Down Or Synthetic? What’s the difference?
The mercury is starting to drop and it is time to make the difficult decision of what insulation layer to utilise. In today’s market there is an enormous range of brands and materials and that can confuse even the most seasoned shopper or outdoors person. The most interesting and popular range of insulation in contemporary insulation is undeniably filled jackets and vests. Filled jackets and vests, either down or synthetic, can be spotted on the train travelling through Melbourne, at your local café or at any popular outdoor destination in the chilly months. Let’s take a closer look at down and synthetic jackets and vests, their fills, outer fabrics and some leading market variations that may suit your intended application.
Down
Down is a natural layer found on ducks and geese that creates an insulating layer and keeps their body warm. Many people believe down is the feather however the down in fact lies in between the outer feathers and their skin. Down acts as a trapping barrier for your body heat. It is not the down that creates the warmth it is actually your own body that creates this warmth and the down traps it in between its tiny clusters. Down is susceptible to moisture and when wet will stick together resulting in loss of all of its insulation properties. The down cannot loft properly resulting in a loss of heat entrapment. Loft means fully ‘fluffed up’ and this cannot happen effectively when wet. Recently manufacturers have combated this problem by treating the down prior to its use. The water repellent, many major manufacturers are adopting, helps to improve the performance of down and retain its loft in moist environments. If the unfortunate occurs and your jacket becomes waterlogged then the treatment will severely decrease the loss of loft and the time it takes for the down to dry. Keep in mind that these treatments improve a down’s performance but the garment is still not intended to get wet. When selecting a jacket one must consider the loft rating of that particular jacket. This loft rating will decide the jackets down volume rating and is represented in an industry number rating. Many common manufacturers offer a range of down products in fill powers ranging from 550 – 900 fill power. It is worth mentioning there are other variations however these are the most common. So what do these numbers mean? The number represents the volume in cubic centimetres of a single gram of down, when full lofted. A higher rated down, such as 850, will trap more insulating air than a down of lower quality, such as 550. The more insulating air down traps then the warmer you will be! To summarise, the higher the loft rating the warmer it will be for its weight.
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
| Weight – Down is warmer than synthetic at the same weight | Cleaning requires special care and knowledge of how to care for down |
| Extremely warm | Loses insulating properties when wet |
| Highly compressible | Often expensive – especially high loft |
| When cared for will have a long life span | Not allergenic – Can sometimes trap dust or debris |
Down jackets and vests that I have previously and currently owned and recommend:
Patagonia Men’s Hi-Loft Hoody – Great all round down jacket with the warmest hood!
Rab Microlight Alpine Jacket – Great all round down jacket. (Currently out of stock)
Rab Electron Jacket – Midweight jacket for cold alpine nights or extreme weather. (Currently out of stock)
Mont Neon Down Vest Hydronaute XT – Great all round vest. Very compressible.
Synthetic
Synthetic insulation was introduced as a wet weather substitute to down. It was designed to replicate the performance and qualities of down but retain its warmth when wet. Synthetic insulation is predominantly a polyester threading that mimics a down’s cluster. Synthetic garments have a strong following from individuals and corporations who venture into some of nature’s wettest places as it has the ability to be completely soaked, rung dry and put back on to keep insulating. Try doing that with down! As technology grows such does the innovation and range of synthetic fills available on today’s market. It can be tricky to tell the difference between a synthetic or down jacket from a distance but you will quickly realise that synthetic has a higher weight-to-warmth ratio. Essentially to reach the same warmth as down we need more synthetic. Important to understand if ultralight backpacking or space saving are important aspects when selecting a jacket or vest. Synthetic insulation is typically a cheaper product on the wallet, not on quality, and is naturally hypoallergenic.
| Advantage | Disadvantage |
| Still maintain high insulation properties when wet or moist | Weight – Down is warmer than synthetic at the same weight |
| Easy to clean and maintain | Not as compressible as down |
| Often cheaper than down products | Can break down sooner due to synthetic properties. (Down lasts longer) |
| Hypoallergenic |
Synthetic jackets and vests that I have previously and currently owned and recommend:
Rab Altus Vest – Super warm for its weight.
Patagonia Nano Puff Vest – Great vest for chilly nights or mornings.
Patagonia Nano Puff Bivy Pullover – Love the ½ zip. Great for those chilly trips in Autumn and Spring.
The great thing about both variations of insulation is there are specific applications for both. That means you can, and should, own multiple items and they will all have a particular purpose. I personally prefer synthetic vests. I wear these on the move without getting too hot and if I am expecting rain I can put a rain shell over the top and not fear my layer getting wet. If it does, it still offers great insulation properties! My jackets however are mostly down filled, with the exception of one, as I utilise these on the move in dry environments or at camp when I am inactive. Choose your insulation fill wisely as they offer multiple advantages when used correctly. Clothing choice is very personal so do your research and choose the best garment that suits your application regardless if it’s getting your Sunday morning coffee or a multi-day adventure!
The Author and Expert: “Callan is a passionate outdoorsmen who loves to be outside in nature. From a young age Callan has been absorbed in hiking, hunting and fishing and has a broad knowledge of outdoor gear and equipment and natural environments. Callan’s at home in the mountains and prides himself on enjoying the freedom and rawness nature possesses. Previously working in the outdoor industry, and now as an Outdoor and Primary Educator, Callan enjoys witnessing new and familiar comers to the outdoors.”
