Holofiber jackets - warm or not? Sintepon or holofiber - which is better?

The modern bedding market will offer you many options to suit every taste and budget. From a famous beneficial properties buckwheat husks and the usual down and feathers to modern artificial fillers. But the word “synthetic” always alarms the consumer. But we must admit that recent years even ardent supporters of everything natural agree with the opinion that synthetics do not always mean “harmful and bad.” Holofiber is a prime example of this.

Holofiber: what is it?

Holofiber is a synthetic non-woven material. Or rather, that's what it's called trademark, under which more than a hundred varieties are produced of this material. Very soon this brand became a household name and all products began to be called that way - “holofiber”. In English, hollow fiber means “hollow (empty) fibers.” Indeed, the filler consists of tiny particles - hollow polyester fibers. To make holofiber, they are twisted and exposed to high temperatures for soldering together. After such manipulations, the fiber resembles a spring. Thanks to this technology, holofiber has phenomenal resistance to any, even very strong, physical impact. This material was first produced at the Moscow nonwoven materials plant in 2005.

The Holofiber trademark belongs to the Termopol company. This is the only company that produces nonwoven materials under this brand.

Holofiber is a non-woven synthetic material developed by Russian scientists

The production of this filler, unique in its properties, is a technically difficult process. For the common man, the production of holofiber is very interesting. It should be noted that the raw material for the material is polyester -synthetic but non-toxic thread made from polyester fibers.

In general, the manufacturing algorithm looks like this:

The fiber is heated to 180–200 0 Celsius. It is thanks to this that the particles are soldered together without requiring any other chemical reagents. Under the influence of temperature, the fibers form a rigid adhesion, which ensures the unconditional strength of the material.
After a “hot” reception, the prepared raw materials are sent to a wind tunnel, where the formation of spring fibers will take place. The advantage of this effect is that the fibers will be located randomly, at an angle or vertically.
The combed fibers are blown with an air stream through a diffuser.
Then ready material enters a mesh drum or conveyor.

Holofiber production is a technologically complex but interesting process

Properties of holofiber

The features of holofiber are directly related to the structure of this material:

The porous and multilayer structure is not only capable of trapping dust, but also copes well with the role of a sound and heat insulation layer.
The material perfectly withstands even strong physical impact: from squeezing to washing in automatic machines.
Despite the fact that the material is 100% synthetic, it contains absolutely no formaldehyde, which made it possible to use it in products for children and allergy sufferers.
Thanks to technological process This polyester fabric is as close as possible to natural materials in terms of safety and environmental friendliness.
Holofiber has all the advantages of artificial filler: durability, versatility, strength.
By appearance the material resembles cotton or down, but in many respects it is superior to these fillers.
Depending on the area of application, holofiber can be produced in the form of canvas, slabs or balls.

Photo gallery: variety of holofiber release forms

Well-known types of holofiber produced in the form of canvas: Soft, Valumetric, Foot, Medium Holofiber slabs are used in construction as insulation Children's toys, pillows, blankets, winter clothes are the most popular areas of application of holofiber

Material advantages

Main positive qualities holofiber:

With all these wonderful qualities, holofiber has only two drawbacks: a higher price compared to other competing insulation materials and poor moisture absorption.

Varieties

Due to its positive characteristics, holofiber is widely used in different areas activities: from toy production to construction. Depending on the area of application they are used various types filler:

fiber balls. This material in the form of granules is used as a filler for bedding, soft toys, as well as individual parts upholstered furniture. This type is called “Puffs”. The structure of the material does not allow dust to accumulate. Blankets and pillows with holofiber do not suffer from the problems of their feather and down counterparts: they do not bunch up and completely eliminate the appearance of unpleasant neighbors in the form of microorganisms and dust mites, do not have the characteristic smell of natural feathers;
Holofiber is an excellent filler for toys and bedding
canvas. Rolled insulation in the form of canvas has become indispensable in the clothing industry for the production of winter clothing, including children's. Holofiber called “Soft” and “Tek” allows you to make clothes as warm as possible, but at the same time light and comfortable.
Holofiber is safe for children from birth
This material has also proven itself well when used in sewing workwear for workers in regions with harsh climates. Weak hygroscopicity allows the filler to remain flexible and plastic even at critically low temperatures. It is important that holofiber allows clothes to be fire resistant. Insulation is used in overalls for workers in the mining industry, uniforms for employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and law enforcement agencies, in equipment for tourists, hunters, and fishermen;

