Choosing a winter jacket: down or padding? Hollow fiber, down, padding poly... Now I know what is the best insulation for a jacket. Warmer padding poly or.

Hollofiber or synthetic winterizer: which material is warmer?

When buying winter clothes, you should pay attention not only to the style, fabric and finishing of the product, but also to the insulating material, since it largely determines how comfortable, comfortable and warm the jacket or coat will be. Hollofiber or padding polyester: which will be warmer, more practical and more durable? To find out the answer to this question, you need to carefully study all the properties of these materials.

Synthetic winterizer is a lightweight, elastic, voluminous non-woven synthetic insulation material that has been successfully replacing natural materials such as down, feathers and sheep’s wool for several decades.

The technological process for producing padding polyester is based on bonding polyester fibers into a homogeneous fabric in one of three ways:

1. Adhesive, using a latex composition.
2. Needle-punched - on machines with special equipment.
3. Thermal - under the influence of high temperatures.

The latter method is considered the most effective, since the canvas becomes especially durable and dimensional stable. The insulation obtained as a result of thermal soldering is called Eurosynthepon.

The density scale of padding polyester fabrics is quite large - from 40 to 1500 g/cm3. For insulation various products they are laid out in layers and fastened together.

Interesting fact! Sometimes natural wool is added to synthetic fibers to increase heat-saving characteristics. The resulting material is called sherstepon and is used to sew blankets and mattresses for strollers and cribs for small children.

Sintepon: pros and cons

Synthetic winterizer is a popular insulation material because it has a number of positive properties:

• light weight compared to wool insulation and batting;
• resistance to various deformations;
• high thermal insulation qualities;
• low hygroscopicity;
• low melting point.

The undoubted advantage of padding polyester is the low cost of production, which makes all products with it affordable in price.

However, synthetic winterizer also has negative qualities, and very significant:

• usage adhesive compositions makes the insulation unsafe for the body, since, when destroyed during washing, glue particles can cause allergic reactions;
• during the washing process, the synthetic fibers form clumps, which are very difficult to “fluff”;
• the material does not allow air to pass through well, so synthetic coats and jackets are not suitable for particularly low temperatures - you can freeze in them;
• padding polyester fibers are able to “migrate” and seep through the outer fabric, giving clothes an unkempt and unpresentable appearance;
• Very often, second-grade raw materials are used for the production of synthetic winterizer, which significantly reduces both the quality and service life of the products.

However, synthetic winterizer still remains one of the most popular insulating materials used in many industries.

Scope of application

Due to its operational and heat-saving characteristics, as well as the optimal price-quality ratio, synthetic winterizer is used:

• in the production of upholstered furniture as a layer in sofas, armchairs, poufs and other products;
• for sewing sleeping bags, tents and various camping equipment;
• in the footwear industry for insulation of quilted winter boots;
• when sewing outerwear - children's and adult jackets, coats, overalls;
• as a filler for blankets, mattresses and pillows;
• in construction - for insulation individual elements buildings.

Interesting! IN Lately Sintepon began to be used as a filter material during installation air systems, as well as in household air conditioners. Its fibers successfully trap even the smallest particles of dirt, completely purifying the air.

Product care

Compliance with the rules of care for things insulated with padding polyester will significantly extend their service life and maintain their original appearance.

1. It is best to wash by hand using liquid detergents, do not contain chlorine.
2. You cannot soak clothes or bedding with padding polyester.
3. When washing in a machine, you need to select a mode for delicate laundry. The water temperature should not exceed 400C.
4. Synthetic winterizers cannot be twisted. Clothes are hung loosely on hangers and allowed to drain.
5. During machine washing, the spin and dry modes must be turned off.
6. If clothes need ironing, then this must be done carefully: set the iron regulator to minimum heat and iron through a cotton cloth.

It is important to know! To ensure that the padding polyester filler does not get lost during washing, it is recommended to put it in the drum washing machine along with clothes, two or three tennis balls.

Holofiber: warm and fluffy

Translated from English, “holofiber” means “hollow fiber”. And indeed this one innovative material consists of thin polyester fibers with air inside. It is its presence both outside and inside that provides the wonderful warming qualities for which this material is famous.

Each holofiber fiber is twisted into such a tight spring that it seems like a small ball. In general, the mass of insulation resembles a fluffy snowdrift or an air cloud.

