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What are your opinions of the Eddie Bauer/First Ascent line?
I'm curious about durability and performance under climbing conditions.
We currently have a few "FA" pieces & plans for some tasty peaks this year. Shasta, Rainier, a couple Mexican volcanos, a few of the 14'ers in Colorado, and our usual local sampling as training peaks.
Weight, efficiency & durability are of extreme importance to me. What say you?
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
Helen Keller
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everything that i have heard has been very "hit or miss". i've heard a fair amount of negative feedback on their jackets, however I do have their mountain guide pants which I really like. the whole over the top, celebrity climber, advertising campaign definitely rubs some people the wrong way. at the end of the day though, the pants are the only piece of their gear that i have and I'm very happy with them.
Reason has seldom worked because it has seldom been tried.
-Edward Abbey
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My opinion, and it's just an opinion is I LOVE MOUNTAINHARDWEAR.
I feel if its not broke why fix it, stay with what works. That being said things work different for different people...
Yetimeista
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1. Peak XV Down Jacket: warmest thing you will ever own, well constructed, tested to 20degrees,BUT, it is impossible to pack -- larger than a sleeping bag!
2. Down sweater: sent it back; waaay too thin for hanging out on summits, terribly constructed -- leaks feathers from the get-go, seaming was mis-aligned and leaked.
3. Ignitor Jacket: own three of them (75% off) Prima loft comparable to 800 fill down sweaters and mid-wt fleece. Put through the ringer wearing various equipment over it -- no snags, cuts, tears in a year of heavy abuse -- even survived an encounter with barb wire.
4. Cloud Fleece: Great quality last year; thin and flimsy this year.
I ended up with the Patagonia Fitz Roy as my packable down -- love it (the first choice MH did not fit me well)
The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.
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Carole, I've heard lots of good things about the Feathered Friends down line of jackets and pants. I seem to have trouble with the EV site on my pc, so I've never been able to order anything from them. 
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Thank you so much for your helpful input.
I really appreciate it!!
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
Helen Keller
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What up, Carole. You guys second guessing your First Ascent purchases? Sounds like you have your doubts but B, that's all he talks about...
I tried giving the First Ascent products a chance but always seem to be steared away from their stuff. As you know I ended up with the Feathered Friends Parka and am really happy with it. I know there is a huge price difference but "I" think it's worth it.
One of these days I'll have to try one the First Ascent products...
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I have the First Ascent:
Igniter Jacket - Warm, not bulky, lightweight ,packable, Great piece.
Guide light pant - Schoeller fabric (I feel is the best softshell material), wide temperature range for use, the stitching could be improved had to have seat seam re-sewn after a few glissades!
Bathang hoody - nice for use as expedition base layer or light outer insulation. Hood is great!
Bc-200 jacket - lightweight, minimalist outershell, breathable but not as good as Gore Pac-lite. Great hood design for over helmet use.
Rainier Stormshell Pant - Lightweight, Unknown have not had to use them in any real situation just take up space in my pack.
The stuff always goes on sale and has very good price to performance ratio.
Like the high end down stuff, Western Mountaineering and Feathered Friends they the use 850 down and you get it at 650 fill prices.
As far as the "whole celeb indorsement" thing I kinda like the fact that Ed V is involved in the design, and you know why Mountain Hardware is so good.....also designed by Ed V!
Jeff do you think that wonderful tent you have is named the "EV-2" on accident!
But honestly some stuff fits and some doesn't. You just have to find the brand that had a model shaped like you!
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I agree Jeff . A good thick long sleeved cotton T shirt and a sturdy pair of blue jeans . An extra layer of thin cotton and of course two pairs of tube socks .
Who Dares Wins
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I bought the Peak XV Down Parka after giving away my Feathered Friends Volant. I think it is as warm as the FF, but less expensive.
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I agree Jeff . A good thick long sleeved cotton T shirt and a sturdy pair of blue jeans . An extra layer of thin cotton and of course two pairs of tube socks . I hear trash bags coupled with elastic bands work as gaiters too. 
Avoiding danger is no safer in the long run than outright exposure. Life is either a daring adventure, or nothing.
Helen Keller
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1. Peak XV Down Jacket: warmest thing you will ever own Seriously, as opposed to what? There are definitely many warmer options from a variety of manufacturers. Please qualify this statement. 3. Ignitor Jacket: own three of them (75% off) Prima loft comparable to 800 fill down sweaters and mid-wt fleece. Put through the ringer wearing various equipment over it -- no snags, cuts, tears in a year of heavy abuse -- even survived an encounter with barb wire. Agreed, bought one for my fiance whose a vet so I can't compare to 800 fill down sweater warmth first-hand. She has beat the hell out of that jacket and its still her favorite and no damage to date. She likes it so much she wants a second one in an alternate color.
Chris
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1. Peak XV Down Jacket: warmest thing you will ever own Seriously, as opposed to what? There are definitely many warmer options from a variety of manufacturers. Please qualify this statement. For ME (this is all subjective, folks -- seriously) 1. It was warmer than the MH Sub Zero 2. It was warmer than the Patagonia Fitz Roy 3. It was warmer than the Feathered Friends Volant Jacket 4. It was warmer than the warmest 650 North Face 5. It was warmer than my sleeping bag 6. It was warmer than my electric blanket 7. It was NOT warmer than the Eddie Bauer one piece expedition suit Very seriously: I had an accident many years ago that left damage from frostbite; I have either tested or owned each of the above mentioned jackets. Qualifier: I own an outdoor maintenance business that requires employees to endure temps from 28-118 degree F conditions. We test outerwear on a regular basis, so we can also give unqualified opinions on hot weather gear, too. I am just kidding on #5 & #6 (but not #7), and this is all I have to say on the subject -- seriously. B
The body betrays and the weather conspires, hopefully, not on the same day.
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Well, I suppose that covers it, from "Eh?" to Bee...
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