ATTA Major Sponsor and Official Outfitter Eddie Bauer has won the National Geographic Gear of the Year Award for it's Emperor down jacket:Those puffy down jackets we all love so much sure are purty ... and for skiing and the like, they’re ideal. But when you’re tough on your coat out in the cold, you need a jacket that can take it, such as Eddie Bauer’s Emperor parka. The Emperor is work wear, designed with input from Antarctic Logistics and Expeditions, which provides support for expeditions down south. It's the real deal: The heavy-duty nylon shell resists abrasion, precip, and water, while the 700-fill down insulation is so hearty it feels like you could survive a long South Pole winter in it. There are seven external pockets, most of which are large enough to access wearing gauntlet gloves or mittens, and four internal ones, too. The hood is huge—plenty big enough for a helmet, but if you actually use the Emperor for snow play, make sure it’s really cold ($399; www.eddiebauer.com).