The method for producing holofiber was developed and patented in 2005 by the Moscow Termopol plant, which produces several types of material:

• non-woven fabric - often used for the manufacture of outerwear;
• slabs of various thicknesses - used in construction for insulating structures, as well as in furniture production;
• Balls are an indispensable filler for pillows, blankets and mattresses.

Even at the manufacturing stage, holofiber fibers are subjected to sterilization, so in future use they can withstand not only numerous washes, but also hot steam treatment and even boiling.

Interesting to know! There is a technology in which polyester and silicone fibers are processed high temperatures in special thermal chambers. The result is a “thermal fiber” material, which differs from holofiber in its increased heat-saving properties.

Another modern insulating material, Thinsulate, has similar characteristics. The difference between it and holofiber is that Thinsulate is similar in its properties to natural swan or eider down - just as weightless and warm.

Characteristics

In terms of performance characteristics, holofiber resembles high-quality cotton, but unlike it, synthetic material is much more resistant to abrasion, does not bunch up and does not lose its original shape.

In addition, holofiber has the following qualities:

• high level of heat and sound insulation;
• breathability;
• increased elasticity and softness;
• resistance to numerous deformations;
• hypoallergenic and safe;
• high elasticity;
• no static electricity.

Holofiber is not susceptible to rotting, mold, pathogenic bacteria and microorganisms, does not accumulate odors, and therefore is an indispensable material in bedrooms and children's rooms.

Where is it used?

Many different products are produced under the “holofiber” brand. The most common areas of use of this insulation are:

• sewing outerwear - jackets, coats, overalls, raincoats;
• production of pillows, blankets and mattresses;
• production of upholstered furniture;
• filling children's toys;
• insulation of buildings under construction;
• filtration of air systems.

In addition, holofiber fabric is even used in the aviation and space industries.

Rules for caring for holofiber products

Jackets and coats with holofiber are as warm as down jackets, and these products are much easier to care for. It is enough to remember a few simple rules.

1. Holofiber can be washed by hand or in a machine; pre-soaking of the products is not required.
2. You can use machine spinning at low speeds and drying in a centrifuge.
3. Holofiber tolerates cleaning well with any chemical means.
4. After drying, shake the clothes vigorously to give them their original appearance.
5. Ironing is not used for holofiber products.

It is important to know! If a pillow or blanket still loses its shape after long-term storage, just take out the insulation, fluff it up with your hands and put it back. It is for this purpose that most products with holofiber have a zipper.

What is better - padding polyester or holofiber

By carefully reading all the characteristics of padding polyester and holofiber, you can understand the difference between these two materials.

1. Safety. If padding polyester can, under certain conditions, release toxic substances, then the environmental friendliness of holofiber allows it to be successfully used in the clothes or bedding of a small child.
2. Resistance to deformation. It’s easy to recognize a product made from padding polyester: after two or three washes, the filler “clumps.” Holofiber retains its shape after dozens of times in the washing machine.
3. Thermal insulation. Hollofiber is warmer: even forty-degree frost is not scary in jackets made from it. Synthetic winterizer is mainly designed for the autumn-spring period, when the thermometer almost never drops below zero.
4. Durability. A blanket, pillow or jacket with holofiber will last much longer than padding polyester.

The only advantage of padding polyester is its low price, but against the background of all the above, this does not look very impressive.

In general, the right to choose insulating material for outerwear, filling for home furnishings or bedding remains with the buyer.

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 a harsh winter, the best option would be to purchase 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 cross-country trips to the car, a jacket with padding polyester is perfect for you. The recommended maximum temperature for wearing such clothing is -15 degrees below zero. Among other things, padding polyester does not belong to the category durable materials. Therefore, by purchasing a product made from synthetic padding at a low price, you can safely afford the most trendy model of the season.

The women's clothing store offers down jackets, short coats and coats with different insulation, so you can’t help but wonder which filler to choose winter jacket so as not to freeze in the cold? Important indicator The ability of a down jacket to retain heat is the filler. The durability of the product and the preservation of its original properties even after a couple of seasons of wear depend on the quality and properties of the insulation.

You can find one- or two-layer fashionable down jackets on sale different styles. For Russian winter, two-layer ones are more suitable, and for European and southern regions A single-layer jacket is quite suitable, it can withstand temperatures down to minus 12 degrees, and there it doesn’t get any lower.

Before we start choosing a down jacket for the winter, in accordance with, let's look at its filling and study the entire list of candidates for filling a winter jacket. So, manufacturers choose artificial synthetic fibers and natural materials.

