First Ascent Heyburn 2.0 Jacket

First Ascent Heyburn 2.0 jacket, Blister Gear ReviewFirst Ascent Heyburn 2.0 Jacket

Features:

  • Waterproof/Breathable 2-Layer Shell
  • WeatherEdge® Plus 5.54 oz 70-denier fabric with StormRepel ® DWR finish; rated 10k/10k
  • Core Vents with Mesh Linking for Maximum Breathability
  • Built in Snow Skirt
  • Integrated Hood
  • YKK AQUAGUARD® Zippers

MSRP: $279

Test Locations: Mary Jane, Winter Park, Copper

Days Tested: 15

Lately I’ve received a lot of compliments on the First Ascent Heyburn 2.0 I’ve been sporting. On more than a few lift rides, people have commented on the jacket. Then, almost inevitably, I get asked some version of the same question: “Is that really Eddie Bauer?”

Seems many people don’t immediately think of skiing or mountaineering when they hear Eddie Bauer, but I think that’s changing as word gets out about First Ascent, their premium line of guide-designed gear. BLISTER’s Emily Cleveland had very positive things to say about the First Ascent Igniter Jacket, and after testing the Heyburn 2.0, I know my impression has certainly changed.

The first day I wore the First Ascent Heyburn 2.0 skiing, conditions weren’t exactly ideal for testing the ruggedness of a piece of outerwear: a perfect bluebird day and 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Halfway across the parking lot, I was regretting even wearing a jacket. On the chairlift up, with my jacket completely unzipped, I desperately searched for the pit-zips.

To my pleasant surprise, I found them strategically placed in front of the armpit instead of underneath. These not-so-traditional pit-zips are what First Ascent calls “core vents with mesh lining.” Not only are they easier to zip and unzip, I also found that having the vents along the front of the jacket allowed for maximum airflow and made them much more efficient than traditional pit-zips. Wearing only a base layer and keeping the vents open, I stayed cool and comfortable for the rest of the day.

First Ascent Heyburn 2.0 jacket, Blister Gear Review
Morgan Sweeney in the First Ascent Heyburn 2.0 Jacket.

The Heyburn 2.0 also showed its versatility in more adverse conditions, keeping me warm on stormy, snowy chair lift rides. This waterproof shell even withstood the strong winds that one day closed down nearly half of the Mary Jane chairlifts.

The 2-layer shell fabric is durable and waterproof without being too stiff. Some waterproof shells make me feel a little restricted, but First Ascent created a much softer, more flexible jacket. Overall, I found the Heyburn 2.0 jacket to be extremely versatile, keeping me warm and comfortable whether I was on top of a windy peak, skiing through rain and snow, or basking in the sun at the base of the mountain.

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