waterproofed and seam-sealed to ensure moisture stays out, while vulcanized rubber on the lower part of the boot keeps out mud, snow, and rain. It's lined with shearling wool for warmth and the interior is packed with insulation for added warmth. The 10.5-inch shaft height keeps me covered up to my shins.
I wore these boots while snowmobiling and snowshoeing for two days, with almost no break-in time. They were super comfortable during my trip and I never had any issues with wet socks or my toes feeling colder than the rest of my body—and no, I didn't slip on any ice.
eddiebauer.com - 6/7
5) BC Adaptor Ski Jacket
Eddie Bauer
eddiebauer.com
$246.75
Most times when brands say a jacket is a two-in-one, it's a warm shell with a flimsy liner that looks unattractive on its own. Not the BC Adapter.
This jacket has a waterproof outer shell with watertight seams that packs down into the hem of a standalone inner jacket, similar to a soft shell, with polyester insulation at the chest and shoulders to keep it lightweight but warm. Even with both layers on, it's lightweight enough for the slopes.
Though it's made to be the ultimate ski jacket, it's a great piece to have if you're expecting to get cold or wet. I used this for snowshoeing, and it kept me warm at the start but was easy to shed once I started warming up hiking through the feet-high piles of snow. It's also been a staple for biking around the city because it's lightweight, warm, and doubles as a rain jacket when I get caught in a shower.
eddiebauer.com - 7/7
6) MicroTherm FreeFuse Stretch Hybrid Pants
Eddie Bauer
eddiebauer.com
$149.25
These insulated pants are super packable and even stuff into their own rear pocket, and I've been living in them since I got them. They're cleverly designed with stretchy knit panels and down insulation, so they're super comfortable and extremely warm while still being lightweight.
They're insulated with the same technique as the Freefuse jacket—a zigzag pattern—so there aren't any cold spots. They have the same 800-fill down insulation from the waist down to the shins, but stop short so you can easily pull ski boots over them. They're cut close enough to the body so they can be used as a mid-layer under ski bibs, but are just as good as a pair of winter pants. They have zip pockets at the hips and back so they function great as casual wear. I can wear them on their own to run errands and they're warmer and more comfortable than any pair of jeans or cords.
eddiebauer.com