“Soft” insulation is widely used in workwear for harsh climatic zones
layers and slabs. Surprisingly, the soft and pliable filler can also be produced in the form hard material. Popularly referred to as “pressed holofiber”. It is made by “baking” in a special oven. Such slabs have varying degrees rigidity. The toughest one - “Stroy” - is used for roof insulation, external walls, floors, interior walls, basements, attics. Layers of holofiber perfectly retain heat in the house without creating a “greenhouse” effect. The ability to absorb sounds will help solve the problem of sound insulation in city apartments. Medium hardness slabs are called “Super Hard”. This type of material is used in the production of upholstered furniture. Plastic and well-retained, “Hard” is used for making mattresses.
Holofiber "Hard" is widely used in the production of mattresses

Everything is known by comparison

For many, holofiber, padding polyester, padding polyester are one and the same thing. But this is far from true. What is the difference between this filler and its competitors?

Holofiber and padding polyester

It must be said that these two materials are very similar in appearance. True, padding polyester is “older” than its competitor. It began to be used back in the late 40s of the last century, while holofiber is a little over ten years old. The main difference between these materials is the manufacturing method. Hollow fiber is created by exposing polyester fibers to hot air. To produce padding polyester, an emulsion of PVA glue is used, which makes it not as safe and environmentally friendly as holofiber. And also it does not allow air to pass through so well and is less hygroscopic. If you get caught in the rain in a padding polyester jacket, you risk getting wet to the skin, and, alas, severe frosts are too much for him. Holofiber keeps its shape perfectly, quickly recovering from even strong physical impact, which cannot be said about its “sworn friend”. The synthetic winterizer cakes over time, and after frequent washing it begins to deform. The only advantage of padding polyester is the price: holofiber is much more expensive.
Externally, padding polyester is very similar to holofiber

Holofiber and synthetic fluff

The manufacturing process of these two materials, as well as their characteristics, are approximately similar. The production is based on the same hollow fibers. Thanks to this, synthetic fluff, like holofiber, is resistant to deformation and does not clump after frequent washing. Both materials are hypoallergenic, environmentally friendly, reliable and durable. The difference between them is in the structure. Synthetic down resembles natural down, only even softer and lighter; holofiber can have different structure from balls to sheets and even hard slabs.
The structure of synthetic fluff differs from holofiber in the absence of fiber balls

Holofiber and down feather

The only advantage of natural fillers remains in their naturalness and environmental friendliness. It is these seemingly remarkable properties that create a favorable environment for the habitat of annoying neighbors - dust mites and other equally “attractive” microorganisms.

Down and feather filling loses on many points: hypoallergenicity, wear resistance, durability, price, ability to keep its shape. Someone may notice that down filling is the warmest. Yes, this is an excellent insulation, but holofiber can compete with that! It’s not for nothing that it is used for workwear with critical low temperatures. Products with holofiber perfectly withstand the test of an automatic machine; for down, especially with the addition of feathers, such a procedure can often be disastrous.

I remember in the early nineties, when my age crossed the “adolescence - youth” mark, it was decided to buy me a new “adult” coat for the winter. The store shelves did not please with the assortment, so my mother and I went to the local market, then called “flea market”. It used to be that they sold second-hand things at flea markets; in the dashing nineties it was born new class- Shuttle. This is where we approached the tent of such a shuttle. It was some kind of miracle: not a jacket, but not a coat either. Fashionable style, bright colors, zippers, rivets! I was dizzy from such beauty. To my mother’s question: how much does such a coat cost? - seller with important look said that this is not a coat, but a down jacket. “With feathers? - Mom was surprised. “No, we don’t need that.” After much persuasion, my mother agreed. Looking ahead, I will say that my mother was right... The problems began on the first day. A feather was mercilessly coming out of the down jacket. My classmates teased me with the “chicken coop” for a long time. But main problem was ahead. After washing, the filler formed into lumps of different sizes and despite all my mother’s efforts, there was no way to get the coat in proper shape. Moreover, after the fashionable coat dried, the smell of rotten feathers emanated from it and yellow stains remained on the fabric. The rest of the winter I wore an old coat...
Natural fillers are in many ways inferior to holofiber

