Eddie Bauer vs. Lands' End: Which brand should you buy? [2026]

Eddie Bauer focuses on high-performance outdoor gear with technical materials and a higher price point, making it ideal for true adventurers. Lands' End excels in providing affordable, versatile, and classic American-style clothing for everyday family life, prioritizing durability and value over technical specifications.

Let's find out which of these iconic brands is the right choice for your wardrobe and lifestyle.

Eddie Bauer: The Outdoor Performance Pioneer

Eddie Bauer is an American heritage brand built for the outdoors. Catering to hikers, travelers, and anyone needing durable apparel for challenging weather, its products are designed for function and performance. The brand pioneered down insulation and continues to use advanced materials to create gear that is warm, waterproof, and comfortable in rugged environments.

• Product mix: Specializes in insulated jackets, performance outerwear, hiking apparel, flannel shirts, and travel-friendly clothing. Core products are designed for specific outdoor activities like skiing, climbing, and hiking.
• Price point: Sits in the mid-to-premium range. Expect to pay $100 to over $300 for technical parkas and down jackets. Casual shirts and pants usually fall between $50 and $90.
• Quality & Materials: Known for using high-quality performance materials, including Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certified down, waterproof fabrics, and moisture-wicking technology. Garments are built to withstand wear and tear.
• Sizing/Fit: Sizing is generally true to size but often cut with a relaxed or classic fit to allow for layering underneath. Their fit is functional for movement required in outdoor pursuits.
• Sustainability: Actively committed to sustainability through responsible material sourcing, like RDS-certified down, and efforts to reduce their environmental footprint in manufacturing.
• Sales: Holds frequent sales, especially during seasonal changes and holidays, often offering discounts of 40-60%, making their premium gear much more accessible.

Eddie Bauer is the go-to for shoppers who need dependable and technically sound apparel for serious outdoor activities and are willing to invest in performance and longevity.

Shop Eddie Bauer: eddiebauer.com

Lands' End: The Expert in Classic American Style

Lands' End focuses on timeless, versatile apparel for the whole family. The brand is known for its durable basics, preppy aesthetic, and commitment to quality at an accessible price. Customers turn to Lands' End for well-made everyday clothing, from reliable outerwear and swimwear to comfortable knit tops and chinos that last for years.

• Product mix: Offers a wide array of men's, women's, and children's clothing, including outerwear, swimwear, dresses, knit shirts, and pants. They also have a significant home goods collection.
• Price point: Positioned in the affordable to mid-range category. Outerwear is typically priced between $50 and $200. T-shirts and polos are often found for $20-$40.
• Quality & Materials: Emphasizes durable, easy-care fabrics like Supima cotton, polyester fleece, and water-resistant nylon. The construction is solid and designed for longevity in daily use, though less focused on high-tech specs.
• Sizing/Fit: Well-known for its consistent, true-to-size fits and one of the most inclusive size ranges available, including petite, tall, plus, and kids' sizes.
• Sustainability: Is increasing its use of eco-friendly and recycled materials and works to improve sustainability in its supply chain, focusing on durability to reduce clothing waste.
• Sales: Runs aggressive promotions and sales year-round. It's common to find codes for 40-50% off full-priced items, combined with frequent free shipping offers.

Lands' End is ideal for budget-conscious families and individuals looking for well-fitting, dependable, and classic clothing that stands up to daily life.

Shop Lands' End: landsend.com

Eddie Bauer vs. Lands' End Comparison

Price Comparison

When it comes to price, Lands' End is consistently more budget-friendly across almost every category. You can often purchase an insulated winter coat from Lands' End for under $150, especially during one of their frequent sales. A technical parka from Eddie Bauer, featuring premium down or advanced waterproofing, will typically start around $200 and can exceed in price for higher-end models.

Eddie Bauer positions itself as a premium outdoor brand, and its pricing reflects the technical materials and design features needed for authentic outdoor performance. However, their regular holiday and end-of-season sales can bring prices down significantly, offering excellent value. For everyday casual wear, Lands' End clearly wins on affordability, with constant promotions that make their already practical prices even better.

