Insulation in clothes. What are there and which is more practical and warmer? Fillings for down jackets: which one is better

The women's clothing store offers down jackets, short coats and coats with different insulation, so you can’t help but wonder what filling to choose for a winter down jacket so as not to freeze in the cold? An important indicator of a down jacket's ability to retain heat is the filler. The durability of the product and the preservation of its original properties even after a couple of seasons of wear depend on the quality and properties of the insulation.

You can find one- or two-layer fashionable down jackets on sale different styles. For the Russian winter, two-layer jackets are more suitable, but for European and southern regions a single-layer jacket is quite suitable; it can withstand temperatures down to minus 12 degrees, and there it doesn’t get any lower.

Before we start choosing a down jacket for the winter, in accordance with, let's look at its filling and study the entire list of candidates for filling a winter jacket. So, manufacturers choose artificial synthetic fibers and natural materials as fillers.

Natural ones have been a priority for a long time, as they retain heat well, but they require complex care and the creation of special conditions for washing. New-fashioned synthetic ones are slightly inferior in heat-protective properties and some even surpass natural insulation materials. The main advantages of synthetic insulation include ease of maintenance and hypoallergenicity.

Each type of filler has its own characteristics and features. Do you want to figure out which filler is the best? Let's study the qualities and properties of each of them.

What is the best filling for a down jacket: types and descriptions of materials

Consider all natural fillers

Pooh. It can be duck, swan, or eider down. A jacket stuffed with it proper care will last more than 10 years. Thanks to this filling, jackets stuffed with down got their name “down jacket”. Advantages of the material: high heat-saving ability, lightness, softness and durability.

As for the disadvantages, we include the high cost of the final product (although it is formed not only due to the filler, but also depends on the covering fabric, style and brand). To care for and wash a down-based down jacket, you need: special conditions. Sensitive people also note the occurrence of allergic reactions during wear.

Among all downs, the most expensive and warmest is eider fluff. It is used to insulate products for women living in harsh climates. Jackets with eider down are suitable for country outings and long walks in the fresh air.

Goose and duck down the most common option. IN Lately it is often mixed with synthetic fibers to reduce cost. In principle, this has little effect on the heat-saving capabilities of products. And judging by the reviews, women's down jackets with duck and goose down mixed with artificial fibers are easier to wash and retain their properties after being manipulated in a washing machine.

Feather+down. Enough frequent refilling for women's down jackets and coats. The feather, on the one hand, reduces the cost of the product, and on the other hand, creates a certain basis for volume. On personal experience I will say that a down jacket with a feather can be washed at home.

For information: P uh is usually denoted on the manufacturer’s labels with the word “down". Inscription "feather" means a mixed type of feather and down. Word "Intelligentdown" indicates that a combination of down and synthetic fill is used. If you want to know how to choose a good women's down jacket based on the filling, you will have to learn these characteristics by heart. In addition to these inscriptions, the label may contain the designation “Cotton" or "polyester". This means that cotton wool, batting or padding polyester was used for filling.

The label also indicates the ratio of down to feather content (fraction on the label). 70/30 or 80/20. Usually the first number is the percentage of the pen. Check the percentage before buying a down jacket. Normal is 70-80%. It is with this level of fluff that the product will be adapted to harsh climates and cold winters.

Looking ahead a little, I’ll tell you how to determine how to determine whether padding polyester or down is in a down jacket. To do this, squeeze the filler through the fabric with two fingers and rub it between your fingers. With synthetic padding polyester, holofiber and other artificial filler, you will hear a creaking sound and it will seem to slide between your fingers. Down does not make such a sound, but if the filler is created in a combination of down and feather, then between your fingers you will feel thin feather rods; they are quite noticeable to the touch.

Wool. This natural material for filling jackets. They are called down jackets conventionally, since they do not contain down. A winter jacket or short coat stuffed with wool retains heat perfectly and is inexpensive. Sheep or camel wool is often used for filling.

Disadvantages: the final product is heavy and shrinks when washed. Also causes allergic reactions. Recently, manufacturers have been using a mixture of filling down jackets, using wool and synthetic fibers. Thanks to this combination, such jackets can be easily washed at home in automatic washing machines.

Artificial fillers: advantages and disadvantages for down jackets

Sintepon . Popular and cheapest material for down jackets and coats. Recently, it has been replaced by modern types of fillers and is rarely used for stuffing clothes. Advantages:

• retains heat well;
• is not a hydroscopic material;
• dries quickly after getting wet;
• Washable in automatic washing machines.

Disadvantages: it loses volume after the first wash, and after several washes it clumps, with the exception of quilted products.

Isosoft . Excellent material for filling down jackets. This is a European membrane insulation from the manufacturer Libeltex.

