Insulated jackets
THE BASIC CHOICE in insulated jackets is between down fill and synthetic fill. The latter have improved noticeably in recent years, but despite this down is still warmer for the weight and more compact when packed. Down is longerlasting too, though the latest synthetics are pretty durable, and also soft and very comfortable, moulding to the body for near instant warmth.
The big plus point of synthetics is resistance to moisture. They soak up less water and dry much quicker than standard down. Hydrophobic down, which has a water-repellent treatment, is more resistant to moisture but it’s still not as good as synthetics. Nothing is very comfortable when sodden, though! In rain, down clothing is generally too warm to wear while moving anyway and you probably won’t need it at rest stops then – if you do, getting it on and then pulling a waterproof over the top can be done quickly. Also, down jackets usually have a DWR (durable waterrepellent) treatment that keeps rain out for short periods. Whilst getting a down jacket soaked is best avoided a little dampness isn’t a problem. I’ve used down garments for two-week trips in very humid conditions with wet snow or rain most days and they’ve stayed dry and kept me warm because they were never directly exposed to the weather for very long.
New types of synthetic insulation have made it more comparable with down. Some of these new insulation materials are made up of loose fibres rather than mats and can be blown into compartments like down. Garments with these can often be recognised by the typical stitch lines between compartments, making them look just like down ones. Synthetic insulation is a petroleum product. To reduce the environmental impact of using petroleum, companies have started making insulation from recycled material.
Down comes from geese and ducks bred for food. Until a decade or so ago
