When you dress for skiing or snowboarding, or any outdoor activity for that matter, you’re trying to do two major things. The first is protect yourself from getting wet from snow and rain (and sweat), which is accomplished by wearing a waterproof/breathable shell. The second is staying warm enough. That’s the job of an insulated layer, which can be a separate garment or another layer built into the interior of your shell. An insulated hardshell can be the right choice if you almost always ride in cold weather and your level of exertion is constant throughout the day, or if you tend to get cold. Separate hardshells and insulated layers are more versatile in warmer climates or for those who alternate between times of intense physical activity and cooldown.
So what is a down jacket? Down is the soft fluffy stuff found under the feathers of birds, and in dry conditions it's the most efficient insulating material. Down jackets are great at insulating, as the feathers create small air pockets that trap warm air and hold onto heat.
The most common source of the commercial down found in clothing is geese and ducks and is composed of the quill-less plumules from underneath the exterior feathers that look like dandelion seeds blowing in the wind. Down is usually combined with a smaller percentage of very fine feathers for insulation purposes.
Down varies in quality, with the very best coming from older, larger and more mature birds. It is rated by a “fill power” system, with the fill power of down used in garments typically in the 500 to 800 range. The higher the number, the more efficient the insulation and the more you can expect to pay. Down of any fill power will be warm, but the use of a higher fill-power results in a more compressible, lighter garment compared to a garment of equal warmth that uses a lower fill-power.
To determine the fill power rating of down, one ounce (oz) of down is placed in a graduated tube and the volume it occupies is measured in cubic inches (in3). The number of cubic inches is the fill power, with higher numbers indicating higher quality down that creates more "dead air" and has better insulating ability. The down from very mature birds and certain species like the Eider Duck also develops a characteristic known as "cling" in which tiny hooks form on the down clusters, allowing even greater insulating capability and causing the down to remain in place without shifting or settling.
Down-filled garments are unbeatable in dry, cold climates. They are the first choice for high altitude mountaineering and skiing or snowboarding in cold clear weather because they offer the best warmth to weight ratio and are highly compressible. They also offer tremendous durability, and, when cared for properly, can retain their loft (the abililty to fluff up and retain heat) for decades.
The weakness of down is moisture - when it gets wet, down plumules clump together and lose their ability to trap body heat. This can occur from the outside (snow, rain) or the inside (perspiration), and once down gets wet it is usually very slow to dry. Even down that has been treated to be water-repellent or moisture-resistant should not be exposed to heavy moisture.
For down to remain effective, it’s critical to keep it dry. Even though most shell materials used in down garments are treated with Durable Water Repellent (DWR), it’s best to combine down insulating layers with a waterproof/breathable outer shell of GORE-TEX, eVent™, or other quality material, or buy a garment that combines the two. For warmer climates or maximum versatility, buying separate insulating layers and outer shells is usually a good strategy.
The shape and size of the compartments used to hold the down also matter. The tubes, or “baffles” can be either stitch-through or box wall construction, with box wall being the warmer of the two. Stitch-through allows heat to escape in the stitched areas but is the simpler, more common construction and can still be plenty good for the average outdoor enthusiast when combined with adequate layers in mild conditions. Smaller baffles also help keep the down from shifting and help keep the garment uniformly warm.
Synthetic insulation, usually made of thin polyester fibers, provides warmth similar to down, but retains heat more effectively if it gets wet. On the other hand, it’s not as compressible (doesn’t pack as small) as down and can be less durable. Synthetics don’t have quite the same warmth-to-weight ratio as down but they can perform better in damp conditions.
Synthetic insulation is rated in gram weights — 60 grams (g) means a 1 meter by 1 meter piece of the insulation weighs that much. The heavier the weight, the warmer the insulation. Common synthetic fill weights range from 40 to 120 grams, and are often lighter in the sleeves than the body of a coat.
A synthetic-filled insulating garment can be the best choice if you wear it next to your body during high exertion activities or in wet weather. If you ride in a maritime climate, or are often in temperatures that hover around the freezing point, synthetic filled garments are a good choice. Many experienced skiers and snowboarders have more than one insulated jacket – synthetic for warmer, wetter days and down for colder ones.
Additionally, the best synthetic fibers compete with the lower quality levels of down in terms of insulating efficiency. Many synthetic fibers also have a “green” or “eco” version, made with recycled material.
Washing synthetic-filled clothes is normally pretty simple, but always check the instructions on the label first. There are no natural oils to worry about, so you can use your regular detergent, but beware of upright washing machines with agitator vanes as they can snag and tear thin shell fabrics. Machine drying at medium heat is usually fine as well.
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