Types of insulation, which is better - fluff or synthetics. What is the best filler for down jackets: an overview of materials, recommendations for choosing What is the temperature regime of 1000 fill power
down.
Fill Power
Don't let the label fool you Made in China
Canada Goose
Snow Mantra Canada Goose 675 F.P.
Bask
Taimyr FP650
Alaska
Duck Down 90/10 F.P. 650+.
Jackets like Everest Micro Light
Weight only 516 grams!!!
We present the TOP-5 of the warmest down jackets presented in our online store!
But first, let's define what a down jacket is? And by what criteria should it be judged?
For some reason, we call down jackets all voluminous jackets with insulation, no matter what. So, on the label of a real down jacket it should be written down. This means that it is the fluff inside: eiderdown, swan, duck or goose. Chicken down is practically not used in the manufacture of quality items: if chicken and poultry, then certainly not waterfowl. Therefore, her fluff does not have such necessary to a person heat-saving properties.
It is important to remember that the percentage of down in a really high-quality down jacket should not be lower than 80%, while the remaining 20% of the “stuffing” is a feather. Down jackets with a different ratio are less warm.
Another important indicator is the density of the down or its ability to compress ( Fill Power) - this is very important criterion quality. If this figure is 550 and above, then the down jacket is good. Try to roll the down jacket into a tube, folding the sleeves inward. The smaller the bundle is, the better quality fluff in the product. The faster the thing returns to its original position, the higher the Fill Power indicator and the better its quality.
Don't let the label fool you Made in China"on an expensive down jacket (at least 7,000 rubles) is not a fake if it meets quality standards and is produced in compliance with all technologies, things simply made in Asian countries are cheaper.
Also pay attention to the quality of the material: a modern down jacket is made of high-quality and lightweight microfiber, which does not allow down to pass through. This fabric "breathes", wear-resistant and able to withstand the lowest temperatures. It can be membrane tissues such as Dry Factor, Pertex® Microlight, Gelanots®, etc.
Our online store has several well-known manufacturers down jackets such as Canada Goose, RedFox, Bask, etc.
We will start with the world famous Canadian manufacturer of warm down jackets. Canada Goose. This is one of the few companies that have not moved their production to China (Made in Canada), so their jackets are traditionally of high quality, reliable and expensive. Not so long ago, their down jackets were worn mainly by workers at polar stations and Canadians themselves. But now it is a status item worn by businessmen, corporate directors and even V. Putin. Why did it happen?
Firstly, Canada Goose makes really high quality and warm down jackets. And they have been making them for more than a decade, so the models are well run in and thought out. Secondly, it turns out that in this niche there are still not many manufacturers producing something similar. Therefore, there is not much competition. Canada Goose down jackets are so popular not only because they are so good, but also because there are not many analogues of them.
Snow Mantra- this is the warmest down jacket from Canada Goose, and probably the warmest in the world! White duck down filling highest quality density 675 F.P. With 3M™ reflective stripes for increased visibility, glove and mitt loops, and self-tethers for emergency situations, provide highest protection, safety and warmth.
Famous Russian manufacturer firm Bask(Basque) is known primarily for its down jackets, although they also make other outdoor clothing. The range of down clothing is very wide, although it is inferior to Canada Goose. By the way, all clothes are sewn in Russia. Of particular interest are down products from the recently appeared series "Beyond the Arctic Circle".
Taimyr- this is kind of our answer to the Expedition from Canada Goose: the jackets look very similar, and they are positioned in the same way. The most versatile and warmest jacket in the Polar Circle series. The outer fabric is very dense and durable (250 g/m2), under it is a membrane that blocks water and wind. Plenty of pockets, windproof skirt, Alaska style hood with coyote fur trim. The down jacket uses goose down with FP650. You can find fault with the jacket only on trifles: the outer pockets are not very voluminous, the inner fabric is not fixed in them and crawls out when you take your hands out. Not like that a large number of possible colors as desired. The down jacket turned out to be very warm, and quite confidently competes with top models from other manufacturers.
Alaska- warm, but light winter down jacket for harsh winter. With a temperature regime of -30 ° C, and wear-resistant, Nylon Supplex upper fabric - it will perfectly protect on cold days from moisture, wind and sleet. The down jacket is used goose down 85%, Feather 15%, F.P. 650+, 400 grams.
Men's down coat for use in extremely low temperatures. Durable outer material water-repellent impregnation. Insulation: Duck Down 90/10 F.P. 650+.
Jackets like Everest Micro Light are sometimes called down sweaters. In cold weather, it can be worn as a stand-alone jacket, and in the rain as a warm intermediate jacket in addition to a storm jacket, for example, K2 or Alpine Ascent. The jacket was highly appreciated by the participants of the expedition "The first ascent of the Western Face of the K2 Summit".
