Eddie Bauer x Huckberry Skyliner Jacket

From town to trail – you can wear this jacket anywhere…

Eddie Bauer are one of the most trusted names in the outdoor industry. From their First Ascent® alpinist line, to their famous comfy flannels and fleeces, Eddie Bauer are the first choice for many. When you pair such an iconic traditional brand with the gear powerhouse that is Huckberry, only good things can happen – like the Skyliner Jacket. 

Eddie Bauer have led the way in many outdoor innovations, particularly when it comes to material choices. We always say at Carry HQ that many of the best products on the market are born from problem-solving and the Skyliner Jacket is a testament to that. After a particularly harrowing experience, where hypothermia almost took his life, Eddie Bauer vowed to make sure that it would never happen again and created the world’s first down jacket in 1936. Warm, tough, and lightweight, his idea was to keep adventure possible even in the harshest conditions. Since then, the down jacket has been produced by companies the world over, and is one of the most ubiquitous outdoor items. The Skyliner down jacket has been in service for almost 100 years!

Fashion-forward

It wouldn’t be an Eddie Bauer x Huckberry collaboration if this jacket didn’t look the part, and it does! Coming in a custom Bark colorway, this jacket is truly suitable from town to trail. Subtle and understated, the nylon shell with DWR is more akin to waxed cotton and will go with you on adventures for years to come! The bomber silhouette is updated from the original 1936 style, providing a functional fit that allows you to move freely while still providing great coverage and protection.

Internally, a soft, luxurious flannel is comforting on the colder days while the ribbed hem, cuffs and collar keep all the heat in. The diamond baffles are a nod to the original design and make this down jacket stand out in a market where you have approximately ten thousand choices! A tasteful collaboration label and another small patch (depicting one of the original Skyliner schematics and some information about the heritage) complete a special piece that is sure to be the envy of many due to the limited run. Classy touches like these make it stand out from other jackets.

Function

Stuffed full of ultra high loft 800-fill power down (RDS® certified), this jacket will keep you warm on even the coldest days. I had no problems with just a t-shirt underneath on crispy 30ºF PNW days by the water, and felt like I was still in bed watching the sunrise or sunsets from the pebbled beaches. The Skyliner was just as at home when visiting breweries or museums as it was out on the hiking trail. Admittedly, this is a very warm jacket for any serious exertion, but it feels excellent to put on when you pause. It even doubled as a nice blanket for my wife and I to enjoy a beer and snack after a hearty hike. Thanks to the tough materials, I had no concerns at all.

Comfortable hand warmer pockets take the edge off and are deep enough to house a wallet and phone. But be aware that these are not zippered pockets, so be careful when you sit down! Internally there is a zippered chest pocket, big enough for my iPhone and wallet. Finished with a small paracord loop, this is easy to use – gloved or not. The same is true of the leather pull tab on the beefy main zipper.

The Skyliner is an excellent choice for the cooler months of the year; many jackets profess to be “all-rounders” but not many do it with such panache. This truly is a town-to-trail jacket that can become your go-to in the autumn and winter months. Not only does it perform excellently and look great, but it’s a piece that is steeped in heritage and tradition. There is no reason it shouldn’t last for another 100 years like the original design.

Act fast – there are only 200 of these!