Advantages of isosoft:

• has low weight;
• repels moisture well and does not absorb it;
• even a thin layer retains heat perfectly;
• products filled with isosoft can be washed in a washing machine;
• A down jacket with isosoft dries quickly and does not lose its original appearance during long-term wear.

The disadvantage is the high cost.

Holofiber. Artificial insulation made from synthetic spiral fibers. It is used as insulation for women's and children's clothing. According to reviews from owners of holofiber down jackets, this is a real find for the cold Russian winter.

The following advantages of this material are noted:

• a light weight;
• does not come off when washing;
• inexpensive and accessible;
• bulk material;
• hypoallergenic.

It is believed that holofiber does not allow air to pass through well, but if it is used in conjunction with the fabric covering of a down jacket, this disadvantage disappears.

Thinsulate . The insulation is made of highly siliconized polyester fiber, twisted in a spiral. There is air around the fibers. It is also called artificial swan down. The thickness of the fibers is 60 times less than the thickness of a human hair. It has a high ability to retain heat. To achieve identical characteristics, a thickness of 10 times less is required compared to conventional fillers. Initially, Thinsulate was developed by order of NASA for clothing for astronauts and polar explorers. Currently, this insulation is considered the warmest and thinnest of the fillers for down jackets.

Advantages of Thinsulate:

• low weight with large volumes;
• has increased thermal insulation properties;
• does not form into lumps when worn;
• tolerates washing well, does not deform or clump after prolonged use;
• environmentally friendly hypoallergenic material;
• does not absorb odors;
• does not shrink after getting wet;
• dries quickly.

Disadvantages: can cause overheating of the body, is expensive and accumulates static electricity.

Sintepooh. This is a fluffy bulky mass made of synthetic fibers with a hollow structure. It consists of white springy fibers, intertwined, they form a dense structure. There are several types of synthetic fluff, including siliconized fluff. Twisted polyester fibers are additionally treated with silicone emulsion. This allows them not to cling to each other and maintain volume for a long time.

The characteristics of the insulation are as close as possible to down.

Advantages of synthetic fluff:

• environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic,
• the material does not absorb odors and does not accumulate dust;
• high wear resistance, it does not collapse;
• antibacterial, synthetic fibers do not contain microorganisms and fungi;
• breathability, provides ventilation
• resistant to deformation, the original shape returns after compression or stretching;
• water resistance, fibers quickly evaporate moisture after getting wet, but even when wet they retain their heat-insulating properties;
• tolerates washing well, does not shrink;
• In terms of care, synthetic down jackets are machine washable.

So, if we compare fillings for down jackets, which one is better, then we can note the following: if you are looking for lightweight and warm down jacket, then your choice is synthetic filler or Thinsulate. For allergy sufferers, it is also better to choose synthetic insulation; they do not cause allergic reactions and do not contribute to the proliferation of microorganisms. All adherents of natural insulation are recommended to use a combination of feather + down; they have better performance characteristics than 100% down or feather. If the label indicates the proportion: 80% down in a combination of 20% feather, you will not freeze in a down jacket even in extreme weather conditions.

Recently, more and more often on clothing tags opposite the word “filler” you can find the following phrase: spray-bonded cotton wool. Many of my friends and blog readers ask what kind of filler this is, how it behaves in winter, and how to care for it.

Spray-bonded cotton wool is an environmentally friendly, safe material. On the label of a down jacket or jacket it is designated as: spray bonded wadding. It is made from natural cotton and cotton wool. This is a soft, wear-resistant and breathable material. By technical properties This filler is close to bio-fluff. It has high quality thermal insulation, does not cause allergies, does not rot or corrode, does not crumple, and is breathable. Be sure that the spray-bonded cotton wool filler will not harbor microorganisms, moths or other insects. Spray-bonded cotton wool will not crawl out through the seams and roll into lumps. It will help you withstand the harshest frosts.

I hope I answered the question, what is the best filling for a down jacket and now you know for winter.

down.

Fill Power

Don't let the label confuse you Made in China

Canada Goose

Snow Mantra Canada Goose 675 F.P.

Bask

Taimyr FP 650

Alaska

Duck down 90/10 F.P. 650+.

Jackets like Everest Micro Light

Weight only 516 grams!!!

We present the TOP 5 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 assessed?

For some reason, we call all bulky jackets with insulation, no matter what kind, down jackets. So, on the label of a real down jacket it should say down. This means that the fluff inside is eider, swan, duck or goose. Chicken down is practically not used in the manufacture of high-quality things: if chicken and poultry, then certainly not waterfowl. Consequently, its fluff does not have the heat-saving properties so necessary for humans.