One of the lightest down-retaining materials used. Insulation: Goose down F.P.650+. Weight only 516 grams!!!
When choosing a winter jacket, our customers often ask us about the so-called "comfort temperature". That is, on what temperature regime this jacket is designed. It should be noted that this indicator is very conditional. People feel completely different in cold conditions, depending on both personal qualities and physical activity and time spent in the cold. A much bigger effect on "comfort temperature" is how well you are dressed "in layers". That is, what kind of thermal underwear are you wearing, whether you are wearing a sweater or a vest. You can read more about the effect of clothing layers on comfort temperature in our translation of a foreign study.
However, there are indicators that will help you choose a jacket to your liking.
If you choose a down jacket, then first of all you should pay attention to the value of Fill Power (FP)
Fill power is the density of down stuffing. Expressed in cubic inches per ounce (in/oz). The higher the FP value, the more resilient the down, and therefore warmer. Elasticity can be conditionally divided by the quality of filling into several categories for a better understanding:
- low (up to 400)
- average (400-500)
- good (500-550)
- excellent (550-750)
- exclusive (750+)
The value of 500FP is considered to be a certain industrial minimum. Expensive and high-quality down jackets are not produced with such an indicator or lower. Good equipment can be considered with an indicator of 650 FP. In exclusive equipment top brands you can find fillers with an indicator of FP 900+.
However, in any case, it should be borne in mind that the sensitivity to air temperatures in people can be completely different. And it is impossible to say with 100% certainty that it is in this jacket with such technologies and filler density that a particular person will be absolutely comfortable in certain weather.
Almost all serious manufacturers of warm winter clothing give thermal insulation ratings of their products, combine their products into collections according to their properties, or classify products in some other way, for ease of choice. However, all these classifications are advisory character, therefore, they should not be put at the forefront.
In addition, the Fill Power parameter refers specifically to the quality of the filler itself, regardless of the temperature rating of the down jacket itself, so you should not put the thermal insulation of the product in direct dependence on the FP parameter. For example, a clearly lighter jacket designed for light frost can have exactly the same Fill Power as a down jacket for extreme temperatures. There is absolutely no mistake here.
EN342 - Special clothing for protection at low temperatures
This standard specifies the requirements and test methods for individual garments (covering part of the body, e.g. parka, jacket, coat) or sets of clothing (covering the entire body (torso and legs), e.g. overalls, parka plus dungarees) for protection in low temperatures. . Such conditions are characterized by a certain level of humidity and air temperature below -5°C. Test methods and appropriate classification of protective clothing should provide an adequate level of protection for the wearer in different conditions use of clothing. Clothing for protection in low temperatures should not only provide enough high level thermal insulation, but also be breathable so that sweat from the body can evaporate. Otherwise, the layer of clothing closest to the body becomes damp or wet due to sweat condensation and completely loses thermal insulation, which can lead to hypothermia. Based on this, the EN 342 standard defines three criteria for ensuring the proper functioning of protective clothing against the cold: Thermal insulation. Insulation is the most important characteristic. It is measured using a mannequin dressed in underpants, a T-shirt, a shirt with long sleeves, knitted gloves, socks, felt slippers and knitted hat. AT different parts sensors are installed on the body of the mannequin, with the help of which thermal insulation is measured. Tests are carried out on a moving manikin or a static one. Air penetration. Wind can significantly increase losses convection heat. Therefore, the level of breathability outer material is an important factor for the overall assessment of the protective characteristics of clothing against the cold. Low level the penetration of cold air into the middle of the microclimate near the body is an advantage, allowing better heat retention. Resistant to water penetration. The water penetration test is optional. It is carried out according to the EN 20811 standard. The resistance of the outer material and the seams of the garment to the penetration of water with a pressure of 980+/-50 Pa/min is measured. If it is necessary to determine the level of resistance to water penetration, then the resistance to the penetration of water vapor is also measured. The lower the level of resistance to water vapor, the better the air exchange of clothing.
In move
Relative humidity and wind speed affect the effectiveness of the protection.
Air penetration, AP (through external material):
Water penetration resistance, WP (optional):
Water vapor permeation resistance, Ret
It is determined for all layers of clothing except underwear. To comply with EN 342, Ret must be less than 55 m2 Pa/W. Workwear certified to EN 342 is designed to protect you from the cold. Fasten the cuffs and tighten the waistband before going outside so that the workwear fits well to the body. Such protective clothing prevents hypothermia, but protection is not guaranteed under any circumstance or condition. If clothing becomes damp, its protective performance deteriorates. To maintain the protective characteristics of protective clothing, it is necessary to save it in a dry, well-ventilated area. Garment care must be carried out in accordance with the recommendations indicated on the internal labels. The protection class according to EN 342 is also indicated on the internal label. Be aware that the insulating properties of clothing may deteriorate after washing. Change your clothes in a timely manner.
