Down has the highest warmth-to-weight ratio, and is the least bulky. REI member since 2006. There is no good reason to continue buying down (or freeze next winter), and now you know why! It has a high level of breathability, which disperses the excess heat generated during everyday workouts, and can trap an extremely large amount of air, preserving the bodys natural temperature. If your ski gear is even a few years old, theres new technology out there that will help make good days on the snow even better. Synthetic insulation is essentially polyester threading that is molded into long, single threads or short staples to mimic down clusters. DuPont, Unifi and Youngone debut 3 new insulation products Treated well, down products should have a very long life (were still using our dads sleeping bag from the 70s). (PRWEB)FEBRUARY 01, 2019 - DuPont Industrial Biosciences (DuPont) and Natural Insulation Products Inc. (NIPI) today announced a collaboration to create a new category of insulation. DuPont, Unifi and YOUNGONE Launch ECOLoft Eco-Elite Insulation at Synthetic insulation can also be pricey, and particularly newer high-end products designed to mimic down, but its still the cheaper option. Its used in running shoes, sleeping pads, snow pants, and spacesuits and is extremely effective as an insulator because the holes in it are only 1/10,000th the diameter of a human hair, blocking almost all airflow. Whether youre on a snowy belay ledge, breaking trail in the backcountry or walking the dog in the middle of winter, knowing when and where each type of insulation performs best will help you decide between these two types of insulation. Youngone, a global manufacturer of outdoor and athletic clothing, textiles, footwear, is leveraging DuPont Sorona renewably sourced fibre and Unifi Repreve recycled content to debut three new insulation products that offer soft, dimensionally stable and sustainable options for cold-weather garments and bedding materials . Privacy Policy. Down vs. Why do you support laws that REQUIRE abject suffering rather than support the RESCUE of those who suffer? They tend to have a stiffer feel and are less compressible than short-staple insulations, but they stay in place so are less likely to create cold spots. Most synthetic fill sleeping bags or garments are machine washable and dryable. The Mens Cauldron Hoody and the Womens Dena Jacket are very good options for the coldest winter conditions, and both come with a relatively reasonable pricetag. Thinner and lighter threads fill voids and trap warm air more effectively. Down is the soft layer of fine feathers from the breast of a goose or duck that is closest to their skin and grows to form quill, but does not have the hard quill shaft found in the outer feathers of birds. Skip to contentEnglish Apparel Agile Aura Luxe Profile Revive Sorona for Faux Fur Carpet Our Story News Certification Portal This technology provides lightweight warmth and functional insulation with lasting durability. Italso tends to be less expensive than down insulation, and it's durable and hypoallergenic. Synthetic Guide When it comes to staying warm in the great outdoors, some people prefer down insulation. The warmest, lightest down comes at a premium price because its sourced from mature geese. Down can be broken into a spectrum of effectiveness. Sleeping Bags for Backpacking: How to Choose, Higher warmth-to-weight ratio than synthetic insulation, Very durable; with proper care, a down sleeping bag or jacket can last for decades, Loses insulating power when it gets wet and takes a long time to dry, Very water-resistant and continues to insulate even when wet, Offers less warmth for its weight than down, Less durable than down; insulating power gets reduced each time the bag is stuffed into a stuff sack, Lighter weight and more compressible than synthetic alone, Less water-resistant than synthetic alone. Its hypoallergenic, machine-washable, and tumble-dryable. The cost of down continues to risesupply is low and demand is highand its just not easy to get that super-soft goose plumage in the quantities that outdoor gear manufacturers need. If kicking an animal is bad, how is killing an animal good? 2023 Recreational Equipment, Inc. All rights reserved. Thermolite is used in a variety of products, including outdoor apparel and sports gear, and its engineered to keep you warm while helping to optimize your performance. To learn more about DuPont Biomaterials, please visit http://biosciences.dupont.com/solutions/biomaterials/. However, many major manufacturers switched to duck down in recent years due to the cost of goose down. Thus, down warmth is a function of both fill power and the amount of fill in a sleeping bag or garment. Spring is almost upon us you know what that means? In addition to RDS, some companies have developed their own standards and means of communicating their sourcing, including