It is important to remember that the percentage of down in a truly high-quality down jacket should not be lower than 80%, while the remaining 20% ​​of the “filling” is feathers. 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) is a very important quality criterion. If this indicator is 550 or higher, then the down jacket is good. Try rolling the down jacket into a tube with the sleeves folded inward. The smaller the package, the better quality fluff in the product. The faster the item returns to its original position, the higher the Fill Power indicator and the better its quality.

Don't let the label confuse 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 using all technologies; it’s just that things 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 that does not allow down to pass through. This fabric “breathes”, is wear-resistant and can withstand the lowest temperatures. These can be membrane fabrics such as Dry Factor, Pertex® Microlight, Gelanots®, etc.

Our online store presents several well-known manufacturers of down jackets, such as Canada Goose, RedFox, Bask, etc.

We'll 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 high-quality, reliable and expensive. Not so long ago, their down jackets were worn mainly by workers at polar stations and by Canadians themselves. But now it is a status item that businessmen, corporate directors and even V. Putin wear. Why did it happen?

Firstly, Canada Goose makes really high-quality and warm down jackets. And they have been making them for decades, so the models are well tested 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 to them.

Snow Mantra– this is the warmest down jacket from Canada Goose, and probably the warmest in the world! Filled with premium density white duck down 675 F.P. with 3M™ reflective stripes for increased visibility, loops for attaching gloves and mittens, and self-safety straps for extreme cases, provide highest protection, safety and warmth.

Famous Russian manufacturer firm Bask(Basque) is known primarily for their down jackets, although they also produce 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 launched “Around the Arctic Circle” series.

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 multifunctional and warm jacket in the Arctic Circle series. The outer fabric is very dense and durable (250 g/m2), underneath there is a membrane that blocks water and wind. Lots of pockets, windproof skirt, Alaska-style hood with coyote fur trim. The down jacket uses goose down with FP 650. You can only find fault with the jacket in small things: the external pockets are not very voluminous, inner fabric It is not secured in them and comes out when you remove your hands. Not like that a large number of possible colors as you would like. The down jacket turned out to be very warm, and quite confidently competes with top models from other manufacturers.

Alaska- a warm but light winter down jacket for harsh winters. With a temperature regime of -30°C, and wear-resistant Nylon Supplex outer fabric, it will perfectly protect against moisture, wind and sleet on cold days. Used in down jacket goose down 85%, Feather 15%, F.P. 650+, 400 grams.

Men's down short coat for use in ultra-low temperatures. Lasting outer material with water-repellent impregnation. Insulation: Duck down 90/10 F.P. 650+.

Jackets like Everest Micro Light, sometimes called down sweaters. In cold weather it can be worn as a separate jacket, and in 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 “First ascent of the Western Wall of K2”.

One of the lightest down-retaining materials was used. Insulation: Goose down F.P.650+. Weight only 516 grams!!!

First of all, you need to decide on the type of filler that should be present in your down jacket. The most the best filler Loon down is rightfully considered: it is light, but at the same time very warm, does not absorb moisture and does not fall off over time.

The only drawback of this material is its rather high cost. Down jackets made with goose or duck down are somewhat inferior in their characteristics to winter jackets with eider down insulation: they are heavier and not as warm. But goose down has one undeniable advantage - the prices for such down jackets are very affordable.

Artificial filler

To the best options artificial insulation materials such as fibertek and thinsulate can be included. These are microfibers that have high thermal insulation properties. Down jackets based on artificial fillers It also has its advantages. Firstly, there is no need to take the down jacket to the dry cleaner, as it can be washed in the washing machine. Secondly, such jackets practically do not absorb odors (for example, tobacco, smoke or exhaust fumes) and do not cause allergic reactions.

Designations

The type of filler can be determined using the information on the down jacket label. If the word “wool” is indicated on the label, this means that wool batting acts as insulation. The inscription “polyester” denotes synthetic types of filler. If you see the word “down” on the label, then you can be sure that there is down inside the winter jacket (swan, goose, eider or duck). The inscription “feather” on the label says that the filling of the down jacket has a combined composition, including both down and feathers. The last option is considered the most common.

If the down jacket is based on a combined filler, then the percentage of down and feathers must be indicated on the label. The most common option is in the proportion 70/30 (the insulation of a down jacket consists of 70% down and 30% feather). In jackets designed for warmer weather, this ratio may be 60/40 or 50/50. Such down jackets can hardly be called warm; they will only be comfortable in spring or autumn. For frosty winter weather, it is better to opt for a down jacket with the highest percentage of down content - 80/20 or 90/10.

Quality

In order to choose a good winter down jacket, you should pay close attention to parameters such as the weight of the jacket, the quality of the seams and the type of fabric.

In high-quality jackets, the down is distributed into blocks - if the size of the blocks is more than 20 cm, then the filler will lie unevenly and over time will begin to fall to the bottom. Such a down jacket is not able to retain heat at a sufficient level. In a quality item, the fluff in the block should move freely and not bunch up. To determine the quality of a down jacket, you can give it a small test - squeeze the down block tightly and then sharply release it. If the block quickly returns to its original shape, then everything is in order.

