Eddie Bauer CirrusLite Down Jacket vs Eddie Bauer Microlight IV Down Jacket

Both are lightweight Eddie Bauer down jackets with 650-fill down, a DWR nylon shell and zip hand pockets, so the choice comes down to fit and packing. The CirrusLite is the broader pick: it comes in regular, tall, petite/short and plus sizes, has a higher stand collar and a slightly longer body for layering over a sweater. The Microlight IV packs into its own zip pocket, which suits travelers and commuters who want a jacket that disappears into a bag. Owners of both report the shells are thin and the down loses loft over years of hard use; neither is a rugged outer layer.

• Choose the CirrusLite if you want the wider size range, a higher collar and a bit more length for cold-weather layering.
• Choose the Microlight IV if packing the jacket into its own pocket matters more to you than size options.