When it comes to outdoor gear, the debate about which brand is the best can be as rugged as the terrain enthusiasts traverse.
Eddie Bauer and Marmot are two leading names in the industry, each with dedicated fans and a distinctive legacy of quality and innovation.
But which brand is the best for your needs?
In this comparison, we’ll explore their history, products, materials, sustainability efforts, and prices.
In the end, it’ll be easier for you to determine which brand might better suit your outdoor needs.
Let’s begin!
Contents:
1. Eddie Bauer Outdoor Gear
History of the Brand
Eddie Bauer’s official website
Eddie Bauer has a century-long legacy, born in 1920 in Seattle, Washington, USA. The company has garnered fame for pioneering various products, including the first down jacket in the United States. It has received numerous awards for its outdoor clothes, particularly footwear and outerwear.
Also, the company supplied equipment for significant expeditions such as the initial American Mount Everest conquest in 1963, as well as subsequent feats like the Dhaulagiri in 1973 and the Makalu in 1980.
Emphasizing sustainability and renewable resources, Eddie Bauer currently operates 200+ stores across the United States, solidifying its status as a leading outdoor brand.
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Materials, Fabrics, and Production Process
Based primarily on Polyester and Nylon, the production also incorporates WeatherEdge®, a proprietary technology developed by Eddie Bauer to ensure the waterproof and breathable qualities of their jackets and other items.
Additionally, Thermafill® is utilized for synthetic insulation, while StormDown is employed in select products, featuring a DWR coating to enhance the moisture resistance of natural down. Notably, natural down is renowned for its insulating properties but is vulnerable to damp conditions.
Moving on to Thindown, an innovative Italian fabric utilized by Eddie Bauer to insulate certain garments, offering comparable loft and compressibility to natural down while being more resilient in adverse weather.
Eddie Bauer is dedicated to sustainable design, emphasizing versatile, utility-focused, and enduring apparel and gear, promoting extensive product use from generation to generation.
The brand prioritizes lower-impact materials, including recycled polyester and nylon and sustainably sourced man-made cellulose fibers, and integrates recycled packaging to minimize environmental impact.
Moreover, Eddie Bauer collaborates with organizations like American Forests to restore ecosystems, advance urban reforestation, and actively focuses on equity and inclusion within their community and industry. You can read more about Eddie Bauer’s sustainability efforts on their website.
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Read also: Eddie Bauer vs Lands’ End Outdoor Gear: A Comparison
Where is Eddie Bauer’s outdoor gear made?
Eddie Bauer’s outdoor apparel and equipment are mainly produced in Asian nations like Vietnam, China, India, Pakistan, and Indonesia.
Recommended Products
Eddie Bauer Men’s Superior Down Parka
Image: eddiebauer.com
Check it out at EddieBauer.com
The Men’s Superior Down Parka is a durable solution for extreme winter conditions. Constructed with a waterproof and breathable recycled nylon shell, featuring WeatherEdge® technology and StormRepel® Super DWR finish to resist rain, this parka ensures resilience while you’re out in nature.
Its 650-fill-power premium down insulation provides warmth in cold temperatures. The parka includes inner rib-knit storm cuffs, an adjustable hood with removable faux fur, secure zip pockets, and an action back construction for enhanced mobility.
With its relaxed fit designed for comfortable layering, this parka delivers practicality and comfort in cold climates.
Read next: Eddie Bauer vs Canada Goose (Jackets Comparison)
Eddie Bauer Adventurer® Trail Backpack
Image: eddiebauer.com
Check it out at EddieBauer.com
The Adventurer Trail Backpack is a versatile pack created for various outdoor pursuits, ranging from short hikes to extended technical ascents. Made of durable 70-denier shadow ripstop nylon, it is capable of enduring the demands of the trail while remaining lightweight.
Boasting a 30L capacity, the backpack provides ample space for all essential gear required for your outdoor adventures. Comfort is a focal point of this backpack, featuring the FreeCool® trampoline airflow back panel, which not only cushions your load but also enhances ventilation to prevent overheating during vigorous activity.
Hydration is easily accessible with the pack’s hydration options, ensuring convenient access to water while on the move. The backpack incorporates a Power Mesh front pocket for organization, ideal for storing rain gear or an insulating layer.
A top lid pocket provides a secure location for items that need to be readily accessible without opening the main compartment. Designed with practicality in mind, the pack includes side compression straps to balance and stabilize the load, maintaining a compact and manageable form.
Strategically positioned tool loops ensure critical gear, such as ice axes and trekking poles, remains within easy reach when needed.
Read also: Eddie Bauer vs Columbia: Which Brand is Better?
Prices
Eddie Bauer’s pricing falls in the accessible range. The cost of their jackets typically begins at around $60 and can go up to $300, whereas numerous backpack options are available for under $80. Although some of their backpack designs come with higher price tags, they usually don’t go higher than $200.
So, all in all, this brand is quite affordable, especially when considering the quality it provides.
Are Eddie Bauer products worth the price?
If you require practical and versatile options, the two products we recommended above, for example, are excellent choices as they can be utilized in various settings, including outdoor activities and daily use.
So, for multi-functional products such as these, we think Eddie Bauer offers reasonable pricing, making their products worth the price.