The fabric of the down jacket should be strong and dense. This is not difficult to determine - just bend the down jacket in half at the seam area, and then run your finger along the fabric. If at this moment you feel even the slightest tingling, then the product is not the most best quality. The seams on a winter down jacket should be smooth, moisture-resistant and windproof.

When choosing a winter jacket, you also need to pay attention to such a parameter as the weight of the product. A high-quality down jacket should be light - its weight should not exceed 1.5 kg.

Any self-respecting manufacturer must mark its products with brand marks, which can most often be found on zippers and rivets. As a rule, a quality item comes with a bag with spare accessories (buttons, fasteners, etc.) and filler samples. It would be a good idea to ask the seller to provide a certificate for the product. From this document you can learn more about the type of filler, compliance with accepted international norms and standards, country of origin, etc.

As soon as the first cold weather sets in, the majority of the population puts on down jackets. This clothing “came” from Canada and is becoming more and more popular every year. It does not restrict movement, retains heat perfectly and looks stylish. But it’s not so easy to figure out how to choose a women’s down jacket for the winter. How warm it will be depends primarily on the filler.

Just a few years ago, products from a Canadian manufacturer were considered the best down jackets. But today, “native” ideas and technologies are used very widely, so it is not necessary to buy goods directly from Canada. To choose a quality item and determine the strength of the product, just carefully study the information on the label and carry out a few simple manipulations.

Fluff or artificial “filling”?

So, how to choose a women's down jacket for the winter? It is necessary to decide what the filler will be. One of the main rules is that the more fluff, the warmer the jacket. Its presence can be determined by the inscription on the down label. The word feather indicates that the filler contains a feather. If the manufacturer combines these two “fillings”, then he puts a fraction on the label. The first meaning indicates fluff, and the second indicates feathers. For severe frosts, a product that contains at least 80% fluff is suitable.

Whose fluff should you choose?

The answer to this question depends on personal preference and climate conditions. Most often, down jackets are filled with duck, goose, eider or swan down. It is worth noting that when correct operation and with proper care, goose “insulation” will last at least 20 years, but duck insulation will last no more than 5 years. If you are deciding how to choose a warm down jacket, you need to take this fact into account.

Important little things

If the product is of high quality, it will definitely have a small bag of filling and spare accessories attached to it: buttons, buttons and a piece of similar fabric. Filler distribution - important nuance. It should be located in medium-sized blocks, then the fluff will not settle at the bottom of the product. Sometimes it is not easy to notice these blocks: the manufacturer hides them behind a decorative layer of fabric. Therefore, the thing needs to be studied carefully to notice all the little things.

All fasteners, rivets and zippers must be branded and of high quality.

Inspection and fitting

Of course, you can’t buy down jackets without trying them on. Looking at a photo is not enough, you need to put it on, fasten it and twist in all directions. After this, you need to take off the item and carefully examine your sweater to see if there are any feathers or any pellets on it.

You also need to inspect the jacket. There should be no feathers or fluff sticking out of it. You should be wary if lumps and lumps are felt.

There is a little-known but effective test for those who do not know how to choose a women's down jacket for the winter. It needs to be rolled into a tube. When it straightens out, there should be no dents or creases left on it. If such a small load leads to deformation, then the quality of the product leaves much to be desired.

It is difficult to identify synthetics by touch, so you need to read the information on the label. About availability artificial materials evidenced by such inscriptions as polyester, cotton and wool.

Compression ratio and layering

When thinking about how to choose a warm down jacket, you need to know that products can be single-layer or multi-layer. The latter retain heat better and are suitable for winter sports. But for a city dweller, a single-layer model will be enough.

The down jacket filler should quickly return to its original position after compression. This can be checked by strongly squeezing the material. If this method does not seem reliable enough, then it is better to look at the label. As a rule, the compression ratio is displayed there, it is designated F.P. In the case where the item is of high quality, the number 550 or more will be indicated there. Don't know how to choose the size of a down jacket? First, you should study the information on the label.

It also provides information about the level of down processing. If there is the designation DIN EN 12934, it means that the filler has been thoroughly washed, dried and disinfected.

Seams and lining

A high-quality one has only smooth and neat seams, from which the insulation does not “stick out.” All threads must be strong and undamaged.

To prevent the fluff from falling off, the gasket is stitched. The sleeves and bottom of the jacket are made with elastic so that the cold does not penetrate inside. In practical models, you can unfasten the down jacket and fur insulation. This allows you not only to wear the product in warmer weather, but also makes it easier to clean and wash the item.

Some manufacturers provide an “undershirt” - this is a knitted vest that can be detached.

