Backcountry Beacon

Let’s face it, whether you’re heading out to brush snow off the car or freezing your ass off in base camp, nothing beats the packable warmth of a puffy jacket. But all warmth is not created equal, and there’s a big difference between the box-store special you had when you were six and the plethora of ultralight compressible puffies available today. In Part I of this series, we’ve outlined the major differences between down and synthetic fills, which apply to jackets, sleeping bags, and other insulated gear.

DOWN:

Lighter, loftier, and more compressible than its synthetic brethren, down insulation is the way to go for ultralight outings and any trip where pack space and warmth are precious commodities. The price of down is noticeably higher, but down provides more insulation per ounce than any other material and will outlast a synthetic piece by up to five times if cared for properly. The major downfall (sorry, we couldn’t resist) is its susceptibility to moisture, which keeps the down from lofting and essentially renders it useless. If you’re headed somewhere that’s guaranteed a soaking, choose a waterproof down garment, bring a waterproof shell, or go with synthetic.

• Ideal For: Dry, cold environments, ultralight backpacking, mountaineering

SYNTHETIC:

From soggy backpacking trips to exposed belay ledges, synthetic shines in conditions that turn down into a useless clumpy pile. Synthetic fill, usually made from spun polyester fibers that imitate goose down, insulates even when wet, which makes it ideal for any time cold and moisture combine forces. And if you’re an environmentalist or gooserights activist, you’ll be happy to know that many companies now produce synthetic fills from recycled polyester and other reclaimed materials.

• Ideal For: Soggy environments, alpine climbing, those with down allergies

Further Reading

• Kelly Cordes, editor of the American Alpine Journal and all-around alpine badass, also wrote up a good comparison on his blog. Read his article about insulated belay jackets.
• Check out Backcountry.com’s Insulated Jacket Guide.
• Also, take a look at Part II of Separating Fact from Fluff,  where we’ll demystify the ratings attached to down fill.

See what’s new: shop Down Jackets and Synthetic Jackets at Backcountry.com.

Related Posts:

• Separating Fact From Fluff, Part II: Down Fill Explained
• The Definitions of Seam Taping
• The Welded Age: Advantages of Welded Seams

Tags: fabric tech, gear guides, mountaineering, puffy jackets, technology