When Eddie Bauer launched their First Ascent line, I was a skeptic. Eddie Bauer had about as much outdoor product credibility with me as The Gap.

However, I am becoming more and more impressed with their product line. It seems to be well thought out, quality gear at a reasonable price (particularly because it goes on sale regularly.) There are lots of very nice pieces in their clothing line up, and I noticed that they have a new sleeping bag line up that looks interested (although I've never seen them for real.)

It's nice to see a new player in the "serious" outdoor gear market, especially a more price conscious player.

Kai - that's so funny. I was thinking the exact opposite the other day. I give them another 2-3 years before they close up shop. They discount everything more than other lines, because they have to (think rebates on a Chrysler versus a Toyota). They keep grabbing up athletes to "promote" their stuff, but most of them are just guides for RMI that EB sends to some place for photos. Anything attached to the Whittaker family, I get very sceptical as well. They will do anything for a buck.

As far as the FA stuff - I find it's OK. Patagonia and others are better in my opinion and the price differential is worth it to me (especially on a pro deal or annual sale) - an extra 10% in cost gets you a 50% better product...

I think FA will eventually start marketing to the sorority girls/soccer moms again (think TNF, REI, Patagonia, etc) because that's where the money is - unfortunately its not with the dirtbag climbers...

Just my opinion (and not to take anything away from yours)... but interesting thoughts - I respect your opinion, so I may have to rethink my position...

Kai wrote:It's nice to see a new player in the "serious" outdoor gear market, especially a more price conscious player.

They are actually an old player, having outfitted many of the early American Himalayan expeditions. I recall my dad taking me to the Eddie Bauer store when I was little. I loved looking at the fly fishing gear, the big puffy parkas and sleeping bags.

Fletch wrote:Anything attached to the Whittaker family, I get very sceptical as well. They will do anything for a buck

No kidding, I call them the Whittaker Cartel. That said, Dane1 seems to like their gear and I have an enormous amount of respect for his opinion. Full disclosure, I've been mad at the Whittakers ever since they told me I had to cut my hair to guide for them.

ExcitableBoy wrote:I recall my dad taking me to the Eddie Bauer store when I was little. I loved looking at the fly fishing gear, the big puffy parkas and sleeping bags.

Remember this?

ExcitableBoy wrote: Dane1 seems to like their gear and I have an enormous amount of respect for his opinion.

Well yes, you, Dane, Kai, Radson, and a few others are where I get 90% of my gear recommendations...

I like their stuff a lot. Some of it better than my Arc'Teryx gear. I get a 30% discount through my family so it's very cost-effective for me. I'll be ordering the 0 degree sleeping bag and 4 season tent within the next few weeks.

Fletch wrote:Kai - that's so funny. I was thinking the exact opposite the other day. I give them another 2-3 years before they close up shop. They discount everything more than other lines, because they have to (think rebates on a Chrysler versus a Toyota). They keep grabbing up athletes to "promote" their stuff, but most of them are just guides for RMI that EB sends to some place for photos. Anything attached to the Whittaker family, I get very sceptical as well. They will do anything for a buck.

As far as the FA stuff - I find it's OK. Patagonia and others are better in my opinion and the price differential is worth it to me (especially on a pro deal or annual sale) - an extra 10% in cost gets you a 50% better product...

I think FA will eventually start marketing to the sorority girls/soccer moms again (think TNF, REI, Patagonia, etc) because that's where the money is - unfortunately its not with the dirtbag climbers...

Just my opinion (and not to take anything away from yours)... but interesting thoughts - I respect your opinion, so I may have to rethink my position...

Agreed. "...For the money" should follow every description of their products.

Fletch wrote: ...that's where the money is - unfortunately its not with the dirtbag climbers...

Yeh, well, they've never targeted 'dirtbag' climbers, of course. Their marketing and narrative is targeting guided clients on certain types of climbs, because there obviously IS money there. They're using their (old) heritage to give authenticity to their new offerings. I was critical of this when they first came out, on this very site, I believe, cos that's how I am (!), and I found it annoying, as if it was any of my business how they did theirs, but some of their stuff is pretty good, some not so much, like most brands.

I have their Igniter Primaloft jacket and it's pretty good, and some of their stuff is great value on sale. And they ship to Australia. It's good that they make Tall sizes, though I haven't tried any myself. I like their bright simple colors and styling, though some color schemes are a bit off. Those new sleeping bags are a bit mid-80s.

Just my opinion (and not to take anything away from yours)... but .. I respect your opinion, so I may have to rethink my position...

WTF? I'm reporting you to the Elves. Have we taught you NOTHING here?

ExcitableBoy wrote:No kidding, I call them the Whittaker Cartel.

I call them the Whittaker Clan. I gotta admit, I used the FA Guide Gloves once and was very pleased. Much better than my current cheap 20$ pair.

ExcitableBoy wrote: Full disclosure, I've been mad at the Whittakers ever since they told me I had to cut my hair to guide for them.

Really? Either you had some crazy hair (not that I would care) or they have no sense of style for personal appearance.

Josh Lewis wrote:

ExcitableBoy wrote: Full disclosure, I've been mad at the Whittakers ever since they told me I had to cut my hair to guide for them.

Really? Either you had some crazy hair (not that I would care) or they have no sense of style for personal appearance.

They are very conservative: no long hair for men, no earings for men, no visible tattoos. Here is what I looked like back then, you can decide if it is crazy or what. Bear in mind this is during a 14 hour CTC climb of Ice Cliff Glacier on Mt Stuart.

Damien Gildea wrote:WTF? I'm reporting you to the Elves. Have we taught you NOTHING here?

I'm much more PC these days... I used to be a long haired hippy... not anymore...

I have their down sweater/jacket. I bought it on sale, and it's been great. I used it in the Bugaboos and thought it would shred on the rock, but held up nicely. It's pretty warm for a lightweight puffy. All in all, pretty impressed.

EB, that's not too much hair!

When I say crazy hair, I mean like this guy:

I bought my girlfriend one of the light down jackets and even after returing the first one we're continuing to leave feathers all over the globe. She says it's losing it's ability to keep her warm.

I thought their first-generation stuff was filled with good stuff. Now that they've expanded the line, a couple good pieces have been added but a lot of it isn't so good.

Their pants and gloves are more than solid, and last I looked were priced very reasonably. Their fleece stuff has been good. Nice Primaloft stuff. Down is now hit and miss, too much fluff in the line IMO. And the tent, sleeping bag, and new pack all look hogwash to me.

EB makes some decent down stuff. Which gets even better when it is on sale.

The BC Micro Therm, various down sweaters, Guide jacket and XV come to mind off hand as gear that actaully works for serious climbing. Much to my surprise actually.