How to care for a down jacket?

So that the item lasts for quite a long time and does not lose its appearance, you need to know not only how to choose a women’s down jacket for the winter, but also how to properly care for it. All information is indicated on the label, but there are generally accepted rules. You can wash your down jacket at a temperature no higher than 40 degrees, using the gentle cycle.

To the owners similar products It is worth remembering that you should never soak them: prolonged exposure to water causes irreparable damage to things. There is also no need to dry your down jacket on a radiator.

The jacket should be dried unrolled in a well-ventilated room. You can take the product out onto the balcony. The item must be laid out on a clean, large terry towel so that it absorbs moisture. Periodically, the down jacket needs to be turned over.

All washing products should be selected with great care so that they do not harm the product. It’s good if they are antibacterial, then microorganisms will not multiply in the filler.

To prevent unfavorable factors, such as rain, snow, from spoiling the original appearance of a down jacket, it is worth purchasing. It must be applied before going outside.

So as not to get lost, in washing machine You can put small balls, for example, for ping pong. They will not allow the fluff to form clumps or cake.

Today, models are presented in a wide variety, so it is not so easy to choose down jackets. The photo will help you explore the possible range and choose the best option.

Very soon the vast expanses of our Motherland will be covered with snow and biting frost will come, but we still have a little time left to choose and purchase the best option for protection from the cold. What is the warmest, lightest, most beautiful and practical item of winter wardrobe today? Everyone, or almost everyone, knows the answer, is it a down jacket or just down jacket.

Today all the counters are littered with down jackets: from clothing markets to the windows of expensive boutiques. Customers are offered a huge range of down jackets to suit every taste, color and budget, of any manufacturer and design. But there is a huge difference between a real down jacket that will keep you warm and comfortable all winter, and that “bag of feathers” that is often blatantly sold to us under the guise of a down jacket. So, so that you don’t become a “miracle in feathers” and waste your hard-earned money, we suggest that you familiarize yourself with our guide, where we will try to briefly but succinctly analyze all the aspects of choosing and purchasing a truly high-quality and practical down jacket.

So, a down jacket is an item outerwear, a jacket or coat designed to be worn during the cold season. To protect the body from the effects of low temperatures, only natural down and feathers of waterfowl are used as a heat-insulating filler (eider down and the down of geese raised in low temperatures in northern countries and the Siberian part of the Russian Federation are especially valued). The surface of the down jacket is made of light, durable and breathable fabric (membrane), the seams must be taped for better tightness and thermal insulation. To distribute the down evenly throughout the volume of the jacket, it is placed in special down bags, separated from each other by sealed seams. The design of down jackets should provide maximum protection against heat loss from the human body. Some down jackets can provide warmth even in frosts down to -85 C°. The first down jackets appeared in the 16th century in Norway and were filled with eider down, but it is officially believed that the patent for the modern classic down jacket (parka) was received in 1940 by Eddie Bauer, an American designer and founder of the eponymous Eddie Bauer casual clothing brand.

The main advantages of down jackets include excellent thermal insulation properties with low weight, ensuring air exchange without heat loss due to the properties of membrane fabrics, versatility and practicality, durability with proper care, all kinds of designs.

Perhaps the only drawback of down products is their rather high price. But we must not forget that the optimal “lifetime” of down is designed for a period of 7 to 10 years, and with proper care for it, even twenty. Synthetics will last you only 3-5 years. It follows that down is more than twice as durable as synthetics, which is why it costs more.

Some of our sellers and buyers mistakenly believe that a down jacket is a general name and this can be used to call any jacket with insulation that is similar in design. It's a delusion. Which, by the way, is used by not entirely clean businessmen. Down jackets use only natural down; any synthetic analog turns the down jacket in a regular jacket with insulation.

A real down jacket will become an indispensable winter item for you and will delight you for many years, but in order to choose the “right” down jacket you need to know the fundamental points. We tried to collect the main practical tips and really hope that they will help you choose and purchase the perfect down jacket.

1. Pooh(down), the most important thing in a down jacket. The principle of thermal protection of down is simple - it creates an air layer between the body and the external environment. Air is a poor conductor of heat and the air layer itself created by down 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 (primarily goose down) is an unsurpassed material as thermal insulation: it is light, airy and perfectly retains a large amount of air inside. But all the same. It can be large, small, caked, airy, rotten, etc. and so on. and the properties of a particular batch of fluff depend on these parameters. There are many parameters, but when it comes to thermal insulation properties, then to evaluate them all over the world, such an elasticity indicator as Fill Power is used, which reflects the ability of fluff to recover after compression - this is the main indicator of the quality of fluff. The elasticity is determined as follows: take 1 ounce of fluff, compress it, remove the weight and determine to what size the fluff has recovered. In a good down jacket, the Fill Power value should be at least 550; its best indicators reach up to 950 units.

