Eddie Bauer offers outdoor gear and apparel — for rent

Eddie Bauer is launching its first-ever rental program.

The retailer is launching a rental program — (Re)Adventure —that it said is designed to make technical gear available at “approachable costs” for outside adventures. The offerings include technical rainwear, insulated parkas and ski jackets, fleece, leggings and joggers, UPF tops and bottoms, boots, tents, sleeping bags, day packs and other items.  

Eddie Bauer’s rental program is being done through Arrive Outdoors, a camping gear and outdoor product rental business. Items can be shipped anywhere in the contiguous United States. Consumers can ship products to their homes, hotels and 10,000-plus FedEx or FedEx affiliate locations. Items can be returned for free with a return label included with every order, and dropped off at any FedEx location.

The gear will rent for a fraction of the full retail price, the company said Eddie Bauer’s entry into the rental arena comes shortly after its acquisition by Authentic Brands Group and SPARC. It also occurs as the retailer is gearing up to sell its products at Kohl’s stores and on its website.

[Read More: Kohl's Corp. in partnership with Eddie Bauer]

“It [adventure] looks different to everyone, and living your adventure can take many forms," said Damien Huang, CEO, Eddie Bauer, which operates more than 200 stores in the U.S., Canada, Germany, Japan, and other international markets. "Through our first rental program, we hope to reach even more people, offering them the gear, apparel, and resources they need to get outside—whether it's a hike in their local state park or a backpacking trip they've been planning all year."

In launching a rental program, Eddie Bauer joins other retailers who have already taken the leap, including Patagonia and REI.