A beginner's guide to selecting a. to keep you warm and cozy in the great outdoors.
A high-quality down jacket is no longer just for outdoor enthusiasts. Politicians, music icons, and even princesses have been photographed wearing a 'puffa'. Of course, a down jacket comes into its own when utilized and tested in nature.
Understanding what factors to consider when purchasing a down jacket might be difficult. To help you decide, we've put up a short guide to selecting the ideal jacket for you.
Ducks and geese have down, a natural insulating coat that helps keep their bodies warm in cold weather. It appears as little clumps of fluff and is typically white or grey. Millions of minuscule air pockets are formed by these clusters, which are then held in place by the down and warmed by our body heat.
Humans haven't yet managed to match the insulation properties of down, which still has the best warmth-to-weight ratio on the planet, despite substantial investment in synthetic insulation.
When choosing a down jacket, bear in mind that geese and ducks are casualties of the trade. As such, we recommend that you opt for “traceable down” or “certified responsibly sourced down” which means that manufacturers can trace the source of their down and the harvesting practices of those who provide it.
There are several pros and cons of choosing a down jacket over synthetic insulation.
best weight-to-warmth ratio.
Greater duration: Compared to synthetic materials, down can maintain its loft (or fluffiness) for years.improves compression.
When wet, it stops being insulating. While down leaks from even the smallest tears, the majority of synthetic jackets can withstand one or two hard scrapes.
more costly (but lasting longer).
Use a down jacket if you will be in cold, dry weather (or if you can keep your jacket dry in wet weather) and if you need to minimize weight and bulk.
Choose synthetic insulation if you will be in moist conditions and when performance and recovery are more important than weight and bulk.
In general, goose down compresses more tightly and is warmer per unit of weight than duck down. Therefore, goose down is usually more expensive.
primary example of how to choose a down jacket
When atop Aconcagua, Peter wore his Mountain Equipment Skyline Jacket.
Because high-grade duck down can insulate better than low-quality goose down, it is important to evaluate the fill power, or quality, of your down.
A statistic used to evaluate down quality is "fill power." This many cubic inches of test cylinder space are filled by one ounce of down. The greater volume the down occupies, the better the warmth-to-weight ratio.
650 fill power is thought to be of good caliber. 750–850 fill power is regarded as the superior range of quality.The finest quality is 900+ fill power.Note: There are two main methods of measuring fill power and the ‘US’ method gives a slightly higher figure than the ‘EU’ method for the same quality down. An 800+ fill power using the EU method is roughly the same as an 850+ fill power using the US method.
Remember that a greater fill power number does not necessarily equate to a warmer down jacket while ready to make your selection. For instance, 12 ounces of 650 fill down and eight ounces of 850 fill down would provide comparable warmth. The first has a greater warmth-to-weight ratio, though. Additionally, because it has less down, it is more compressible.
The ordinary down jacket will lose all of its loft in a severe downpour. It will get heavy and damp, and it will take a very long time to completely dry out.
Down that has been treated with a DWR (durable water repellent) is referred to as "hypophobic" down. Hydrophobic down is supposed to repel water just as well as synthetic insulation.
It's debatable, but it's wise to pick a down jacket with a DWR treatment on at least its face cloth if you're traveling in a damp environment. Choose hydrophobic down if your budget permits it as well.
CONSTRUCTION
The various insulating parts of your jacket are known as baffles. They uniformly distribute the down to keep it from collecting at the bottom. Your jacket's baffle design may have an impact on how well it functions.
BOX WALL VS. SEWN-THROUGH BAFFLES
Even distribution of the insulation is maintained using sewn-through baffles. These jackets are less expensive since they use less materials and are easier to construct. However, they may result in some heat loss along the stitching.
The down can loft up to its maximum potential thanks to box wall baffles. Additionally, they decrease heat loss in stitched regions. These jackets cost extra since they take longer to construct and require more material.
NARROW VS. WIDE BAFFLES
The choice with the most down and the fewest seams through which heat may escape is wide baffles, which also contain more down. They do not stack or compress as well as narrow baffles, but they are bulkier. Choose wide baffles if warmth over agility is your first objective. Choose narrow baffles if a slim fit and active use are priorities.
MATERIAL
Because even the smallest tears might allow down to escape, your jacket shell must be robust and abrasion-resistant. However, if it's too hefty, it will affect the warmth-to-weight ratio of the jacket. Nylon is perfect since it is strong but lightweight. If you do find yourself in a drizzle, a DWR coating is great for preserving your down.
FEATURES
Think about the features listed below as you get ready to choose a down jacket.
Pockets:
Are the handwarmer pockets tall enough to hang above the waist belt of a pack?
Chest pockets should be internal or exterior; internal pockets are typically better insulated and helpful for keeping your phone's battery warm.
Large inside pockets with an unzipped top opening are perfect for storing gloves, hats, batteries, and other items you need to keep warm.
Keep in mind that a hood adds bulk when considering how to select a down jacket.
EVERST/SHUTTERSTOCK
A hood increases warmth but adds weight.
Hood: A hood will provide warmth, but it will also add bulk. Choosing a down jacket without a hood may be preferable if you plan to wear it as a mid-layer under a waterproof coat.
Hem and hood drawcords are helpful for sealing off drafty gaps.
We favor single drawcord hoods over those with two drawcords at the sides of the face because they are easier to use, more adaptable, and less fussy than elastic hoods.
Many down jackets are stuffable or clippable and include their own stuff sack or pocket. Since stuff sacs are readily misplaced, we favor the latter. Some down jackets contain a carabiner loop that can be attached to a harness, which is helpful for climbing.
PLAN OF USE
Of course, it is important to think about the down jacket's intended function when making your selection. Below, we offer some recommendations.
Alpine climbing: Take into account wearing down as a mid layer below a more robust hardshell to prevent ripping the shell on rocks. Excellent choices are the Arc'teryx Cerium LT Hoody and the North Face Summit L3 Down Hoodie.
Rock climbing: For rock climbing, the Rab Microlight Alpine is a fantastic jacket.
When skiing, place a down layer below an outer shell. Choose the Patagonia Down Sweater Hoody, the REI Co-op Magma 850, or the Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer Hooded. Another great choice is the Rab Microlight Alpine.
damp conditions: Down isn't the best material for damp conditions, but the Columbia Outdry Ex Gold works well. Its lack of compressibility makes it unsuitable for lengthy expeditions in the outdoors.
Mountaineering: For mountaineering, a down jacket can serve as one part of your layering system. The award-winning Mountain Equipment Skyline Jacket offers an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio.
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