• up to 400 – poor quality fluff.
• 400 – 450 – medium quality down.
• 500-750 – excellent quality down.
• 750 and above - exclusive quality down.

The point of using goose down with a high Fill Power is the following: the thermal 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 at different weights. So, for example, using 550 insulation requires 40%-50% more weight than using 800 down to create the same amount of insulation. The Fill Power indicator is a generally accepted indicator of the quality of down filling and for any high-quality down jacket this indicator is indicated on the tag or label, so when choosing a down jacket, pay first attention to this indicator.

Down jackets use down mixed with feathers, the “golden proportion” is considered 80% down (down) and 20% feather (feather), in down jackets for extreme conditions this ratio can be 90% down and 10% feather. In the description it is indicated through a fraction, for example - 80/20. A larger percentage of feathers indicates the low quality of the down jacket and such a down jacket will not warm you in cold weather, and the hard feather rods will come out, piercing the fabric.

2. Down jacket weight, speaks about the quality of the filler and the product as a whole. After all, another clear advantage of down as insulation for winter clothing is its lightness. For example, a regular men's down jacket 550 Fill Power weighs less than 1 kg, and an extreme jacket from The North Face, a model called Supernatural, with a Fill Power rating of 950 weighs only 370 g (!) and is designed for high-altitude climbing. In addition, natural down is so soft that it allows you to move freely without restricting your movements. The use of membrane fabrics and various elements can significantly increase the weight of a down jacket.

3. Material the outside and lining must be waterproof, because down is highly hygroscopic and it easily accumulates moisture and requires quick drying. If this is not done, it may simply deteriorate. Also, the material must be durable and downproof. At the same time, it must have breathable properties, i.e. provide air exchange without heat loss. Modern membrane materials have all these properties; this is a type of fabric that, due to its special structure, has water-repellent or windproof properties and at the same time allows water vapor to pass through it. Manufacturers of such fabrics call them differently, but they have the same principle, the most famous membrane is Gore-Tex.

Synthetic materials with special impregnations are also used, which provide all the qualities necessary for down jackets. In the description, fabrics with water-repellent impregnations are designated as DWR (Durable Water Repellent).

Fabrics are very popular among manufacturers Ripstop with a special reinforcing structure due to the weaving of nylon threads into the thickness of the main fabric. While remaining light, the strength of such fabric is comparable to the strength of parachute fabric.

4. Design down jacket, very important condition when choosing a real, high-quality product. It is the design that allows the down to be distributed as efficiently as possible and ensures an optimal warmth/weight ratio. In most down jackets, the inner and outer fabric of the down jacket are simply sewn together to form sections, and each section is filled with down. A huge disadvantage of such down jackets is the cold seams between the sections, through which a huge amount of heat is lost. Such down jackets are called single-layer and they will warm you only in frosts down to -10 -15 C°. The size of the down sections (packages) plays a big role; their size should not exceed 20 cm, otherwise the down will simply pile up at the bottom of the package and all the qualities of the down jacket will be reduced to zero. If you want to buy a down jacket for severe frosts, then you should take into account some of the features of their tailoring. These down jackets are called two-layer, due to the fact that the upper part of the down jacket is practically separated from the down lining, and at the joints it is stitched through an intermediate tape - a “warm” seam. A design is also used when the down bags themselves have two layers - outer and inner, and they are offset relative to each other and overlap the outer seams. Such down jackets are capable of retaining heat in extreme frosts down to -30 to -70°C.

The main zipper on the down jacket should have double-sided fabric protection to prevent heat loss. At chin level, the zipper should be protected with a fleece insert. Zippers on pockets should also have external protection. To keep your neck warm and your wrists from freezing, a real down jacket should have warm collars and cuffs made of materials such as Polartec or knitted fabric.

5. Temperature rating. When choosing a down jacket for yourself, ask yourself: at what lowest temperature will I wear it, how much time will I spend outside, how will I get to work or school? After all, for residents of central Russia and residents of Siberia, Mother Nature has prepared absolutely different conditions winter period of the year. To make it easier to choose down jackets based on the outside temperature, some manufacturers of down jackets (and other winter clothing and footwear) use a so-called temperature rating. This value is usually indicated in the description of the down jacket on the labels, and shows that the manufacturer guarantees comfortable conditions at a given temperature below zero.

But not all manufacturers provide such data. To roughly determine this indicator, you can use the link to the Fill Power value. Clothes using down Fill Down 550 or Fill Down 600 Designed primarily for daily use at temperatures down to -25 C°, this down is already of excellent quality and creates a good degree of insulation. Down jackets Fill Down 700 have a lighter product weight and are comfortable down to -25 -30 C°. Exclusive down Fill Down 800- allows you to achieve a very high heat/weight ratio and is used to lighten clothing and achieve the highest degree of comfort in frosts down to -35 C° and below.

