Which is better, a down jacket or a padding polyester? What is the difference between down and padding polyester? Jackets with artificial filling

Summer is almost over, very soon you will need to switch to warmer clothes. And autumn is the most suitable period for buying a warm jacket for the winter. IN recent years Down jackets have become especially popular. These products are affordable, practical and fit almost any clothing style. True, before buying such a jacket, the question always arises: which down jacket is better, padded or down?

Firstly, it’s a matter of taste; whoever likes it best buys it. Those who find it easy to decide on a winter down jacket are those with allergies who have a negative reaction to down. In this case, you need to buy a jacket with padding polyester. Whatever down jacket you buy, in the harsh winter it will protect you from the cold and prevent you from freezing. This product does not allow cold air to pass through and retains heat perfectly. For winter jackets with natural down, geese and duck feathers are usually used.

If you lead an active life and have a lot of entertainment, then in winter you cannot do without such practical clothes as a down jacket. If you want to choose an inexpensive, stylish down jacket, contact the specialists at http://milanova.com.ua/ for help. They know for sure that padding polyester is better or down feather, and will also select a jacket that is ideal for your color and shape.

Each person chooses outerwear that will suit his lifestyle and financial capabilities. In any case, any of the options will be comfortable and durable. We cannot say for sure which down jacket is better, padded or down. Because each person decides for himself what to wear.

But, for those who spend a lot of time in the winter on fresh air, we recommend buying a jacket with natural down. Such products are much warmer than synthetic winterizers, and accordingly, they are more expensive. Upon purchase of this product, be careful. After all, many manufacturers sell down jackets with insulation and add bird feathers to them. This will no longer be a full-fledged down jacket, but you will pay for it as for a product made from natural down.

To save money and not fall for this trick, look at the clothing label, there will be written “feather” with the word “down”. If the product has a ratio of 80/20, where the first indicator is real down, and the second is feather, then such a jacket is very warm and you can survive the harshest winter in it. Now about the disadvantages of down products:

they are difficult to care for (they need to be dry cleaned),
After washing in the washing machine, the fluff gets lost and the product loses its original appearance.

A real down jacket from a famous brand will serve you for many years, however, such a jacket is not cheap.

A synthetic down jacket also has its advantages; with this material everything is much simpler. If you still haven’t figured out which down jacket is better, padding poly or down, here are a few facts about non-natural jackets.

The insulation is not at all picky about washing and even after numerous washes, such a jacket will look like new. But, do not forget that synthetic padding can be different. You can buy a warm and light jacket, or you may end up with a completely useless, low-quality down jacket that will be blown through. Here everything will depend on the manufacturer’s company. For example, Fred Perry produces products with insulation, which has properties as close as possible to down. But, it is much better than natural filler, because it does not have its disadvantages.

Undoubtedly, such a jacket does not keep warm as well as a product made from natural down, but high-quality insulation is enough to keep you comfortable and warm. The cost of such products is lower, and a jacket made with synthetic padding wears out faster. Such outerwear It will last you three to four seasons. But there is also a plus here: you can wear new models every winter and will always be in trend.

Down jackets are popular, practical, comfortable, and do not get wet. You should take their choice seriously, because you will have to wear them for at least three months. The article contains tips on how to choose a down jacket so that it will keep you warm for more than one season.

How to choose a down jacket?

We call any voluminous winter jacket a down jacket. Let's ask ourselves how the insulating filler affects the warming ability and cost of clothing. Let's look at the inscriptions on the label and determine the type of insulation:

Down - 100% waterfowl down, expensive and rare;

Feather – a feather has been added to reduce the cost;

Cotton – padded jacket, filling – fluffed cotton fibers;

Wool - wool batting;

Polyester - padding polyester.

What's good about a real down jacket?

The heat-retaining properties of padding polyester are lost by a quarter after washing. With proper care, a duck down jacket will last up to five years, and a goose down jacket will last even longer. Modern technologies have moved forward, new fillers have been created: synthetic fluff, holofiber, fibertek. They are warmer than padding polyester, cheaper than down, non-allergenic, and have low hygroscopicity.

How to choose a down jacket for the winter

There are 6 proven signs of down jacket quality:

1. The ratio of down and feathers in warm winter clothes is 80/20, or better - 90/10 (indicated on the label). Light jackets with a 50/50 feather to down ratio are only suitable for spring and autumn.