Trust but verify

To determine which filler the manufacturer used, just look at the tag or label. Conscientious companies not only provide truthful information on the composition, but also attach a special transparent bag with a sample of insulation. Have you found your treasured bag? This means that this is a high-quality, non-counterfeit product. By appearance, you can easily determine what will be hidden under the lining of the down jacket. A sample of the filler is presented in a capsule on the product label

What to do if there is no such bag and you are tormented by doubts about the filler? Trust tactile sensations:

Squeeze part of the product in your fist. Holofiber will very quickly return to shape, and synthetic padding will “think” before restoring volume.
Rub part of the item between your index finger and thumb. The fluff will easily “scatter” in different directions and only fabric will remain between your fingers. From such an impact the synthetic fluff will shrink to a very thin layer. But you will still feel its presence.
Try stretching the fabric slightly. If you hear a characteristic crunch or slight creaking, this is padding polyester. Holofiber will not make a sound.

One more distinguishing feature fillers - price. The most expensive products, of course, are made from natural down. Then from synthetic fluff and holofiber. The cheapest products will be made from padding polyester.

Care

Another advantage of holofiber is ease of care. Unpretentious and durable material does not require any special conditions to maintain cleanliness. It withstands repeated washing in an automatic machine, as well as dry steam treatment. It dries quite quickly when room temperature. And what is important - it does not electrify and does not shrink. Don't forget that this only applies to holofiber. If this wonderful material can even be boiled, then the outer fabric in which the filler is wrapped probably has its own care rules, so carefully study the composition of the fabric on the label. But holofiber is not afraid of any washing.

Do I need to iron products with holofiber? Again, if the top layer of fabric requires it. But basically ironing is not necessary, because this filler holds its shape perfectly.

Video: the whole truth about holofiber in questions and answers

On the market today insulation materials there is a significant number of different proposals. Most are made on the basis of polyester fibers, as the cheapest and most technologically advanced polymer material. This trademark registered Russian manufacturers for polyester nonwovens made using a special technique. The technology for processing fibers is to create tiny cavities inside them filled with air. In addition, it is given a spiral shape. A mass of fibers coated with a silicone compound is subjected to high-temperature treatment, as a result they sinter together and form a loose, but indestructible material, more than 90% consisting of air.

Description and properties

Hollofaber is a material resembling dense cotton wool and consisting of polyester fibers firmly bonded to each other. Holofiber goes on sale in three types:

Like a thick canvas. This variety is used for sewing warm clothes and filling blankets;
In the form of slabs of different thicknesses. Plates are used in construction for insulation various designs, in the production of upholstered furniture, as a substitute for traditional foam rubber;
In the form of small balls the size of a pea or larger. Balls are used to fill soft toys, pillows, blankets and mattresses.

Of all the varieties of non-woven insulating materials, hollafider is distinguished by its balance between technical qualities and cost. An interesting fact is that more expensive materials are not much superior to the hollafider in terms of parameters, and cheap analogues are noticeably worse, although the polyester from which all materials are made is exactly the same. For example, hollafider differs from synthetic padding in the absence of moisture absorption and better heat-insulating qualities, although the former looks the same in appearance as hollafider.

Holofiber products contain maximum quantity The best heat insulator is air. The close interweaving of fibers prevents the movement of convective currents in the air layer, due to which heat exchange occurs. Thus, slabs or canvases that include a hollafider create an air layer that does not allow heat to pass through. At the same time, non-woven material is not moisture-proof and airtight, which makes clothes made from it warm and comfortable.

Where is filler used?

The hollafider is most widely used for filling jackets and other warm clothing. The material is highly soft and low in weight, which is why it does not restrict movement at all, while effectively retaining heat even with a small thickness.