6. Style Down products are no different in variety. For men, it is preferable to choose classic parkas (parka) and voluminous bomber jackets (puffer, bulk); for women, along with unisex parkas and women's jackets, elongated down coats (coat) are very popular. For people living and working in extremely low temperatures, as well as for travelers and hunter-fishermen, down suits are sewn, consisting of a jacket and pants sewn together. The choice of down jacket style must be approached with all responsibility, since, first of all, a down jacket is intended for protection from the cold, and not for walking on the catwalk. Remember that a down jacket for frosts from -15 C° and below must cover your lower back and have a hood, so the best option is a classic down parka with a hood. Otherwise, diseases of the genitourinary system and kidneys are guaranteed. When choosing a down jacket for children, also take into account the degree of protection of the child’s body; only you are responsible for the child’s health.

If in winter you prefer to travel by car, then you must take into account that down jackets are quite bulky, and driving in long women's down coats is problematic.

A distinctive feature of the parka jacket is the fur trim of the hood. Some manufacturers use only natural fur - coyote, red and silver fox, raccoon, while others are content with artificial analogues due to the rhetoric of animal welfare societies. The fur trim has not so much a decorative function as a purely practical one - protecting the face from the frosty wind. Pay attention to the parkas of the Eskimos and their fur hoods - these tough guys know a lot about winter clothes.

Before purchasing, carefully measure your dimensions and compare with the size chart ( size chart) specific brand. Also pay attention to the fit of the item in the product description. fit - regular(fits true to size) slim(skin-tight), relaxed relaxed(loose fit, runs up a size or more).

7. Selecting a manufacturing company Quality down clothing is of paramount importance. We advise you to give preference only to well-known and trusted clothing manufacturers with a rich history in the production of down jackets, focusing on the development and production of down jackets for low temperature conditions, with good reviews about product quality. Companies that are committed to using natural and safe materials, but not lagging behind the development and application of innovative approaches in production, with a wide range and reasonable prices.

Of course, today almost every more or less famous brand has down products in its collection, but these clothes are not very suitable for use in our conditions and are more decorative, designer role. From hundreds of manufacturers, we invite you to choose the ones that have been tested by time and conditions harsh winters This: Canada Goose, Pajar, Bask, Bogner, Joutsen, Hally Hansen, Peak Performance, Fjällräven, The North Face, Marmot, Mountain Hardwear, Patagonia, Columbia, Jack Wolfskin, Lands"End, LLBean, Eddie Bauer, Cabela's, Woolrich, Parajumpers, Moncler, Haglofs, Halti, Rossignol. As can be seen from this list, most of the companies represented are from northern and Scandinavian countries, where they know what real frost is.

8. Price of a down jacket, ranges from $120 for a simple down jacket, to $1000 and up for luxury brand down jackets. An adequate price for a good down jacket from a famous foreign brand will be the amount of $200-600 depending on the materials used and subject to purchase on well-known online sites in the USA and Europe. Of course, the same down jackets can be found in Russian retail, but then the prices will have to be increased by 2-3 times. And at all kinds of sales and seasonal discounts, an excellent down jacket can be purchased at huge discounts for only $100-250, not to mention eBay.com and Amazon.com with their truly amazing opportunities grab wonderful things at ridiculous prices.

Well, buying down jackets for $1000 or more from fashion couturiers, for whom appearance is of paramount importance over the main property of a down jacket, is a purely individual matter. The main part of the price tag here is the fee for a high-profile brand. Often, such down jackets are simply categorically not suitable for use in harsh climates, since they are created by designers from France and Italy, where the climate is much milder.

Here we will not consider Chinese-Turkish consumer goods priced at $50-100 with a Moncler and Canada Goose look, offered in droves on the Chinese sites Aliexpress.com and Taobao. It is foolish to imagine getting real goose down for such a price; at best it will be chicken, at worst it will be cotton wool. After all, down raw materials pass special treatment: cleaned of grease and dust, undergoes veterinary and radiation control, treated with special antibacterial and water-repellent agents, and only after this is allowed to produce down clothing and it is simply impossible to imagine that for all those millions of down jackets with which our markets and stores are littered, there was so much goose down!