Natural ones were a priority for a long time, because they held heat well, but they require complex care and the creation of special conditions for washing. New-fashioned synthetic ones are slightly inferior in heat-protective properties and some even surpass natural insulation materials. The main advantages of synthetic insulation include ease of maintenance and hypoallergenicity.

Each type of filler has its own characteristics and features. Do you want to figure out which filler is the best? Let's study the qualities and properties of each of them.

What is the best filling for a down jacket: types and descriptions of materials

Consider all natural fillers

Pooh. It can be duck, swan, or eider down. A jacket stuffed with it proper care will last more than 10 years. Thanks to this filling, jackets stuffed with down got their name “down jacket”. Advantages of the material: high heat-saving ability, lightness, softness and durability.

The photo shows natural down filling for women's down jackets

As for the shortcomings, we include them high cost of the final product (although it is formed not only by the filler, but also depends on the covering fabric, style and brand). To care for and wash a down-based down jacket, you need: special conditions. Sensitive people also note the occurrence of allergic reactions during wear.

Among all downs, the most expensive and warmest is eider fluff. It is used to insulate products for women living in harsh conditions climate. Jackets with eider down are suitable for country outings and long walks in the fresh air.

Goose and duck down the most common option. Recently, it is often mixed with synthetic fibers to reduce cost. In principle, this has little effect on the heat-saving capabilities of products. And judging by the reviews, women's down jackets with duck and goose down mixed with artificial fibers are easier to wash and retain their properties after being manipulated in a washing machine.

Feather+down. Enough frequent refilling for women's down jackets and coats. The feather, on the one hand, reduces the cost of the product, and on the other hand, creates a certain basis for volume. On personal experience I will say that a down jacket with a feather can be washed at home.

For information: P uh is usually denoted on the manufacturer’s labels with the word “down". Inscription "feather" means mixed type feather with down. Word "Intelligentdown" indicates that a combination of down and synthetic fill is used. Do you want to know how to choose good down jacket feminine in content, you will have to learn these characteristics by heart. In addition to these inscriptions, the label may contain the designation “Cotton" or "polyester". This means that cotton wool, batting or padding polyester was used for filling.

The label also indicates the ratio of down to feather content (fraction on the label). 70/30 or 80/20. Usually the first number is the percentage of the pen. Check the percentage before buying a down jacket. Normal is 70-80%. It is with this level of fluff that the product will be adapted to harsh climates and cold winters.

Looking ahead a little, I’ll tell you how to determine how to determine whether padding polyester or down is in a down jacket. To do this, squeeze the filler through the fabric with two fingers and rub it between your fingers. With synthetic padding polyester, holofiber and other artificial filler, you will hear a creaking sound and it will seem to slide between your fingers. Down does not make such a sound, but if the filler is created in a combination of down and feather, then between your fingers you will feel thin feather rods; they are quite noticeable to the touch.

Wool. This is a natural material for filling jackets. They are called down jackets conventionally, since they do not contain down. A winter jacket or short coat stuffed with wool retains heat perfectly and is inexpensive. Sheep or camel wool is often used for filling.

Flaws: final product It is heavy and shrinks when washed. Also causes allergic reactions. Recently, manufacturers have been using a mixture of filling down jackets, using wool and synthetic fibers. Thanks to this combination, such jackets can be easily washed at home in automatic washing machines.

Artificial fillers: advantages and disadvantages for down jackets

Sintepon . Popular and most cheap material for down jackets and coats. Lately he has been pushed out modern views fillers and it was rarely used for stuffing clothes. Advantages:

• retains heat well;
• is not a hydroscopic material;
• dries quickly after getting wet;
• Washable in automatic washing machines.

Disadvantages: it loses volume after the first wash, and after several washes it clumps, with the exception of quilted products.

Isosoft . Excellent material for filling down jackets. This is a European membrane insulation from the manufacturer Libeltex.

Advantages of isosoft:

• has low weight;
• repels moisture well and does not absorb it;
• even thin layer retains heat excellently;
• products filled with isosoft can be washed in a washing machine;
• A down jacket with isosoft dries quickly and does not lose its original appearance during long-term wear.

The disadvantage is the high cost.

Holofiber. Artificial insulation made from synthetic spiral fibers. It is used as insulation for women's and children's clothing. According to reviews from owners of holofiber down jackets, this is a real find for the Russian cold winter.

The following advantages of this material are noted:

• a light weight;
• does not come off when washing;
• inexpensive and accessible;
• bulk material;
• hypoallergenic.

It is believed that holofiber does not allow air to pass through well, but if it is used in conjunction with fabric covering down jacket, this disadvantage disappears.