The same positive qualities contributed to the spread of this material for the manufacture of bedding. In particular, it is often used in pillows. It is comfortable to cover yourself with hollafader blankets even with their large thickness, since, while conserving heat, they allow air and moisture to pass through well.

For pillows, hollafider or its analogue - synthetic fluff - is also used. In terms of thermal insulation properties and softness, synthetic down is as close as possible to traditional down, which is why it got its name. It is difficult to say which of these materials is better, since it is almost impossible to determine the difference.

Pros and cons

What it is, holofiber, what its main properties are, has already been said above. Now we should dwell in more detail on its characteristics. Among the advantages of the filler, it should be noted:

High level of safety, since only polyester fiber is used in the production of the material without additives of adhesives. It follows that the ability to cause allergic reactions is minimized;
High softness and elasticity;
High elasticity;
Repeatedly withstands severe deformation, while the holofiber filler easily restores its shape after being crushed and does not require additional leveling;
Fungi do not grow on polyester fibers because they do not retain moisture. And they also lack the possibility of creating a favorable environment for the development of microorganisms;
Static electricity does not accumulate.

The given characteristics indicate that products made from hollafiber can be used, without any consequences, for the manufacture of children's clothing, soft toys, furniture and for insulating premises. Products made from padding polyester differ from hollafiber in that they are used to produce non-woven fabric. adhesive compositions, which can cause allergies, especially after several washing cycles, when the glue begins to age and peel off.

Care

Caring for products made from hollafiber is quite simple. The low adhesion of polyester fibers to contaminants makes it easy to wash products made from this fabric. No washing required pre-soaking, and can be washed by hand with any detergent. When using washing machine You need to set low spin speeds. And also, the requirements for the mode are imposed by the material of the top of the product. .

Usually things do not need ironing after drying. It is enough to shake slightly so that they take the required shape. Ironing at low temperatures is necessary only to smooth out the covering material.

For pillows and thick blankets and mattresses, a zipper is sometimes provided so that after washing and drying, the filling can be manually fluffed to give it volume.

How to distinguish holofiber from padding polyester in a product by touch

Without experience, it is difficult to determine padding polyester products from a hollafider. The easiest way to do this is to compare two things. You can determine the synthetic padding filling and distinguish it from the hollafider by the following characteristics:

Synthetic padding fabric can be layered into several layers. It is impossible to do this with a hollafider;
When stretching the padding polyester, you can hear a slight creaking or crunching sound; after removing the load, the padding polyester does not restore its size. When bent and held for some time, small folds can be noticed on the padding polyester, which will not be the case with the hollafider. When stretched and compressed, the hollafider does not make any sounds.

There are still not so obvious differences between the hollafider:

White color with shine and no tints or dullness;
Loose and silky surface without the slightest trace of a denser surface layer.

Comparison with other fillers

All products made from nonwoven materials, although made mainly from the same fiber - polyester, differ in characteristics, which is due to manufacturing technologies.

If we compare products made from hollafiber or padding polyester, which is warmer, the conclusion will be clear in favor of the first material. Holofiber is warmer than padding polyester, but it is not the same thing at all. The main difference is not only in the level of thermal conductivity, but also in the ability of padding polyester to absorb and retain moisture, which is why hollafiber is free.

Sometimes you can come across the name of the filler as Holofytex. Essentially, this is the same holofiber in the form of small soft balls. They have completely identical properties.

A similar comparison is also true for comforter, which also has almost identical characteristics. It’s just that this name was registered by another manufacturer. Comfortel, unlike hollafiber, has straight fibers, so the elastic characteristics are somewhat lower. Accordingly, simplified production technology creates a lower cost. In fairness, we note that a good comforter is absolutely not inferior to a holofiber.

Very often used to fill pillows new material synthetic fluff. The difference between pillows stuffed with classic down and synthetic ones is that they are hypoallergenic, in which pathogenic microorganisms such as feather mites do not develop. If we compare which is better, synthetic down or hollafiber, then the artificial bird down substitute is lighter and airier. Thus, the difference between padding polyester and padding polyester is even greater than the difference between padding polyester and holofiber.

