You’re driving up I-71, the Ohio sky is that flat, tufted gray color, and you’ve got a specific mission in mind. You need a new down vest. Or maybe those flannel-lined chinos that make surviving a Midwestern January actually possible. You’ve heard there’s an Eddie Bauer Outlet Columbus location, but if you plug that exact phrase into a dated GPS, you might end up circling a suburban strip mall that hasn’t seen a goose-down parka since 2014.
Retail is weird now.
It used to be simple. You went to the mall, you found the green sign with the cursive script, and you bought a fleece. But the "outlet" game in Central Ohio has shifted. If you’re looking for the genuine Eddie Bauer Outlet experience in the Columbus area, you aren’t actually going to be in Columbus proper. You’re heading north. Specifically, you’re aiming for Sunbury.
The Tanger Factor: Where the Gear Actually Lives
The primary hub for the Eddie Bauer Outlet Columbus crowd is the Tanger Outlets Columbus. It’s located at 400 South Wilson Road in Sunbury, Ohio. Don't let the name fool you; everyone calls it the "Columbus outlets," even though you're technically about 20 minutes north of the 270 loop.
Why does this matter? Because the inventory here is fundamentally different from what you’d find at a "full-line" store like the one at Polaris Fashion Place.
Honestly, the distinction between "outlet" and "retail" has blurred over the years. Most people assume outlets are just dumping grounds for last season’s leftovers. Sometimes that’s true. You’ll find the odd shirt in a neon purple that nobody wanted in October. But mostly, Eddie Bauer—like many legacy outdoor brands—actually manufactures specific lines for their outlet stores.
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It’s a bit of a trade secret.
You’re getting the same aesthetic, but maybe the fabric is a slightly different weight or the zippers are a different grade. However, for the average person just trying to stay warm while walking the dog in Clintonville, the price-to-performance ratio at the Sunbury outlet is usually unbeatable. We’re talking 40% to 60% off MSRP on a regular Tuesday.
What You’ll Actually Find Inside
Step inside. It smells like new polyester and rugged ambition.
The layout is usually predictable but effective. Men’s on one side, women’s on the other, and a back wall that looks like a colorful graveyard of backpacks and sleeping bags. If you’re lucky, the "Clearance" racks at the very back are where the real blood sport happens.
I’ve seen First Ascent gear—their high-end technical line designed for actual mountaineers—tucked away in those clearance bins for $30. That’s gear designed for Everest, sold at a price point usually reserved for a fast-food meal for two.
The Layers
Ohio weather is indecisive. It’s 60 degrees at noon and snowing by 4 PM. This is where the Eddie Bauer Outlet Columbus shines. They specialize in the "system."
- The Base: Those 2.0 Travex shirts. They dry fast.
- The Mid: This is the fleece kingdom. Thousands of them.
- The Shell: Rain jackets that actually work.
Footwear and Gear
Don't sleep on the boots. While most people go for the flannels, the footwear section often has steep discounts. They carry hikers that are perfectly fine for the muddy trails at Highbanks Metro Park or the Hocking Hills. Are they professional-grade Himalayan climbing boots? No. Are they better than what you’ll find at a big-box department store? Absolutely.
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The Misconception of "Columbus" Locations
Let's clear something up. People get confused because Eddie Bauer has had a rotating door of storefronts in Central Ohio. For a long time, there was a heavy presence in malls like Easton Town Center.
Easton is great for a date night. It’s terrible for outlet pricing.
If you go to the Eddie Bauer at Easton or Polaris, you are paying the "convenience tax." You’re paying for the newest seasonal colors and the most "lifestyle" oriented cuts. The Eddie Bauer Outlet Columbus (Sunbury) is for the person who doesn't mind wearing last year’s shade of "Evergreen" if it means saving $80 on a down parka.
Timing the Sales: The Local Strategy
Going on a Saturday afternoon is a mistake. It’s a zoo. The parking lot at Tanger is designed for maximum efficiency, but it still feels like a tactical exercise during peak hours.
If you want the best picks, you go on a Tuesday morning. This is when the weekend's chaos has been tidied up and new shipments have often been processed. The staff at the Sunbury location are generally local folks who know the inventory inside out. If you ask them, "When are you getting more of the 650-fill jackets?" they’ll usually give you a straight answer rather than a corporate script.
Also, watch the holiday weekends. Labor Day, Memorial Day, and Black Friday are obvious, but Eddie Bauer loves a "Seasonal Changeover" sale. Late February is the "Golden Zone." That’s when they are desperate to get rid of heavy winter coats to make room for hiking shorts. You can buy a coat that will last ten years for the price of a t-shirt.
The Quality Debate: Is It "Real" Eddie Bauer?
There’s a lot of chatter online about outlet quality. Some gear snobs will tell you to avoid it. They’ll point to the "three diamonds" on a tag or a specific serial number that indicates it was "Made for Outlet" (MFO).
Here’s the reality for the Columbus market: It depends on your intent.
If you are planning to summit K2, go buy the professional-grade gear from the main website or a specialized shop. But if your "summit" is just surviving the wind whipping off the Scioto River while you wait for a COTA bus, the outlet gear is more than sufficient. Eddie Bauer has maintained a higher floor for their outlet quality than some of their competitors. Their Lifetime Guarantee—while more restricted than it was in the 1990s—still stands for manufacturing defects.
They don't want their name on junk. It hurts the brand.
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Navigating the Trip to Sunbury
If you're making the trek from downtown Columbus, you’re looking at a 25-mile drive.
- Take I-71 North: Stay in the middle lanes because the 270/71 interchange is always a mess.
- Exit 131: This is the US-36/OH-37 exit.
- The Entry: Turn left, and you’ll see the sprawling Tanger complex.
Pro tip: The Eddie Bauer Outlet is usually located in the middle-to-north section of the mall. Wear comfortable shoes. The concrete at Tanger is unforgiving, and you’ll likely end up walking a mile just looping through the different stores.
Why the Physical Store Beats Online
"Why not just order from the website?"
I get it. Amazon exists. But Eddie Bauer sizing is... inconsistent. A "Large" in their Legend Wash t-shirt fits like a tent, while a "Large" in their slim-fit hiking shirt feels like it was painted on.
The Eddie Bauer Outlet Columbus allows you to do the "bend and reach" test. You can see if the sleeves are actually long enough for your arms (Eddie Bauer is famously good for tall people, by the way). Plus, the clearance racks often have "one-offs"—items returned from the website that aren't part of the standard outlet stock. These are the "unicorns" of the shopping world.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit
To get the most out of your trip to the Eddie Bauer Outlet Columbus, don't just wing it.
- Join the Adventure Rewards: It’s their loyalty program. It sounds like a gimmick, but they send out $10 or $20 certificates that you can stack on top of outlet prices. It’s free money.
- Check the Weather: If it’s raining, Tanger is an outdoor mall. You will get wet walking between stores. Plan accordingly.
- Inspect the Zippers: Since some outlet items might be "seconds," do a quick zip-up test before you buy. Check the stitching under the armpits.
- Look for the "Tall" Sizes: Eddie Bauer is one of the few brands that consistently stocks "Medium-Tall" and "Large-Tall" in their outlet locations. If you're 6'3" and lanky, this store is your mecca.
The Sunbury location remains the definitive spot for anyone hunting the Eddie Bauer Outlet Columbus experience. It’s worth the drive for the savings alone, especially if you’re kitting out a family for an Ohio winter. Just remember to check the back corners of the store first; that’s where the real deals are hiding.