Connor Burkesmith Testing the Eddie Bauer BC Freshline Jacket | Photo Bridgette Takeuchi Mountain Weekly News
Snow is falling, Christmas tunes are playing, it’s that time of year again. The time to pay a visit to your old winter clothes. If you’re anything like me, when you pulled out your ski jacket this season it was in worse shape than you remembered. I opted to give the Eddie Bauer BC Freshline Ski Jacket a try and it did not disappoint.
Material
The first thing I noticed about the BC Freshline was the material. This waterproof jacket boasts 3-layer WeatherEdge, and StormRepel Super DWR technologies for superior moisture-shedding ability. The result? A silky-smooth, matte finish with a bit of stretch and no annoying crinkles. I’ve never felt another jacket like it. Nothing is more annoying than rolling up to the ski hill in your GORE-TEX gear sounding like potato chip bag. The new Eddie Bauer BC Freshline Jacket eliminates this issue.
As if the waterproofing technology wasn’t enough, this ski jacket is also breathable and made from recycled materials. How this works I have no idea, but I can tell you it works. Whether in the backcountry or at the resort, I noticed my standard temperature swings were dampened with this breathable jacket.
Fit
If the material alone wasn’t enough to sell you, I suppose you could keep reading… I’m about 6’1” with a slim frame and the medium jacket fit perfectly. It’s slim enough to wear over a t-shirt without looking too baggy and roomy enough to fit plenty of layers underneath for those colder days. The jacket comes with a powder skirt – a no brainer on deep days – which can be removed for other occasions. The jacket fits so well I might just keep it around for the summer months.
I found that the adjustable hood could fit over my helmet no problem. If you combine this with high collar you have a beautiful face shield for those cold days on the slopes.
Other Features
The Eddie Bauer BC Freshline does a great of including all the useful features we like to see in ski jackets while keeping the design clean and stylish. I found that there was plenty of pocket space, and the Aquaguard water-resistant zippers did a great job at keeping my belongings dry. For additional breathability, the BC Freshline has pit zips, perfect for hike-to or backcountry terrain. I also loved the over-glove thumb loops that kept my sleeves in place.
Eddie Bauer Men’s BC Freshline Pros & Cons
Pros:
- 3-layer WeatherEdge material for superior waterproofing
- Breathable and made from recycled materials
- Perfect fit for layering and adjustable hood
Cons:
- Slightly pricey compared to other options
- May not have enough insulation for extreme cold
Overall Impression
The BC Freshline is my favorite jacket I’ve tested so far. The smooth, breathable, yet somehow extremely waterproof material, is what really sold me. After a day of skiing in the Eddie Bauer BC Freshline ($549.99) I don’t think I can go back to the loud plastic jackets I’m accustomed to.
The awesome fit and thoughtful features were another perk. This Eddie Bauer Jacket makes for a great winter jacket at the resorts but also an awesome jacket for days in the backcountry. If you’re in the market for a new jacket this year, look no further.
Related Articles:
