Are down-filled coats warm?
Down-filled coats are designed to keep you warm using lightweight, insulating feathers. Down jackets have been in use since 1936 to maintain body temperature in cold conditions. Fill power ratings are a guide to the volume of the feathers. A higher rating means less down is needed to trap an equal amount of heat.
To increase the amount of insulation either more down can be packed into the coat, or higher quality down can be used. The fill power rating indicates the quality of the down, while the weight will show how much down is compressed into the coat. How warm you feel will depend on the combination of the two.
Your choice of fill power and fill weights will depend on the needs of your activity. Increased weight will increase insulation but also make the coat bulkier and more restrictive to movement.
Fill power usually ranges from 400 - 900. The North Face down jackets range from 550 to 1000, representing the highest quality commercially available down.
The North Face Men’s City Standard Down Jacket uses 700-fill down as the perfect all-rounder for the winter trail or the cold commute. Ethically sourced down and ripstop nylon outer fabric combines for an effective, durable jacket. With zipped pockets and an attached hood, the jacket also packs down into its own self-contained pocket, making it ideal for travel.
The premium Men’s Summit L6 Cloud Down Parka is designed for enhanced thermal performance on cold mountain ascents. The 800-fill jacket utilises cloud down technology, an arrangement of baffles (the compartments containing the down) that provides maximum space for the down to loft while keeping the lining close to the body.
Is duck or goose down better?
Clusters of goose down feathers tend to be larger than duck down due to the size of the birds. This means that goose down will have a higher fill power than duck down. Products using duck down will usually be cheaper than goose feathers.
The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certification was created by The North Face, representing a commitment to animal welfare throughout the feather supply chain. All down products from The North Face use RDS certified goose down. This ensures that no geese have been subjected to unnecessary harm in order to provide feathers.
Can down jackets be waterproof?
Down jackets can be waterproof, depending on the fabric used for the outer layer. Down feathers are used in the coat lining, while water resistance is provided by the outer shell. Down does not insulate effectively when wet, although synthetic alternatives have been engineered to maintain performance when damp.
Down jackets with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating will be able to withstand light showers. If you expect to encounter heavy rain, then consider packing a separate waterproof rain shell or looking for a synthetic alternative to down.
Thermoball™ technology was developed by The North Face to achieve the heat-trapping effects of down feathers. The small clusters of synthetic fibres used in Thermoball ™ clothing do not change shape when they become damp. This allows them to provide warmth in all conditions.
