Insulation is a very important element to consider when choosing winter jackets, sleeping bags and other outdoor items. ere are a few things to consider to help you decide which is right for you.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":18276,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[225,253,247,222],"tags":[439,1215,1216],"class_list":["post-11888","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-buying-guides-adventures","category-winter-jackets","category-clothing","category-guides-adventures","tag-winter","tag-down","tag-synthetic-insulation"],"acf":{"post_flexible_content":[{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":false,"anchor_link_text":"","text_content":"Insulation is a very important element to consider when choosing winter jackets, sleeping bags and other outdoor items. Your gear will see you through seasons and all sorts of weather conditions, so it\u2019s wise to favour items that will provide maximum comfort, performance, and protection. Should you opt for down or synthetic insulation? Here are a few things to consider to help you decide which is right for you.<\/b>"},{"acf_fc_layout":"content_anchors_list","anchors_section_title":"In this article, you will learn more about those two types of insulation, their features and differences:"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":false,"anchor_link_text":"","text_content":"
[stag_button url=\"https:\/\/www.sail.ca\/en\/women\/jackets\/winter-jackets\/insulated-jackets\" style=\"black\" size=\"medium\" type=\"normal\" target=\"_blank\" icon=\"\" icon_order=\u201dbefore\u201d]Shop women\u2019s insulated jackets[\/stag_button] <\/span>[stag_button url=\"https:\/\/www.sail.ca\/en\/men\/jackets\/winter-jackets\/insulated-jackets\" style=\"black\" size=\"medium\" type=\"normal\" target=\"_blank\" icon=\"\" icon_order=\"before\"]Shop men\u2019s insulated jackets[\/stag_button]<\/span><\/p>"},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":true,"anchor_link_text":"Down insulation","text_content":"Down insulation<\/h2>\r\nDown insulation is made from the very fine plumage that grows under the feathers of geese and ducks. This light and fluffy plumage has the ability to trap small pockets of hot air, which means it can naturally retain body heat. It is also lightweight and highly compressible. As an insulating material, down has remarkable qualities and provides excellent protection from the cold - which is probably why it is used in so many models of men\u2019s<\/a> and women\u2019s winter jackets<\/a>. But down does not stand up well to humidity; it takes a long time to dry and loses some of its insulating capacity when it gets wet.\r\n
Understanding down fill<\/h3>\r\nFill power is a great tool to measure the qualities and properties of down insulation. Usually ranging between 550 and 900, the number indicates the amount of space (in cubic inches) taken up by one ounce (about 28 grams) of down. This gives information on the fill's volume and, at the same time, on its compressibility and insulating properties. The higher the fill power, the more efficient down is at retaining body heat, and the more lightweight and compressible it is.\r\n
When to favour down insulation<\/h3>\r\nDown insulation is best suited for cold and dry conditions. It can resist temperatures well below freezing, provided there isn't too much ambient humidity.\r\nAs down loses some of its insulating properties when damp or wet, it's best to reserve down-filled clothing, jackets<\/a> and vests for low-intensity activities that are less likely to make you sweat. For instance, you could wear these insulated garments and outerwear for walks, light hiking, daily commute and errands or hanging out at your favourite camping spot, or you could put them on in between stretches of intense physical activity.\r\nJackets<\/a> and other items with down insulation are also ideal for long excursions or any situation where you may want to travel light; they take up little space and add little weight to your back or in your luggage."},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":true,"anchor_link_text":"Synthetic insulation<","text_content":"
Synthetic insulation<\/h2>\r\nSynthetic insulation includes a number of different insulating materials, most of them made from polyester fibres that mimic the structure of down. Like down, these synthetic insulation materials can retain hot air and thus prevent heat loss. They offer moderate to good protection against the cold, and they have the added benefit of being highly breathable and quick-drying. Unlike down, synthetic materials keep their insulating properties when damp or wet. Because their fibres are sturdier, they are also very easy to maintain.\r\n
Understanding synthetic fill<\/h3>\r\nUsually, with synthetic fill, the reference point to measure the qualities and effectiveness of insulation is the thickness of the material. It is expressed as a certain number of grams per square metre (sometimes only grams), which is the weight of a one-metre-long and one-metre-wide piece of insulating material. The higher the number, the thicker the fill and the more effective it will be at keeping you warm. For reference, insulation often ranges between 50 and 100 gsm or so for transitional jackets<\/a> (i.e., spring and fall jackets<\/a>), while it can go over 200 gsm for certain winter jackets<\/a>.\r\n
When to favour synthetic insulation<\/h3>\r\nSynthetic insulation is perfect for humid climates, changing weather conditions, heavy snow and rain showers, and situations where you are likely to break a sweat. In addition to their great breathability, synthetic materials have quick-drying properties and provide good insulation even if they become damp or wet. A great choice if you're looking for snowshoeing pants, a winter running jacket or a moisture-wicking sleeping bag to keep you warm on chilly nights in the great outdoors."},{"acf_fc_layout":"text_content","content_anchor":true,"anchor_link_text":"Summary table: Down VS. Synthetic insulation","text_content":"
Summary table: Down VS. Synthetic insulation<\/h3>\r\n