2. The length and width of the blocks over which the filler is distributed should not exceed 20 cm. Otherwise, the fluff will fall off and allow the cold to pass through. If the down jacket meets this requirement, its down block immediately restores its shape after creasing without the appearance of lumps.

3. The quality standard “DIN EN 12934” indicated on the label means that the fluff has been washed, disinfected, and dried.

4. There is no tingling sensation when worn, which means there are few feathers inside, and the fluff is placed in a bag with impregnation.

Choosing the right down jacket

5. Important little things: a bag with a sample of the filling is attached to the reverse side, there is a manufacturer's logo on the fittings, spare buttons and snaps are included. There are knitted cuffs that protect against inflation.

6. The lines are straight and do not unravel. The threads are the same color and do not stick out.

This general tips when choosing a down jacket, now let’s look at the nuances of choice depending on gender and age.

How to choose a men's down jacket

Textile. Modern down jackets are made from moisture-resistant synthetic fabrics that protect the filling from getting wet. Sometimes cotton impregnated with a water-repellent composition is used. When choosing men's models, choose synthetics - cotton wears out quickly.

Accessories. Manufacturers of high-quality men's jackets use high-quality, durable fittings; plastic is inappropriate here.

How to choose the right down jacket

Weight. To a strong man You don't need heavy winter clothes at all. A light down jacket will keep you warmer than a heavy one. 500 grams of high-quality elastic down is enough to insulate an “adult” men’s jacket. In addition, excess insulation will clog the lining, air will not circulate, and the heat-retaining properties will decrease.

Color. The assortment is large: classic black, gray or dark blue will suit everyone, white is an excellent option for those who are neat. However, any other color will be good for stylish men who are not afraid to stand out from the crowd.

How to choose a women's down jacket

The style is perhaps the most important criterion choosing a down jacket for a girl. Here you need to take into account the features of the figure. A long, voluminous down jacket will wrap a tall lady like a duvet. Short woman suitable model length to mid-thigh, legs visually look longer. Busty lucky women should choose down jackets under the belt with wide horizontal stripes. Those with large hips should avoid short jackets and side pockets. If you have a wide waist, opt for a model with panels that create the illusion of an hourglass silhouette.

How to choose the right down jacket. Part 2

Who, if not women, should experiment with styles, textures, colors! Many people choose dark, muted colors for reasons of practicality. But a bright down jacket, complemented by an unusual print, will add mood to the winter cold.

How to choose a down jacket for a child

Wearing comfort takes priority here. Do not buy models “for growth” - your baby will hardly wear bulky clothes with pleasure.

Consider the mobility of the baby. Buy a super warm down jacket for your baby for comfortable walks in the stroller. An active child needs a lighter model, otherwise he will jump, get wet and get sick. Great solution− down jacket with isosoft filling. Clothing with membrane insulation is thin, light and at the same time warm.

Also remember the importance of color and pattern. A non-staining down jacket can also look bright.
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Beneath the most modern, bright, stylish, and sometimes bizarre appearance of down jackets lies technology comparable in age to dinosaurs. "Even the newest scientific developments in the field of synthetic insulation they could not surpass natural down in terms of heat capacity. It’s lightweight, super warm, and if you care for it properly, the down jacket will last for many years.”- this is what fans of natural products think.

“Synthetic insulation is much more convenient to use, never gets wet, is easy to wash and dry, and is cheaper than good down, because in principle we don’t consider bad down.”- this is what supporters of synthetic materials think. Let's figure it out - when is it better to buy a down jacket, and when is it better to buy a warm synthetic jacket?

Down creates the highest possible thermal insulation among all insulation materials known today. It has the most favorable ratio of retained heat to its own specific gravity, has the highest compression properties, and is ideal for people with increased body weight. The most valuable thing is the durability of good down products.

However, down jackets require careful attention. Thorough and at the same time gentle washing and drying, spacious closet space for storage in the summer. You also need to be careful not to tear the fabric, because even through very small holes, down can literally seep through, reducing the warmth of the down jacket and definitely not decorating the appearance of the product and its owner.

Pooh has absorption property - the ability to absorb water vapor. This quality, on the one hand, serves as an indisputable advantage. It is convenient to move in down jackets, since excess moisture is quickly transported from the surface of the jacket into the layer of down insulation, and then gradually evaporates. A person feels comfortable both during movements and during stops - clothes are dry. In light of this feature of down, it is worth paying attention to the need to periodically clean a warm product, even if it seems that the jacket does not seem very dirty.