Holofiber: what kind of filler it is, we will give a description with a photo, we will tell you how to wash it correctly, reviews, properties and features, and also how it differs from padding polyester. Holofiber is a new generation filler, which is a non-woven material consisting of small hollow, spring-like polyester fibers.

Holofiber: photos, reviews, characteristics

Externally, holofiber is similar to synthetic fluff, but has a more porous structure. It consists of small lumps, most often located chaotically or vertically. Each such cavity resembles a small spring, which, after deformation, easily restores its shape.

This insulation is considered one of the best among others synthetic materials. It has high thermal protection. Therefore, when choosing insulation depending on the temperature it is designed for, you can safely choose holofiber. It can easily withstand temperatures up to 25 degrees below zero.

Holofiber types, properties, composition

Holofiber is available in the form of: sheet (plate), balls and canvas. Plates are most often used in construction, balls are used for filling pillows and blankets, and canvas is used for insulation. outerwear. Material composition – 100% polyester (polyester).

The filler has the following properties:

breathability;
hygiene;
resistance to deformation;
lightness and softness;
heat-regulating properties;
hypoallergenic;
environmental friendliness;
strength;
durability;
ease of care;
resistance to biological microorganisms.

How to wash holofiber in a washing machine?

Modern synthetic material is completely unpretentious in care. It can easily withstand high temperature regime and intense spin speeds. You can wash a holofiber jacket at 90 degrees if it is heavily soiled. But you shouldn’t overuse such washes too much.

Optimal temperature for washing moderately soiled items, it is considered 30-40 degrees in the delicate wash mode.
More recommendations in the video:

Is it possible to wash holofiber pillows?

Washing your favorite holofiber pillow is not much more difficult than washing a jacket. This must be done in washing machine in delicate mode. Choose a temperature that is not too high - 30-40 degrees. Washing powder The most ordinary one will do, but you need to pour it into a special compartment in an amount three times less than when washing other things.

Synthetic pillow filling easily restores its shape and does not lose its properties when exposed to high temperatures. Thanks to this, pillows made from it can be wrung out and dried in a washing machine.

All are covered in a separate section.

Holofiber or padding polyester: what is the difference?

Holofiber has improved characteristics compared to padding polyester: it has better thermal conductivity, lighter weight, and is easy to maintain. But in addition to their properties, materials can easily be distinguished from each other by touch.

Externally, padding polyester consists of polyester fibers laid in parallel layers, glued or thermally bonded to each other. If you feel the insulation under the top layer of clothing and try to pull it to the side, the padding polyester will begin to tear. At the same time, holofiber consists of small balls located randomly in relation to each other. Such insulation will never break when stretched, since the balls are easily separated.

You can find out in a separate article.

What is better down or holofiber?

Until recently, fluff was considered the best insulation. It is lightweight, breathable, retains heat and repels water. However, all of his unique performance characteristics significantly reduced after washing. The fluff falls off, in addition, dust accumulates in it, which causes allergies and harmful microorganisms can settle.

Holofiber does not have all these disadvantages, but is almost as good as down in thermal protection and other characteristics. Therefore, we can safely say that it is even better than natural insulation.

Information about this is presented in a separate article.

Holofiber: pros and cons

The main advantage of this synthetic filler is its heat-regulating properties, as well as non-toxicity, hypoallergenicity, and tensile strength. This is a reliable insulation material, the service life of which, even with numerous washes, is from 7 to 10 years. The disadvantages of the material include the fact that it does not absorb moisture well and is much more expensive than the same padding polyester.

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In recent years, traditional pillows have been losing their popularity. Natural down and feathers are best place residence and fungi. The spread of allergies among people forces them to choose safer bedding fillings. After all, most often ticks settle

specifically in pillows, since they like the warmth and humidity that is created there during sleep. One of the most common modern fillers is holofiber. What it is is of interest to many who care about their health.