Patagonias Traceable Down Standard and Mountain Equipments Down Codex. Jayashree Textiles, DuPont Biomaterials Collaborate to Launch New Sustainable Fabric Collection. The transparency and traceability of this program ensures that your choice to partner with Sorona is meaningful and impactful, today and in the future. For the Alpha Industries MA-1 Echo Flight Jacket. Without a doubt, down holds the warmth-to-weight crown. Without a doubt, synthetic insulation is cheaper than down. Raise your voice in the movement to protect and share life outdoors. [6], Sorona has been used in the manufacture of clothing, residential carpets, automotive fabrics, and plastic parts. Down insulation has typically been sourced from geese. Lets take a closer look at down and synthetic insulation to help make your decision easier. If you fail to take your gear out of its compression bag or stuff sack, you can damage the down and it may never regain its original loft. Outdoor equity, climate action, places we love. Unlike down, synthetic insulation is water-resistant and will still provide some warmth if it gets wet. Throughout testing, we found that the Micro Puff was impressive overall but still not as warm as a down jacket of a similar price and weight. Synthetic insulation also dries much faster than down. Synthetics are making good efforts to catch up in this regard, including high-end insulations like Patagonias PlumaFill and The North Faces ThermoBall Eco, but overall, the warmth gap remains. The blend of Sorona fibers and Thindown can eliminate several drawbacks associated with the use of traditional down filling. If youre looking for a jacket that offers solid warmth at a good value, synthetic insulation is the way to go. Samples of these products will be available at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market June 18-20. They tend to slowly lose their form and the fibers break down over time, particularly if you are compressing them frequently. As a leader in the functional insulation market with advanced technologies, Youngone is proud to launch this new ecologically conscious range of insulations. This technology can be found at Spyder, Rossignol, and Carhartt. For updates about how DuPont Industrial Biosciences is helping customers deliver cost-effective products with superior performance and sustainability, follow@DuPontBiobasedon Twitter or visit our website athttp://biosciences.dupont.com. And if you think birds used for down dont die for their feathers, think again. Sorona Agile Fabric for Breathable Insulation - English This bio-based fiber insulator is lightweight, breathable, warm, quick-drying, and resilient. This technology can be found at Brooks Brothers, Hugo Boss, and Aspesi. ECOLoft AIR SR (60 percent Sorona + 40 percent REPREVE) Voluminous natural-down-like synthetic fiberfill for puffer jackets and similar products offers notable warmth, excellent washing performance and vapor management performance for enhanced comfort. In the end, many consumers (ourselves included) appreciate the added transparency. There are now numerous types of high-performance synthetic insulations available, and several come close to down in terms of warmth-to-weight ratio. Through REPREVE, one of Unifis proprietary technologies and the global leader in branded recycled performance fibers, Unifi has transformed more than 16 billion plastic bottles into recycled fiber for new apparel, footwear, home goods and other consumer products. An insulated hardshell can be the right . Ecoloft ActiVe SR features more recycled + renewable content than industry peers, improved vapor management while maintaining warmth, and the compressibility and soft comfort that is ideal for active adventures. As technology has improved, however, synthetic has made significant headway. The second measurement youll come across is fill weight, which is the weight (in ounces or grams) of the amount of down in a product. But you can help birds suffering in the down industry by refusing to buy items containing down and instead choosing from the plethora of vegan materials above. It recently announced a partnership with Thindown, the world's first and only down fabric, to enhance the warmth, comfort and design flexibility of insulation in a single sheet of fabric. Unifi collaborates with many of the worlds most influential brands in the sports apparel, fashion, home, automotive and other industries. These ultrafine fibers trap warmth in air pockets, providing great warmth though not quite as good as down. [7]Mohawk Industries is currently the exclusive North American carpet manufacturer making carpets using DuPont Sorona fiber.