On the other hand, there is also a negative effect - excess moisture (sorption) is the main Achilles heel of fluff: when the fuzz gets wet, it sticks together and loses its volume and ability to hold large number air inside its impeccable natural structure, which sharply and permanently reduces the thermal capacity of a down jacket. Many leading manufacturers have found a solution to this problem by turning down into a hydrophobic (that is, non-absorbent) material.

Hydrophobic (waterproof) down

In order for the down to continue to retain heat even when wet, some leading manufacturing companies coat the down with a special water-repellent (hydrophobic) impregnation, similar to that used to treat the outer material of the membranes of The North Face, Marmot, Sivera, Baon, RedFox, etc.).

This work takes place on molecular level. There are two features of this procedure:

down becomes more expensive.
The waterproof impregnation is washed off after several washes, although it is worth noting that the jacket can often withstand quite a lot of cleanings - up to 30, depending on different manufacturers. Also, some special cleaning/impregnating agents for down can maintain and restore the hydrophobicity of natural insulation.

Companies give names to their waterproof down, for example: Sierra Designs DriDown, Mountain Hardwear Q.Shield Down, Marmot Down Defender, manufacturer of down impregnation DownTek (can be used in sewing down jackets of different brands), also manufacturer of impregnation Nikwax Down Proof (this impregnation is used in ) and others.

Advantages of hydrophobic down

Stays dry for a long time:
+ able to absorb moisture less than regular down (up to 30%)
+ dries faster than untreated down (up to 60%)
+ retains significantly more air volume after exposure to moisture than regular down
Down can be safely washed
+ impregnated down retains its waterproof properties during long washes
+ best result achieved by using specialized impregnations for washing down (Grangers, Nikwax and the like)
Hydrophobic down retains lightness and bounce
+ hydrophobic impregnation does not reduce the FP of fluff
+ impregnation does not add weight to the raw material
Waterproof down - a completely natural product
+ proper impregnation does not contain pesticides and other materials harmful to humans and nature.

Fill Power (elasticity) of down

The most valuable property of any insulation is to trap and hold as much air as possible.

When a bird is cold, it fluffs up its feathers, adding air inside its downy layer. This allows the bird to retain more air in its plumage, more heat produced by her body, that is, to keep warm.

Each fluff contains up to two million tiny “threads”, which allow them to hold a large amount of air. The more mature the down, the more northern the bird, the better the assembly and processing of the down, the more elastic the down, the more heat such raw material will retain.

The elasticity of FP (Fill Power) down is checked in a simple procedure. The cylindrical container fits strictly a certain amount fluff (weight and volume). It is subjected to compression under the weight of the load for a sufficiently long time, after which the load is removed. The volume that down will occupy after deformation is the Fill Power index of its elasticity.

1000 FP means that the fluff has 100% restored its volume, that is, it is ideal fluff (which, of course, does not happen in nature)
800 – 950 FP speaks of the exclusively high quality of the down. Women's ones with such down, even with a very small amount of it, will keep you warm perfectly.
The thermal capacity of a thin down jacket with 800 FP will be equal to the thermal capacity of a heavier and thicker down jacket with 600 FP, which is quite difficult to believe without knowing the principles of operation of down insulation.
550 – 700 FP Marks high quality down.
400 - 500 FP indicates down of medium quality.
Everything that below 400 FP– signals low-quality raw materials.

For comparison, here is a photo showing the difference in volume occupied by synthetic (Thinsulate) and down insulation of the same weight (1 ounce = 28.35 grams).

Synthetic insulation

Synthetic insulation is a decisive answer to the problem of down getting wet.

Such insulation continues to retain its volume and retain the original amount of air even when wet. The trade-off of using synthetics is that they are heavier, less compressible, and wear out faster than down.

Experts say that clothes with good synthetic insulation will last 5-10 years, and clothes with high-quality down will last more than 10, but subject to proper care behind her.

Clothing with synthetic filling does an excellent job of removing excess moisture and heat from the human body during intense movements, while simultaneously retaining warmth during stops when it is most needed. Such jackets and trousers serve as an ideal second insulating layer in.

