Eddie Bauer Microtherm StormDown 800 Jacket Review

 

When I’m outdoors at any time of the year, I need a jacket that is lightweight, packable and warm. I’ve found that Eddie Bauer’s (www.EddieBauer.com) MicroTherm Stormdown Jacket (part of their First Ascent line) is hard to beat.

 

If you follow our blog, you’ll know that we’ve been falling in love with Eddie Bauer’s quality Adult’s and children’s wear. Although it’s all been impressive, this down jacket with water repellant StormDown™ takes the cake.

 

For disclosure, we were sent this jacket by Eddie Bauer, and all opinions are our own, the type you’d expect from family and friends.

Let’s talk features before getting into the specifics. (Video Review Below)

Features

• 20D Windproof Recycled Ripstop Polyester Shell, with StormRepel® DWR finish
• 800 Fill DOWNTEK™ StormDown™
• Microtherm® Construction
• Streamlined, micro-channel design for maximum thermal efficiency and compressibility
• Athletic Fit
• Stretch fleece panels
• Zip Hand pockets
• Zip Chest Pocket with Media Port
• Stowable in the chest pocket
• Carabiner clip-in loop
• 2 Interior Stash Pockets
  • Ideal for gloves or goggles
• 100% recycled polyester shell; 95% polyester/5% spandex panels
• Average length: Reg 24.5″; Petite 23.5″; Tall 26″
• Average weight: Men’s Reg (11.5 oz) (Women’s Reg 8.32 oz)
• Machine washable
• MSRP: $199 – $189 on Amazon

 

 

Testing:

 

This jacket has been through regular winter testing, including a winter snowstorm, snowshoeing, hiking, tubing and other snow related activities with a proper baselayer system.

What are my thoughts?

Eddie Bauer has put together a winner here. From the 11.5 ounce light weight to the athletic fit, to the fantastic Water repelling StormDown and StormRepel finish, this jacket is incredible and performs incredibly.

The typical down-side of down is that it performs very poorly when wet. Down relies on loft to trap air and insulate you from the cold. If moisture from perspiration or from damp weather gets into the down it causes it to collapse and you can say goodbye to your warmth. Fortunately, down technology has come a long way and water repelling finishes have been applied to down that prevent the moisture from permeating the down, allowing it to maintain high loft (like the Microtherm’s 800 down fill). Add to that a DWR finish to the recycled 20D polyester ripstop and you can trust the jacket when you’re active or when the weather is wet.

 

 

Another huge benefit to this Microtherm jacket is the micro loft channels. It opts for a lower profile, higher loft down that allows better range of motion without being restricted by larger loft pockets. It means the jacket does not provide as much warmth as a bulkier equivalent, but the benefits of greater range of motion, pack-ability and lighter weight are worth the slightly warmer temperature rating. With a proper layering system I’ve never felt cold in this jacket (despite the cold Canadian Winter). The range of motion is improved by the fleece panels under the arms.

 

 

Pocket sizes are ideal for my use. The front zip pockets fit my Guide Light gloves, cell-phone and other essentials and the zips mean that it all stays safe. Despite their tiny pulls, the zips are easy to use, even with gloves on. The front chest pocket is ideal for your wallet, cellphone or MP3 player and the interior “media port” which is standard on most jackets now-a-days performs its purpose… if you’re into adventuring with your tunes blasting away.

They’ve nailed the sizing on this jacket as well. The collar is high enough to keep the cold out without making one feel restricted or uncomfortable on your chin or jawline. The length of the jacket is great for a standard medium like myself. One thing I noticed is that there’s no waist synch. I barely notice the fact and am happy to take this trade-off for the amazing weight savings.

 

 

As a light to ultralight backpacker I appreciate weight and packability. The men’s medium weighs 11.5 ounces. The women’s weighs 8.5 ounces. That’s the whole jacket. By giving it sparse features and utilizing micro channels of down, Eddie Bauer has made an impressively warm, comfortable and light winter… or pretty much any season down jacket. I’ve retired my other down jacket (to my son), because the warmth, weight, compressibility and style of this jacket is superior.

 

As for packability, just watch the review video to see what it looks like packed up. It packs into the chest pocket easily. Ounce packed, it reveals a loop that allows the jacket to be attached to a carabiner if you just want to attach it to the outside of your pack… you can, because it has a DWR finish.

 

If you prefer, the jacket comes as a vest and with a hood if you prefer.

 

Conclusion

I hate to read reviews that have only positives to say about the jacket, but it’s hard to find a negative about this jacket. The stormdown and Stormrepel finishes to the down and fabric makes it hard to beat for versatility and performance. The Microtherm  is excellent for cold weather, especially as a part of a layering system. I can’t get enough of how small this jacket packs down to and yet how warm it is.  The price point is perfect and when you combine that with the fact that it goes on sale for much less, it’s hard to beat what this jacket offers.

 

Well done Eddie Bauer, Well done.