I just bought an Eddie Bauer PEAK XV down belay/expedition parka on sale. Original price was $499. and it's on sale for $299. After reading Backpacking Light's "State-of-the-Market Report" on down parkas I saw the EB parka met almost all the highest criterion. It is not in the review however the Patagonia Fitz Roy parka is virtually identical - but a lot more expensive.

The EB PEAK XV is fully baffled (not sewn-thru), torso, arms and hood. The hood fits over a ski or climbing helmet. It fits over my largest ski helmet with ease.

This is a true -40 F./C parka for extreme conditions and for sitting around a cold camp. Very good quality of materials and construction. It has a Cordura brand shell (doesn't look like standard Cordura), a hem drawstring accessible from inside the hand warmer pockets or outside the hem. The hood face drawstrings are captive inside the hood so they don't whip your face in the wind. The back of the hood has a horizontal drawstring to give better peripheral vision when the face drawstrings are pulled in.

It has 3 exterior pockets and 3 interior pockets as is standard on these belay parkas. The inside of the area of the lower face is covered with soft suede-like material.
**The down is treated with a DWR (Durable Water Repellant)so it takes up 30% less moisture and dries about 60% faster than untreated down.

It is a bit heavier than similar parkas but that comes from the more rugged shell fabric.
I live in Nevada so plan to use it when backcountry ski camping at altitudes over 8,000 ft., mainly in camp and when alpine skiing in nasty weather.

Consider this an "insurance" parka.

Eric B.