Types of insulation for winter jackets and down jackets

In winter, during the cold off-season or in conditions where additional protection from adverse external factors is needed, insulated outerwear is needed. It is called insulated because it provides warmth and comfort. Such clothing usually consists of an insulated material or a layer of thermal insulation that retains body heat, preventing it from dissipating from the inside and protects against cooling from the outside. Examples of insulated outerwear are jackets, down jackets, overalls, parkas, coats. One of the main criteria for choosing such clothing is the type of insulation. It is this that determines how well the down jacket or jacket retains heat and copes with wet conditions.

The topic of today's publication is types of insulation for winter jackets and down jackets.
Let's consider the following:

• Natural insulation: down and feather.
• Synthetic insulation: advantages and disadvantages.
• Types of synthetic insulation and their features.
• Factors affecting thermal insulation properties of insulation materials.
• How to choose the right insulation depending on the conditions of use.

Natural insulation: down and feather.

Down and feathers are two of the best natural insulation materials, widely used in the textile industry to create insulated outerwear. Down is the soft, fluffy feathers from the undercoat of a goose or duck. It has excellent thermal insulation properties and provides good protection from the cold. Due to its structure, down creates air pockets that retain heat and prevent cold air from penetrating. Down clothing is warm, light and compact, making it convenient for travel and an active lifestyle.

Feathers make up the outer layer of feathered birds and are often used in combination with down in insulated garments. Feathers also have good insulating properties, although not as effective as down. Feathers add bulk and support the structure of the insulation, making them more practical for certain types of garments.

One way to determine the quality of a down jacket is to look at its composition and density. Usually, the higher the percentage of down in the composition (the closer to 100%), the higher the quality of the down jacket, and accordingly the warmer the clothes. Also, to assess the quality of the heat-insulating properties of down, the Fill Power value is used. Fill Power is measured in cubic inches per ounce or grams per cubic decimeter. It indicates the volume that down occupies in a garment at a given weight. The higher the Fill Power, the better the insulation. High-quality down with higher Fill Power provides better insulation, while being lighter and more compressible, allowing for warmer, more comfortable garments without adding weight. Typically, the Fill Power of down products ranges from 500 to 900+. For example, insulation with Fill Power 800+ provides excellent thermal insulation and a high level of comfort.

Advantages of down: the best thermal insulation properties with the lowest weight and volume.

Down Disadvantages: Doesn't insulate when wet, slow to dry.
Activity Level: Down jackets are best for casual wear and light activity.

Synthetic insulation: advantages and disadvantages.

Synthetic insulations are man-made materials that, like natural insulations, are used in clothing to provide thermal insulation and comfort. Available in a wide range of proprietary technologies, all synthetic insulations use some form of compressible water-repellent fibers. However, they have their own advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages of synthetic insulation:

1. Good thermal insulation. Synthetic materials have a high ability to retain heat, making them an excellent choice for clothing intended for cold conditions.
2. Moisture resistance. Unlike down, "synthetics" usually retain their thermal insulation properties well, even when wet. At the same time, it does not absorb moisture, which makes it more suitable for high activities.
3. Dry quickly. Wet synthetics dry many times faster than natural insulation materials such as down or wool.
4. Hypoallergenic. The likelihood that synthetic materials will cause allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin or allergies to certain substances is practically zero.
5. Ease of care. Clothing with synthetic insulation is usually easier to wash and dries faster, making it easier to care for and maintain.
6. Moderate cost. Clothing with synthetic insulation is cheaper than clothing with down filling.

Disadvantages of synthetic insulation:

1. It may have low vapor permeability. This depends on the type and brand of "synthetics". As a rule, this problem is observed in synthetic fillers produced using budget technologies.
2. Environmental aspects. Synthetic materials may be less environmentally friendly to produce than natural ones. Some synthetic insulation materials may also be difficult to recycle or biodegrade.
3. Slightly more weight and volume with the same thermal insulation parameters. Compared to down, some synthetic insulations weigh more and look more voluminous.
4. Possibility of odor accumulation. Synthetics have low resistance to bacterial contamination. Therefore, some materials can retain odors, especially if the clothes are worn for a long time without washing.
5. The ability to accumulate static electricity.

Despite some shortcomings, synthetic insulation continues to develop, and modern technologies allow creating more effective and comfortable synthetic materials for insulating clothing. The final choice between synthetic and natural insulation depends on the weather conditions of use, budget and personal preferences. Each type of insulation has its own unique characteristics, and manufacturers often combine different materials to achieve optimal insulation performance for specific types of clothing.

Types of synthetic insulation and their features.

