However, for daily use and with jackets in particular, we often opt for synthetics instead. It offers all the benefits of down in a thin versatile material reducing cold spots and seepage associated with traditional quilted down and can be used in across apparel and footwear applications for the ultimate warmth and comfort. Dries quickly, often within a day or even hours. Thermolite is used in a variety of products, including outdoor apparel and sports gear, and its engineered to keep you warm while helping to optimize your performance. You may find yourself replacing synthetic products more often compared to down products. and we wont have to freeze, Your email address will not be published. More information can be found athttp://www.dow-dupont.com. And if you think birds used for down dont die for their feathers, think again. At REI, we believe that a life outdoors is a life well lived. Synthetic Insulation: Whats the difference? While synthetic fills have been less scrutinized, they have their own set of issues. (WARNING GRAPHIC) The second measurement youll come across is fill weight, which is the weight (in ounces or grams) of the amount of down in a product. Other people prefer synthetic insulation. The Black Diamond Dash Parka, the Prism Ice Parka, the Whirlibird Parka and the Kaleidaslope Jacket are great womens synthetic choices. DuPont developed Sorona in the late 1990's by leveraging the innovative bio-based monomer Bio-PDO as the basis for the polymer. All those expensive winter skiing, snowboarding or hiking jackets are now on sale! Black Diamond, Patagonia, The North Face, and Adidas are among the retailers that offer PrimaLoft. Thirty-seven percent of its polymer is made using annually renewable plant-based ingredients. Wanted it to be something I can take into work on those cold mornings or for bushwalks, I do like the ribbed collar compared to the puffy ones, although I understand this compromises the warmth around the neck. Down is rated according to fill power, which is directly related to the loft quality. Regardless of the type, warmth is measured in grams per square meter (gsm); importantly, this is not the total amount of insulation in a product (unfortunately, synthetics arent measured the same way as down). Most outdoor gear and apparel companies use only goose down, which has a minimum fill power of 500 to 550. Thermal R is almost as light as Primaloft, provides excellent warmth and is very durable. Since the early 1900s, DuPont Sorona has been revolutionizing the world of fibers and polymers. Check your inbox. There are important considerations when making a purchase: What is your skill level? After all of the discussion on down vs. synthetic insulation, there are important gear decisions to be made. DuPont Sorona is a bio-based, high-performance polymer that contains 37% annual renewable plant-based ingredients. The all-new Helium Down Collection takes durable lightweight warmth to an entirely new level. Macpac, Kathmandu, North face etc. DuPont Industrial Biosciences, a DowDuPont Specialty Products business, works with customers across a wide range of industries to make products and industrial processes more efficient and sustainable. And with fabric technologies like VerticalX and VerticalX Air there is increased breathability and moisture transfer, designed to be worn while you're on the move. Down is extremely light, compressible, warm, and known for having a long lifespan. If you're not sure which type of insulation to choose, don't worry. Down acts as a natural thermal vest for birds by trapping air and preventing the loss of body heat. Most synthetic fills are, at the very least, resistant to moisture. Duck and goose plumage arent always ethically sourced, but more and more manufacturers are starting to use fill certified by the Responsible Down Standard (RDS). For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Stationary activities that create less sweat. Thinsulate has a plethora of products designed for virtually all weather conditions. http://sorona.com/ is the maker of the material. Goose or duck feathers - all OR down is a part of the Responsible Down Standard (RDS). Why do you support laws that REQUIRE abject suffering rather than support the RESCUE of those who suffer? In the end, no synthetic insulation yet matches the loftiness or warmth-to-weight ratio of down. Thomas Regional are part of Thomasnet.com. There are now numerous types of high-performance synthetic insulations available, and several come close to down in terms of warmth-to-weight ratio. Join once, enjoy forever. Sorona is a co-polymer of 1,3-propanediol(obtained by fermentation) and petroleum-derived terephthalic acid(TPA) or dimethyl terephthalate(DMT). Other people prefer synthetic insulation. to find humane clothing out there Proper storage is essential, including keeping your jacket or sleeping bag unstuffed in your gear closet. MicroCloud offers a wide variety of vegan bedding, including mattresses, quilts, and pillows. Further, synthetic jackets will often have a more sweatshirt-like shell (the Patagonia Nano-Air, for example), rather than the shiny, swishy nature of most down shells. DuPont, the DuPont Oval Logo, and all products, unless otherwise noted, denoted with , or are trademarks, service marks or registered trademarks of affiliates of DuPont de Nemours, Inc. REPREVE is a registered trademark of Unifi, Inc. ECOLoft, ECOLoft eco-elite, ECOLoft ActiVe SR, ECOLoft FLEX SR and ECOLoft AIR SR are trademarks of Youngone. While Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags and Quilts of 2023, Best Cheap Down Jacket: REI Co-op 650 