[8]. Innovative and sustainable together: Textile supplier DuPont Sorona In both cases, the birds involved generally live short, miserable lives and die painful deaths for purposes that are absolutely unnecessary. Found in products from many of the world's leading brands, REPREVE fibers can also be enhanced with Unifi's proprietary technologies for increased performance and comfort. To better understand the world of down, below we break down considerations like fill power Cozying into your sleeping bag at the end of a long day on the trail is one of the simple pleasures of backpacking. The most common criticism of down insulation is its tendency to clump up and lose loft when it gets wet, thereby losing its insulation properties. Several use down and feathers. If youre on a budget, synthetic insulation will usually keep you warm for less money. Website Last Modified May 1, 2023. The special vertical lapped, maximized multi-layer, and integral ball fiber production technologies are all enhanced by the Repreve and Sorona fibers combined flexibility, high resilience and excellent volume to weight. We are thrilled to partner with such industry pioneers and launch a much-needed product in the industry.. Plusyou can shop with confidence, because all Outdoor Research down jackets have been certified by The Responsible Down Standard (RDS), ensuring that the down and feathers come from animals that have not been subjected to an unnecessary harm. Although the down may not cause an allergic reaction itself, lower quality down can harbor dust particles, debris or other non-down materials, causing a reaction in sensitive people. And you always can throw on a breathable softshell jacketon top for added protection. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. This ECOLoft collection will elevate sustainable, high-performance insulation solutions for the outdoor market and offer brands a versatile option for cold-weather products, said Renee Henze, Global Marketing Director for DuPont Biomaterials. This unique blend increases the surface area of the insulationallowing it to dry fast, resist odors, absorb heat, and provide a high warmth-to-weight ratio. Read more about us. Sorona Common Thread: Trust, Traceability and Transparency Throughout Synthetics, on the other hand, lack the natural durability of down. And from our sleeping bag example above, the Mountain Hardwear Shasta 15 costs $170 compared to $399 for the REI Co-op Magma 15. ), 5 Common Liquid Injection Molding Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them), The Ultimate Guide to Steam and Water Ejectors, Additive Manufacturing / 3D Manufacturing, Health, Medical, & Dental Supplies and Equipment, Laboratory and Research Supplies and Equipment, Mining, Oil Drilling, Refining Products & Equipment, Waste Management & Waste Handling Equipment, Reduces cold spots and adds drape and stretch, Offers more sustainable insulated material than traditional down fabric, Eliminates drawbacks associated with use of traditional down filling. For example, 600-fill-power down means that one ounce of that down fills 600 cubic inches of space. Enter synthetic insulation. Down acts as a natural thermal vest for birds by trapping air and preventing the loss of body heat. This cozy insulation type offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio on the market and packs down smaller than synthetics for easy storage. It maintains thermal efficiency in wet and humid conditions, is more cost-effective than down, and retains warmth over timeeven after multiple uses. Why do you refuse to defend innocents? ECOLoft ActiVe SR (35 percent Sorona + 55 percent REPREVE) A synthetic, vertically lapped insulation that combines the warmth-to-weight of down with breathability that is defining a new category of padding and garment design options. The Down vs Synthetic Guide: Sierra Its also inexpensive and efficient. [3] Related polymers in this series include polyethylene terephthalate (2GT) and polybutylene terephthalate (polytetramethylene terephthalate) (4GT). Sorona Aura insulation provides long-lasting shape and warmth for any climate, from jackets and pants to gloves and hats. This is primarily because down can take a long time to dry once it is wet, and when wet, it loses many of its insulating properties. Patagonia also has an excellent range of jackets with Primaloft, ranging from the mens Das Parka to the Womens Micro Puff Hooded Jacket. You ll find Climashield in sleeping bag . thank you for this info The new fabric collections offered by mills are tested and certified through the DuPont Sorona Fabric . Its the insulation of choice in cold, dry conditions, or whenever reducing weight and saving space are top priorities. The Sorona polymer gives you the opportunity to offer a more eco-conscious product without compromising performance or increasing cost of production. Down is actually the plumage foundunderneath the exterior feathers on waterfowl such as ducks and geese and consists of soft, fluffy, wispy filaments. Cookie Notice There are important considerations when making a purchase: What is your skill level? By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Thanks