Thinsulate . The insulation is made of highly siliconized polyester fiber, twisted in a spiral. There is air around the fibers. It is also called artificial swan down. The thickness of the fibers is 60 times less than the thickness of a human hair. He has high ability keep warm. To achieve identical characteristics, a thickness of 10 times less is required compared to conventional fillers. Initially, Thinsulate was developed by order of NASA for clothing for astronauts and polar explorers. Currently, this insulation is considered the warmest and thinnest of the fillers for down jackets.

Advantages of Thinsulate:

• low weight with large volumes;
• has increased thermal insulation properties;
• does not form into lumps when worn;
• tolerates washing well, does not deform or clump after prolonged use;
• environmentally friendly hypoallergenic material;
• does not absorb odors;
• does not shrink after getting wet;
• dries quickly.

Disadvantages: can cause overheating of the body, is expensive and accumulates static electricity.

Sintepooh. This is a fluffy bulky mass made of synthetic fibers with a hollow structure. It consists of white springy fibers, intertwined, they form a dense structure. There are several types of synthetic fluff, including siliconized fluff. Twisted polyester fibers are additionally treated with silicone emulsion. This allows them not to cling to each other and maintain volume for a long time.

The characteristics of the insulation are as close as possible to down.

Advantages of synthetic fluff:

• environmentally friendly and hypoallergenic,
• the material does not absorb odors and does not accumulate dust;
• high wear resistance, it does not collapse;
• antibacterial, synthetic fibers do not contain microorganisms and fungi;
• breathability, provides ventilation
• resistant to deformation, the original shape returns after compression or stretching;
• water resistance, fibers quickly evaporate moisture after getting wet, but even when wet they retain their heat-insulating properties;
• tolerates washing well, does not shrink;
• In terms of care, synthetic down jackets are machine washable.

So, if we compare fillings for down jackets, which one is better, then we can note the following: if you are looking for lightweight and warm down jacket, then your choice is synthetic filler or Thinsulate. It is also a better choice for allergy sufferers synthetic insulation, they do not cause allergic reactions and do not contribute to the proliferation of microorganisms. All adherents of natural insulation are recommended to use a combination of feather + down; they have better performance characteristics than 100% down or feather. If the label indicates the proportion: 80% down in a combination of 20% feather, you will not freeze in a down jacket even in extreme weather conditions.

Recently, more and more often on clothing tags opposite the word “filler” you can find the following phrase: spray-bonded cotton wool. Many of my friends and blog readers ask what kind of filler this is, how it behaves in winter, and how to care for it.

Spray bonded cotton wool is environmentally friendly, safe material. On the label of a down jacket or jacket it is designated as: spray bonded wadding. It is made from natural cotton and cotton wool. This is a soft, wear-resistant and breathable material. By technical properties This filler is close to bio-fluff. He has high quality thermal insulation, does not cause allergies, does not rot and corrode, does not crumple, and is breathable. Be sure that the spray-bonded cotton wool filler will not harbor microorganisms, moths or other insects. Spray-bonded cotton wool will not crawl out through the seams and roll into lumps. It will help you withstand the harshest frosts.

I hope I answered the question, what is the best filling for a down jacket and now you know for winter.

With the arrival of cold weather, it’s just the right time to think about the question of how to choose a down jacket. And how can you do without this warm and light outerwear if you are young and active, prefer a jacket that does not hinder your movements, and dress in a sporty style?

Well, it's time to go to the store. Just think carefully first - what criteria are you going to choose a down jacket for?

The main thing when choosing a down jacket for the winter is the filling. In Russia, for some reason, any jacket equipped with insulation, even if it is of artificial origin, is called a down jacket. But the amount of heat that this jacket can retain directly depends on the degree of naturalness of the filler.

We have selected the most important tips how to choose a down jacket for the winter:

1. If the tag says English word down(fluff) - everything is in order, in front of you is a down jacket that has every right to be called that. In addition, the word most often present next to it feather, that is, feather, because jackets made from just down are very rare. Pay attention to the percentages of these two filler components. For colder climates, it is recommended to purchase a truly warm jacket, that is, 70% down and 30% feather. If your winter is warm, or you don’t plan to spend a lot of time outside, or you have a fur coat, then you can opt for a down jacket with a 60/40 or 50/50 ratio. By the way, they will cost less. If you are going to use a down jacket for outings or skiing, choose the warmest jacket, 80/20.