Among the advantages, one can also note easier repair of a torn or punctured one - synthetics usually do not “crawl out” through holes in the fabric as quickly as its competitor - down.

Synthetic insulation is a whole family modern materials with a special structure aimed at retaining the maximum possible amount of air inside the material. Such insulation is created from polyester (polyester) fibers.

The loose and elastic structure of the synthetic fabric is in some ways similar to the fur of northern animals, in some ways it is like fluff, and in some ways it is modeled by man himself. This insulation consists of a combination of long and short artificial fibers, which come in different thicknesses (from micro to nano) and density (hollow and regular threads). The fibers are also given different shape(spiral twist, tortuosity of different diameters, etc.). They undergo treatment - antistatic, silicone, etc. All these combinations with synthetic fibers are produced in order to obtain lightweight material with many air cavities. The material must be resistant to deformation, not afraid of water and serve for a long time.

The main synthetic insulation materials presented on the global clothing and travel equipment market:

PrimaLoft was created for a military patent, and then turned into a separate commercial brand, the most recognizable in the global outdoor products market. Primaloft produces several varieties of synthetic insulation, which are used by other clothing and equipment manufacturers to make warm jackets and sleeping bags. PrimaLoft is the first synthetic insulation manufacturer to be approved by the strict bluesign standard - the hygiene standard environment and safety for textile production.

Primaloft produces three main lines of insulation - Gold (gold), Silver (silver) and Black (black). Each line is divided into several subtypes of insulation. PrimaLoft Gold– premium series of synthetic insulation. It also contains mixed insulation materials PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Down Blend ultrafine fibers Primaloft 30% + goose down 70% and PrimaLoft® Gold Insulation Merino Wool Blend fibers Primaloft + merino wool fibers. Hybrid materials make it possible to obtain unique insulation materials that combine the advantages of both materials.

Series PrimaLoft Silver– the most frequently used, price-optimized. It also contains hybrid materials, but with a lower percentage natural materials. Series PrimaLoft Black made from completely recycled materials.

PrimaLoft Thermoball- a special development by Primaloft in collaboration with The North Face. Only used in The North Face products. The fundamental difference from other Primaloft products is the spherical structure of the insulation fibers, which is as close as possible to the texture of natural fluff.

According to the creators, this structure makes it possible to increase the thermal capacity of jackets by 10%. There is no official confirmation of this yet, but, in any case, this development shows that synthetic insulation is increasingly approaching the thermal and weight characteristics of natural down. It is possible that one day synthetics will become the winner in this difficult competition.

Shelter (Sh, Shelter)– Russian synthetic insulation for clothing, produced at production line Primaloft. Developed and constantly improved by our scientists. Has good performance heat capacity and weight characteristics confirmed by certificates. Successfully used in, revered in construction and in the production of warm bedding, toys.

Synthetic insulation Thinsulate– development of a large American company 3M™. One of the leaders in the world textile industry. The insulation is light, soft, holds its shape well, dries quickly, does not absorb odors, and most importantly, is able to effectively conserve heat. It is considered artificial swan down. Thinsulate fibers are heavily treated with silicone liquid, which explains its serious resistance to moisture and high comfort of use.

Thinsulate has several modifications, different thicknesses, and comes with a single-sided or double-sided non-woven lining.

Thinsulate is recognized as the lightest and most heat-intensive of synthetic insulation, although it is difficult to say this unequivocally due to the lack of uniform tests and standards. Used in clothing for active recreation and extreme sports, for the extremely cold areas of the Earth.

Initially, the insulation was designed for astronauts by order of NASA, then it was slightly adapted for wide consumption and is successfully produced in large volumes.

These are the most famous synthetic insulation materials; in addition to them, there are quite a lot of materials from other brands - Sintepon, Holofiber, Fibertek, Isosoft, Thermolite, Climashield, Sintepuh, etc. Also, large brands often produce their own lines of artificial insulation, for example, Marmot Thermal R, KEEN.WARM etc.

Comparison of the properties of down and synthetic insulation

The main properties of down and synthetic insulation, which are important when choosing winter pants and trousers. A clear answer to the question: "Which is better - synthetic or down?" no, it all depends on the conditions of use of the clothing.