2.0, Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody. Natural down is also incredibly resilient andif properly cared forcan be used for many years. It remains lightweight and compressible while holding you in a cocoon of warmth, definitely something to consider when debating what to take on your trek and what to leave in the closet. Down is the soft layer of fine feathers from the breast of a goose or duck that is closest to their skin and grows to form quill, but does not have the hard quill shaft found in the outer feathers of birds. That's the job of an insulated layer, which can be a separate garment or another layer built into the interior of your shell. Copyright 2023 Thomas Publishing Company. Synthetic insulation is heavier and bulkier than down, requiring more weight and volume to keep you in the comfort zone. In technical synthetic outerwear, we most often see insulations between 50and 130 gsm (generally expressed as 50-gram or 50g), with most performance-oriented jackets hovering around 60 gsm. Most sleeping bags are exclusively down or synthetic, but not all jacketsfall neatly into one category or the other: Keep an eye out for down/synthetic hybrids. Ecoloft ActiVe SR features more recycled + renewable content than industry peers, improved vapor management while maintaining warmth, and the compressibility and soft comfort that is ideal for active adventures. And from our sleeping bag example above, the Mountain Hardwear Shasta 15 costs $170 compared to $399 for the REI Co-op Magma 15. Down vs. Sorona answers the global call for sustainably sourced fabrics, bridging the personal and societal at a . With all that in mind, if youre faced with cold, dry conditions or if you dont expect to encounter wet weather, then down insulation is your ticket. Privacy Policy. For updates about how DuPont Industrial Biosciences is helping customers deliver cost-effective products with superior performance and sustainability, follow@DuPontBiobasedon Twitter or visit our website athttp://biosciences.dupont.com. This technology can be found at Arcteryx, Eddie Bauer, and Mountain Equipment. Without a doubt, synthetic insulation is cheaper than down. We'll send you a few emails every week. This makes Sorona a perfect choice for fiberfill insulation in winter gear. Weve tested a lot of outdoor gear and picked our favorites, including the best down jackets, synthetic jackets, and backpacking sleeping bags. This cozy insulation type offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio on the market and packs down smaller than synthetics for easy storage. Start-stop activities where managing sweat is critical. Not all insulation is created equal. In short, a good synthetic can keep you warm while still allowing enough air to escape. Orif you REALLY want the warmth of down regardless of the weather, you could consider one of theHelium Down Jackets. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, building and construction, health and wellness, food and worker safety. This technology can be found at Rossignol, Homeschool Outerwear, and NuSleep Bedding. Some will even repel water. As you're considering your options, think about where youll be going, how much weight you want to carry, the weather youre likely to encounter and how much money youre aiming to spend. Most down jackets are too warm to wear indoors, and outside of the summer, we frequently keep our synthetic jacket on all day. It does so through its novel bio-based solutions for industries as varied as packaging, food, cosmetics, apparel and carpeting, all facing the challenges of greening their supply chains and offering high performance, sustainable choices to their downstream customers. YOUNGONE a leading global manufacturer of outdoor and athletic clothing, textiles, footwear and gear is leveraging DuPont Sorona renewably sourced fiber and Unifi REPREVE recycled content to debut three new insulation products that provide lightweight breathable warmth with unique softness and shape retention. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Polarguard is a continuous-filament, polyester synthetic fiber that is most commonly used in sleeping bags and outerwear. TheHelium Down Jacketsalso use an exclusive waterproof version of Pertex Shield with Diamond Fuse fabric on hood and shoulders for added weather invincibility. Outdoor equity, climate action, places we love. In addition to its ability to efficiently trap heat, down is also incredibly breathable, allowing it to wick unwanted moisture away from your body to evaporate. As technology has improved, however, synthetic has made significant headway. Its also a good choice for casual outdoor enthusiasts who only use their gear a handful of times a year and for people who prefer to save money. In addition, the REI Product Impact Standardsinclude the basic animal welfare expectation that apply to all brands selling products containing virgin down. The Lhotse Mountain II Parka, The Powder Bowl Parka , The Whirlibird Parka and the Shimmer Me Timbers Jacket are four mens Omni-Heat jackets that are made up of 100% nylon and polyester. 10+ million models from leading OEMs, compatible with all major CAD software systems. Insulation materials made with DuPont Sorona fiber also will be introduced as a revolutionary alternative to down and feather filling. Spring is almost upon us you know what that means? The typical range is around 450 to 900, with 900 being the warmest and lightest but also the priciest. Its breathable and retains warmth with less filling and weight, creating a more comfortable garment.

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