Down jackets certainly can keep you warm and serve as comfy airplane pillows, but often take up too much room to be worth bringing along on a trip. The Eddie Bauer Microtherm Down Shirt, lacks the bulk of full-sized down jackets, making it easy to pack.
The Down Shirt has 800-fill Premium European Goose Down, which helps trap your core heat, and is ideal as a mid or emergency layer. The ripstop shell includes StormRepel DWR finish, to shed drizzle and rain. It’s not fully waterproof, however, so keep that in mind.
Stretch panels are integrated at the arms for breathability and active movement, and the hand pockets don’t have zippers, so you don’t have to worry about snagging your sleeve. Speaking of sleeves, the elasticized cuffs help seal in heat and keep the sleeves from sliding around too much. There’s also an interior, zippered pocket with a small hole to stick your earbuds through, for those who want to bring music along.
The Down Shirt fits close to your body, so if you plan on using it as a last layer, you may consider getting a size up. I generally wear a small sized jacket, but I got a medium.
The thing that bugs me the most about down jackets is all the tiny feathers that I have to constantly brush off my clothes. It’s a small sacrifice for staying warm, I know. It’s irritating, nonetheless.
In extremely cold climates, the Down Shirt isn’t likely to be the only jacket you pack, but it’ll definitely help boost the warmth of the others. Plus, did I mention the secondary use as a pillow? It really works.
The Eddie Bauer Microtherm Down Shirt lists for $179 on the Eddie Bauer website, although it can go on sale for less than $100 outside the high season. On Amazon, there’s one color available, priced at $100.
