HOW TO CHOOSE A DOWN JACKET?

Down jacket is today's fashion hit. Its popularity is growing both in outdoor circles and in everyday fashion. But how do you recognize which down jacket will be better for the city and which will work in the mountains? We will help you choose the right down jacket for yourself.

WHAT WILL YOU LEARN FROM THIS POST?

• How to choose a down jacket?
• What kind of down jacket for the city?
• What kind of down jacket for the mountains?

IN BRIEF

When choosing a down jacket, consider the loft parameter (the higher, the warmer and more bulky the jacket), the ratio of down to feathers in the insulation (the more down, the higher the quality of the product), and of course, the intended use for which the particular model was designed. For example, the PHANTOM jacket is specifically designed for winter expeditions. Excellent compression and ergonomic cut make the PHANTOM super comfortable and exceptionally packable. On the other hand, the classic LEVITY jacket can be used as standalone outerwear above -5 degrees Celsius and as a down sweater in truly cold conditions.

WHY INVEST IN A DOWN JACKET?

It is invaluable on cold days because, despite weighing very little, it provides excellent insulation from the cold. Down has the remarkable property of trapping warm air between its fibers. Air, of course, weighs nothing, but it effectively stores the heat and energy emitted by your body.

If needed (for example, during transportation), you can compress the down filling, making the jacket take up minimal space in your backpack. That's why outdoor enthusiasts love to use it.

HUGE SELECTION OF DOWN JACKETS

The popularity of down jackets continues to grow, and the range of their applications is expanding. While down jackets were initially created for Himalayan climbers, they are now appreciated not only by travelers and mountaineers but also by city dwellers. With their increasing popularity, down jackets have also made their way into the collections of mainstream fashion retailers. It's easy to understand that a down jacket produced by a fashion brand for everyday use in the city will significantly differ from a jacket designed for harsh high-altitude conditions. How can you tell them apart and choose the right one for yourself?

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A DOWN JACKET?

BY PARAMETERS

Loft and the ratio of down to feathers are the two most important parameters to consider when choosing a down jacket for yourself. How can you decipher them?

Loft is one of the key parameters that characterize down insulation. You will find it expressed in cubic inches per ounce, or CUIN, on the label. How is it measured? In laboratory conditions, 28 grams of down (which is equal to 1 ounce) are maximally lofted and then compressed under a special load. The volume it occupies (measured in cubic inches) is the CUIN value, measured after the settling of the covering. For example, if a slightly compressed ounce of down occupies 550 cubic inches, you will find the information on the label: 550 CUIN. As you can easily guess, the higher the loft parameter, the better the insulation and the higher the quality of the jacket. Not because you can pack it into a tiny cover and put it in your pocket, but because of its superior insulating properties. There is more space for warm air between more lofted down clusters!

Ratio of down to feathers. Down insulation is never composed of 100% pure down. In a special device called a de-featherer, a mixture of down and feathers is separated, aiming to remove as much unnecessary feathers as possible. However, a certain percentage of feathers, which are tiny feathers, always end up in the insulation. Although they are almost as small as down clusters, their properties are not as spectacular. The better the purified insulation, meaning the less feathers it contains, the higher the quality - but also the price - of the jacket. The designation 90/10 indicates that the insulation has been purified to 90% down and only 10% feathers, which translates to very high quality.

By Functionality.

Your choice between a super-warm, highly lofted down jacket or a thinner, body-hugging down sweater depends on the purpose for which you are making the purchase. Of course, for winter, a jacket with high loft and a minimal percentage of feathers is necessary. For transitional seasons, a value around 650 cuin should be sufficient.

Also, don't forget to pay attention to the fit. If you're looking for a climbing jacket, you should look for fitted and less lofted models to avoid abrasions and tearing on protruding rocks. On a ski touring trip, a down jacket will be useful primarily during descents (it may be too warm during ascents), so high compressibility that allows easy packing into a backpack is essential. The best city jacket is one that provides comfort while looking stylish. In recent years, down coats have become popular. Pajak offers the DOP model with an extended cut, perfect for everyday wear as well as for photographers and cameramen who, due to their profession, often have to stay motionless in one position for a long time.

DOWN JACKETS PAJAKSPORT

Have you decided where you will mostly take your down jacket? In that case, check which Pajak jacket model suits your lifestyle better. Both presented models are available in men's and women's versions, so we are sure that anyone with a sense of adventure will find something for themselves.

PHANTOM

This is one of the two most popular and absolutely reliable jackets from Pajak. Ultralight and perfectly fitted. Professional outdoor enthusiasts will certainly appreciate its ergonomic cut, ensuring comfort in any situation. The high compression ratio allows the jacket to be packed into the included stuff sack, making the PHANTOM perfect for taking on an expedition. It is also suitable for ski touring or skiing as it features an adjustable hood compatible with a helmet. Those who wear a down jacket for daily use will surely appreciate its light weight and high level of comfort!

LEVITY

Minimalists and capsule wardrobe enthusiasts will appreciate the fact that among countless down jacket models, there are versatile jackets that can adapt to any situation. That's what LEVITY is - an ultralight down jacket with a classic cut. Filled with Polish goose down with a cuin of 750, it works well both in the mountains and for everyday wear. In temperatures ranging from -5°C to 15°C, it can serve as an outer jacket. When the temperature drops below -5°C, it becomes an ideal additional insulating layer under an outer shell.

Those were some wise words about jackets with natural down... but what about their synthetic counterparts, someone might ask? Well, no matter how hard scientists around the world have tried, they have not yet been able to produce a synthetic insulation that is as effective as natural down. But technology is constantly advancing, so who knows?... We will certainly look into it, but for now, at Pajaksport, we remain faithful to the phenomenal and reliable down of Polish geese and ducks, which fills the interior of our jackets, providing unparalleled comfort to all outdoor enthusiasts. By the way, visit pajaksport.pl and see for yourself!