A good down jacket is a very comfortable, wearable and practical thing. Moreover, in cold climates, down outerwear warms and retains heat very well. Note that a quality winter coat must have certain properties that allow it not to let moisture through, to be durable to mechanical impact and wind resistant.
Which Types of Materials Exist?
The most common filling material is the feather of a swan or eider. But this option is very expensive. Although, it is the warmest and most wearable variant. Another one is cheaper, but no less ergonomic – goose or duck feathers.
There are fillers made from animal wool, which are also very warm, but they can cause allergies. Another thing is that they are in no way inferior in terms of efficiency to the feathers of ducks and geese.
There are other materials – substitutes for natural ones. Such as synthetic winterizer, synthetic fluff, holofiber, polyester, thinsulate. Also, materials such as cotton and wadding can be used.
So how do you choose the best material for the climate you live in?
First, you need to decide on a budget. If you prefer more expensive materials, then you should focus on the premium segment, consisting of feathers and down of swan and eider.
For the northern regions, the percentage of down is from 50/50% – this is feather and down. The feather does not allow the fluff to fall off and stick, therefore, special attention should be paid to this. It is also desirable when the jacket or coat consists of compartments that are fenced from each other. This provides additional insulation and prevents the ball from bunching up.
Sheep and camel wool is heavier and dries much longer after washing. It is slightly inferior in terms of thermal insulation to down, but this difference can only be felt by people who are sensitive to cold.
An excellent option for replacing down and wool is synthetic winterizer. It holds heat well and dries well after washing, keeping its shape. If a jacket made of natural fabrics needs to be dried in a special way and adhere to the recommendations for erasing a contaminated surface, then the synthetic winterizer is an unpretentious material.
A splendid filler for a down jacket is thinsulate – a material specially designed for astronauts and cosmonauts. It is in no way inferior to down, but in terms of caring for it, it is superior.
Down jacket – great for almost any climate of northern latitudes. It is wind and moisture resistant; if with a membrane, then passing air. Perfectly retains and evenly distributes heat throughout the upper body of a person. It’s lightweight and folds up nicely without requiring a lot of storage space. If you follow the recommendations, it is well washed and worn for a long time. Unlike sheepskin coats and warm leather jackets, it is extremely rarely scratched and damaged.