This modern substance is used not only for filling pillows, blankets and mattresses. Children's toys are stuffed with it and used to insulate winter clothes. Thanks to your unique properties Holofiber filler perfectly replaces down and feathers, but does not cause allergies. It is very light and warm, retains heat well and allows air to pass through. This substance almost does not accumulate dust and does not become electrified. This is very important not only for sleep, but also for the comfort of sportswear and children's clothing.

Most parents choose holofiber for their children. synthetic is created on the basis of padding polyester. It comes in the form of balls, twisted fibers or webs. This substance consists of hollow fibers and has heat and sound insulation properties. Therefore, it is often used in construction to fill space inside walls, in the production of furniture, mattresses, and shoes. Holofiber is not hygroscopic, does not spread flame and holds its shape for a long time.

Very often in the production of children's clothing, toys and bed linen Same

Holofiber is used. You already know what it is. This filler is absolutely safe even for newborns. It does not absorb moisture, does not clump and creates a special microclimate. A bed with holofiber is always dry and warm; mold and fungi do not grow in it. The possibility of disinfection is very important for children's things.

Is holofiber washable? This fiber can withstand dry hot steam treatment, repeated washing and even boiling. Things filled with holofiber do not deform, do not clump or become electrified. After washing, they dry quickly and retain their shape. When buying children's clothes, you need to choose holofiber filling. What is it? This is the most safe material, since microbes do not multiply inside the fibers.

The technology for manufacturing holofiber was developed in Russia. Been looking for more for a long time cheap material than animal fluff and fur, for insulating winter work and sports clothing. Basically, this substance is microsprings twisted into balls, which are processed using special technology. They do not absorb moisture and allow air to pass through.

The composition of holofiber balls is one hundred percent polyester without the addition of glue or other chemical compounds. The twisted spirals of this substance are interconnected in a special way, which ensures the softness and lightness of the material, its hygroscopicity and breathability. This best choice for people who care about their health.

A practical, warm, lightweight down jacket is ideal winter clothing. The first to appreciate this were tourists and climbers, who, back in the middle of the last century, wore down jackets on hikes, hand-sewn from the strangest, at first glance, materials. Clothing manufacturers quickly got their bearings and are now offering customers the most of different ages and social status there are a great variety of models. What insulation is best for a winter jacket? This will be discussed in our article.

Natural or artificial?

When choosing a down jacket, you need to start with the filling. To the question, which insulation for a jacket is better, quite often the answer follows - of course, natural. Is this always the case? Natural down has, of course, a lot of positive qualities:

ease.

Yes, but these same qualities also distinguish artificial materials for filling down jackets! Moreover, sometimes they are even lighter than natural ones, and they retain heat better - at least some.

Disadvantages of natural fluff

Most main drawback natural fillers – this is the price. Down jackets made with eiderdown or swan down are sometimes very expensive. Besides this, there are other disadvantages:

difficulty of washing;
the need to use waterproof materials for the top and lining;
ability to cause allergies.

Let's talk about laundry

A down jacket with natural filling is very difficult to wash in a washing machine:

Fluff tends to bunch up and penetrate through holes in the seams, which negatively affects the performance of your unit.
If the fabrics from which the top and lining are sewn are not of very high quality, the fluff is knocked out through the holes in the weaves.

Important! Before turning on the machine, you need to put your jacket or coat in special bag– then there will be much less harm from the fluff.

After the jacket is washed, you will have to lay it out on a horizontal surface. If you try to dry it on a line or even a hanger, all the filler will end up at the bottom or in the corners. This, of course, is not a problem that will ruin your life forever. But after the product has dried, you will have to evenly distribute what is inside it and tap your favorite thing with the most ordinary carpet beater. Sometimes you have to do this between washes. Therefore, down jackets with natural filling are most often made quilted. But with artificial material you won’t have to do anything like that.

Important! In expensive models, the natural down is in special bags; it does not bunch up as intensively, but you will still have to dry the products on the floor and pat them down.

Which fluff is better?

Are you not afraid of the upcoming difficulties with washing and still decide to buy a jacket with natural down? Well then. Here are the fillings for down jackets - which is better: duck, goose or something else?

