Lethal Descent 3L Eagle Jacket

Lethal Descent 3L Eagle Jacket

Size: Large

Zipper Length: 32 inches / 81.3 centimeters

Features:

• 25K/25K waterproof/breathable 3LDry fabric
• DWR
• Slim, longer fit
• Full function adjustable powder skirt
• YKK waterproof zippers throughout
• All zips laser cut and welded
• All seams taped
• Expandable gussets on cuff
• Spacious front pockets
• 4 interior pockets
• Large, adjustable hood
• Laminated hood brim
• Interior bonded microfleece; chin and neck
• Simple articulated arms
• Subtle embroidered logos

Reviewer: 5’10”, 185 lbs.

Test Locations: Las Leñas, Taos Ski Valley

Days Skied: 20

Days Worn: 30

MSRP: US$330

Here’s the deal: according to the Mayans and a bunch of people on Facebook, the world is going to end tomorrow. So just in case this is my last night on earth, I’m going to try to wrap this up a little quicker than normal. Besides, if the world does end, (1) you won’t need this jacket, and (2) there are a couple of other things I’d prefer to be doing tonight….

Plus, our reviewer Jed Doane is also getting time in this jacket, so he’ll be giving his take on the Lethal Descent 3L Eagle, too, if, of course, we’re all still around after tomorrow.

Two Facts:

(1) The Lethal Descent 3-layer Eagle jacket is a fully legit, high-end, technical jacket.

(2) Currently, it is probably the best value on the market in the 3L jacket category.

We’re particularly proud of these facts because Lethal Descent is a company that was started in 2006 by BLISTER’s outerwear expert, Sam Shaheen, when he was a senior in high school. (Yep, high school.)

And by the way, the word “expert” is thrown around on the Internet—and perhaps especially in gear review circles—to an alarmingly stupid degree. Sam is not a self-appointed Internet Expert, he’s an actual expert: you know, someone with actual expertise.

He graduated last year from UC Boulder with a degree in chemical and biological engineering (plus a minor in applied mathematics), so he has a decent understanding of waterproof membranes.

But if you need more evidence, I strongly encourage you to read the Outerwear 101 article that Sam wrote for BLISTER. I don’t know if it’s the smartest 101 piece ever written on the topic, but it’s the smartest that any of us at BLISTER have ever read.

Another reason I feel okay about keeping this review shorter than normal is because there is exceptionally good information on the Lethal Descent website about this jacket: about the sizing of the 3L Eagle, about its features, about the waterproof/breathable laminate, and about the details of the 3L Eagle. Frankly, the information and product shots on the LD website put most clothing companies to shame.

Yet another reason that I’m going to shorthand this review for the moment is because I’ve already written a review of another quite similar jacket that I also like a lot—and Sam does, too: The North Face Enzo jacket.

The Enzo is a slightly wider cut than the 3L Eagle jacket, but I have no problem comfortably fitting a size large Patagonia Ultralight Down Hoody, a medium Patagonia Down Sweater, or a medium The North Face Red Point jacket under the Enzo or the 3L Eagle. And one thing I prefer about the 3L Eagle is that it has a straight zipper, not an offset one like the Enzo’s.

The Enzo is slightly lighter than the 3L Eagle, however, and it also has a removable powder skirt, if you’re really trying to save weight. But personally, I never bother to remove the Enzo’s powder skirt, even on spring days when there’s no chance I’ll use it. The Enzo is already really light.

LD calls the 3L Eagle a “slim, longer fit” and my size large is exactly 2 inches longer than my size large North Face Enzo.

All right, I’m going to leave it at that for now, and I’ll share more specifics very soon if we’re still around to do things like wear jackets. But for now…

Bottom Line

As I mentioned at the top, I know of no 3L jacket of this quality that can compare with the price point of the Lethal Descent 3L Eagle. And so far, I have found no performance differences between the LD Eagle and TNF Enzo.

If you happen to have an unlimited budget and you’re looking for an excellent 3-layer jacket, I have no reservations about recommending the Eagle.

And if happen to be a normal person who is on a budget, well, you might want to send Sam a thank-you note.

You can now read Jed Doane’s 2nd Look of the 3L Eagle Jacket.