No Products in the Cart
Goosedown is popping up in a lot of jackets and parkas these days. It’s also the insulation of choice in high-end sleeping bags.
But what makes one piece of down jacket better than another? Fill power and fill weight are two of the most important specs. Premium 850-fill power down and thin materials in superlight designs deliver incredible warmth for the ounce.
If you want to stay warm in cold weather, a Power Down Jacket is one of the best options on the market. This type of insulation is a great choice for outdoor gear, such as backpacking, hiking, camping, or even just staying cozy at home.
There are a few factors that affect the warmth of a down jacket, such as its fill power, weight, and the way it's distributed through the garment. The higher the fill power, the warmer the jacket will be. If the jacket has box baffles, it will be more warm than a sewn-through design. The shell and lining fabrics also impact warmth, as they play a role in how moisture interacts with the down.
Fill power is a measure of the expansion and loft of a down jacket, and it's a good benchmark for comparing warmth between different jackets. For example, a jacket with 4oz of high-quality 900+ fill power down will be warmer than a jacket with 9oz of lower fill down. Of course, other factors like shell fabric, construction, and fit all factor into the overall warmth of a jacket as well.
As with all technical outdoor clothing, higher fill powers come at a price. Jackets with 800- to 1,000-fill power tend to cost several hundred dollars or more. However, when compared to the cost of a winter sleeping bag or a cozy bed comforter, this is a relatively affordable price to pay for extra warmth on those freezing-cold hikes.
In addition to determining how much warmth you get, a jacket's fill power also plays a role in its packability. Higher fill powers and thin materials can make for a jacket that's more easily squeezed into a backpack or suitcase.
Of course, a thinner jacket will also be lighter, and that can be an important consideration for outdoor gear. It will allow you to carry more gear on your back, while still providing enough warmth for cold-weather hikes. However, it will also be less durable than a thicker jacket that uses the same amount of fill power, so choose carefully.
A quality lightweight down jacket balances warmth with flexibility. They are ideal for hiking, biking, and commuting, as well as for everyday wear. Lightweight downs are often crafted with soft and stretchy shell fabrics that allow for comfortable movement. Features like a hood, adjustable waist, and cinch cords allow you to customize the fit. The down insulation also allows for airflow, helping to regulate your temperature.
Compared to synthetic fills, down provides superior breathability. This is due to the smooth feathers, which allow moisture vapor and air to move easily through the fabric. Look for lightweight down jackets with breathable, waterproof shell fabrics like nylon or ripstop polyester.
The amount of down in a jacket determines its warmth-to-weight ratio. Generally speaking, higher fill power is better, with down above 650 considered good and 800 or more considered exceptional. However, the jacket’s construction and thickness play a role as well.
For example, a thinner jacket filled with more 800-fill down will be warmer than a jacket with the same amount of 650-fill down because a more dense jacket has less space and more warm air.
Another factor in the warmth-to-weight ratio is the jacket’s baffle construction. Sewn-through baffles create chambers that help trap body heat and keep cold air out. Likewise, heat-seamed baffles are fused with a special process that seals out cold air without compromising the down’s loft.
If you are concerned about the ethical treatment of geese and ducks, check for jackets that are certified as Traceable Down or Responsibly Sourced Down. This ensures that you are getting high-quality, traceable down.
When shopping for a lightweight down jacket, it is important to review customer reviews and feedback on retailer sites and outdoor gear forums. This helps reveal the real-world performance and durability of different jackets in the conditions they are intended for. Read through customer comments on warmth, wind resistance, water repellency, and packability to find the best fit for your lifestyle and outdoor adventures. In addition, make sure to consider sizing when reading reviews to see how the jacket fits in its intended size range.
Down is a wonderful insulator but it can get wet and lose its insulating properties, so most down jackets include a water-resistant treatment. This is typically a DWR coating that you can purchase and apply yourself, like from Grangers or Nikwax, to help prevent moisture from getting into the down insulation. This is especially helpful, as the main drawback of down is its inability to maintain loft when saturated with moisture.
Aside from DWR treatments, many manufacturers also utilize hydrophobic down to combat the problem of moisture getting into the down insulation. This is done by treating the down before it is used in a jacket, or using a special coating on the outside of the jacket. While neither of these is a true waterproof jacket, they help prevent moisture from coming into contact with the down insulation and causing it to clump up and lose its insulating power.
One other feature that helps to keep a down jacket durable is the type of shell fabric. There is a wide variety of face fabrics that are used in down jackets, and their durability can vary significantly. Some are very rugged and tough, while others are more delicate. You want to look for a jacket that uses a shell fabric that you can feel good about, and that has a high level of durability, especially if it is going to be worn frequently or for backpacking trips.
Another way to improve the durability of a down jacket is by having internal pockets. These can be useful for storing items like hats, gloves, warm water bottles, transportation tickets, etc. The inside of the pocket can stay insulated with the down jacket, and these pockets are easy to access when needed.
Finally, if you're concerned about the source of the down in your jacket, you can look for Traceable Down or certified Responsibly Sourced Down. This varies between manufacturers, but most use some form of this to verify that the down used in their jackets comes from animals that were treated well and harvested ethically.
Goosedown is popping up in a lot of jackets, parkas, and even sleeping bags these days. It's a great natural insulator, with a phenomenal warmth-to-weight ratio and the ability to resist damage resulting from compression. This makes it a great choice for backpacking, traveling, or even just day-to-day wear in cold climates.
The quality of the down is measured by its "fill power" rating. The higher the number, the more loft and insulation a jacket has. A premium jacket will usually have a fill power of 800 or higher, while lower-priced options may use less lofted and a lesser quality down.
However, it's important to understand that a jacket's fill power and its fill weight are not the same thing. Manufacturers often place a high emphasis on fill power, sometimes even sewing the number onto the jacket's cuffs, but it's important to evaluate the fill weight as well. One ounce of 800 fill power down takes up more space than a similar amount of less-lofted down and therefore provides more warmth for the same weight.
Regardless of the jacket's fill power rating, the shell and lining fabrics will also affect its performance. In order to keep a jacket lightweight, manufacturers will often use thinner fabrics that are softer and more flexible than those used in traditional insulated jackets. This helps to make the jacket lighter but can also increase its vulnerability to wind and rain.
Many companies now offer options for "Traceable Down" and certified "Responsibly Sourced Down." This ensures that the down used in a jacket is sourced ethically and that the birds were treated humanely before being killed for their feathers. This is especially important if you're using your jacket for outdoor activities where animal welfare is a concern.
It's important to wash your down jacket regularly to reduce odors and maintain its loft. If possible, washing by hand is preferable to machine washing. If you must use a machine, be sure to only use mild detergents. Once washed, hang it to dry completely to prevent lumps and creases.