for joining us! Black Diamond, Patagonia, The North Face, and Adidas are among the retailers that offer PrimaLoft. This makes jackets lined with Primaloft insulation water-resistant, lightweight, very soft, highly packable and a lot less bulky than jackets made with down insulation. They are, however, a bit less durable than continuous filament and the insulation can move around to create cold spots. Bio-based Sorona fabrics can be sorted into today's 100 percent polyester recycling streams without compatibility issues. Plumtech, an exclusive Save The Duck padding, is a synthetic down made from recycled polyester using innovation thats completely animal-free. Further, over time, it gets packed out and loses its ability to loft, resulting in a shorter lifespan than down. Sorona: sustainability and performance without sacrifice - Drapers All rights reserved. Macpac, Kathmandu, North face etc. Anyone have information on the down feather alternative called DuPont Sorona? Stay up to date on New Arrivals, email exclusives & more. A more relevant distinction is knowing whether a synthetic insulator is short-staple or continuous filament. In the end, synthetic still wins out. Wanted it to be something I can take into work on those cold mornings or for bushwalks, I do like the ribbed collar compared to the puffy ones, although I understand this compromises the warmth around the neck. YOUNGONE - a leading global manufacturer of outdoor and athletic clothing, textiles, footwear and gear - is leveraging DuPont Sorona . Adventures requiring the lightest weight possible. Down is extremely light, compressible, warm, and known for having a long lifespan. Can we declare a winner in the down vs. synthetic debate? An error has occurred; the feed is probably down. For one, most are petroleum based, which results in greenhouse gas emissions and potentially unsafe work environments. There are many competing brand names for synthetic insulations, which can make shopping confusing. Most down jackets are too warm to wear indoors, and outside of the summer, we frequently keep our synthetic jacket on all day. Other people prefer synthetic insulation. Thirty-seven percent of its polymer is made using annually renewable plant-based ingredients. Synthetic insulation is a popular man-made alternative to down and is most often comprised of sheets of polyester fibers that aim to mimic downs air-trapping abilities. DuPont developed Sorona in the late 1990's by leveraging the innovative bio-based monomer Bio-PDO as the basis for the polymer. Its also easier to care for. Loses insulation ability when wet and is slow to dry. Wanted it to be something I can take into work on those cold mornings or for bushwalks, I do like the ribbed collar compared to the puffy ones, although I understand this compromises the warmth . In the end, the most sustainable solution is to buy nothing at all and do what you can to extend the life of what you already own. Start-stop activities where managing sweat is critical. More information can be found at http://www.dupont.com. A Guide To Insulated Winter Jackets That Are Not Made With Down, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4z3tmDTanUc, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcN7SGGoCNI&t=1s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80sKLpZKeQY, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qs8yqcrqo1s, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXJrk5vF4R8. In addition to its ability to efficiently trap heat, down is also incredibly breathable, allowing it to wick unwanted moisture away from your body to evaporate. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Down is picked from birds after they are slaughtered for meat or foie gras and in some cases, by forcibly restraining the animals while they are still alive. How to Choose Insulated Jackets & Layers | evo Here at Switchback Travel, were passionate about our down jackets. Goose and duck down fill are among the premier insulators on earth, trapping air and creating pockets of warmth around your body with very little weight. Deciding between down and synthetic really comes down to what environment youre venturing into and what activities youll be undertaking. YOUNGONE a leading global manufacturer of outdoor and athletic clothing, textiles, footwear and gear is leveraging DuPont Sorona renewably sourced fiber and Unifi REPREVE recycled content to debut three new insulation products that provide lightweight breathable warmth with unique softness and shape retention. If you're not sure which type of insulation to choose, don't worry. We consider durability to be a tie, with each insulation having their advantages and disadvantages. WILMINGTON, Del. Milkweed fiber is a natural and eco-friendly material that can be used in a wide variety of products, including jackets, sleeping bags, gloves, bedding, and