Important! As a rule, clothing manufacturers use waterfowl down because it does not rot when exposed to moisture. But some cheap Chinese models may also contain chicken, and this is something you should discard right away - such a down jacket will last exactly until you get caught in the cold winter rain. Especially if the top is made of not very high-quality fabric, the manufacturer who allows itself to use such a filler clearly does not care about quality, or is offering you not street clothes, but home clothes.

Drying your jacket completely will not be easy. Much better fluff:

Gaga. Eider down is the highest quality, but also the most expensive. Products with such filling are very warm and very light.
Swan. Lebyazhy is also of high quality. Perhaps it retains heat a little worse, but is just as light and soft.

Important! If you live in an area where there are very severe frosts in winter, it is better to choose one of these two options.

Goose and ducks. Jackets made with duck and goose down are slightly cheaper. They are heavier and a little more rigid, but quite warm and well suited for not particularly cold winters (for example, in regions with a mild maritime climate). Northerners who cannot afford a jacket with eider down and have to settle for duck down usually sew two-layer down jackets.

Important! For those who prefer natural materials, it is better to opt for down and feather filling - it will last longer.

Synthetic fillers

Modern synthetic materials make it possible even for people with a modest budget to dress beautifully, comfortably and modernly. This also applies to down jackets.

Artificial fillers are sometimes superior in quality to natural ones:

they can retain heat better;
some of them allow you to feel comfortable, even if after the morning frost
a thaw suddenly set in;
they are easy to wash and dry;
many of them do not go astray over time, so there is no need to pat clothes;
among artificial fillers there are those that can last for decades.

So, if you are looking for an answer to the question, which insulation for a winter coat is better, be sure to pay attention to synthetic materials. It could be:

padding polyester;
synthetic fluff;
isosoft;
holofiber;
Thinsulate.

New materials appear every year, so don't be surprised if you see a different name on the label. But so far these remain the most popular.

Sintepon

The cheapest and still very fashionable filler. Of course, in recent years it has been pretty much replaced by other materials, but it has a lot of advantages:

ease;
hypoallergenic;
ability to retain heat well;
ability to dry quickly after getting wet or washed;
does not absorb moisture;
can be washed in any way, including in an automatic machine;
Can be dried in any position.

Important! Jackets made with synthetic padding weigh almost nothing. This material is absolutely inert, that is, with environment does not react, which means it does not emit harmful substances and does not cause allergies. Washing such a thing is a pleasure: no delicate washing is needed, detergents You can use any, and you can even dry it on a radiator - the shape will not change.

There are, however, a couple of very significant drawbacks, due to which this material is gradually falling out of use:

After washing the jacket will deflate somewhat:
after prolonged wear or several washes, even sheet synthetic padding, which is usually used, will become lumpy.

Important! A quilted product with padding polyester filling is much more reliable: the material does not bunch up and does not lose volume.

Isosoft

This is a membrane insulation invented in Europe. It was proposed by the company Libeltex, and it is usually found in the clothes of this brand. The undoubted advantages include:

very small mass;
almost complete lack of ability to absorb moisture:
excellent thermal protective qualities:
the ability to wash in any convenient way;
durability.

Important! Isosoft is lighter than padding polyester, and even more so than natural fluff. It perfectly repels moisture, so the jacket will not get wet even in very heavy rain. When you put on a thin down jacket with this filling for the first time, you will be very pleasantly surprised - even in severe frost it will not be cold in it. You can wash the product as you wish - manually, in an automatic machine, and even in an activator unit without any additional protection. The jacket will dry very quickly and in any position.

In addition, isosoft:

does not lose shape;
does not lose volume;
does not clump together.

Important! This perfection has only one drawback - it costs almost the same as an eiderdown down jacket from a good manufacturer.

Holofiber

Soft and lightweight material, which is stuffed into toys, mattresses and clothes. Perhaps for northern countries– an ideal option, a very reasonable combination of price and quality. If we talk about the advantages, they are as follows:

light weight (heavier than isosoft, but not significant);
does not cause allergies;
does not absorb water;
does not lose volume when washed or wet;
is inexpensive;
found in many models.