Properties	Pooh	Synthetic insulation
Heat capacity	Excellent, best on the market	Very good
Moisture resistance	Classic fluff is bad, average for hydrophobic fluff	Very high
Weight	Minimum possible today	Small
Compression properties	Excellent	Average
Durability	Very good (if taken care of correctly)	Average
Vapor permeability	good	good
Price	High	Average

Outer fabric of jackets

To be prepared for any weather changes - from cold to rain, you should pay special attention to the outer fabric of autumn-winter clothes. The most practical are membrane fabrics that protect a person and the insulation from getting wet both from the outside (from rain and wet snow) and from the inside (from excess moisture during sweating), and wind. These men's ones are reliable and comfortable in the slushiest weather. Membrane fabrics also make the outer fabric more durable, which is also important in ordinary life and in sports.

Properties of membranes using the example of Gore-Tex - the “gold standard of the 21st century”

What do the indicators of waterproofness and breathability of membranes indicate?

Most often, clothing manufacturers indicate two characteristics of the membrane: waterproof/breathability. For example, 15,000 (mm) / 10,000 (g/m2/24h). A similar entry is 15K / 10K, where “K” means the prefix “kilo”, thousands.

The indicators are obtained during an experiment conducted either by the clothing manufacturer itself or independent laboratory. There is no single global requirement for standardization of these indicators. As a rule, you can completely trust the stated figures either based on the brand’s reputation, or on the experience of trusted people, or on your own.

For evaluation waterproof fabrics use water column test. A tall cylinder with a diameter of 1” inch is placed on the fabric, which corresponds to 2 cm 54 mm. Water is gradually poured into this cylinder. The height of the water column at which moisture begins to flow through the material will be equal to the water resistance value of the fabric being tested. The higher the water column, the more water-resistant your jacket is.

Fabric with a water resistance rating of 5,000 mm will save you in light rain or wet snow. With figures from 10,000 mm and above, you can count on comfort in heavy rain. Indicators of 20,000 mm and more are considered suitable for extreme sports (mountaineering, expeditions, professional skiing). As the level of water resistance increases, the cost of equipment also increases.

With measurement breathability or vapor permeability the situation is a little more confusing, since there are several testing options, several standards. Most often, breathability is indicated in units of “g/m2/24h” (the number of grams of water vapor that can pass through square meter tissue within 24 hours), and then the larger the value, the better. Sometimes breathability is indicated on the RET scale, which reflects the fabric's resistance to the process of evaporation of water through it. In this case, the smaller the RET, the better.

good warm jacket– this is the optimal selection of external material, lining, insulation, and fittings. Design is also extremely important functional features, quality of tailoring.

Choose carefully so that you can happily wear the item for several seasons and
Don’t waste extra time and money on new purchases!

Russian winter, as you know, is unpredictable. Either frost or slush. What outerwear to choose for this capricious season?

Fur coat, sheepskin coat, down jacket, coat or jacket with synthetic insulation - this is the main arsenal of winter clothing. If we talk about clothes made from natural materials, then a fur coat made from natural fur will be the warmest, second place goes to a high-quality down jacket, third place to sheepskin coats , but synthetic insulation materials, even if they are ultra-modern, will still be outsiders.

For the Russian winter, it’s nice to have several options in your wardrobe winter clothes, and such a universal thing as down jacket must be present in it. Only down jacket you need to choose the right one, and for this you need to know some secrets.

First of all, a down jacket you need to buy only in a good store from a reputable manufacturer. The market is off! Filling for down jackets can only be produced in specialized factories, where the down is separated from the feathers, washed, cleaned, and treated with special antibacterial and water-repellent compounds. Before going into production as a filler, it goes through the entire processing cycle, which includes about eighteen operations.

It is difficult for a buyer to check the quality of down, so one can only rely on the integrity of the seller and the availability of certificates for down in a particular product.

Be sure to pay attention to the design down jacket. In mid-level down jackets, the down is sewn into the so-called pockets. But if there is fluff in these pockets, then there is no fluff at the seam site, and thus “cold holes” are obtained. Well-known companies use modern technologies for sewing down jackets. They not only place the down filling in special fabric bags, but also, as a rule, use additional padding between the seam and the down or do not punch through the product, thus distributing the down evenly. The “overlapping” technology is considered the best. The down bags are positioned so that the middle of one is right where the seam of the other is. It is best if the seams of the down jacket are hermetically sealed or made with a special welded seam, which will provide winter clothing with additional warmth and moisture insulation.

