What is the best filler for down jackets: an overview of materials, recommendations for choosing

The approach of winter cold makes you seriously think about choosing a warm outerwear. The most popular means of protection against the winter cold in modern conditions is a jacket. It gets its warming properties thanks to various heaters, which can be conditionally divided into two large groups: down and synthetic winterizer. And this means that before everyone who wants to buy a warm winter jacket, the question arises: what is warmer down or synthetic winterizer? Let's try to answer this question by referring to the characteristics of these materials.

What is the difference between down and synthetic winterizer?

The synthetic winterizer belongs to the category. It is produced by bonding polyester fibers together. Among strengths sintepon can be called sufficiently high thermal insulation, lightness of the material, elasticity, non-toxicity and high moisture resistance. In addition, products made using synthetic winterizer, due to their low cost, are distinguished by an affordable price.

Down is a natural insulation and has quite long term service to a person in that capacity. For the production of winter clothes, eiderdown, duck or goose down is used. The warmest is the down of the eider (diving duck). The main advantages of down are significant lightness, thermal insulation, long wear resistance, elasticity and high ability to return to its original shape. Down as a heater is qualitatively superior to other types of materials, which makes it much more expensive.

Thus, we were able to find out the obvious pros and cons of the two types of insulation. However, it remained open main question: down jacket on down or synthetic winterizer - which is better? It is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to it, since it depends on the purpose of using the product with insulation itself and the financial capabilities of its potential owner. We propose to continue our reasoning by referring directly to such a piece of clothing as a jacket.

Which is better - a jacket with down or synthetic winterizer?

So, for a harsh winter, the best option would be to purchase a down jacket. Such clothes perfectly keep warm and protect from cold even at a temperature of -40ᵒC. In addition, a jacket made of eider down, with proper care, can faithfully serve its owner no more, no more. less years up to 20. If you are faced with the choice of synthetic winterizer or down, purchasing a bright jacket for short walks with friends, for late winter or early autumn, or for making daily small crosses to the car, a synthetic winterizer jacket is perfect for you. The recommended maximum temperature for wearing such clothes is -15 degrees below zero. Among other things, the synthetic winterizer does not belong to the category of durable materials. Therefore, when purchasing a product on a synthetic winterizer for a low price, you can safely afford the most trendy model of the season.

If you are freezing from October to April and don't even want to go outside when the snow comes, then in most cases the problem is not the time of year at all, but that you are too lightly dressed.

A classic coat or jacket cannot protect against biting wind or sleet. While the models from modern materials designed for all weather conditions. In this article we will tell you how to choose the right, warm and comfortable women's down jacket for the winter, talk about the cut, size and little things that you need to pay attention to when buying.

What styles are relevant this year

There are so many insulated clothes on the market that it is impossible not to choose the right model. They will find something to their taste and the owners of elegant, strict style and lovers of sports and life-affirming colors.

In the online store Stayer - big choice bright jackets for an active lifestyle.

Transformers. This is the most comfortable model. You can unfasten the hood, fur, pockets. On sale there are unusual double-sided options. From the inside - one color, outside - another. But both sides are front. By purchasing such a product, you get a two-in-one coat. It can be either long or short.

Oversize. The second name is down jackets-blanket. An excellent solution for girls and women who do not want to leave home comfort in the morning. Models look a little casual and cute if worn correctly. Since the products themselves are voluminous, it is better to combine them with tight jeans and not very bulky shoes.

Asymmetrical. This cut looks fashionable and attracts attention. An uneven hem or zipper, fasteners of an interesting shape can act as a key element.

Sports. Distinctive features- comfort, convenience, many pockets, details, a detachable hood or a non-removable stand-up collar, pockets. Such jackets are often sewn from bright fabrics. They are equally comfortable to walk in the park, play sports or play with children on the street.

With short sleeves. Feminine and stylish option. But this coat needs a mandatory addition - long gloves.

Classic. Ordinary, known to everyone, but not losing their relevance, quilted, elongated models. Options with inserts from other materials look very nice: leather or denim.

How to choose the size of a winter women's down jacket

At the fitting stage, the main thing to remember is that you are looking for clothes for the cold season. This means that buying size-by-size is a bad choice. For a long walk or on a particularly frosty day, you will want to wear a thicker sweater. For this, the extra half-size will come in handy.

This is the first reason. The second is that in a loose-fitting product, the fabric does not fit close to the body, it is preserved air layer which makes being outdoors just a little bit warmer and cozier.

No matter how beautiful the thing looks on you, do not rush to go to the checkout. Turn around a little, raise your hands. Imagine that you are already walking down the street in this jacket or riding in crowded vehicles. If it is still comfortable and the buttons do not unfasten, but does not press on the shoulders, you have found what you were looking for.

Which women's down jacket is better to buy for the winter: from down, feather or synthetic winterizer

You learned about what models are and how to properly try on outerwear. But this is the second step. First you need to decide what will be inside the product, what fabric will keep warm in the cold.

Someone claims that only natural materials will warm in chilly weather. Someone advocates hypoallergenicity and practicality of artificial fabrics. There are a lot of options for stuffing and their combinations. But one way or another, their qualities intersect. Therefore, we will talk about the main types on sale.

Down and feather

This is one of the most popular fillers. On the label it is indicated by the word down and feather. The best ratio is 80/20 or 70/30.

There are three types: duck, swan, eider.

The last one is the most expensive. The thermal protection of the material is explained simply - all fluffs have complex structure and retain heat, thus creating an air gap between the human body and the street.

Advantages

If you live in harsh conditions, it will perfectly warm even in bitter frosts down to -40.

Another advantage is the weight of such a women's down jacket. It is very light, almost weightless. Ideal for those who do not like the heaviness and piling up of things on themselves.

An important indicator is the density of the filler. It is also listed on the label. To determine this value, look for the inscription - Fill Power. If the index is 400-450 - the product is of average quality. The higher the index, the more uniform and better the thermal protection.

The Stayer online store offers membrane jackets for cold winters with natural insulation.

Sintepon and its analogues

In terms of their thermal protection properties, modern artificial materials little inferior to fluff. And in some cases even surpass it.

Let's talk more about the benefits

Easy to wash and dry.

The filler does not stick.

Affordable cost.

Many models are suitable for various temperatures.

• holofiber. Differs in softness and ease.

When washing and steaming does not lose volume. This means that the clothes after it look new and neat, as after purchase.

Does not absorb water, well passes air.

Does not cause allergies, so dust and mites do not accumulate in the material.

Can be ironed and soaked with regular powder.

Swansdown. Newbie in materials. It is also good like other types: wear-resistant, elastic, resilient, not susceptible to fungus, dries quickly and does not absorb odors. The disadvantage is that it is electrified and does not absorb moisture.

Isosoft. Porous, elastic filler. It has the same properties as the previous insulation, but a lower degree of thermal protection.

Thinsulate. This is the highest quality and new version fibers for winter coats and jackets. It is very thin, light and elastic. Excellent thermal insulator

Choosing a down jacket for the winter: what nuances to pay attention to

It happens that a thing seems perfect, beautiful. And then, a week later, before going to work, the lightning seizes. Or you have to clean the feathers from the jumper after removing the outerwear. To prevent this from happening, do not miss the annoying little things.

Make sure that the product fastens without problems. Do not think that it is only now that the lock is stuck in the store, and in a week everything will be fine. It is easier to buy what will be comfortable immediately, without additional actions.

Take a good look at the seams. They must be even and of high quality stitched. Bad, crooked stitching means that the filler will come out of the down jacket in the first season of wear.

It is important that winter jackets and coats have cuffs with elastic - internal or external. This is necessary so that the wind does not blow through the sleeves.

It is desirable that the collar be high and close to the throat.

Drawstrings with adjustable hem, hood, waist.

A quality product is usually accompanied by a bag with additional fittings and a filler sample.

Fur should also come unfastened without problems.

Summarize

From our review, you learned how to choose the right winter down jacket that will keep you warm in any frost. Do not forget to evaluate the condition of the fittings, the quality of the lining (the filler should not come out of it), choose a style that goes well with existing things, take your time when trying on. Remember that the ideal option is one in which it is not only beautiful, but also warm and cozy.

The Stayer company produces and sells just such clothes for skiing and just active life in nature and in the city.

Under the most modern, bright, stylish, and sometimes bizarre appearance of down jackets lies technology comparable in age to dinosaurs. “Even the latest scientific developments in the field of synthetic insulation could not surpass natural down in terms of heat capacity. It's lightweight, super warm, and if you take good care of it, it will last for years."- so say fans of natural products.

“Synthetic insulation is much more convenient to use, never get wet, easy to wash and dry, and cheaper. good fluff, because in principle we do not consider bad fluff "- so think adherents of synthetic materials. Let's figure it out - when is it better to buy a down jacket, and when a warm synthetic jacket?

Down creates the highest possible thermal insulation among all heaters known today. It has the most favorable ratio of retained heat to its own specific gravity, has the highest compression properties, ideal for people with increased body weight. The most valuable thing is the durability of good down products.

However, down jackets require careful attention to themselves. Thorough and gentle washing and drying at the same time, ample storage space in the closet summer time. You also need to be careful not to tear the fabric, because even through very small holes, the fluff can literally seep through, reducing the warmth of the down jacket and definitely not decorating appearance product and its owner.

Pooh has absorption property - the ability to absorb water vapor. This quality, on the one hand, is an indisputable advantage. It is convenient to move in down jackets, as excess moisture is quickly transported from the surface of the right one to the layer of down insulation, and then gradually evaporates. A person feels comfortable both in the process of movement and during stops - the clothes are dry. In light of this feature of down, it is worth paying attention to the need for periodic cleaning. warm product even if it seems that the jacket does not seem to be very dirty.

On the other hand, there is also a negative effect excess moisture (sorption) is the main Achilles' heel of down: when the fluffs get wet, they stick together, lose their volume and the ability to hold a large amount of air inside their perfect natural structure, which sharply and permanently reduces the heat capacity of a down jacket. Many leading manufacturers have found a solution to this problem by turning down into a hydrophobic (that is, does not absorb moisture) material.

Hydrophobic (water resistant) down

In order for the down to continue to retain heat even when wet, some leading manufacturers coat the down with a special water-repellent (hydrophobic) impregnation, similar to the one that processes the outer material of the membrane The North Face, Marmot, Sivera, Baon, RedFox, etc.).

This work takes place at the molecular level. There are two features of this procedure:

1. fluff becomes more expensive.
2. Moisture-proof impregnation is washed off after several washes, although it is worth noting that often the jacket withstands quite a lot of cleanings - up to 30, depending on different manufacturers. Also, some special cleaning / impregnating agents for down allow you to maintain and restore the hydrophobicity of natural insulation.

Companies give names to their waterproof down, for example: Sierra Designs DriDown, Mountain Hardwear Q.Shield Down, Marmot Down Defender, DownTek down impregnation manufacturer (can be used in tailoring down jackets of different brands), also Nikwax Down Proof impregnation manufacturer (this impregnation is used in ) other.

Benefits of hydrophobic down

• Stays dry for a long time
  + able to absorb less moisture than regular down (up to 30%)
  + dries faster than untreated down (up to 60%)
  + retains significantly more air after exposure to moisture than regular down
• Fluff can be safely washed
  + coated down retains its water-resistant properties during long washes
  + best result achieved when using specialized impregnations for washing down (Grangers, Nikwax and the like)
• Hydrophobic down keeps you light and bouncy
  + hydrophobic impregnation does not reduce down FP
  + impregnation does not add weight to raw materials
• Waterproof down - 100% natural product
  + Proper impregnation does not contain pesticides and other materials harmful to humans and nature.

Fill Power (elasticity) down

The most valuable property of any insulation is to capture and hold as much air as possible.

When a bird is cold, it fluffs up, fluffs its feathers, and adds air inside its downy layer. This allows the bird to retain more air in its plumage, to store more of the heat produced by its body, that is, to keep warm.

Each fluff contains up to two million tiny "threads", which allow you to hold a large amount of air. The more mature the fluff, the farther north the bird, the better the assembly and processing of the fluff, the more resilient the fluff, the more heat such raw materials will retain.

The elasticity of down FP (Fill Power) is checked during a simple procedure. A strictly defined amount of fluff (weight and volume) is placed in a cylindrical container. It is subjected to compression under the weight of the load for a sufficiently long time, after which the load is removed. The volume that the fluff will take after deformation is the Fill Power index of its elasticity.

• 1000 FP means that the down has 100% restored its volume, that is, it is an ideal down (which, of course, does not happen in nature)
• 800 – 950 FP speaks of the exceptionally high quality of down. Women's and with such fluff, even with a very small amount of it, will be perfectly warm.
  

  The heat capacity of a thin down jacket with 800 FP will be equal to the heat capacity of a heavier and thicker down jacket with 600 FP, which is quite difficult to believe without knowing the principles of down insulation.

• 550 - 700 FP marks high quality down.
• 400 - 500 FP indicates medium quality down.
• Everything, that below 400 FP- indicates low-quality raw materials.

For comparison, here is a photo showing the difference in the volume occupied by synthetic (Thinsulate) and down insulation of the same weight (1 ounce = 28.35 grams).

Synthetic insulation

Synthetic insulation is a decisive answer to the problem of getting wet down.

Such insulation continues to retain its volume, retain the original amount of air even when wet. The trade-off for using synthetics is that they are heavier, less compressible, and wear faster than down.

Experts say that clothes with good synthetic insulation will last 5-10 years, and clothes with high-quality down - more than 10, but with proper care.

Synthetic-filled clothing does an excellent job of wicking excess moisture and heat away from a person's body during intense movements, while keeping you warm during stops when you need it most. Such jackets and trousers serve as an ideal second warming layer in.

Among the advantages, one can also note an easier repair of a torn or punctured one - synthetics usually do not “crawl out” through holes in the fabric as quickly as its competitor, fluff.

Synthetic insulation is a whole family of modern materials with a special structure aimed at keeping the maximum possible amount of air inside the material. Such heaters are created from polyester (polyester) fibers.

The loose and elastic structure of the synthetic fabric is somewhat similar to the wool of northern animals, somewhat like fluff, and somewhat modeled by the person himself. Such insulation consists of a combination of long and short artificial fibers, which come in different thicknesses (from micro to nano) and density (hollow and regular threads). The fibers are also given different shape(spiral twist, tortuosity different diameter and etc). They undergo treatment - antistatic, silicone, etc. All these combinations with synthetic fibers produced in order to obtain lightweight material with many air pockets. The material must be resistant to deformation, not be afraid of water and serve for a long time.

The main synthetic insulations presented on the world market of clothing and tourist equipment:

PrimaLoft was created for a military patent, and then turned into a separate commercial brand, the most recognizable in the global outdoor market. Primaloft produces several varieties of synthetic insulation, which are used for sewing warm jackets and sleeping bags by other manufacturers of clothing and equipment. PrimaLoft is the first synthetic insulation manufacturer to be approved by the stringent bluesign standard, the environmental health and safety standard for textile manufacturing.

Primaloft produces three main lines of insulation - Gold (gold), Silver (silver) and Black (black). Each line is divided into several subspecies of heaters. PrimaLoft Gold- premium series of synthetic insulation. It also contains blended heaters PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Down Blend ultra-thin fibers Primaloft 30% + goose down 70% and PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Merino Wool Blend Primaloft fibers + merino wool fibers. Hybrid materials allow you to get unique heaters combining the advantages of both materials.

Series PrimaLoft Silver- the most commonly used, cost-optimized. It also contains hybrid materials, but with a lower percentage natural materials. Series PrimaLoft Black Made from 100% recycled materials.

PrimaLoft Thermoball- a special development of Primaloft together with The North Face. Used only in The North Face products. The fundamental difference from other Primaloft products is in the spherical structure of the insulation fibers, as close as possible to the texture of natural fluffs.

According to the creators, this structure allows you to increase the heat capacity of jackets / by 10%. There is no official confirmation of this yet, but, in any case, this development shows that synthetic insulation is increasingly approaching natural down in terms of thermal and weight characteristics. It is possible that one day synthetics will become the winner in this difficult competition.

Shelter (Sh, Shelter)- Russian synthetic insulation for clothing, produced on the Primaloft production line. Designed and constantly improved by our scientists. It has good heat capacity and weight characteristics, confirmed by certificates. It is successfully used in, revered in construction and in the production of warm bedding, toys.

Synthetic insulation thinsulate- development of a large American company 3M ™. One of the leaders in the global textile industry. The insulation is light, soft, keeps its shape well, dries quickly, does not absorb odors, and most importantly - is able to effectively save heat. It is considered artificial swan down. Thinsulate fibers are heavily treated with silicone fluid, which explains its serious resistance to moisture and high comfort use.

Thinsulate has several modifications, different thicknesses, happens with unilateral or bilateral non-woven laying.

Thinsulate is recognized as the lightest and most heat-intensive of synthetic insulation, although it is difficult to say for sure due to the lack of uniform tests and standards. It is used in clothing for outdoor activities and extreme sports, for extremely cold areas of the Earth.

Initially, the insulation was designed for astronauts by order of NASA, then it was slightly adapted for general consumption and successfully produced in large volumes.

These are the most famous synthetic heaters, in addition to them, there are quite a lot of materials from other brands - Sintepon, Hollofiber, Fibertek, Isosoft, Thermolite, Climashield, Sintepukh and others. Also, large brands often produce their own lines artificial insulation, for example, Marmot Thermal R, KEEN.WARM, etc.

Comparison of the properties of down and synthetic insulation

The main properties of down and synthetic insulation, which are important when choosing winter and trousers. An unequivocal answer to the question: "what is better - synthetics or fluff?" no, it all depends on the conditions of use of the clothes.

Outer jacket fabric

To be ready for any change in the weather - from cold to rain, it is worth Special attention give the outer fabric of autumn-winter things. The most practical are membrane fabrics that protect a person and insulation from getting wet both from the outside (from rain and wet snow), and from the inside (from excessive moisture when sweating), wind. In such men's and reliable and comfortable in the most slushy weather. Membrane fabrics also make the outer fabric more durable, which is also true in ordinary life and in sports.

Properties of membranes on the example of Gore-Tex - the "gold standard of the XXI century"

What do the waterproofness and breathability of membranes say?

Most often, clothing manufacturers indicate two characteristics of the membrane water resistance / breathability. For example, 15,000 (mm) / 10,000 (g/m2/24h). A similar entry is 15K / 10K, where “K” means the prefix “kilo”, thousands.

The indicators are obtained during the experiment, which is carried out either by the clothing manufacturer itself or by an independent laboratory. There is no single world standardization requirement for these indicators. As a rule, you can fully trust the declared figures either based on the reputation of the brand, or on the experience of trusted people, or on your own.

For rate water resistance fabrics use water column test. A tall cylinder with a diameter of 1” inch is placed on the fabric, which corresponds to 2 cm 54 mm. Water is gradually poured into this cylinder. The height of the water column at which moisture begins to flow through the material will be equal to the water resistance of the fabric being tested. The higher the water column, the more water resistant your jacket is.

A fabric with a water resistance of 5,000 mm will save you in a light, short rain or in sleet. With figures from 10,000 mm and above, you can count on comfort in heavy rain. Indicators of 20,000 mm and more are considered suitable for extreme sports (mountaineering, expeditions, professional skiing). As the level of water resistance increases, the cost of equipment also increases.

With measurement breathability or vapor permeability the situation is a bit more confusing because there are multiple testing options, multiple standards. Most often, breathability is indicated in units of "g / m2 / 24h" (the number of grams of water vapor that can pass square meter tissue within 24 hours), and then the larger the value, the better. Sometimes breathability is indicated on the RET scale, which reflects the resistance of the fabric to the process of evaporation of water through it. In this case, the smaller the RET, the better.

A good warm jacket is optimal selection and outer material, and lining, and insulation, and accessories. Design is also very important functional features, tailoring quality.

Choose carefully to wear a thing with joy for several seasons and
Don't waste your time and money on new purchases!

What is the best jacket to buy? Should I give preference to a down jacket or buy outerwear with synthetic insulation? Each of the options has its pros and cons.

Buyers have many requirements for a winter jacket, it must be warm, light and comfortable. But most do not know which filler to give preference to. Each manufacturer praises its products, talks in detail about its advantages, silent about the shortcomings. However, it should be noted that the quality men's jackets regardless of the insulation, they will be comfortable and durable.

Advantages and disadvantages of down jackets

In fact, it is impossible to say that any option is better. You just need to choose outerwear in accordance with your lifestyle and financial capabilities. Down winter jackets are suitable for men who, by the nature of their activities, are forced to spend a lot of time outdoors. They are often warmer than synthetic winterizers, but they are much more expensive.

In addition, down jackets are often not such at all, the manufacturer adds bird feathers to the insulation, which significantly reduce the heat-saving properties. To distinguish such a jacket from a real one is quite simple, next to the word down there will be a feather prefix. With a down / feather ratio of 80 to 20, outerwear will be warm enough, but if there is less down, then the jacket will be cold and suitable only for a cool autumn.

It is more difficult to care for a down jacket, at the end of the season it is advisable to give it to dry cleaning. After washing in a washing machine, the fluff may get lumpy. It is quite difficult to return the jacket to its previous state. Therefore, if you are ready to put up with a high price and difficulties in care for the sake of additional comfort, then a down jacket is your choice. The main thing, remember, is that you can’t save on the quality of jackets, cheap fabric is not dense enough and after a couple of months the fluff can “climb”, and the jacket looks sloppy.

A down jacket from a famous brand will look perfect for many years, will last much longer than any synthetic winterizer. Therefore, if you do not like to change outerwear every season or two, then feel free to buy a down jacket. And even if you like to buy a lot of things, no one forbids you to have two, three or even four jackets with natural insulation in your closet.

Jackets with synthetic winterizer insulation

In the case of synthetic winterizer, everything is much simpler. The insulation perfectly tolerates numerous washings, and retains its properties for many years. But it is important to remember that the synthetic winterizer is also different. This insulation can be warm and light, or it can be completely useless, and the jacket will be blown through. Much depends on the manufacturer, for example, Fred Perry Jackets produces with a heater, which is as close as possible in properties to fluff, but does not have the disadvantages of a natural filler.

A synthetic winterizer jacket is suitable for an active person who moves a lot and is not forced to spend a lot of time in the cold. Other things being equal, such clothes hold heat worse than a down jacket. But often, insulation is enough to make a person feel comfortable. The price is lower, but it will wear out much faster. In three or four seasons it will be necessary to buy a new jacket.

But for many, this can even be a plus, because the monotony gets bored by buying inexpensive model, it can be safely exchanged for another. And it's not a pity, and not much money has been spent. And the style changes, I want to change my wardrobe, enjoy the purchase of new clothes. And in the case of branded products, the joy of new things will be a must.

Activewear

Separately, it is worth noting jackets for outdoor activities. Of great importance is not only the choice of filler, but also its quality. Professional athletes choose mainly down, but its content should be at least 90 to 10 in relation to the feather. Such clothes remain light, warm and do not restrict movement. If you prefer a synthetic winterizer, then it is important that the fabric is dense. A membrane is perfect, which allows you to use a minimum of insulation, creating the effect of a thermos. A person is not hot in a warm room and not cold outside at sub-zero temperatures. The combination of well-chosen fabric provides comfort regardless of the weather. And the weight is no more than that of a quality down jacket.

Video.
Since it is a very cold winter now, I suggest watching a video on how not to freeze in winter.

Very soon, the vast expanses of our Motherland will be covered with snow and a bitter frost will come, but we still have a little time left to choose and purchase the best option for protection from the cold. What is the warmest, lightest, most beautiful and practical piece of winter wardrobe that is the most popular today? Everyone knows the answer, well, or almost everyone, is it a down jacket or just down jacket.

Down jackets today are littered with all the counters: from clothing markets to showcases of expensive boutiques. Buyers can choose from huge assortment down jackets for every taste, color and wallet, any manufacturer and design. But there is a huge difference between a real down jacket that will keep you warm and comfortable all winter, and that “feather bag” that is often brazenly sold to us under the guise of a down jacket. So, so that you don’t become a “miracle in feathers” and waste your hard-earned money, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with our guide, where we will try to briefly but concisely analyze all aspects of choosing and acquiring a truly high-quality and practical down jacket.

So, a down jacket is an item of outerwear, a jacket or coat designed to be worn in the cold season. To protect the body from the effects of low temperatures, only natural down and feathers of waterfowl are used as a heat-insulating filler (eider down and down of geese grown at low temperatures in the northern countries and the Siberian part of the Russian Federation are especially valued). The surface of the down jacket is made of light, durable and breathable fabric (membrane), the seams must be taped for better tightness and thermal insulation. For uniform distribution of down over the volume of the jacket, it is placed in special down bags, separated from each other by sealed seams. The design of down jackets should provide maximum protection against heat loss by the human body. Some down jackets can provide warmth even in frosts down to -85 ° C. The first down jackets appeared in the 16th century in Norway and were stuffed with eiderdown, but it is officially believed that Eddie Bauer, an American designer and founder of the Eddie Bauer casual clothing brand of the same name, received a patent for a modern classic down jacket (parka) in 1940.

The main advantages of down jackets include - excellent heat-insulating properties with low weight, providing air exchange without heat loss, thanks to the properties of membrane fabrics, versatility and practicality, durability with proper care, all kinds of design.

Perhaps the only drawback of down products is their rather high price. But we must not forget that the optimal time for the "life" of fluff is calculated for a period of 7 to 10 years, and with proper care for it, even twenty. Synthetics will last you only 3-5 years. It follows that down is more than twice as durable as synthetics, which is why it costs more.

Some of our sellers and buyers mistakenly believe that a down jacket is a generalized name and that any jacket with a heater that is similar in design can be called that. It's a delusion. Which, by the way, is used by not quite clean-handed businessmen. Down jackets use only natural down, any synthetic analogue turns a down jacket in an ordinary jacket with insulation.

A real down jacket will become an indispensable winter thing for you and will delight you for many years, but in order to choose the “right” down jacket, you need to know the fundamental points. We tried to collect the main practical tips and we really hope that they will help you choose and purchase the perfect down jacket.

1. Down(down), the most important thing in a down jacket. The principle of thermal protection of down is simple - it creates an air gap between the body and external environment. Air is a poor conductor of heat and the actual air layer created by down is the main heat insulator. And how well the material holds this very layer is an indicator of the quality of this insulation. It is well known that the down of waterfowl (primarily goose down) as a thermal insulation is an unsurpassed material: it is light, airy and perfectly retains a large amount of air inside. But fluff fluff is different. It can be large, small, caked, airy, rotten, etc. etc. and the properties of a particular batch of fluff depend on these parameters. There are many parameters, but when it comes to thermal insulation properties, to evaluate them all over the world, such an indicator of elasticity as Fill Power is used, which reflects the ability of down to recover after compression - this is main indicator down quality. Elasticity is determined as follows: take 1 ounce of fluff, compress it, remove the load and determine to what size the fluff has recovered. In a good down jacket, the Fill Power value should be at least 550, its best performance reaches 950 units.

• up to 400 - poor quality fluff.
• 400 - 450 - medium quality fluff.
• 500-750 - excellent quality fluff.
• 750 and above - down of exclusive quality.

The point of using goose down with a high Fill Power is as follows: the heat insulator in clothing is essentially an insulating air gap of the same thickness, called loft. Down with different Fill Power can produce the same loft at different weights. So, for example, using 550 insulation requires 40%-50% more weight than using 800 down to create the same degree of insulation. The Fill Power indicator is a generally accepted indicator of the quality of down stuffing, and for any quality down jacket, this indicator is indicated on the tag or label, so when choosing a down jacket, pay first attention to this indicator.

Down jackets use down mixed with feathers, the "golden ratio" is considered 80% down (down) and 20% feather (feather), in down jackets for extreme conditions this ratio can be 90% down and 10% feather. The description indicates through a fraction, for example - 80/20. A larger percentage of the feather indicates the low quality of the down jacket and such a down jacket will not warm you in cold weather, and the hard feather rods will come out, piercing the fabric.

2. Down jacket weight, speaks about the quality of the filler and the product as a whole. After all, another clear advantage of down as a winter clothing insulation is its lightness. For example, the regular men's down jacket 550 Fill Power weighs less than 1 kg, and the extreme jacket from The North Face, a model called Supernatural, with a Fill Power 950, weighs only 370 g (!) and is designed for high-altitude climbing. In addition, natural down is so soft that it allows you to move freely without restricting your movements. The use of membrane fabrics and various elements can significantly increase the weight of a down jacket.

3. Material the outside and the lining must be waterproof, because the down is highly hygroscopic and it easily accumulates moisture and requires quick drying. If this is not done, it may simply deteriorate. Also, the material must be durable and waterproof. With all this, it must have breathable properties, i.e. provide air exchange without heat loss. All these properties are possessed by modern membrane materials, this is a type of fabric that, due to its special structure, has water-repellent or windproof properties and at the same time passes water vapor through itself. Manufacturers of such fabrics call them differently, but they have the same principle, the most famous membrane is gore-tex.

Synthetic materials with special impregnations are also used, which provide all the qualities necessary for down jackets. In the description, fabrics with water-repellent impregnations are indicated as DWR (Durable Water Repellent).

Fabrics are very popular with manufacturers Ripstop with a special reinforcing structure due to the weaving of nylon threads into the thickness of the main fabric. While maintaining lightness, the strength of such a fabric is comparable to the strength of a parachute fabric.

4. Construction down jacket, a very important condition when choosing a real, high-quality product. It is the design that allows you to distribute fluff as efficiently as possible and provide optimal ratio heat / weight. In most down jackets, the inner and outer fabric of the down jacket is simply sewn together, forming sections, and each section is filled with down. A huge disadvantage of such down jackets are the cold seams between the sections, through which a huge amount of heat is lost. Such down jackets are called single-layer and they will warm you only in frosts down to -10 -15 C °. The size of the down sections (packages) plays an important role, their size should not exceed 20 cm, otherwise the down will simply fall off at the bottom of the package and all the qualities of the down jacket will be reduced to zero. If you want to buy a down jacket for severe frosts, then you should consider some features of their tailoring. Such down jackets are called two-layer, due to the fact that the upper part of the down jacket is practically separated from the down lining, and at the joints it is stitched through an intermediate tape - a “warm” seam. A design is also used when the down bags themselves have two layers - outer and inner, and they are offset relative to each other and overlap the outer seams. Such down jackets are able to retain heat in extreme frosts down to -30 to -70 ° C.

The main zipper on a down jacket should have two-way fabric protection to prevent heat loss. At chin level, the zipper should be protected by a fleece insert. Zippers on pockets should also have external protection. To keep the neck warm and the wrists not cold, a real down jacket should have warm collars and cuffs made of materials such as Polartec or knitted fabric.

5. Temperature rating. When choosing a down jacket for yourself, ask yourself the question - at what lowest temperature will I wear it, how much time will I spend on the street, how to get to work or place of study? Indeed, for the inhabitants of central Russia and the inhabitants of Siberia, mother nature has prepared completely different conditions winter period of the year. To facilitate the selection of down jackets based on the outside temperature, some manufacturers of down jackets (and other winter clothing and footwear) use a so-called temperature rating. This value is usually indicated in the description of the down jacket on the labels, and shows that the manufacturer guarantees comfortable conditions at a given temperature below zero.

But not all manufacturers provide such data. For an approximate definition of this indicator, you can use the binding to the Fill Power value. Clothing that uses down Fill Down 550 or Fill Down 600 Designed primarily for daily use at temperatures down to -25 C°, this down is already an excellent quality down and creates a good degree of insulation. down jackets Fill Down 700 have a lower weight of the product and are comfortable in them up to -25 -30 ° C. Exclusive Down Fill Down 800- allows you to achieve a very high ratio of heat / weight and is used to lighten clothing and achieve the highest degree comfort in frosts down to -35 С° and below.

6. Style downy products do not differ in variety. For men, it is preferable to choose classic parkas (parka) and voluminous bomber jackets (puffer, bulk), for women, along with unisex parkas and women's jackets, elongated down coats (coat) are very popular. For people living and working in conditions of extremely low temperatures, as well as for travelers and hunters-fishermen, down suits are sewn, consisting of a jacket and trousers sewn together. The choice of the style of a down jacket must be approached with all responsibility, since, first of all, a down jacket is designed to protect against the cold, and not to walk on the catwalk. Remember that a down jacket for frosts from -15 ° C and below must necessarily cover your lower back and have a hood, so a classic down parka with a hood is the best option. Otherwise, diseases of the genitourinary system and kidneys are guaranteed. When choosing a down jacket for children, also consider the degree of protection of the child's body, only you are responsible for the health of the child.

If in winter you prefer to travel by car, then you should take into account that down jackets are quite bulky, and it is problematic to drive in long women's down coats.

A distinctive feature of the "parka" jacket is the fur trim on the hood. Some manufacturers use only natural fur - coyote, red and black-brown fox, raccoon, while others are content artificial analogues because of the rhetoric of societies for the protection of animals. The fur trim has not only a decorative function, but a purely applied one - protecting the face from the frosty wind. Pay attention to the parkas of the Eskimos and their fur hoods - these tough guys know a lot about winter clothes.

Before buying, carefully measure your dimensions and compare with the size chart ( size chart) of a specific brand. Also pay attention in the description to the product to fit things fit - regular(go size to size) slim(skin-tight), relaxed(loose fit, oversized for a size or more).

7. Choosing a manufacturing company quality clothing with the use of down is of paramount importance. We advise giving preference only to well-known and trusted clothing manufacturers with rich history in the production of down jackets, focusing on the development and production of down jackets for low temperature conditions, with good reviews about product quality. Companies committed to the use of natural and safe materials, but keeping up with development and application innovative approaches in production, with a wide range and adequate prices.

Of course, today almost every more or less well-known brand has down products in its collection, but these clothes are not very suitable for use in our conditions and have a more decorative, design role. From hundreds of manufacturers, we offer you to choose from time-tested and harsh winter conditions: Canada Goose, Pajar, Bask, Bogner, Joutsen, Hallie Hansen, Peak Performance, Fjallraven, The North Face, Marmot, mountain hardwear, Patagonia, Columbia, Jack Wolfskin, Lands" End, LLBean, Eddie Bauer, cabelas, Woolrich, Parajumpers, Moncler, Haglofs, Halti, Rossignol. As you can see from this list, most of the companies represented are from the Nordic and Scandinavian countries, where they know what real frost is.

8. The price of a down jacket, ranges from $120 for a simple down jacket to $1,000 and up for luxury brand down jackets. An adequate price for a good down jacket of a famous foreign brand will be the amount of $200-600 depending on the materials used and subject to purchase on well-known Internet sites in the USA and Europe. Of course, the same down jackets can be found in Russian retail, but then prices will have to be boldly increased by 2-3 times. And at all sorts of sales and seasonal discounts, a great down jacket can be purchased at huge discounts for only $ 100-250, not to mention eBay.com and Amazon.com with their truly amazing opportunities to grab wonderful things at ridiculous prices.

Well, buying down jackets for $ 1000 and more from fashionable couturiers, for whom appearance is of paramount importance over the main property of a down jacket, is a purely individual matter. The main part of the price tag here is the payment for a high-profile brand. Often, such down jackets are simply categorically not suitable for use in harsh climates, as they are created by designers from France and Italy, where the climate is much milder.

Here we will not consider Chinese-Turkish consumer goods for $ 50 -100 with a "swing" under Moncler and Canada Goose, wagons offered on the Chinese sites Aliexpress.com and Taobao. It is foolish to assume for such a price to get real goose down, at best it will be chicken, at worst - cotton wool. After all, downy raw materials pass special treatment: it is cleaned of grease and dust, passes veterinary and radiation control, is treated with special antibacterial and water-repellent agents, and only after that it is allowed to the production of down clothing and it is simply impossible to imagine that for all those millions of down jackets with which our markets and stores are littered, there was so much goose down!

9. Where can I buy a real down jacket? There are 2 answers to this question: in the nearest shopping center or in a foreign online store. We advise you to direct your eyes towards the second option, because there are at least 6 huge good points when buying a down jacket abroad:

• Adequate prices due to very strong competition (similar down jackets in our stores are offered at a price one and a half to two times higher, and the price for the luxury segment simply reaches cosmic values, there is no need to pay rent and staff salaries to our sellers, there is no customs fee clearance and duties, no VAT). Plus honest discounts up to 30-70%!
• It is far from always possible to buy goods in a company store or from an official dealer of a particular brand. There are not so many of them so far with us, and those that are mainly located in large cities. It's much easier to do this online. On the website of each brand you will find a list of company stores and official dealers, incl. and on the Internet.
• Confidence in the authenticity of the goods (the ability to purchase goods directly from the manufacturer, and large foreign online stores value their reputation very much and will never sell you a fake, which cannot be said about our dealers, who, even in a respectable shopping center, can easily slip Chinese Woolrich, Moncler or even Canada Goose for $1000.
• A huge selection of manufacturers, models and sizes is available for you to choose from without having to leave your home.
• There is always an opportunity to find reviews and reviews about the product from ordinary buyers.
• The goods can be returned or exchanged without any problems (without going through the 7 circles of hell)

Perhaps the only sensible manufacturer of down jackets in Russia is the Bask company, whose down jackets can be purchased at the Bask.ru online store. In any case, you should pay attention to Russian Bask down jackets.

Important note: If a large foreign online store offers you to choose a regional site, for example, in Russia, then be sure to compare prices before choosing. Many foreign stores believe that only millionaires live in the Russian Federation and significantly increase the price tag. The images show two women's down jackets for the winter 13/14 season from the official Moncler online store, offers for Russia and Germany (the price tag is the same for the rest of Europe). Comments are superfluous.

Screenshot from Moncler.com

Where to buy down jackets online

In the official online stores of manufacturers. But here a "surprise" may await you, because. far from all such stores accept payment from residents of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus and offer international delivery, and even at an affordable price.

• Bogner (Germany)
• Fjallräven (Sweden)
• Hally Hansen (Norway)
• Haglöfs (Finland)
• Halti (Finland)
• Jack Wolfskin (Germany)
• Moncler (France)
• vest– sleeveless down vest

Insulation(goose down, duck down, 550-850 Fill, 80/20, 90/10, 60/40) - insulation (goose, duck down, the value of the elasticity of the down, the ratio of down and feather in%).

body liner(Lining) - lining material.

Shell- fabric, the top cover of a down jacket, both from natural and synthetic fabrics or mixtures thereof.

• membrane- multi-layer membrane fabric, has a high density and weight, can have different brand names - Gore-Tex, HyVent, etc.
• DWR treated/covering - coating the upper fabric with a waterproof compound.
• ripstop- fabrics with a special reinforcing weave structure.

wind proof(block wind) - windproof.

Waterproof- waterproof.

Hood- hood.

Cuffs(soft, rib-knit inner) - cuffs (from the inside with a soft, knitted insert).

Detachable(hood, ruff, skirt, fur) - removable part (hood, collar, skirt, fur).

Adjustable(hood, gaiter / throat, cuffs, cord waist & hem) - adjustable / tightening parts (hood, neck, cuffs, drawstring at the waist and along the bottom hem).

Fur(natural / genuine or faux) - fur (natural or artificial), as an element of decoration.

Zipper(external, internal, two-way) - a zipper (outside, inside, in both directions), give preference to YKK locks.

VELCRO closure - Velcro

Pockets(external, internal, security, hand warmer, dual entry, zip-off) - pockets (external, internal, secret, for warming hands, with double access, with a zipper)

fit(regular, slim, relaxed) - fit, cut (regular, tight, loose fit - usually oversized).

Bulky- voluminous, baggy.

Overall length- the total length of the down jacket.

Weight(light, medium, heavy) - weight (light, medium, heavy).

wash(machine or hand) - washing (machine or hand).

Quality down jackets can last more than a dozen seasons if properly cared for. No supernatural care conditions are required, just try to keep the fluff in the down jacket from getting wet, and if this happens, dry it as soon as possible. It is necessary to store a down jacket in a straightened form on a coat hanger. Read care labels carefully!

Pay special attention to the washing process. We will give a few practical advice for washing in the washing machine.

1. For washing, we set the most soft and delicate program.
2. Be sure to fasten all zippers and buttons
3. Use special liquid detergents for down jackets
4. A washing temperature of 30 degrees Celsius is sufficient
5. Turn on the extra rinse mode for better rinsing of the powder.
6. Minimum spin speed: when wet, some down jackets become very heavy and the machine simply cannot cope with the spin. In this case, it must be pressed manually.
7. Place 3-4 tennis balls in the washing machine drum.
8. The down jacket is dried in a straightened form in warm and sunny weather on the balcony or bathroom
9. During the drying process, periodically fluff the down jacket, straightening the fluff.
10. After complete drying, you can put the down jacket again in the washing machine along with 3-4 tennis balls and turn on the spin mode (no wash and no rinse). The centrifuge with balls should beat the filler a little more and make the clothes more voluminous.