2. Not going to wear synthetics? This means that you should immediately discard products that have the following symbol on the label: polyester, cotton or wool. Under the guise of a down jacket, they are trying to “sell” you a jacket made of cotton wool, batting or synthetic padding.

3. The down should be stitched in even small blocks. Ideally, sections do not exceed 20x20 cm. In larger ones, the fluff will mat and deprive you of this necessary protection from the cold. Inside each block, the fluff should be distributed evenly. Feel the jacket and make sure there are no lumps.

4. For a city dweller who is not into skiing, a single-layer down jacket is quite enough. There are also two-layer ones - they store heat better and allow cold to pass through more slowly.

5. The filler should recover easily and quickly after compression. Therefore, it would be useful to check. Squeeze part of the jacket in your hand, then quickly release it and observe - did the fabric straighten out quickly? There are more reliable way: check the tag, the compression ratio should be indicated there, it is indicated by the letters F.P., that is fill power. On a quality down jacket you will see the number 550 or more.

6. When trying on a jacket, make sure that the feathers do not pierce the fabric. If you feel a tingling sensation, walking in this down jacket will be very uncomfortable!

7. And look at the label again. Look for the designation DIN EN 12934 - it indicates high-quality processing fluff. This means that the down and feathers have been properly washed, dried and disinfected before being filled into the jacket.

We checked the most important thing – the “filling”. But there are still other details that also affect the quality of the jacket.

The fittings should be strong and reliable; ideally, a bag with spare buttons or buttons is included with the jacket.

- The seams on a high-quality down jacket are smooth and strong, without any loose threads. The lining is also stitched, which prevents fluff from matting.

The cuffs of the sleeves, the bottom of the jacket or the belt at the waist should be in the form of an elastic band - this ensures that no cold will get under the down jacket.

It is very good if the down jacket has a detachable hood and fur trim. This will make the washing or cleaning process easier. It's even better if the product is equipped with an "undershirt" - a sleeveless knitted "second jacket" that can also be detached.

A high quality product must be supplied with a small bag containing a sample of down. This is what all self-respecting manufacturers do.

If you cannot find the information you need (country of origin, cleaning methods, down to feather ratio, etc.) on the label, refuse to purchase! Such a product definitely cannot be called high quality.

How to care for a down jacket

But finally, all stages of the meticulous check have been completed, you are convinced of the quality of the down jacket, and you buy it for yourself. reliable protection from the winter cold. Now, in order for the jacket to be worn as long as possible, you need to properly care for it.

Wash should occur at temperatures up to 40 degrees, in gentle spin mode. Down jackets should not be soaked! Exposure to water should be brief. Drying a down jacket on a radiator means mercilessly shortening its life. Experts advise drying the jacket unfolded, in a ventilated room or on the balcony. You just need to lay the down jacket on a thick terry towel and wait until the towel absorbs all the moisture. From time to time the jacket needs to be turned over.

Detergents Down jackets for washing must be selected carefully. Special powders and liquids have antibacterial properties, do not allow microorganisms to multiply in the fluff, and prevent rotting. If you want your down jacket to not absorb water and remain just as warm and cozy, don’t skimp on your purchase special means to wash it. We also recommend spending money on buying a water-repellent spray, which you need to spray your down jacket with after each wash - then even the rain won’t be able to spoil your pleasure from your walk!

These care rules are quite simple, and the pleasure from a purchased branded down jacket will last at least 5 seasons. So, go ahead to the store for such a fashionable, beautiful, warm and comfortable down jacket!

Practical, warm, lightweight down jacket - ideal winter clothes. The first to appreciate this were tourists and climbers, who, back in the middle of the last century, wore down jackets on hikes, sewn with their own hands 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. When asked which insulation for a jacket is better, the answer quite often 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 a special bag - then the fluff will cause much less harm.

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 dry.

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. Here are the fillings for down jackets - which is better: duck, goose or something else?

Important! Typically, clothing manufacturers use down waterfowl, because it does not rot from 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. He is, of course, in last years has pretty much pushed aside 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, any detergent can be used, 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 won't be cold. 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 also widely used in ordinary clothing. Its advantages:

• the warmest;
• the thinnest;
• the easiest;
• 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! Perfect 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, bulky mass, but it consists of artificial fibers. The fibers spring back 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 be worn for 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:

1. When sewing, the top and inside are quilted together along parallel lines, either vertical or horizontal.
2. The pockets are then filled with down.
3. 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. The presence of natural fibers in mixed fabrics somewhat increases 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 - the 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

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