Good down jacket shouldn't be heavy. Its weight ranges from one and a half to two kilograms. The acceptable ratio of down and feather is at least 70% down - 30% feather, preferably from 80 to 90% down and from 20 to 10% feather, respectively. Winter clothes with 100% down filling is less common.

The down from the down jacket should not come out. Bend down jacket in half in the seam area and move your finger along the fabric, if you feel a tingling sensation, then the down jacket is not of the highest class. A good quality down jacket must have branding on the zippers and rivets. The down jacket should definitely come with a small bag with a sample of down, and a few spare rivets.

If the label of a down jacket says “down”, then there is down inside - duck, goose or swan, such down jacket, naturally, cannot be cheap. 100% down is rare. Feathers that are added to a down jacket are designated by the word “feather”. If the label says “cotton”, then this is not a down jacket; inside it there is ordinary cotton wool, which bunches up when washed. The inscription “wool” means that there is wool batting inside the jacket, and “polyester” means padding polyester or other synthetic filler.

If you need really very warm winter clothes, then try to find out as much as possible about the “filling” of the down jacket you like. The store must have documentation for the product that is offered to the buyer. Unfortunately, there are loopholes in our legislation that allow us to circumvent the law and sell dubious products that have not been properly certified. Therefore, trust large stores that take goods only from reputable suppliers and choose clothes only from well-known reputable manufacturers who have a website on the Internet with comprehensive information. A serious manufacturer of down-filled winter clothing tells in its presentation information not only about what specific down is used in the product, but also about in what region and under what conditions the bird was raised and when its down was collected. This is important because the down of birds raised in cold climates is warmer. The best is eider down, then goose, followed by swan and duck. Chicken down for filling the top winter clothes does not apply. Swan down is used extremely rarely. In some products, duck down may surpass goose down in terms of warmth if it is collected from a certain species wild ducks, living in a certain area, for example, in Canada.

Eiderdown - it's unique thermal insulation material of natural origin. The common eider is an Arctic diving duck. Habitat - coast northern seas from Canada to Russia. This species is widely known for its famous down. Together with thick plumage and a layer of subcutaneous fat, this lush high fluff, especially thickly covering the abdomen, is one of the bird’s adaptations to life on ice water northern seas, on cold rocks, on snow, on the frozen soil of the Arctic coasts.

The rules for collecting eiderdown are very strict. Only the down that the female eider plucks from herself and lines her nest with is used. The collection of fluff is carried out exclusively by hand and only after the female and chicks leave the nest. Raw materials for eiderdown products are collected in Iceland, Finland, Norway, Canada, and Denmark. The collected raw materials are exported. The best supplier of processed, ready-to-eat down is Japan. There are also domestic high-quality companies for processing eider down. Clothes made with eider down are an elite, one-piece product, and can generally be purchased to order.

In addition to good down filling, it is necessary that the fabric from which it is sewn down jacket was of excellent quality. In the production of down jackets, two types of fabric are used - completely synthetic and mixed, which were produced by mixing several types of fibers. As a rule, these are natural and artificial fibers. Thus, the natural base of the fabric enhances its properties thanks to the additional qualities of artificial fiber.

But, despite the high quality of the fabric used when sewing branded down jackets they still need additional protection. It involves impregnating the fabric with special solutions, which is why down jacket acquires windproof, water-repellent and dirt-repellent properties. There are many such impregnations now. For example, a membrane, a special film welded to the fabric or an impregnation applied hot to the fabric, consisting of tiny holes through which drops of water cannot penetrate inside, and vapors emanating from the human body pass unhindered, or a polyurethane coating - the thinnest film on inside fabrics that create a waterproof effect, etc.

Now available for purchase down jacket from the most famous designers, but when choosing such a designer update for yourself, pay attention to what is said about its content. Often down jackets haute couture made with artificial down. In addition, in the production of top winter clothes A synthetic filler called “Swan Down” is widely used, so be careful. If you carefully read everything written on the product label, there will be no mistakes.

good down jackets sewn in France, Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Italy. Manufacturers in these countries offer customers warm, high-quality products that can combine parameters such as frost protection and elegance. If we talk exclusively about warmth, then the best are considered down jackets, made in Canada, it is there that they sew jackets that are considered the warmest in the world. In addition to excellent down, which can protect from the most severe frost, Canadian manufacturers use high-tech fabrics with titanium threads and lycra, which are completely windproof and waterproof. But these are exclusively sports-style products. These down jackets cost accordingly.