boots. Editors note: REI has adopted theResponsible Down Standard (RDS) for 100% ofREI Co-op brand products with virgin down and feathers. DuPont, Unifi and YOUNGONE Launch ECOLoft Eco-Elite Insulation at Last edited on 25 December 2022, at 22:18, Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award, http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-27700019_ITM, Decoding the DNA decoder - Cosmic Log - msnbc.com, "Biopolymer for Carpet, Apparel and Automotive - DuPont Sorona - DuPont USA", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sorona&oldid=1129525714, This page was last edited on 25 December 2022, at 22:18. DuPont Sorona fabrics join the 'YES' list for PET compatible Primaloft: This patented synthetic microfiber thermal insulation was originally developed for the U.S. military in the 1980s for use in clothing and sleeping bags. This is an interesting topic: Down plumage is inherently durable, but down products tend to leak over time and therefore slowly lose warmth (if you see a feather protruding, massage it back in rather thanpulling it out). Down feathers are used in clothing and comforters, but for geese and ducks, the down industrys methods are anything but comfortable. Down vs Synthetic Material | REI Co-op DuPont and NIPI, makers of Thindown, Partner to Create a Down vs. Synthetic: What's the difference? | Outdoor Research Natures best insulation, down creates high-loft clusters that keep air and body heat from escaping. Less down equals a lighter product. Patagonias Micro Puff Jacket (with synthetic PlumaFill insulation) is even advertised as having the best warmth for weight of any jacket in the companys lineup. Polyester fibers - naturally hypoallergenic. If you're a new email subscriber, your discount code will be waiting for you. Some manufacturers make sleeping bags and jackets with a combination of water-resistant down and synthetic insulation. Typically made of polyester, synthetic fill is quick-drying and insulates even if wet (something down struggles to do). While synthetic fills have been less scrutinized, they have their own set of issues. But, most importantly, once you find the right sleeping bag or insulated jacket for you, get out in the mountains and have some fun. Adventures where comfort is more important than weight. How does Climashield compare to other synthetic insulators on the JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. The Pertex Quantum with Diamond Fuse Technology protects the 800+ fill down with an exceptionally durable and abrasion-resistant shell without adding weight. Perhaps the single biggest selling point of synthetic insulation is its ability to insulate when wet. About YOUNGONE Founded in 1974 Youngone is a leading global manufacturer of functional apparel, textiles, footwear and gear. high quality content. Skip to contentEnglish Apparel Agile Aura Luxe Profile Revive Sorona for Faux Fur Carpet Our Story News Certification Portal While Best Ultralight Sleeping Bags and Quilts of 2023, Best Cheap Down Jacket: REI Co-op 650 2.0, Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody. If you want to know how to make extra bucks, search for: Boorfes [4] Natural down is also incredibly resilient andif properly cared forcan be used for many years. In addition, the REI Product Impact Standardsinclude the basic animal welfare expectation that apply to all brands selling products containing virgin down. Benefits include great gear offers, special pricing on events and an annual Co-op Member Rewardfor life. Now customers and selected partners can access our list of preferred fabric mills producing Sorona around the world. DuPont Sorona is a bio-based, high-performance polymer that contains 37% annual renewable plant-based ingredients. 2023 Covation Biomaterials. Every Outdoor Research product is covered by our Infinite Guarantee, Stay up to date with our latest deals and products. If a label doesn't specify fill power, it is usually because the down falls in a range below 400 cubic inches or the item contains less than 75% down. Fill power is represented by the number of cubic inches one ounce of down will occupy. Thats why Nudown made the business-savvy decision to skip cruelly derived animal materials and go straight to using air. It maintains its loft wash after wash, so you can look good and stay warm day after day. Primaloft is undoubtedly the leading name in the synthetic insulation field, with several big brands using Primaloft insulation products for their garments. The second is staying warm enough. North Face makes a range of jackets with Primaloft insulation like the mens Lhotse Primadown Jacket or the womens Quimby insulated jacket. Referred to as frozen smoke because its so lightweight, Aspen Aerogels insulation was developed in a lab 80 years ago and then reintroduced in 2007, when NASA figured out how to use it to keep instruments warm on a Mars rover.