9. Where to buy a real down jacket? There are 2 answers to this question: in the near future mall or in a foreign online store. We advise you to direct your gaze towards the second option, because there are at least 6 huge positive aspects when buying a down jacket abroad:

• Adequate prices due to very strong competition (similar down jackets in our stores are offered at a price one and a half to two times higher, and the price for the luxury segment reaches simply cosmic values, there is no need to pay our sellers rent and staff salaries, there are no fees for customs registration and fees, no VAT). Plus honest discounts up to 30-70%!
• It is not always possible to buy a product in a company store or from an official dealer of a particular brand. We don’t have many of them yet, and those that exist are mainly located in large cities. It's much easier to do this online. On the website of each brand you will find a list of brand stores and official dealers, incl. and on the Internet.
• Confidence in the authenticity of the product (the ability to purchase goods directly from the manufacturer, and large foreign online stores value their reputation very much and will never sell you a fake, which cannot be said about our businessmen, who even in a respectable shopping center can easily sell Chinese Woolrich, Moncler or even Canada Goose for $1000.
• A huge selection of manufacturers, models and sizes is available to you to choose from without having to leave your home.
• There is always the opportunity to find reviews and feedback about the product from ordinary buyers.
• The product can be returned or exchanged without any problems (without going through the 7 circles of hell)

Perhaps the only sensible manufacturer of down jackets in Russia is the Bask company, whose down jackets can be purchased in the Bask.ru online store. In any case, Russian Bask down jackets are worth paying attention to.

Important Note: If a large foreign online store offers you to choose a regional site, for example in Russia, then be sure to compare prices before choosing. Very many foreign stores They believe that only millionaires live in the Russian Federation and significantly increase the price tag. The images show two women's down jackets for the winter 13/14 season from the official Moncler online store, offers for Russia and Germany (the price tag is the same for the rest of Europe). No comments needed.

Screenshot from Moncler.com

Where to buy down jackets online

In the official online stores of manufacturers. But here a “surprise” may await you, because... Not all such stores accept payments from residents of the Russian Federation, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Belarus and offer international delivery, and at an affordable price.

• Bogner (Germany)
• Fjällräven (Sweden)
• Hally Hansen (Norway)
• Haglöfs (Finland)
• Halti (Finland)
• Jack Wolfskin (Germany)
• Moncler (France)
• vest– sleeveless down vest

Insulation(goose down, duck down, 550-850 Fill, 80/20, 90/10, 60/40) – insulation (goose, duck down, down elasticity value, down-to-feather ratio in %).

Body liner(Lining) - lining material.

Shell– fabric, the top covering of a down jacket, both natural and synthetic fabrics or a mixture thereof.

• membrane- multilayer membrane fabric, has a high density and weight, can have different brand names - Gore-Tex, HyVent, etc.
• DWR treated/covering - coating of the upper fabric with a waterproof compound.
• ripstop- fabrics with a special reinforcing weaving structure.

Windproof(block wind) - windproof.

Waterproof- waterproof.

Hood- hood.

Cuffs(soft, rib-knit inner) – cuffs (inside with a soft, knitted insert).

Detachable(hood, ruff, skirt, fur) – removable part (hood, collar, skirt, fur).

Adjustable(hood, gaiter/throat, cuffs, cord waist&hem) – adjustable/contractible parts (hood, neck, cuffs, drawstring for tightening the waist and bottom hem).

Fur(natural/genuine or faux) – fur (natural or artificial) as a finishing element.

Zipper(external, internal, two-way) – zipper lock (outside, inside, both ways), prefer YKK locks.

VELCRO closure – Velcro

Pockets(external, internal, security, hand warmer, dual entry, zip-off) – pockets (external, internal, secret, for warming hands, with double access, with a zipper)

Fit(regular, slim, relaxed) – fit, cut (regular, tight, loose fit - usually runs too big).

Bulky– voluminous, baggy.

Overal length– total length of the down jacket.

Weight(light, medium, heavy) - weight (light, medium, heavy).

Wash(machine or hand) – washing (machine or hand).

High-quality down jackets can last for dozens of seasons if they are properly cared for. No extraordinary care conditions are required, just try not to let the down in the down jacket get wet, and if this happens, dry it as quickly as possible. The down jacket should be stored flat on hangers. Read the care labels carefully!

Pay special attention to the washing process. We'll give you a few practical advice for washing in a washing machine.

1. For washing, set the softest and most delicate program.
2. Be sure to fasten all zippers and buttons
3. Use special liquid detergents for down jackets
4. A washing temperature of 30 degrees Celsius is quite sufficient
5. Turn on the extra rinse mode for better rinsing of the powder.
6. Minimum spin speed: when wet, some down jackets become very heavy and the machine simply cannot cope with the spin cycle. In this case, you must press it manually.
7. Place 3-4 tennis balls in the washing machine drum.
8. The down jacket is dried flat in warm and sunny weather on the balcony or bathroom
9. During the drying process, periodically fluff the down jacket, straightening the down.
10. After complete drying, you can put the down jacket again in the washing machine along with 3-4 tennis balls and turn on the spin mode (without washing and without rinsing). A centrifuge with balls should beat the filler a little more and make the clothes more voluminous.