How long does a synthetic down jacket last?
Synthetics break down every time you compress them. One guy(who works for a clothing company) told me that Primaloft can loose 50% of its 'loft'/warmth in as little as 1-2 years with alot of use. Thats at the high end of of the use spectrum, ie a guide with almost daily use.
Over time, the synthetic fibres or down lose their lofting ability and insulation power, although the rate at which this happens depends on frequency of use and how well the jacket has been cared for.
Although it works in the same way as down—body heat gets trapped by the fibers' loft—synthetic insulation in general is less warm, heavier, and less compressible than down. Further, over time, it gets packed out and loses its ability to loft, resulting in a shorter lifespan than down.
If you're looking for a jacket that offers solid warmth at a good value, synthetic insulation is the way to go. You don't get quite as high of a warmth-to-weight ratio as down, but synthetic jackets resist moisture, can breathe better, and are more cost-efficient.
Down is weight-for-weight the better insulator, so it's most suitable than synthetic down for extremely cold conditions. Very cold conditions are usually very dry conditions. Down is the ideal insulation for dry-cold climates and on expeditions and adventures where weight is a defining factor, such as alpine climbing.
though not quite as good as down. In addition, synthetic insulation has a slightly higher weight-to-warmth ratio than down, meaning it needs to be heavier to achieve the same warmth as down.
Ounce for ounce, down is warmer than nearly all synthetic insulations. Very few manmade fibers can match down's warmth-to-weight ratio. Down retains its shape and loft well. With proper care, it can last for decades.
Down Insulation
With a warmth-to-weight ratio three times that of synthetic insulation, down is pound-for-pound the best insulator in the world.
Down jackets, leather jackets, and wool coats: Once a season, if worn sporadically; twice a season, if worn regularly. Suit jackets and blazers: After four to five wears. Fleece jackets: After six or seven wears. Rain jackets: Once a month, if worn infrequently; twice a month, if worn regularly.
So, if you want a truly waterproof jacket, synthetic is the way to go.
Are synthetic down jackets waterproof?
Traditionally synthetic fills like PrimaLoft have been the go to choice for cold and damp conditions. Generally the fibres have been treated so they are hydrophobic and don't absorb water. That means if they do get wet, they retain most of their insulating properties.
These jackets (unless specified) are not waterproof. Moisture causes the down to clump and this will hinder the insulating properties and can take a long time to dry out.
- Ideally, rinse your washing machine out before use. ...
- Close all zips and hook & loop fastenings.
- Use a non-biological liquid detergent, pure soap or a technical cleaner such as Nikwax Tech Wash.
- Machine Wash on a gentle, cool setting.
Yes, polyester filling can be very warm and easily keep you warm at lower than 10°F, but it will weigh more than a down jacket. Many cold weather jackets are insulated by polyester, and some winter jackets feature multiple layers of polyester to make them extra warm.
In general, polyester does a great job keeping you warm. As long as your body stays warm, polyester will trap that heat between you and the fabric. But if you stay toasty for too long, you may start to sweat. The same quality of polyester that keeps you warm, often lacks breathability, causing you to sweat.
Whether you look forward to being able to wear your winter clothes or are still mourning the end of summer, we can all agree that a good winter coat is one of the most important items in your wardrobe. The right one will keep you looking stylish, feeling cosy and — if treated right — can last a good five years.
Thinsulate is considered "the warmest thin apparel insulation" available. In fact, when equal thicknesses are compared, it provides about 1½ times the warmth of down and about twice the warmth of other high-loft insulation materials.
Typically made of polyester, synthetic fill is quick-drying and insulates even if wet (something down struggles to do). It also tends to be less expensive than down insulation, and it's durable and hypoallergenic.
While most winter jackets call on the benefits of down, 3M™ Thinsulate™ Featherless Insulation does it one better. It closely mimics the look and performance of natural down but surpasses down's performance when wet. It matches or outperforms in fill power, loft and performance.
As a rule of thumb, 50g-100g of insulation is a good choice for spring or autumn, or as a technical mid-layer, whilst jackets with 100-200g of insulation are ideal for colder conditions.
Does down deteriorate over time?
“Down packs out over time, just like a down pillow or comforter. After a year or two of use, it flattens out and is a lot less fluffy,” Johnson says. When your down looses fluffiness, it looses insulation power because doesn't trap as much warm air to keep you toasty.
Down Fill Power
It is calculated by how much space 1 ounce of down clusters takes up in a cylindrical tube. For example, 1 ounce of 800-fill-power down will loft to 800 cubic inches, 1 ounce of 700-fill-power down will loft to 700 cubic inches, etc.
Ultimately, down is worth the cost if you'll be in weather that's cold but not super wet. Some of the warmest coats can cost well over $1,000, but Jordan Wand, vice president of product and marketing for Outdoor Research, assured ABC News, "There's no silver bullet" when it comes to getting the right down coat.
Down requires air to create a thermal barrier that retains warmth. Performance When Wet: Down provides zero insulation when wet. Having said that, treated Water Repellent Down absorbs 30% less water than untreated down, dries 60% faster and retains much of its loft even when exposed to moisture.
Fill Power vs.
But again, much depends on the fill weight. A 650 down fill jacket with 330g of down may be as warm as an 800 down fill jacket with only 120g, but the 650 fill jacket will be bigger, heavier and take up more room when stuffed in your pack.
If you are looking to stay warm and toasty this winter, the North Face Arctic Down Parka is your new go-to jacket. Not only does it come with a fully waterproof and breathable outer layer, but it is also filled with the highest quality 550+ fill down that will keep you warm on even the coldest days.
The 40 g/m2 piece will keep you thermal-neutral when backpacking at ~ -5F; that is its single trick.
The simple answer is you should own a minimum of 3 jackets. A casual jacket for everyday wear, a smart jacket and a winter coat.
How should your insulated jacket fit? - YouTube
If you are going to have a few different winter coats in your closet, you might as well make them all varying lengths. Generally, there are three basic winter coat lengths every woman should have in her closet: a hip-length coat, a mid-thigh coat, and a mid-calf coat. Why not invest in all three?
Is synthetic down as warm as real down?
Ounce for ounce, down is warmer than nearly all synthetic insulations. Very few manmade fibers can match down's warmth-to-weight ratio. Down retains its shape and loft well. With proper care, it can last for decades.
Down jackets are one of the more expensive parts of any layering system and typically will last you for many years.
Synthetic down, also called alternative down, is a type of engineered insulation that's aimed at mimicking natural down. It's usually made with polyester and constructed so that the faux fibers branch out in different directions, offering varying sizes and shapes.
Lifetime. My big winter down jacket is at least 12 years old, still in fine shape. I've been using my Montbell UL down jacket for 4 years now and it's still going strong. I figure I can get another 2-3 years out of it.
Down Insulation
With a warmth-to-weight ratio three times that of synthetic insulation, down is pound-for-pound the best insulator in the world.
Winter coats made with 100% wool are going to be the warmest—they also tend to be the most stylish and can be worn with a large variety of outfits. ✔️ Parkas, a.k.a. anorak jackets, are usually waterproof and hooded.
While most winter jackets call on the benefits of down, 3M™ Thinsulate™ Featherless Insulation does it one better. It closely mimics the look and performance of natural down but surpasses down's performance when wet. It matches or outperforms in fill power, loft and performance.