Russian down jackets from large manufacturers are good quality products. The only thing that can be reproached for those who produce domestic goods is the design, although there are also very successful models, as well as repetitions of models from collection to collection.

Questions regarding storing and cleaning a down jacket concern many people. And rightly so, because these products require special attention. When washing a down jacket, you must comply with all the conditions indicated on the label of this item. Although some down jackets allow machine washable, it is better to wash the down jacket by hand at a temperature of 30-40 degrees, do not soak, wring out or iron. At the end of the winter season, be sure to try to wash the down jacket in order to remove traces of dirt from the outside and inside, in the filler, since down perfectly absorbs all human sweat, as a result of which its quality is significantly reduced.

It is best to take the down jacket to the dry cleaner, where it will be put in order, but if you decide to wash the product at home, then use it exclusively liquid product for washing or a special solution for down products. It is recommended to place 3 tennis balls in the washing machine along with the down jacket. They will prevent fluff from forming clumps during washing and spinning. The washing machine is set to a gentle wash cycle. The product should be rinsed several times, wrung out at extremely low speeds, but it is better not to wring out, but take out the down jacket wet, let it drain, place it on a special mesh or bath board, and dry down jacket in the washing machine, not recommended. After the bulk of the water has drained, you can hang it down jacket, Shake it thoroughly first and point a fan at it, or use a hairdryer. Store your down jacket, like all things, on hangers, in a case. Make room for it so as not to wrinkle the product, always ventilate your dressing room and avoid high humidity.

Artificial fillers for winter clothes

Fillers winter clothes can also serve artificial insulation, produced on the basis high technology. The coldest of these fillers is padding polyester - a non-woven artificial material consisting of polyester fibers.

Fillers with high thermal indices

Bio-fluff Sustans -9- innovative insulation, created using a patented biopolymer from DuPont - Sorona, has excellent heat retention properties, lightness and ease of use. Sustans™ filler is the first high-tech material on biological basis on the textile market, which received permission to use the new sign of the Ministry agriculture USA "bio-based product".

The three-dimensional spherical shape of Sustans™ filler gives it exceptional fluffiness, a pleasant silky texture, and excellent compression resistance (it is washable). The filler has high heat-retaining qualities and is ideal for winter clothing. The Sustans™ filler does not break down and can be mixed with down in any proportion.

Holofiber, fiberskin, fibertek, polyfiber - synthetic insulation made from fibers shaped like balls, springs, etc. Balls, spirals or springs do not communicate with each other and contain cavities, so the product holds its shape well and retains heat. Winter clothes with such fillers it is not very expensive. All of the above materials have almost the same characteristics in terms of heat retention.

Thinsulate (Thinsulate) is a synthetic filler, which is often called artificial down. In 1978, the American company 3M first presented the technology for manufacturing a material created as part of the NASA program for astronaut suits. Thinsulate is a super-thin fiber, very elastic - no matter how you think of it, it still holds volume, and there is a lot of air in this volume due to the microscopic thinness of the fibers. And air is the best insulator of cold. The lightest of all synthetic fillers. According to the manufacturer, Thinsulate is 1.5 times warmer than natural down, has unique thermoregulating properties, does not absorb moisture, and retains its shape perfectly after washing and drying.

Sintepooh- synthetic down is a non-woven material consisting of many small polyester fibers. The filling consists of crimped fibers white, which according to appearance resemble springs. They intertwine with each other, forming a dense structure. There are cavities inside the fibers. Each curl is treated with silicone. All holes are microscopic, so the owner of the product does not have to worry about water getting inside.

Synthetic down does not absorb moisture, so clothes with synthetic filling do not get wet and retain heat even when wet.

Sintepooh has characteristics similar to natural down; it contains a lot of air, which is a heat insulator. Thanks to its structure, the material is easily compressed, does not roll up after washing and quickly restores its shape. Therefore, products made from synthetic fluff are easy to use and are not afraid of deformation.

Waltherm (Valtherm) - a new generation of thermal insulation material, produced by an Italian research laboratory. Micropores created by thousands of small cells form a honeycomb structure of the material. Thanks to this, it has an air sealing function. The structure of the insulation allows water vapor and sweat to be released freely without changing the condition of the material, which distinguishes it advantageously from products that use down.

