Review: Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket

Note: See my review of updated-for-2022 Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket.

Down Jacket
Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket
$389, 11 oz. (men’s medium)
Sizes: men’s S-XXL, women’s XS-XL
featheredfriends.com

From lunch stops at mountain passes buffeted by cold, autumn’s-around-the-corner winds in Glacier National Park in September, to mornings and evenings in temps in the thirties and forties on that six-day Glacier backpacking trip, another September backpacking trip in Yellowstone, and a four-day August trip in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains, the Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket persuaded me that it’s hands-down one of the very best puffy jackets on the market—and an incredible value at its price. I don’t offer such praise casually or very often. But there are few pieces of outdoor apparel or gear on which your money would be more wisely spent. Read on to learn why.

Made in the U.S. and stuffed with 3.7 ounces of ethically sourced, 900+-fill goose down, the Eos proved ideal in a range of temperatures down to the high 30s with sometimes strong, cold winds, in which the jacket kept me completely warm over just a long-sleeve top. That’s impressive warmth for a puffy jacket that weighs 11 ounces—its warmth-to-weight ratio is as good as any I’ve seen, and possibly only matched by the Arc’teryx Cerium LT, which costs $40 more (and is a hybrid down-synthetic puffy).


Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here for my e-guides to classic backpacking trips. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip.


Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket.
Testing the Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket in Glacier National Park.

While the down isn’t treated for water resistance (which is more common in sleeping bags), it is packed inside a water-resistant, Pertex Quantum shell with a DWR (durable, water-resistant treatment) that sheds light precipitation; short of you standing outside in a steady rain without a rain shell over it, the Eos will keep its down dry. As with any lightweight and ultralight jacket, the 12-denier by 20-denier shell fabric is tough for its very low weight, but susceptible to tears, so be careful with it. The construction is top-notch, though, with sewn-through baffles that prevent down from migrating. While sewn-through baffles help reduce garment weight and are common in lightweight down jackets, they can create cold spots along seams where there’s essentially no insulation. But that was not a problem in the toasty Eos, even in temps in the upper 30s Fahrenheit.

The elasticized hood isn’t adjustable—that would add weight—but has a supremely well-tailored fit that keeps cold air out and even stays put on your head when the jacket’s front zipper is opened halfway, which is remarkable.

Find your next adventure in your Inbox. Sign up for my FREE email newsletter now.

The jacket sports two adequately spacious, zippered hand pockets, elasticized cuffs, and a drawcord hem. It packs down to fit in the included, three-liter, 8×5.5-inch stuff sack, a nice size for a camping pillow—compact and light enough that I kept it near the top of my backpack to pull out during snack breaks in chilly wind at high passes in Glacier.

At a price that’s even beats some high-end down jackets that are not nearly as warm (i.e., they’re lighter and made for milder conditions), the men’s and women’s Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket delivers exceptional quality in an insulated jacket that’s warm enough for camping in temps near or below freezing, and that you could wear around town in winter. When it comes to weighing dollar-for-dollar value, you will rarely spend your money so wisely as on this puffy jacket.

I can help you plan the best backpacking, hiking, or family adventure of your life.
Click here now to learn more.

 

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog by clicking either of these links to purchase a men’s Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket at featheredfriends.com, or a women’s Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket at featheredfriends.com.

See all of my reviews of insulated jackets and outdoor apparel that I like at The Big Outside, and my review “The 10 Best Down Jackets.” (The Feathered Friends Eos is one of them.)

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons at right, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

 

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

You live for the outdoors. The Big Outside helps you get out there. Join now and a get free e-guide!

Previous

Aside for Widgets

Style Guide

Next

Leave a Comment

1 thought on “Review: Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket”

  1. Thanks for the review Michael, seems like a great jacket!

    I had a question about the hood. I’m a little concerned with the lack of an adjustable shockcord or other system to really customize the volume and fit of the hood. Did you have any issues in high winds with the hood allowing cold air in?

    I also like to supplement my sleeping quilt with a hooded down jacket in cold weather and wonder what your thoughts on this are and if the FF would be a good fit still?

    Thanks for all the great info you put out, really appreciate it!

    Reply