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Down or synthetic: which insulation to choose?
6 minutes
Insulation is very important when it’s time to choose a jacket, a vest or even a sleeping bag. Do you want to be protected from the cold while staying dry during your outdoor activities? Make sure to consider the weather, the type of activity and your sensitivity to the cold. Learn the benefits of each insulation to make the right choice for you.
Down
- Down is made from the plumage under the water bird’s feathers. It naturally traps air to retain your body heat and can resist temperatures below zero. It’s the ideal insulation if you want to practice low intensity activities while staying warm.
- When down is humid, it loses some of its insulation power. That’s why it’s better to avoid humid weather and high intensity activities. If you want to wear down during an activity where you’re going to sweat, choose a hydrophobic down that can resist humidity.
- Down apparel and sleeping bags are lightweight and packable, they are perfect for travelling and can easily fit in a backpack.
- Pay attention to the down’s fill power! You can find this information in the form of a mark (500, 600, 800, etc.). It measures the quantity of air that one ounce of down can store. The more air it can accumulate, it’s going to be more insulation and therefore
Synthetic
- The synthetic insulation can retain the heat coming from the body to avoid heat loss, even if it’s less insulating and warm than down.
- It’s a better fit for high intensity activities and humid weather. Even when they are damp, the synthetic fibers can retain heat while evacuating humidity.
- This type of insulation is however a bit heavier and less packable than down insulation if you went to travel.
- To know the thickness of the insulation, pay attention to the number of grams per square meters. This way, you can find out the level of heat. The higher the number, the more it will keep you warm. To make the best choice possible, carefully read the tags, each brand had its own type of synthetic insulation.
For even more tips, and to make sur to make the right choice according to your outdoor activities, come and visit our sales specialist in-store.
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