Sandstone First Ascent Soft Shell – by Eddie Bauer

We review a lot of gear on our site, but there are some pieces that we just keep reaching for when we head out on adventure. The Sandstone Soft Shell jacket by Eddie Bauer is one of those standby jackets.

Eddie Bauer is a well known outdoors brand that is synonymous with adventure and quality, and I get why.  They sent us a lot of gear to try out and we’ve been very impressed with the fit, quality and look of everything they’ve sent us.

By far though, my favourite technical piece is the Sandstone Jacket, which is part of their First Ascent line. Let’s look at the features and then take a look at my thoughts:

Features

• Flexion ultralight 4-way stretch performance shell – Highly breathable. Ultra-flexible. Weather-shedding
• Stormrepel DWR finish – Beads water so it doesn’t soak in
• Adjustabel drawcord waist – Provides great fit, seals out drafts
• Zippered Chest Pocket (with media port) – Bring your music to the mountains
• Tricot-lined upper windbreak and collar – Cuts chill, eliminates abrasion
• Reflective detailing  – Provides visibility in low-light conditions
• Zip hand pockets – Stow items securely
• Fabric – 5.3-oz, 90 x 90-denier double-weave 78% nylon/12% spandex/10% polyester
• Average length: Reg 27″
• Machine wash
• MSRP: $99.00 (on sale now for $69)

Testing

This jacket has been my constant companion on trails, to the park, on canoeing trips as well as to the office. I’d say I wear this jacket 5 to 6 days a week.

Thoughts

As a soft shell jacket, the Sandstone performs exquisitely. It’s a very simple, packable, weather-resistant jacket that has become my go to jacket when the forcast isn’t too dicey.

As expected from Eddie Bauer, the choice of fabrics and construction is excellent. The four-way stretch Flexion fabric allows a full range of motion and yet isn’t bulky. The fit is perfect for me (an average medium), which is important for an active wear jacket. The seams are flat, which means no uncomfortable chafing when running, paddling, hiking or engaging in other sports.

The jacket handles light rain without a problem. It’s kind of fun to watch the water beading off the Stormrepel DWR finish. That said, it’s a soft shell, so don’t expect this to hold up again a Pacific Northwest storm. It is highly breathable, meaning you are less likely to overheat in warm weather. At the same time it’s a great wind breaker as I’ve found out when the wind picks up on the water.

The Tricot-lined collar is a great fit, providing good protection from the wind without creating hot spots from abrasion. This is huge for someone that has a beard (like me).

In total the jacket has three pockets, all zipped. The chest pocket (with media port) is a perfect size for a wallet and/or smartphone, and the media port allows easy access to audio for all those runners out there. As the fabric is so light, I don’t recommend heavy items being carried. There’s no risk of damage to the pockets themselves, but it will sag and pull during activities.

I found the adjustable waist cord almost unnecessary as the fit was so good, but it’s a nice addition for when the wind picks up. It’s unobtrusive and easy to adjust (some things that brands can overlook in this ubiquitous feature).

As I wear it so often, I’ve had to wash it a handful of times. It has held up to a top load washer and typical dryer well. Oh, and as most parents will want to know, it’s avoided stains well.

Best Use

This jacket is best suited as a windbreaker, or outer layer for 3-season use, in sun, wind, and light rain.

Conclusion

As a soft shell, this lightweight, packable, weather resistant jacket does not disappoint. It has all the quality you’d expect from Eddie Bauer and just the right amount of features for your day-to-day adventures at the office or at home.

Check out the jacket here, and let us know what you think of Eddie Bauer as a brand below in the comments.