The Outdoor Adventure Giving you tips, tricks & recommendations to help make adventuring in the Outdoors fun, safe & exciting for you and your kids.
As a family, we made it a decision to have less, but better quality clothing. Rather than having 10-15 shirts that I’m replacing often, I’ve opted for 3 to 5 higher quality shirts that will largely outlast the low-quality shirts I tended to buy in the past. That approach to any clothes or gear (less, but higher quality) will pay dividends in long term savings. 
On that note, I’ve had the pleasure of trying out a few pieces from Eddie Bauer that look great at the office, but can handle a bit of shop work, a day hike or a ride in the park. The two pieces I want to feature are Eddie Bauer’s Signal Polo shirt, and the Classic Fit On the Go Poplin Shirt. Let’s look at the features of each and talk a bit about how they performed. 
Men’s Signal Polo Shirt Features:
- Fabric: Lightweight Polyester blend
- Comfortable, textured small-grid backing
- FreeDry Technology
- Freeshade UPF 20 UV protection
- Hidden chest zip pocket
- MSRP: $50 (On sale for $24.99)
The Signal is a straightforward, two-button polo. The textured small-grid backing is designed to keep the lightweight polyester blend from clinging to your skin as well as prevent the potential discomfort faced by some polyester fabrics. Being polyester, it offers a quick dry feature, meaning that it will do double duty and dry quickly if you’re up for a bit of activity or just get caught in the rain. That said, I didn’t face any odor build up that accompanies non-technical synthetics.
The only real feature is a chest pocket that is hidden by a seam. It’ll hide a few credit cards. ID and spare cash if you’re out doing the tourist thing. I don’t find I use it much, but it’s a good feature to have if you’re leaving the wallet behind.
The Signal Polo is a straightforward polo that offers the quality construction and stylish fit expected from Eddie Bauer. It isn’t a true technical top, but it doesn’t pretend to be. It’s a great top for your 9 to 5, with the ability to perform serve double duty on a day hike, bike ride and exotic travel adventures.
Men’s Classic Fit On the Go Poplin Shirt Features:
- 54% cotton/46% polyester
- FreeDry™ exclusive moisture management technology
- Wicks moisture. Dries faster
- Hidden secure chest pocket
- Lightweight, easy–care, packable
- Machine washable
- MSRP: $70 (on sale for $19.99)
This is probably my favourite shirt for a couple reasons: First of all, despite wearing it 1-2 times a week, it still looks like new after six months. It has stood the abuse of four kids hanging off me, workshop projects, and fishing at the lake. 
It’s a long sleeve shirt, but you can roll the sleeves up and button them in place for when you need to get a job done, or when you just want to play with the kids. There’s a great hidden Velcro pocket hidden inside the shirt, behind the chest pocket. It’s perfect for light pocketables and perfect for doing the market thing when you’re travelling abroad. The Velcro on the hidden pocket can chafe if you’re not wearing an undershirt, but who doesn’t wear an undershirt?
I always get complements on this shirt (and not just from my wife!). It has a higher price tag than I’m use to paying, but with Eddie Bauer’s quality build, I’ve already seen that it is going to last, and look good too!
What do you think? Do you find yourself wearing technical clothes to work or work clothes while working on projects? What’s your favourite go-to shirt in your closet?