EN14058 - Special clothing for protection against low temperatures
This standard specifies the requirements and test methods for individual items of clothing for protection at low temperatures. Such conditions are characterized by a certain level of humidity and air temperature of -5°C and above. When moderately low temperatures clothes can be used for being in the middle and outdoors. In the first case, the use of materials for protection against water or wind is not mandatory. The level of protection of clothing and the time of protection also depends on individual characteristics human, movement activity, extra clothing and conditions environment(wind speed, temperature and humidity).
The table below shows the ambient air temperatures and the time during which clothing is able to protect a static person:
Without active movement, 75 W/m2
Relative humidity and wind speed affect the effectiveness of the protection.
The table below shows the ambient air temperatures and the time during which clothing is able to protect a moving person:
Relative humidity and wind speed affect the effectiveness of the protection.
What density should a down jacket be to be warm.
In the world today there are many natural and synthetic materials used to insulate clothing. They have different properties, but the same principle of operation: they all create an air gap between the body and external environment. Air, as it is well known, is a poor conductor of heat and the actual air gap, created by the material and is the main heat insulator. And how well the material holds this very layer is an indicator of the quality of this insulation. It is well known that the down of waterfowl (first of all, goose down) as a thermal insulation is an unsurpassed material: it is light, airy and perfectly retains a large amount of air inside. But fluff fluff is different. It can be large, small, caked, airy, rotten, etc. etc. — i.e. there are many parameters on which the properties of a particular batch of fluff depend. There are a lot of these parameters, but when it comes to thermal insulation properties, then to evaluate them all over the world, such an indicator as Fill Power is used (an article in the English Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fill_power). Its meaning is the density of down, its airiness, the volume occupied by a unit of weight. In practice for goose down this is measured in cubic inches per ounce (in³/oz) and ranges from 300 in³/oz (175 cm³/g) for feathers to 900 in³/oz for the highest quality down.
Parameter definition Fill Power The International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory (http://www.idfl.com) is responsible for quality certification of goose down in the United States. In order to obtain a quality parameter, a specialized test is carried out, the essence of which is as follows:
One ounce (28.4 grams) of batch-prepared goose down under specified temperature and humidity conditions is placed in a 241mm diameter plexiglass measuring cylinder and pressurized to 68.3 grams on top for 3-5 days. The volume that down will take up after passing this test is a measure of its density and is expressed in cubic inches/ounce (in³/oz). As a result of passing the test, the results of the Fill Power parameter are distributed as follows:
up to 400 - poor quality down
400 - 450 - medium quality down
500-750 - down excellent quality
750 and above - exclusive quality down
The point of using goose down with a high Fill Power is as follows: the heat insulator in clothing is essentially an insulating air layer of the same thickness, called loft. Down with different Fill Power can create the same loft when different weight. So, for example, using 550 insulation requires 40%-50% more weight than using 800 down to create the same degree of insulation.
Down with a Fill Power of 700 and above is VERY VERY different from 400 down and there is very little of it on the market. Almost all of the down available today for sale and used everywhere in down jackets is a product of secondary processing - waste in the production of meat products. Its Fill Power rarely exceeds 400. The fact is that birds from which you can get down with Fill Down with a density of 500-550 already need to be kept in specialized conditions for at least 4 months before harvesting. Down with a density of 700 and above is obtained exclusively from a small number of birds kept in breeding conditions throughout their lives. This fluff is collected exclusively in the spring during the geese molt and only by hand. Quality down can only be achieved through the strictest control over the process of manual selection of down. Therefore, down with high Fill Power is very scarce and expensive.
Each degree of insulation has its own purpose. So clothes in which Goose Fill Down 550 or Goose Fill Down 600 down are used are primarily intended for daily use in everyday life. this down is already an excellent quality down and creates a good degree of warming. At the same time, the weight of clothes is not critical: in everyday life it is not in the mountains, where every extra gram counts.
More high degree thermal insulation Goose Fill Down 700 is intended primarily for sportswear in non-critical areas of sports: tourism, tracks, being in the base camp before climbing, etc. The weight of this clothing (or sleeping bags) has already been reduced in relation to household ones, but the use of more expensive down in this case does not seem necessary. for this class of clothing, critical tasks are not set.
Exclusive Goose Fill Down 800 - Allows for a very high warmth-to-weight ratio and is used to lighten clothing and achieve the highest compressibility, which is very important in mountain climbing conditions.
And finally, the ideal degree of thermal insulation Goose Fill Down 900 - the gold standard of down insulation on the market - due to its great rarity, it is used exclusively in lightweight models from which all materials used and the design of the thing itself are aimed at achieving the maximum possible in the ratio of the minimum weight of the thing to maximum warmth, which can be obtained using this item. And so that at the same time the thing can be compressed and packed so that it practically does not take up space in the backpack.
Information from the site http://north-face.com.ua