Eddie Bauer’s documented strength is functional, affordable outdoor apparel with a long heritage. Founded in Seattle more than a century ago by outdoorsman Eddie Bauer, the brand built its reputation on down jackets and outdoor gear. Its Guide Pro pants remain especially well-regarded. BetterTrail called them a reasonably priced, no-frills, functional hiking pant that held up impressively, with a StormRepel DWR finish that helps moisture bead off and dry quickly. Popular Science describes the women’s Guide Pro High-Rise as a reader-favorite with two-way stretch, DWR and UPF 50+. Trailspace reviewers rate the Guide Pro Lined Pants 4.5 out of 5, with one calling them crazy comfortable and well-built.
Eddie Bauer’s down jackets are also popular. Backpackers.com praised the MicroTherm StormDown for mobility, warmth and layering, and notes it was succeeded by the MicroTherm 2.0, which has a smoother, more mobile fit and recycled ripstop shell. Eddie Bauer’s lineup includes MicroTherm 2.0 down jackets and vests, CirrusLite down jackets, rain jackets, flannel-lined pants, fleece and travel wear. Prices are often heavily discounted. Popular Science has listed the Guide Pro Lined Pants at $49 (normally $99) and the MicroTherm 2.0 Packable Down Hooded Jacket at $134 (normally $269) during half-off sales.
Big changes have reshaped the brand. Eddie Bauer LLC, which operated the brand’s stores in the US and Canada, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed all of its North American stores after no buyer emerged, according to ConsumerAffairs and Yahoo Finance. The brand itself is owned by Authentic Brands Group, and Eddie Bauer’s e-commerce, wholesale and design operations moved to a longtime licensee, Outdoor 5, so products remain available online and through wholesale partners.
The honest caveat: Eddie Bauer’s Trustpilot score is 1.3 from 1,163 reviews, with 90% one-star ratings, and it hasn’t replied to negative reviews. Trustpilot’s AI summary describes unhelpful support, long shipping delays, defective items and difficulty getting refunds. Reviewers report online orders stuck in processing for weeks, no ability to cancel, missing items refunded rather than reshipped, return fees of about $6.50 to $10, discount codes not applied, and gift cards and warranties not honored after the bankruptcy. Fiona (US, 5 stars) still loved her flannel-lined jeans, calling them warm with an accurate size guide.
Quick Highlights
✅ Guide Pro pants praised for durability and weather resistance
✅ StormRepel DWR finish, per BetterTrail
✅ UPF 50+ on Guide Pro High-Rise Pants, per Popular Science
✅ Guide Pro Lined Pants rated 4.5/5 on Trailspace
✅ MicroTherm 2.0 down jackets with recycled ripstop shells
✅ Frequent sales at up to 50% off
✅ More than a century of outdoor heritage
✅ Flannel- and fleece-lined pants for cold weather
✅ Products still sold online and through wholesale
✅ Accurate size guide on some items, per a reviewer
✅ Wide range of men’s and women’s outdoor apparel
✅ Affordable compared with premium outdoor brands on sale
❌ Trustpilot score of 1.3 from 1,163 reviews, 90% one-star
❌ All North American stores closed after bankruptcy
❌ Orders stuck in processing, per reviewers
❌ Orders can’t be canceled, per reviewers
❌ Return fees of about $6.50 to $10, per reviewers
❌ Gift cards and older warranties not honored, per reviewers
❌ Hasn’t replied to negative Trustpilot reviews
Why Trust This Review
This review draws on 1,163 Trustpilot reviews of Eddie Bauer (TrustScore 1.3) and its AI summary, gear testing from BetterTrail, Backpackers.com and Trailspace, sale pricing from Popular Science, and coverage of the bankruptcy from ConsumerAffairs, Yahoo Finance and Wikipedia. Eddie Bauer hasn’t invited Trustpilot reviews recently or replied to negative ones. Policies may change as Outdoor 5 takes over operations, so check current terms before ordering. GlossGirly has no commercial relationship with Eddie Bauer that affects this verdict.
Full Review Breakdown
Guide Pro Pants and Hiking Wear
The Guide Pro line is Eddie Bauer’s most praised product. BetterTrail said it was impressed by how well the $85 pants held up, praising its StormRepel DWR finish for shedding light rain and drying quickly. Popular Science says the women’s Guide Pro High-Rise Pants have two-way stretch, DWR and UPF 50+, making them tough enough for trails yet polished for travel.
The Guide Pro Lined Pants add a polyester fleece lining. A Trailspace reviewer called them crazy comfortable, warm, durable and stretchy, with good initial DWR, though they may need a belt. Climbers on Mountain Project have long praised Guide Pro pants for durability, though one said the fit was baggy.
Down Jackets and Cold-Weather Gear
Eddie Bauer’s MicroTherm jackets are its signature cold-weather pieces. Backpackers.com praised the MicroTherm StormDown for mobility, warmth and layering, and said it was replaced by the MicroTherm 2.0, with a smoother, more mobile fit, a slightly longer cut and recycled ripstop shell fabric. A Trailspace reviewer called the First Ascent MicroTherm Down Hooded Jacket awesome for day hikes and layering.
The range also includes CirrusLite down jackets, packable down vests, rain jackets, parkas and flannel-lined pants. Fiona praised her flannel-lined jeans as the best thing ever, warm and accurately sized.
The Bankruptcy and What It Means for Shoppers
Eddie Bauer’s store operator, Eddie Bauer LLC, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed all of its US and Canadian stores after receiving no qualified bids, according to Yahoo Finance and court-based coverage. The bankruptcy covered only the store operator, not the brand owner, Authentic Brands Group. E-commerce, wholesale and design operations moved to Outdoor 5, so the brand continues online.
