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I'll just come up out and say information technology. If you had asked me a few months ago if I idea Eddie Bauer made clothes I would desire to run in, I probably would take chuckled and moved on to the next question. It only wasn't a brand that came to heed when I idea of trail running.

And then when they offered to send me a few winter items, described as being perfect for trail running, I was a bit surprised, only I too knew I had to requite them a shot.

Before I go into all the details below, let me only say that Eddie Bauer threw me for a loop. In the best mode possible. Which is why the Eddie Bauer Sandstone Soft Shell Jacket I'll be reviewing beneath is my #1 selection for mid-weight running jackets this season.

And for the sake of full disclosure, I should also mention that this post is sponsored by Eddie Bauer in return for an honest review. All the thoughts are entirely mine, and their sponsorship has nothing to practise with the fact that it'south now my favorite jacket (well, except that I would have never bothered to give it a shot otherwise, and then thanks for that EB!).

What I expect for in a running jacket

To put things into perspective, allow'southward outset with what I look for in a running jacket. Equally I browse through a shop or surf online, I'm looking for how a jacket holds up with the following traits:

one) Breathability: Cold weather running is all virtually regulating temperature. As well common cold and you can't e'er become comfortable. Also much warmth, and yous brainstorm sweating, which will cool you dorsum off. It's a delicate trip the light fantastic we've all hand to tango. Breathability is crucial for regulating those temperature swings. How breathable is the fabric? Does it accept air vents? These are the types of things I'm asking.

two) Flexibility: When you're swinging your arms back and forth, moving (or stumbling) over rocks and roots, and huffing your way upwards a steep incline, you desire a jacket that moves forth with yous instead of constricting your movements. Tightness around the breast constricts breathing. Tightness around the shoulders leaves you tight and puts stress on those muscles. The all-time jackets are ones you don't know you lot're wearing.

iii) Wind Breaking: There's just zilch worse than a large gust of sub freezing wind, blowing through your damp clothes during a run. If you've had that bone spooky boom mid stride, then you know exactly what I'm talking most.

4) Expert Pockets: This goes with any piece of running gear. You demand to access what y'all desire, and access it with ease. A good jacket is designed with dainty pockets.

5) Compactability: If you want to shed a layer mid run, it's nice to be able to pack it upwards tightly either around your waist or in a pack. How well does the jacket stuff or roll?

6) Color/Visibility: When choosing a running jacket, I want a product that will let me be seen without cartoon attention. Electrifying neon greens are good for the first, only not the 2nd. I merely desire to avoid cars or hunters, not expect like a glow stick.

How the Eddie Bauer Sandstone Jacket Stands Up

eddie-bauer-jacketAccording to Eddie Bauer'south website, the Sandstone Jacket, which is part of their Beginning Assent line, wasn't designed specifically for running, but for "high-output activities." Here's part of their description:

Built by our guide team for loftier-output activities from tall and stone climbing to trail running and cross grooming. Ultralight Flexion 4-fashion stretch performance shell of nylon/spandex/polyester offers superior flexibility and breathability, and is wind- and water-resistant. StormRepel® durable water-repellent (DWR) finish chaplet water so information technology doesn't soak into the cloth. Streamlined blueprint eliminates majority while allowing total range of motion.

Then let's see how information technology stands up as a running jacket:

ane) Breathability: The first thing I noticed when I put this jacket on was that it didn't have whatsoever vents, something I always look for in a running jacket. This is probably due to the fact that it isn't designed just for running. But as I actually took it out for a spin, I was pleasantly surprised that it didn't actually need any vents. The fabric lone was breathable enough to vent out my oestrus and much of the dreaded moisture.

Score: 4 out of 5

2) Flexibility: This is where the Sandstone jacket really excels. In fact, I'd even say that I've never worn a jacket and so stretchy. I assume it has to do with the mixture of fibers (78% nylon, 12% spandex, 10% polyester), but I don't know enough about fabrics to say exactly what it is. What I do know is that you lot can literally pull the jacket and information technology stretches, only to bounce right back. This thing moves with your body, like I crave a beer after an ultra. In other words, a lot.

Score: 5 out of 5

three) Wind Breaking: Information technology feels funny writing this on December tertiary, with my windows open… but just a few weeks agone we were experiencing xx degree atmospheric condition, loftier winds, and even some snow. I wore just this jacket with a long sleeve dry out-fit shirt underneath, and was comfortable the whole time. When needed, the naught-upwards collar makes for a overnice air current breaker around the neck, and as long as the pockets are closed, I felt no leaks.

Score: iv out of five

4) Adept Pockets: If I were to talk to the designers nearly the biggest flaw, it would exist the pockets. At that place isn't actually anything wrong with them, they could just be better. The Sandstone Jacket has two decent manus pockets, and a chest pocket designed for a phone. Unfortunately none of them are very tight or streamlined, which means there isn't much I could put in them and not look to bounciness. I think this is the one place where it shows that this jacket wasn't designedsimply for runners.

Score: three out of 5

eddie-bauer-jacket-size v) Compactability: The Sandstone jacket is a mid-weight jacket, not an ultra thin wind billow, so it's automatically going to be a little bulkier than some of the lighter jackets on the market. That said, it notwithstanding scrunches upwardly nicely, and can easily tie around the waist or be blimp into a race belong. Check out the photograph to the right, with a coffee mug for comparison.

Score: four out of 5

vi) Color/Visibility: I admittedly love the burnt orange color of this jacket. While it also comes in a navy blue and black, I call up the orangish is the manner it get. Information technology's brilliant enough to be seen on the road or the trail, but however mellow enough that I find myself grabbing it every bit a calorie-free jacket even when I'one thousand not running. At present if simply I could get it to quit smelling similar I simply went for a run…

Score: five out of five

Final Thoughts, and Why I'thousand Recommending Information technology

Overall, I'm crazy about this jacket. I have worn the Sandstone Jacket for nearly ever run that required a jacket since the day it arrived most 5 weeks ago. It'due south the perfect weight for absurd runs, and can exist used as a top layer for the really cold adventures.

When I showtime read that it wasn't designed specifically for running, I was a bit nervous. I typically wouldn't buy something unless information technology was just what I needed. Only aside from the minor pocket effect and perhaps a back vent, there's nothing I'd change in a "runner" version. And both of those things can be overlooked without compromise.

The total score comes to 25 out of thirty. The best score of any jacket I have in my mid-weight arsenal.

So does this make me an Eddie Bauer convert? They certainly showed me upwards! I as well had the opportunity to test out the Incendiary shirt and a pair of FluxPro gloves. Both also a part of the First Assent line, and both also solid pieces of gear.

All that's to say that yeah, Eddie Bauer will be on my list of brands to check out for gear in the time to come.