Isosoft (Izosoft) - widest spectrum Belgian insulation materials for various purposes and designs, unlike traditional padding polyester, gives unlimited possibilities their application for the production of outerwear, children's, sports, work, workwear, as well as clothing for extreme conditions, shoes, bedding and sleeping bags.

Primaloft (Primaloft) - synthetic material, which has excellent thermal insulation properties. Light and warm, it is durable, resistant to compression, breathable and does not absorb moisture. Positioned as a substitute for real down. Primaloft was selected as a strategic material for the US Army.

Artificial swan down - new synthetic filler. In the production of artificial swan down, ultra-thin, highly siliconized microfiber of a new generation is used. While maintaining all the advantages of synthetic polyester fibers, this filler differs extraordinary lightness and softness, which puts it on par with products made from natural down. Moreover, this filler is durable and hypoallergenic. Unlike natural down, it is easy to wash, and it does not lose its elasticity and thermal insulation properties after washing.

Manufacturers, trying to capture the attention of consumers, come up with their own (trade) names for insulation materials. It happens that manufacturers use a combination of different insulation materials or a combination of insulation materials and a membrane; this allows them to register the trade name of the “new” insulation material. In terms of its properties, it will still differ little from the known ones.

By looking at the label on the clothing itself, you can find out exactly what materials were used for the outer fabric and lining, and regarding the insulation on imported products, you can often just see the inscription: “insulation - 100% polyester.” Polyester this is the same as polyester, and almost any synthetic insulation consists of polyester fibers. Thus, on the label you will read what the material for the insulation is made from, and a more detailed company instruction or sales consultant should tell you what the name of the insulation itself is, what technology it is made of, and what this technology gives. Products from reputable companies have a special booklet where all the materials are described in detail and their qualities are indicated.

Manufacturers claim that their thermal insulation properties are superior to natural down. In practice, synthetic fillers are quite suitable for winter clothes, which is supposed to be worn daily in the home - car, or metro, work, store, etc. mode. It is quite comfortable to be outside for a long time in such clothes at a temperature not exceeding seven-five to seven degrees below zero. With more low temperatures still preferable winter clothes from natural materials.

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The approach of winter cold makes you seriously think about choosing warm outerwear. The most popular means of protection against winter cold in modern conditions is a jacket. It gets its warming properties thanks to various insulation materials, which can be divided into two large groups: down and padding polyester. This means that everyone who wants to buy a warm winter jacket is faced with the question: what is warmer, down or padding? Let's try to answer this question by turning to the characteristics of these materials.

What is the difference between down and padding polyester?

Sintepon belongs to the category. It is produced by bonding polyester fibers together. Among strengths Sintepon can be called quite high thermal insulation, lightness of the material, elasticity, non-toxicity and high moisture resistance. In addition, products made using padding polyester, due to their low cost, are affordable.

Down is a natural insulation material and has a fairly long service life for humans in this capacity. Eider, duck or goose down is used to produce winter clothing. The down of eider (diving duck) is considered the warmest. The main advantages of down are significant lightness, thermal insulation, long-term wear resistance, elasticity and high ability to return to its original shape. Down as insulation is qualitatively superior to other types of materials, which makes it much more expensive.

Thus, we were able to find out the obvious pros and cons of two types of insulation. However, it remained open main question: down jacket with down or synthetic padding - which is better? It is impossible to give an unambiguous answer to this, since it depends on the purposes of using the product itself with insulation and the financial capabilities of its potential owner. We propose to continue our reasoning by turning directly to such an item of clothing as a jacket.

What is better - a jacket with down or synthetic padding?

So, for the harsh winter the best option Will be purchasing a down jacket. Such clothes keep warm well and protect from the cold even at a temperature of -40ᵒC. In addition, with proper care, an eider down jacket can faithfully serve its owner for no more or less than 20 years. If you are faced with the choice of padding polyester or down, purchasing a bright jacket for short walks with friends, for late winter or early autumn, or for making daily small crosses to the car, a jacket with padding polyester is perfect for you. Recommended maximum temperature for wearing such clothes -15 degrees below zero. Among other things, padding polyester does not belong to the category durable materials. Therefore, by purchasing a padding polyester product at a low price, you can safely afford the most trendy model of the season.