Down vs Synthetic vs Merino

Down vs Synthetic vs Merino

Out to buy a new puffer jacket, stop and have a quick read. Down (puffer) jackets come in a huge range of prices, they are not the same thing, it is not just a brand you are paying for. The main difference is the fill, what is used for the insulation. Down, synthetic and merino are common fills, but these come in many, many variables. Price will always be a major decision factor, but don’t think that the big chain store sale puffer jacket was $299 now $149 jacket is the same in warmth, breathability and quality as a 100% goose down, 850 loft power, ethically gathered Rab, Montane or Patagonia jacket, it just isn’t. They do keep you warmer than nana’s home spun jersey, so if all you need is a quick fix to add a warmth layer, they’re the ticket.

Synthetic insulated jackets are quite a bit heaver when at the same thickness and warmth, they also don’t compress and pack down as well, but if they get wet they will still keep some of their warmth. Down once wet will loose most of their insulation properties. Down will compress and loft much more than a synthetic or merino insulated jacket, how a jacket lofts is measured by its loft power, most quality brands will tell you how much fill and loft power is in a jacket.  The loft number is a reference to the quality of what down has been used. Basically 800 fill power is one ounce of down that will fill 800 cubic inches of space, the lower the number means is needs for down to fill the same space. The higher number means less down, so will be lighter, compress more, but still be as warm as a bigger heavier jacket using a lower loft down. Synthetics unfortunately do not have much in any standards to judge easily how good or bad one will be. Some of the new synthetics coming through are quite remarkable for weight and compression.

Be careful of massive waterproof ratings on insulated jackets, in my experience they may have a great waterproof fabric, but the stitch lines and designs of most insulated jackets do not make them very good waterproof layers. If your looking for a waterproof jacket you are better looking at a dedicated waterproof shell to layer up with. Synthetics unfortunately do not have much in any standards to judge easily how good or bad one will be.

 

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