Eddie Bauer CirussLite Down Jacket Review

I have devoted the last NINE MONTHS of my life to testing out the new Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Down Jacket while climbing, skiing, snowmobiling, pounding nails, ranch handing, hunting, barhopping, and river surfing in the mountains of NW Wyoming.

The Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Down Hooded Jacket is a good coat: warm, comfortable, stylish, versatile, surprisingly durable, and it smashes small enough to easily cram it into even the most overloaded backpack.

Testing

The fine folks at Mountain Weekly News and Eddie Bauer probably thought I’d forgotten about this review, but no: nine months is the bare minimum to really get to know a puffy coat.  Will it hold up while skiing the tight trees?  While butt sliding off granite ledges?

Will any ladies at the bar notice its texture and shapeliness and feel compelled to caress my puffy coat enhanced chest?  Will the guys say, “Howdoya like that puffy?”  Will the cowboys and rednecks ostracize me while wearing it?

When the dogs start scrapping in the back of the truck will it be torn to shreds?  How do coffee stains, construction grime, and burn holes compliment the coat’s style and color scheme?

These important questions take time to answer.  Plus, I had to wait for the perfect conditions to put this EB unit through the ultimate test of any puffy coat: pre-dawn, sub-zero, high-speed, long-distance snowmobiling.

So far this coat has handled everything I have thrown at it.  The fabric is lightweight, breathable, and a lot more durable than I expected.  So far I’ve only managed to put a couple small holes in it, and that’s saying something.  I got it in a dark grey and appreciate that the fabric has muted tones, not shiny like a lot of other puffy coats are (because I don’t want anything to draw attention away from my gloriously matted mane).

650 Fill Insulation

This Eddie Bauer 650 fill coat is insulating enough to save my life if I get stuck out overnight, but not too warm to walk around or work in whatever the season.  I have found it a great addition to my cold weather backcountry ski kit because it stuffs into surprisingly small spaces ans compliments my layering system well.

Typically on cold clear days I wear a light wool baselayer and softshell on the way up, and put a puffy coat on over that for the way down. This Eddie Bauer puffy has worked out quite well in that regard.  I personally would prefer a larger hood because I have a big head, a lot of hair, and I like the wear my puffy over my shell.

Eddie Bauer CirussLite Down Jacket Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Warm and comfortable
• Stylish and versatile design
• Surprisingly durable and compressible

Cons:

• Larger hood may be preferred.
• May develop small holes over time.
• Color scheme may not suit all preferences.

Overall Impression

The zippers and seams have held up well.  The coat looks great despite nine months of abuse.  The ladies still caress its chest, the boys ask me how I like it, and the cowboys and rednecks couldn’t care less that I’m wearing it.  All in all its a good coat, and I hear the price isn’t too bad either on the Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Down Hooded Jacket ($149.00).  5 stars.  Time to go shred.

Related Hooded Jackets We Have Tested

1. Eddie Bauer Ignitelite Stretch Hooded Jacket
2. The North Face Summit Series Breithhron Hooded Jacket
3. Forcalz MT 100 Hooded Jacket