Modifying a new Eddie Bauer PEAK XV down parka

P.S. I have made very little of my own gear but have modified nearly every tent and pack I’ve ever owned.  So far every mod has proven very useful.

I dunno about other backpackers but sometimes (when I’m not exhausted from the day’s trip) I lie in my tent and think of how my gear could be “improved”.  And often I see other packs, tents or articles of clothing that inspire me to hand my own gear.

EX. Both my Tarptent Moment DW and SCARP 2 have been modded with the optional crossing poles being shortened and run beneath the flys for better strength against wind and snow load.

As well I’ve sewn light nylon webbing tape stake loops to the tent fly hems to be able to nail them down in a big wind storm to prevent flapping. This feature is a necessity and Tarptent now includes them as standard on some tents and optional on others. This also helps with preventing snow buildup from easily pushing in the fly. Snow slides off the fly and builds up rather quickly in a storm.

Have you ever considered having a jacket made by one of the fine cottage companies available? Might be a better value.

Ken, As a matter of fact I looked at two cottage companies (Nunatak and Goosefeet) and they have nice parka, especially Goosefeet, for my tastes at least.

But this EB parks seemed to have what I wanted for a bit less, like at least $100. less with the amount of fill I wanted and the larger over-helmet hood. With Goosefeet I could have had a longer parka and that was tempting.