Down Fillers

The choice of quality, warm and comfortable winter down jacket depends not only on its style, length and manufacturer. The main indicator of its durability and ability to retain heat is the filler.

By their origin, fillers are divided into 2 groups: natural and artificial.

Each group has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, natural fillers keep warm better, but harder to maintain. Synthetic heat is worse, but they do not cause allergies.

The most popular natural filler, due to which the name - “down-padded coat” appeared. Its advantages include excellent heat-saving ability, softness, lightness, durability.

Among the shortcomings should be noted the high cost, special conditions for cleaning or washing, the possibility of allergic reactions.

As a heater the down of a goose, a duck, a swan or eider is most often used.

It is considered the warmest, but also the most expensive of the presented fillers. Ideal for the harshest climatic conditions and for long walks in the fresh air.

This is the most common option. Most often additionally mixed with synthetic filler, it can significantly reduce the cost of the down jacket.

Down jackets filled with pure down belong to the most expensive price category of down jackets. Most often, you can find the ratio of down and feather - 80/20 and 70/30, where the first indicator is the percentage of down.

The higher the first indicator, the more suitable for the colder and more severe conditions of the down jacket.

Clothes with a percentage of down below 70% can be worn in the spring and autumn periods.

Data on the composition of the filler is usually indicated on the label.

If the label says "100% down", it means that the filler is fluff. The inscription "feather" means that the filler is down + feather. "Intelligentdown" - down + synthetic filler.

Outerwear with woolen filler can be called a down jacket only conditionally, because it contains no down as such. Rather, it is already a winter jacket.

The advantages of wool include excellent ability to keep warm and low cost.

Disadvantages: the possibility of shrinkage during washing, the possibility of allergic reactions, a lot of weight.

It is an inexpensive artificial material that does not absorb moisture and retains heat well. Its significant disadvantages include the loss in volume after the first wash.

Thin, lightweight material that repels moisture and retains heat perfectly. A down jacket with such a filler dries quickly after washing and does not lose its original appearance even after a long period of wear.

Holofiber is a synthetic filler in the form of spiral fibers. Light, warm, hypoallergenic, quite voluminous material.

Often, a mixture of natural and artificial fillers is used as a filler for a down jacket. Sintepukh has excellent performance properties, it is very light, retains heat well, tolerates washing and drying.

Among other artificial fillers can be noted tinsuleyt, Primaloft and many others.

1. In order for a down jacket to reliably warm during the coldest winter days, it is necessary that it contains at least 500 - 600 g of filler.
2. In order for the insulation to be distributed as evenly as possible over the surface of the down jacket, it is placed in special square or rectangular blocks. Insulation should move freely inside the unit, not to prick and not form lumps.