Read also: 10 Oldest Outdoor Clothing and Gear Brands
2. Marmot Outdoor Gear
History of the Brand
Marmot official website
Marmot, an American brand established in the 1970s (1974), specializes in technical apparel and gear for outdoor activities such as hiking and mountaineering. The brand originated from the Marmot Mountain Club, created by two students, Eric Reynolds and Dave Huntly, during a school project in Alaska.
Next, they, along with Tom Boyce, transformed an old building into the first retail store for outdoor accessories and clothing, giving rise to the Marmot Mountain Works brand.
Since then, Marmot has gained global recognition for offering top-quality products for trekking, climbing, and outdoor enthusiasts, including jackets, sleeping bags, tents, backpacks, and other accessories for men, women, and children.
The brand’s commitment to innovation is evident through direct field testing of its products by alpine guides and elite athletes.
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Materials, Fabrics, and Production Process
Marmot utilizes high-quality materials in their apparel and gear, including Nylon and Polyester, which are commonly used in popular outdoor brands.
Gore-Tex is a notable technology employed by the brand, effectively repelling water while allowing body-generated moisture to escape, thus maintaining breathability. This material is particularly suitable for extreme activities, providing water resistance.
For insulation, Marmot incorporates high-performing materials with significant insulating capacity and fill power, such as natural down and PrimaLoft synthetic insulation, effectively separating cold and hot air.
The brand also focuses on addressing outdoor challenges by continually developing new materials and technologies, like Marmot MemBrain, a high-performance, breathable, and waterproof membrane, as well as NanoPro.
As for sustainability, Marmot emphasizes minimizing environmental impact in its production and manufacturing processes, utilizing ethical materials like EvoDry for raincoats and Featherless, an alternative to down insulation. You can read more about Marmot’s sustainability efforts on their website.
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Read also: Marmot vs Arc’teryx (Outdoor Gear Comparison)
Where is Marmot outdoor gear made?
The majority of Marmot’s outdoor apparel and equipment is made in Asia, in countries like China and Vietnam.
Recommended Products
Marmot Men’s Guides Down Hoody
Image: marmot.com
Check it out at Marmot.com
The Marmot Men’s Guides Down Hoody offers versatile warmth, suitable for both lifestyle use and outdoor excursions. Constructed with a 100% recycled polyester ripstop shell and a blend of 700 fill power 80% recycled down and 20% Kapok Flower down, it delivers sustainable comfort and cold weather protection.
Its high packability makes it an excellent addition to any layering system. Its main features include zippered chest and hand pockets, an adjustable drawcord hood and hem, and elastic cuffs for heat retention.
Whether skiing, venturing into the wilderness, or simply enjoying a winter stroll, this hoody ensures comfort while maintaining breathability.
Don’t miss: Marmot vs Columbia: Which is Better for Outdoor Gear?
Marmot Women’s GORE-TEX Orion Jacket
Image: marmot.com
Check it out at Marmot.com
The Marmot Women’s GORE-TEX Orion Jacket is a sturdy and high-performance ski jacket designed for those who enjoy tackling powder and ski resorts. Made from upcycled 3-layer GORE-TEX® material, it delivers waterproof, windproof, and breathable shielding, ensuring dryness even in wet conditions.
The jacket includes a RECCO® Avalanche Rescue Reflector for enhanced safety on the mountain, a helmet-compatible adjustable hood for complete coverage, and a fixed powder skirt to prevent snow ingress.
For active skiers, the PitZips provide adaptable ventilation to regulate body temperature, while water-resistant pocket zippers safeguard your essentials. The fit can be personalized with adjustable VELCRO® cuffs, and articulated elbows guarantee unrestricted movement without the sleeves riding up.
This jacket is engineered to provide comfort and protection, no matter the external conditions.
Read next: Mammut vs Marmot: Which is Better?
Prices
Marmot’s pricing reflects the quality that the brand provides, focusing on performance and premium material quality in its outdoor-focused products.
Their jackets range from $100 to $650, while equipment such as sleeping bags and tents varies based on product type.
In general, Marmot is known as a mid-to-high-range outdoor brand.
Are Marmot products worth the price?
We, and many online reviewers, think that each of Marmot’s products is worth it. The materials are durable and can last for years.
Read also: 8 Best Sustainable Outdoor Clothing Brands: Our Top Picks
3. Which is Better for Outdoor Gear? Eddie Bauer or Marmot?
Both of these brands are very popular, but which one to choose? Here’s what you should consider:
- Eddie Bauer has been around longer, since 1920, and originally focused more on apparel, while Marmot, founded in 1974, started as an outdoor gear and equipment company.
- Marmot tends to be a bit more technical and specialized in their designs, often using innovative fabrics and features tailored for specific outdoor activities like climbing, hiking, camping, and so on. Their gear is generally on the higher end of the price range.
- Eddie Bauer offers a broader range of apparel, outerwear, and some gear. Their designs aren’t always as technically focused as Marmot’s but are still very durable for outdoor use. Prices are more mid-range and accessible.
- As for quality, both brands are considered very good by many. Marmot has an edge for technical gear like tents, insulated jackets, and sleeping bags since that’s their specialty. But Eddie Bauer is also very well-made.
- Marmot gear is lighter in weight in general since the brand focuses on technical designs for backpacking and climbing. Eddie Bauer can be better for more casual outdoor use.
- Sustainability is an important focus for both brands.
In the end, Marmot would be our choice for technical outdoor gear if you prioritize specialized, lightweight features, and you have the budget, of course. Eddie Bauer offers a broader selection of general outdoor wear at lower prices while still being durable.
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