Quality & Materials

Both brands are known for quality, but they define it differently. Eddie Bauer's quality is rooted in performance. They use materials designed to keep you warm and dry in harsh conditions, such as RDS-certified down insulation and seam-sealed waterproof shells. Their products are built for durability in rugged, active environments.

Lands' End quality is about everyday longevity and easy care. Their pieces are reliably constructed with sturdy fabrics like wrinkle-resistant broadcloth and pilling-resistant fleece. While a Lands' End coat will keep you warm and dry in a typical winter, it isn't designed for the same level of extreme weather performance as an equivalent from Eddie Bauer. Essentially, you're choosing between expedition-ready durability and daily-wear durability.

Product Selection & Style

Eddie Bauer’s style is functional and outdoorsy. Their aesthetic revolves around classic flannels, field jackets, hiking pants, and technical layers in earthy and practical color palettes. Their collection is tightly focused on outfitting you for outdoor activities and travel.

Lands' End offers a much broader, more classic American style that leans preppy and traditional. Their collection includes everything from work-appropriate blouses and chinos to family "match-and-save" swimsuits and school uniforms. Their style is less tied to a single activity and more focused on providing versatile pieces for all aspects of a busy life, making them a one-stop-shop for many families.

Fit & Sizing

Lands' End is a clear leader when it comes to inclusive sizing. They offer an extensive range of sizes, including petite, plus (up to 3X/26W), regular, and tall across most of their apparel lines for men and women. Their sizing is known for being consistent and reliable year after year.

Eddie Bauer also offers a good range of sizes, including tall and some plus options, but their catalog is less comprehensive than Lands' End. The fit of Eddie Bauer clothing is designed with outdoor activity in mind and may run slightly larger or more relaxed to accommodate base layers underneath. Always check the specific product's sizing chart, as fit can vary between technical and casual items.

Which One Should You Choose?

Both companies make excellent products, but they cater to very different priorities.

Choose Eddie Bauer if:

• You need gear for hiking, camping, skiing, or surviving freezing winters.
• You value high-performance materials like premium down and technical waterproof fabrics.
• You're willing to invest more for apparel that can withstand rugged use.
• Your personal style leans toward a functional, classic outdoor aesthetic.

Choose Lands' End if:

• You're shopping for affordable and versatile everyday clothing for the whole family.
• Finding a specific size, such as petite, tall, or plus, is a top priority.
• You prefer timeless, preppy styles over trend-focused or highly technical designs.
• You appreciate durable, easy-to-care-for fabrics for day-to-day life.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Eddie Bauer or Lands' End cheaper?

Lands' End is generally cheaper than Eddie Bauer. Their business model is built around providing great value and frequent promotions, making their clothing highly accessible for budget-conscious shoppers.

Which brand has better quality jackets?

This depends on your needs. For technical performance, warmth in extreme cold, and durability during outdoor adventures, Eddie Bauer jackets are of better quality. For everyday warmth, durability under normal wear-and-tear, and overall value, a Lands' End jacket offers excellent quality for its price.

How does Eddie Bauer's sizing run?

Eddie Bauer sizing is typically true to size but often has a relaxed, classic fit designed for layering and ease of movement. It's always a good idea to consult their sizing chart on the product page.

Which brand is better for plus-size options?

Lands' End offers one of the most comprehensive and consistent plus-size selections in the industry, making them a superior choice for shoppers looking for extended sizes across a wide variety of clothing styles.

Are Eddie Bauer and Lands' End the same company?

No, they are two separate and competing American companies, each with its own distinct history and brand identity.

Which has longer-lasting clothes?

Both brands make long-lasting clothes, but for different purposes. Eddie Bauer's technical gear is designed to last through years of rugged outdoor use. Lands' End's clothing is designed to last through countless cycles in the washing machine and years of everyday wear.

Can I return items to both brands easily?

Yes, both companies currently offer straightforward and competitive return policies. They allow returns on most items within a reasonable timeframe, with options to return via mail or to their retail store locations.

Do both stores have physical locations?

Yes, both Eddie Bauer and Lands' End operate physical retail and outlet stores across the United States, in addition to their robust online stores.