Important! However, some users believe that this material does not allow air to pass through well enough. But this is claimed only by those who wore jackets and coats, the fabrics of the top and lining also do not allow air to pass through. Those who wear models made of “breathable” materials do not have this problem.

Thinsulate

Siliconized polyester, the fibers of which are twisted in a spiral and surrounded by air. They are very thin, about 60 times thinner than a human hair. This material was intended for astronauts, but is widely used in ordinary clothing. Its advantages:

the warmest;
the thinnest;
the lightest;
easy to wash;
does not get into clumps;
dries very quickly;
does not react with the environment;
does not cause allergies;
does not absorb odors.

There is no perfection in the world, so Thinsulate also has disadvantages:

price;
the body can overheat even in cold weather;
static charge accumulates.

Important! Ideal option for regions with very harsh winters. True, it is not cheap, but it will serve for many years, despite the fact that you can wash it every day - it will not lose its shape and volume.

Sintepooh

As the name suggests, this filler is similar in structure to down, and in properties - to synthetic fillers. This is really fluff, that is, a bulky mass, but it consists of artificial fibers. The fibers spring and intertwine, resulting in a fairly dense structure that provides good thermal insulation.

Important! To prevent the fibers from clinging to each other and bunching up, they are treated with silicone.

The advantages of this material are no less than others:

unable to react with the environment;
does not emit allergens;
does not absorb dust;
does not retain odors;
characterized by increased wear resistance;
not susceptible to fungus;
has antiseptic properties;
allows air to pass through;
washes perfectly:
dries easily.

Choosing a down jacket

What should you pay attention to in the store, besides the filler? There are several other parameters that must be taken into account:

filler distribution;
Availability of special packages:
quilted or not;
upper and lining fabric.

Weight and technology

In order for a down jacket to be warm, it must weigh no more than 600 g. This allows you to maintain volume, and therefore provide good thermal insulation:

See how evenly the filler is distributed. There should be no lumps or bruises.
The presence of packages is determined only by touch. If the jacket is not quilted, you can easily move the down or its replacement inside the bag - but no further.
In addition, he should not inject himself.

Standard

When choosing natural down, be sure to inquire about the standard to which it was processed. The label must read DIN EN 12934. This means that the fluff has gone through all the stages:

soaking;
washing;
drying;
filtration;
sterilization

Important! Only in this case will a jacket with natural down last a long time. Don't forget to smell the product - it should smell like any new thing, without impurities of mustiness and rot.

Seams

Cheap models are made quilted, that is, stitched in squares or horizontal stripes. Sometimes expensive down jackets look the same. The difference is determined by touch - yes, we are talking about the very bags that are present in high-quality products and are absent in low-quality ones.

Important! In any case, pay attention to the seams. They should be smooth, beautiful, without tears or protruding threads. In a cheap quilted down jacket, the filling is located directly under the outer material.

The manufacturing technology is simple:

When sewing the top and inner part quilt together along parallel lines, vertical or horizontal.
The pockets are then filled with down.
After this, they quilt again, but perpendicular to the existing lines - in much the same way as quilts are sewn.

Unfortunately, with this technology, the fluff gets lost very quickly - first, “cold spots” are formed, then all the filler ends up in the corners. Bags made of special fabric, which are used in more expensive models, allow the natural filler to retain its shape longer. At the same time, the product itself looks like a regular coat or jacket, without additional seams.

Important! Don't forget to check if fluff is coming out through the holes in the seams. To do this, just bend the product at the seam and see if there is such a defect, it will certainly appear.

Textile

This is very important point. As a rule, natural fabrics are not used for the manufacture of this type of clothing. You may encounter:

synthetic;
mixed.

There is no clear answer to the question of which option is better. Availability natural fibers in mixed fabrics they slightly increase the heat-protective properties. But among synthetic materials there are those that do not allow moisture to pass through, but at the same time “breathe,” and this is best option for winter clothes.

As you can see, choosing a really high-quality down jacket that will not lose its properties and beauty after one or two seasons is not so easy. To do this, you need to not only understand which insulation is best for a winter jacket, but also pay attention to other nuances of making the item. And now you know which ones, so you can easily cope with the task of buying a new warm thing. Good luck!4