Eddie Bauer Kids’ Cloud Layer Hoodie

We’re a huge advocate of buying less, and buying quality. Instead of lots of clothes, we try to get our hands on higher quality gear that we know will perform well, last long and even be handed down. One of those items that fits the bill is the Eddie Bauer youth Cloud Layer Fleece Hoodie.

 

Our son has had the pleasure of testing out this fleece that Eddie Bauer sent us over the summer and we’ve been incredibly impressed with the fit, performance, stitching and comfort. Anyone with kids will know that they can be very picky about what they wear if it isn’t comfortable.

 

So let’s take a look at the features and then get into what we think about it.

Features:

• Shell: 100% polyester; Pocket: 88% nylon/12% spandex
• Anti-pilling surface for durability
• Secure zip pockets (on the youth version)
• Machine wash
• Imported
• MSRP $40

We’ve taken this fleece on day hikes, winter trips, canoe trips, backyard adventures, canoeing and more. Despite the regular use of this fleece and regular washing it still looks new.

 

 

 

What do we think

The first thing that we notice is the fit. Most of the time our boy doesn’t like to wear hoods because they are bulky, itchy and poorly fitting. Eddie Bauer’s fleece has a great fit that clearly doesn’t bother him as he asks us to put it on for him. Not only that, but he can turn his head and the hood turns with him (no blind spots here!).

The Fleece is incredibly soft which means it not only feels nice against the skin, but it moves well with the kid, allowing great range of motion. I’m a big fan of synthetics with kids as they are quick drying and keep their insulating properties even when they’re wet.

 

 

 

As for pockets, they share the standard chest and hand pockets as Eddie’s adult wear. The chest pocket is more for fashion, but if our boy was older, I’m sure he’d use it for his collection of rocks, sticks, shells and bugs (like his older brother does with his clothes). The Boys and girls editions come with Zip hand pockets to keep your mini adventures’ kit safe while they’re out and about. Which reminds me… I need to double check those pockets next time we put it in the wash. Oh, and the hand pockets are big enough to keep the hands warm (or alternatively can store 2-3 die-cast cars or a monster truck).

It might be hard to get past the $40 price tag, so look for sales, or consider its value when you spread that price out over two or three kids (and it will definitely last through that many and more). It becomes much more reasonable, and definitely worth it.

We are very impressed with all of the Eddie Bauer gear that we’ve tested and we will definitely be looking through their site when we’re in the market for new gear. Oh, and you can take 30% off your entire order, with free shipping and returns ifyou use their code FROSTY now until December 1^st. Check out the entire Eddie Bauer Kids’ line here.