This is interesting... a group of well known mountaineers (Peter Whittaker, Ed Viesturs, Dave Hahn, Melissa Arnot, Seth Waterfall, and Chad Peele) have teamed up with Eddie Bauer to form a high performance line of clothing and gear.

One item that caught my eye was their 11 ounce $99 "Bat Hang Hoodie" which appears very similar to Patagonia's R1 Hoodie.

See (scroll down):

http://www.eddiebauer.com/FIRST-ASCENT/First-Ascent-Mens/First-Ascent-Mens-Insulation/index.cat

That's a nice looking piece. I've been looking for a new winter midlayer, mine is about ready for retirement.

The hangfire looks like a bomber piece if the conditions call for it.

Steve,
How do you think this compares to the 10 ounce MEC Expedition Longsleeved Zip T?

The MEC doesn't have an offset zipper or a pocket but still looks serviceable at about half the price.

Editing: TRYING to add link...
UNABLE to add link...
Google [ mec zip t expedition men ]

Edited by greg23 on 05/29/2009 09:08:01 MDT.

Greg,
MEC makes great stuff, and honestly, you can rarely beat the prices. I haven't seen either garment in question but can run over and take a look tomorrow (MEC is across the street from me). I can live without the hood and pocket (I always bring my ninjaclava), but I would miss the thumb loops and the offset zip.

They are probably similar in warmth (no scientific reasoning other then the similar weight of the two garments).

Just another option at a lower price. My Possum Down gloves and hat live in the tunnel pocket.

http://www.sierratradingpost.com/p/,38331_Sportif-USA-Brockway-Fleece-Hoodie-For-Men.html

melanzana

micro grid hoodie - comfy, light, great hood, inexpensive, very small business (5 people), super nice people.

spec on my XL is 340g (12 oz.)

Edited by anywayoutside on 05/29/2009 19:54:45 MDT.

But it's 5 ounces more...

I kept looking for a cheaper alternative to the R1 hoodie but like the other options proposed above, none had all three of the options I wanted (the 1/2 zip, thumb loops, and off-center zipper). Finally patagonia had a web special (like they do now...) for a $70 R1 hoodie and I picked one up. Otherwise, I may have purchased the First Ascent version.

In my opinion, the R1 hoodie with the features mentioned above make it such a "must own" piece of clothing. It has such a diverse range of uses.

While you're over there, see if they have a MEC Expedition Stretch Hoodie and/or a MEC Thermal Hoodie

http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302699173&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442627307


http://www.mec.ca/Products/product_detail.jsp?FOLDER%3C%3Efolder_id=2534374302873229&PRODUCT%3C%3Eprd_id=845524442621832