This transition affected some customers. Lisa (US, 1 star) said a gift card she bought before the bankruptcy was declared invalid, since gift cards were honored in stores only up to a deadline during the closing sales. Mike m (US, 1 star) said the new operators wouldn’t honor the warranty on a duffle bag bought before the bankruptcy. Paul Brickman (US, 1 star) said a $175 gift certificate wasn’t accepted.
Online Orders, Returns and Customer Service
Online service draws heavy criticism. John Smith (US, 1 star) said only 3 of 13 items shipped more than a month after ordering, and he couldn’t cancel the rest. Lisa Dodson (US, 1 star) and Tina Ratwani (US, 1 star) said orders sat in processing with no estimated ship date. Veronika Khanina (US, 1 star) and Kelsie (US, 1 star) said missing items were refunded rather than reshipped, even though prices had since risen.
Returns carry fees. Kiran Addepalli (US, 1 star) said $6.50 was deducted from his refund, and L Schmidt (US, 1 star) reported a $10 return charge. Lynn (US, 1 star) said her reward couldn’t be combined with a discount and free shipping turned into a $10 charge at checkout. Order only items you’re confident about and check final shipping and return costs before paying.
Best Products Worth Buying
Eddie Bauer’s best-known hiking pants, with two-way stretch, StormRepel DWR and UPF 50+ on women’s high-rise versions, per BetterTrail and Popular Science. BetterTrail praised their durability and quick-drying fabric. Best for hiking, travel and everyday outdoor wear. Trade-offs: no-frills pocket design, and fit can run roomy for some. Buy during sales and check the size chart.
Guide Pro pants with a polyester fleece lining for cold-weather hiking and daily wear, rated 4.5 out of 5 on Trailspace. Best for winter hikes, cold commutes and outdoor work. Trade-offs: may need a belt, per a Trailspace reviewer.
Eddie Bauer’s signature down jacket, updated with a smoother fit, longer cut and recycled ripstop shell, according to Backpackers.com. Best for cold-weather layering and everyday winter wear. Trade-offs: check warranty terms under the new operator before buying.
Warm, flannel-lined denim that Fiona called the best thing ever, with an accurate size guide. Best for cold-weather casual wear. Trade-offs: order early, since some customers report long processing times.
What Customers Actually Think
“I bought some flannel lined jeans and I thought they were the best thing ever.” — Fiona, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 5 stars, flannel-lined jeans)
“Crazy comfortable, well-built, and an easy trail-to-town transition.” — Trailspace reviewer (Guide Pro Lined Pants)
“Advertising returns as ‘free’ while deducting fees from the refund is misleading if these charges are not clearly disclosed to customers before purchase.” — Kiran Addepalli, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 1 star, jacket)
“Eddie Bauer filed for bankruptcy a few weeks after my purchase and the new owners of the brand will not honor the warranty.” — Mike m, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 1 star, duffle bag)
“To date, only a small portion of the order (3 out of 13 items) has shipped, while the rest remains unfulfilled.” — John Smith, Trustpilot reviewer (US, 1 star, online order)
Is It Worth It?
Only for specific products bought on deep discount, like Guide Pro pants and MicroTherm jackets. Given widespread shipping, return and warranty problems after the bankruptcy, consider buying Eddie Bauer through trusted wholesale retailers, and check return fees and warranty terms before purchasing.
Competitors Table
Feature | Eddie Bauer | L.L.Bean | Patagonia | Columbia | REI Co-op | Lands’ End |
Trustpilot rating | 1.3/5 (1,163 reviews) | Not checked | 1.8/5 (563 reviews) | Not checked | Not checked | Not checked |
Signature product | Guide Pro pants | Bean Boots | Nano Puff | Omni-Heat jackets | Trailmade | Outerwear |
Physical stores | Closed in North America | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Limited |
Frequent 50% sales | Yes | Limited | Rare | Yes | Seasonal | Yes |
Return fees | Yes, per reviewers | Varies | Varies | Varies | Free for members | Varies |
Price level | Budget to mid | Mid | Premium | Budget to mid | Mid | Budget to mid |
FAQs
Is Eddie Bauer still in business?
Yes, online. Its North American stores closed after the store operator’s bankruptcy, but the brand continues online and through wholesale.
Who runs Eddie Bauer now?
Authentic Brands Group owns the brand, and Outdoor 5 runs its e-commerce and wholesale operations.
Are Eddie Bauer Guide Pro pants good?
Yes. Testers like BetterTrail praise their durability and weather resistance.
Does Eddie Bauer charge for returns?
Reviewers report return fees of about $6.50 to $10.
Are old Eddie Bauer gift cards still valid?
Reviewers say gift cards from before the bankruptcy have not been honored.
Final Verdict
Eddie Bauer still makes some genuinely good outdoor apparel, especially Guide Pro pants and MicroTherm down jackets, and frequent half-off sales make them affordable. The brand’s heritage and functional designs remain appealing.
But the brand is going through a turbulent transition, and recent customers report serious problems with orders, returns, gift cards and warranties. Buy only on deep sales, check return costs, and consider wholesale retailers. For now, Eddie Bauer products are worth considering, but buying directly comes with real risk.
Scorecard
Category | Score |
Product Performance | 8.0/10 |
Comfort | 8.2/10 |
Durability | 7.4/10 |
Value on Sale | 8.6/10 |
Order Fulfillment | 3.0/10 |
Customer Service | 2.4/10 |
Returns & Warranty | 3.0/10 |
Brand Stability | 4.0/10 |
Overall | 5.6/10 |
