The Feathered Friends Eos is a premium lightweight down jacket made in the USA/Canada. At 10.6 oz / 300 g with 3.7 oz / 105 g of 900+ goose down, it's an ultralight package that will keep you warm in three-season conditions (and sometimes into that chilly fourth season).
It has two handwarmer pockets, a hood, elastic cuffs, and an adjustable hem. And in case you had an interest in the jacket's name, it comes from Greek mythology; Eos is the goddess of dawn (sister to Helios, god of the sun, and Selene, goddess of the moon).
Here's all you need to know about the Feathered Friends Eos down jacket.
Testing Conditions
I used the Feathered Friends Eos on multiple overnight backpacking trips in the Eastern Sierra and Lake Tahoe areas. I've also used it on a winter trip near Oregon's Mount Hood. I have the Eos in a large. I would probably fit into a medium (and think maybe I should have gotten a medium). That said, I'm still happy with the large. The only issue is that I can't use some of my smaller shells over it. I'm 5'10” (178 cm), 190 lbs (86 kg).
The Specs
- Weight: 10.6 oz / 300 g
- Shell Fabric: Pertex Quantum
- Material: Pertex Quantum brushed nylon with DWR (37 g/m2)
- Fill Power: 900+ goose down
- Fill Weight: 3.7 oz / 105 g
- Hood: Yes
- Pockets: 2
- Country of Origin: USA
- Sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL, XXL
- Color: Black, Blue Sky, Midnight, Sunburst
- MSRP: $339
The Features
- Zippered handwarmer pockets
- Sewn-through construction
- Fixed low-profile hood
- Elastic drawcord hem
- Lycra cuffs and hood
- Stuff Sack Included
- Ethically-sourced 900+ fill power goose down
- Made in Seattle, USA and Vancouver, Canada of imported materials
| Sizing – Inches | XS | S | M | L | XL | XXL |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chest | 35 | 37 | 39 | 41 | 44 | 47 |
| Waist | 28 | 30 | 32 | 35 | 38 | 41 |
| Sleeve | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 |
| Inseam | 31 | 31 | 32 | 32 | 33 | 33 |
Photo Gallery
The Good
Warmth: The Feathered Friends Eos is a lightweight down jacket that doesn't sacrifice warmth for weight. Some down jackets are so stupidly light that they are little more than a wind shell. The Eos gives you a sense of security that you'll be warm when you put it on; you trust it's going to keep you warm – and it does. It's not the lightest down jacket you can buy, but I would argue that it has one of the best warmth to weight ratios out there.
The Weight: The weight of the Eos is nothing to scoff at. At 10.6 oz / 300 g (average weight for a size medium). It's light enough that nobody would look twice at you for including it as part of your ultralight kit, but, as noted above, still weighs enough with its 3.7 oz / 105 g of down, to keep you warm when you need it to.
The Pockets: The Eos has two handwarmer pockets. Handwarmer pockets are those pockets where you put your hands…to keep them warm…handwarmer. The handwarmer pockets on the Eos jacket inspire confidence when you put your hands in them. It doesn't feel like there's nothing but a nylon shell between your hands and the cold; there's actually down there to keep your hands warm.
The Okay
The Water Resistance: The Feathered Friends Eos is not advertised as being waterproof, and it's not. The Pertex Quantum shell of the Eos has a DWR finish (and DWR = durable water repellent). This means it holds up to light rain and light snow without issue, but anything moderate to heavy and the jacket will soak through. Having used it in both rain and snow I can confirm that it sheds light precipitation but can start to soak through after things get heavier or after extended exposure to even lighter conditions (i.e. you wouldn't want to hike all day in even light rain without a shell to cover the Eos).
The Hood: I'll start by saying that I love the hood on the Eos. However, if you want to use this jacket with a helmet, you will probably find the hood to be a bit small. But as a backpacking jacket (or activity-that-doesn't-require-a-helmet jacket), the hood is great. An elastic band rims the hood and the zipper comes up high enough that it prevents the hood from blowing off in wind or coming off when you need to suddenly sprint away from something scary in the bushes.
The Bad
The Color: The Feathered Friends Eos comes in four colors, Black, Blue Sky (a light blue), Midnight (a dark blue), and Sunburst (orange). I have a Sunburst Eos and am happy with the color, but online (on the Feathered Friends website) it looks like it's gold. The Sunburst is not gold, it's orange. The orange is fine, but I would prefer a gold color like the website shows. Maybe it's just me, but the color it appears to be on the website is quite different from the color it is in real life.
The Price: In addition to having one of the best warmth-to-weight ratios of any jacket I've used, the Eos also has one of the highest dollar-to-warmth/weight ratios of any jacket I've used. At $339 (plus tax), it's not cheap. It costs more than many backpacks, tents, sleeping pads, and sleeping bags; it could easily be the most expensive piece of gear in your kit. That said, it is a quality piece of gear made in the USA/Canada. You get what you pay for (which is quality).
Who is it for?
Beginner Backpackers: The Eos is probably a bit overkill if you're just casually backpacking. I don't consider myself very fashionable (all I wear is trail clothing), but I don't know how well this would serve you as a casual jacket. That is unless you need a casual jacket because you live somewhere that gets cold and you want something to keep you warm. In that case, go for it.
Weekend Warriors: The Eos would be a welcome addition to the pack of any weekend warrior, but you could certainly get away with something less expensive – especially if you live somewhere or are recreating somewhere with warmer temperatures. A weekend warrior may be hesitant to spend this much on a jacket for themselves, but if you're looking for an awesome jacket to give as a gift, the Eos could be it.
Thru-hikers: I know gear for a thru-hike can add up quickly (as far as dollars spent), but the Feathered Friends Eos is a great option for a thru-hike if you can afford it. Seriously, Feathered Friends makes quality garments and you will not regret having this jacket in your kit. And as I said before, it's not the absolute lightest insulated jacket out there, but if you can afford a small weight penalty for something that will actually keep you warm, then look no further.
Popular Alternatives
| JACKET | PRICE | WEIGHT | INSULATION | HOOD | POCKETS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer 2 Hooded | $325 | 8.8 oz / 249 g | 800-fill goose down | Yes | 2 zippered hand |
| Patagonia Nano Puff Hoody | $249 | 12.8 oz / 363 g | 60-g PrimaLoft Gold Insulation Eco 55-100% post-consumer recycled polyester | Yes | 2 zippered hand |
| Enlightened Equipment Torrid APEX Jacket | $170 | 8.4 oz / 238 g | Climashield APEX | Yes | 2 zippered hand |
| Arc'teryx Cerium LT Down Hoodie | $380 | 10.9 oz / 309 g | 850-fill goose down | Yes | 2 zippered hand / 1 zippered internal |
Wrap Up
The Feathered Friends Eos is an expensive, but all-around awesome jacket. If you want a jacket that's going to serve you more than as a checkbox on your gear list, then the Eos is a great option. It's probably my favorite lightweight puffy, but I don't bring it if I am expecting warmer (lower) temperatures since it keeps me quite warm (I can't imagine hiking in it in three-season conditions, but I run hot).
Questions, comments, or personal experience with the Feathered Friends Eos? Leave a comment below and let me (us) know!
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