![]() ![]() Advancements in fill power and jacket construction mean you don't necessarily have to go for the puffiest jacket to stay warm if you're into the sleek and sophisticated look, there are warm and capable options on the market for you. If you're going to be mountaineering or recreating in single-digit temps, you'll want to go for a jacket that's got high fill power, and water repellency to keep you protected. The activities you plan on doing in your new and shiny down jacket will inform how you shop: if you're going to be doing high-intensity cardio circuits, you may want a more athletic style that only has insulation in the core. If animal welfare and responsible manufacturing are top of mind as you shop, keep an eye out for this helpful acronym. Brands can apply to have their garment RDS-certified, or use goose down from suppliers that have already gone through the certification process. Because down is an animal product, there are certifications that ensure animal welfare is top of mind during the manufacturing process: the most popular of these is the Responsible Down Standard (RDS). Down fill is actually made from the plumage that's found beneath the exterior feathers of a bird, and is soft, wispy and incredibly warm. CertificationsĪ common misconception when it comes to down is that the insulation is made from the feathers of a bird typically, geese. Premium goose down can reach a fill power of up to 900fp, while duck only gets to 800fp. The higher the fill power, the warmer the jacket (or sleeping bag). Fill power is calculated by how many cubic inches one ounce of down can fill. Some activewear-oriented styles will also feature spandex to help maintain flexibility and stretch.Īs you shop for the perfect down jacket to cozy up in this winter, you'll see the term " fill power" in many product descriptions: it refers to the down's ability to loft and trap heat. Down insulation works best in cold, dry environments: although there have been advancements in treating down insulation to repel water, a down jacket that is submerged in water will get wet, unlike synthetic counterparts.ĭown jackets typically feature a face fabric made of nylon or polyester: both are durable, strong, lightweight and can easily have water repellant treatments like DWR applied to them. Fibers used to make ripstop include cotton, silk, polyester, and polypropylene, with nylon content often limited to the crosshatched threads that make it tear-resistant.What should you look for in a down jacket? Materialsĭown fill has been used as insulation by humans for centuries: the natural lofting, warmth retention and lightness of the small but mighty plumage have been prized by both our ancestors and modern-day adventurers looking for a little extra protection against the cold. Īdvantages of ripstop are the favourable strength-to-weight ratio and that small tears can not easily spread. A similar effect can be achieved by weaving two or three fine yarns together at smaller intervals. Older lightweight ripstop fabrics display the thicker interlocking thread patterns in the material quite prominently, but more modern weaving techniques make the ripstop threads less obvious. Thin and lightweight ripstop fabrics have a 2-dimensional structure due to the thicker yarns being interwoven in thinner cloth. The intervals are typically 5 to 8 millimeters (0.2 to 0.3 in). ![]() During weaving, stronger (and often thicker) reinforcement yarns are interwoven at regular intervals in a crosshatch pattern. Ripstop fabrics are woven fabrics, often made of nylon, using a reinforcing technique that makes them more resistant to tearing and ripping.
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