The most well-known types of synthetic insulation widely used in winter jackets are sintepon, isosoft, thinsulate, holofiber. Sintepon (also known as polyester fiber or polyester fiber) is a synthetic insulation that is often used in the textile industry. One of the most common. It has good thermal insulation. It is lightweight and dries quickly after washing. The disadvantages of the material are:

• Compression and deformation. With prolonged use or after washing, the synthetic padding can shrink, which reduces its volume and thermal insulation properties.
• Moisture absorption. Unlike some other insulation materials, synthetic padding has some ability to absorb moisture.
• Limited air permeability. Synthetic padding does not have good air permeability, which can lead to moisture accumulation under the insulation during high physical activity.

Izosoft is a synthetic insulation made of polyester fibers. Ultra-thin fibers in the form of balls are fixed on both sides on a layer of non-woven material, which keeps the fibers from shifting. The peculiarity of the insulation is that it retains heat well, is practically weightless, shape-stable (even after strong and prolonged deformation it quickly recovers), is breathable, and hypoallergenic. The only drawback of the insulation is its price. It is quite expensive to produce, so the final price of things with this insulation is "biting".

Thinsulate is one of the best synthetic insulation materials made of microfiber with the formation of air chambers (analogous to natural fluff). Provides excellent thermal insulation without adding much volume and weight to outerwear. Has good breathability. Resistant to moisture. Available in various densities and characteristics to suit different needs and conditions of use. Disadvantage: high price.

Hollowfiber is a popular choice for insulating jackets and clothing in the mid-price segment. It is made of polyester. Thin hollow threads of a spiral shape are bonded to neighboring ones under the action of heat treatment. The material is porous, homogeneous, elastic. It has good thermal insulation, wear resistance, low weight and high strength. Does not deteriorate from frequent washing. Not afraid of thermal effects. Does not tear or decompose during use. Keeps shape well, dries quickly and does not create conditions for the development of pathogenic microorganisms. Retains heat 2 times better than Sintepon. Durable and affordable. Disadvantages:

• Over time it shrinks and loses its thermal insulation properties.
• It does not allow air to pass through very well, which can lead to excessive sweating during high activity.
• Winter jackets made of holofiber have volume.

Factors affecting thermal insulation properties of insulation materials.

Temperature ratings on winter jackets (e.g. "from - 5°C to - 20°C") are conditional values. A product designed to retain body heat at a given outside temperature is unlikely to effectively warm in dry, windless winter weather at the same outside temperature, but in conditions of strong wind and snowfall. It is impossible to account for variables such as wind, rain, fog, humidity, activity level, and even personal metabolism. And the thermal insulation properties of a jacket are highly dependent on several factors.

• First, the type of insulation. Each material has its own thermal insulation characteristics.
• Secondly, the thickness of the insulation. The thicker the layer, the better its thermal insulation properties.
• Thirdly, the thermal conductivity coefficient. It determines the ability of the material to transfer heat. The lower the thermal conductivity coefficient, the better the thermal insulation properties of the insulation.
• Fourthly, climatic conditions. They also affect the thermal insulation properties of insulation materials. Some materials are better suited for certain climatic conditions and may be less effective in other conditions.
• Fifth, the outer shell of the garment. Good windproofness and waterproofness of the outer material of the jacket can improve its thermal insulation, as it prevents the penetration of cold air and moisture, which can reduce the level of comfort and warmth.
• Sixth, the jacket's construction. Various elements such as pockets, collars, cuffs and closures can affect the level of insulation by controlling heat loss and air exchange within the jacket.

It follows from this that the final thermal insulation capacity of the winter jacket filler will be determined by the complex interaction of all the listed factors.

How to choose the right insulation depending on the conditions of use?

Choosing the right insulation for a winter jacket depends on the local climate, your activity level, comfort preferences, and budget. Here are some important factors to consider when choosing insulation.

1. Type of insulation. Down: has excellent thermal insulation and is lightweight, but is more expensive and less effective in wet conditions. Synthetic insulation, on the other hand, retains heat well even when wet and is usually more affordable.
2. Climate: In dry, cold conditions, down jackets are usually preferable. And for wet conditions, it is better to choose synthetic insulation, which retains heat even when wet.
3. Activity level. If you plan to move a lot or do active sports, then choose a jacket with synthetic insulation. For a less active lifestyle and walks in cold weather, a down jacket is better.
4. Comfort and style: Some prefer down jackets for their volume and softness, while others prefer synthetic ones for their slimmer profile and fashionable designs.
5. Budget. Down jackets are more expensive than jackets with synthetic insulation.

It is also important to pay attention to the quality of tailoring, the presence of a warmed hood, cuffs, protection from wind and water, so that the jacket is as functional and comfortable as possible in winter conditions.