5 MYTHS ABOUT DOWN
Around goose and duck down, many myths and legends have arisen. Some of them are due to a misinterpretation of the actual properties of this insulation. Others are spread by supporters of synthetic-filled products. Yet others were valid in the 70s and have long since become outdated but are still repeated to this day. Before investing in a down sleeping bag or jacket, it's worth getting to know this type of insulation a little better. Let's debunk 5 popular myths about natural down.
WHAT WILL YOU LEARN FROM THIS POST?
- Can down be washed?
- What is better: natural down or synthetic?
- What is the down-to-feather ratio?
- What is down loft?
- In summary
With down products, it's important to know how to handle them properly, and in return, they will provide long-lasting durability while offering unmatched thermal comfort. When you know what to do, it turns out that down is neither particularly complicated to maintain nor non-durable!
MYTH #1 DOWN CANNOT BE WASHED
The creation and spread of this myth are based on a certain fact. The fact is that natural down insulation loses its thermal properties when it gets wet. However, it only happens temporarily, and it immediately regains its loft once it's dry! It's quite simple: effective insulation in down fillings is possible because there is trapped air between individual clusters. When the clusters get wet, they clump together, lose their loft, and can't "hold" the air. Once they dry, everything goes back to normal. So after washing, the products just need to be thoroughly dried. However, it's important to follow basic guidelines during washing to avoid damaging not only the insulation itself but also the outer materials. We recommend reading the following instructional articles: "How to Wash a Down Sleeping Bag?" and "How to Wash a Down Jacket Without Damaging It? Step-by-Step Guide."
MYTH #2 THE MORE DOWN, THE WARMER
In reality, a good down product doesn't have a significant amount of insulation. For example, in the world of sleeping bags, the winning products are those that weigh less than a kilogram and can be compressed to the size of a cup for transport purposes. How is that possible? Well, it's not the amount of down that matters but the amount of air between the down clusters, which determines the quality of insulation and, consequently, the thermal comfort of the user. One of the parameters to consider is down loft, measured in cubic inches (cuin). It indicates the volume occupied by a maximum-expanded and then compressed ounce (28 g) of down.
When the down clusters expand, trapped air remains between them, and it is this air, not the down itself, that provides insulation against the cold. When you wear a down jacket or sleep in a down sleeping bag, the air is warmed by the energy emitted by your body, and instead of escaping into the atmosphere, it stays close to you.
Loft values above 550 cuin are considered good, and above 650 cuin are considered high. In Pajaksport's expedition products, you can find sleeping bags with a loft level of 900. For comparison, synthetic insulation in the highest quality range reaches approximately the borderline value of 550 cuin.
MYTH #3 IF DOWN COMES OUT OF THE JACKET, IT INDICATES POOR QUALITY
The escape of so-called down feathers through gaps in the seams is a completely natural process that cannot be prevented. It's caused by the compressed air between the down clusters, which sometimes needs to find an outlet due to actions like sitting, sudden movements, or compression. If feathers were coming out of the jacket instead of just down clusters, it would indicate very low fabric quality. However, it's important to remember that insulation consists not only of down but also includes a mixture of feathers. These feathers can occasionally poke through the fabric like needles. Therefore, it's worthwhile to invest in products with a high down-to-feather ratio. If a feather pokes through, it's best not to pull it out (more may follow!) but rather gently push it back inside and flatten it.
Removing feathers from insulation is very difficult and requires special machines. The better the cleaned down, the higher the quality of the insulation. However, it should be acknowledged that it's impossible to completely remove feathers. That's why manufacturers also specify the down-to-feather ratio as a percentage among insulation parameters. In the outdoor world, you can find fillings ranging from 70/30 to 95/5.
MYTH #4 DOWN JACKETS AND SLEEPING BAGS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR LONG EXPEDITIONS
Jackets and sleeping bags are invaluable during field expeditions! Down insulation is lightweight and compressible, making it easy to pack and transport. Many people believe that down sleeping bags easily get wet and then become difficult to dry, so they hesitate to take them on expeditions. However, the truth is that well-constructed down sleeping bags "breathe," allowing efficient airflow, whichhttps://pajaksport.pl/blog/43/jak-chronic-spiwor-puchowy-przed-zmoknieciem-w-czasie-nocowania-w-plenerze
Moreover, there are several ways to protect down products from getting wet, which we have discussed in the article "How to Protect a Down Sleeping Bag from Getting Wet during Outdoor Camping?"
MYTH #5 DOWN JACKETS AND SLEEPING BAGS ARE TOO DIFFICULT TO USE AND MAINTAIN, SO THEY ARE NOT WORTH BUYING
Natural down is the most effective and lightest insulation available in the outdoor industry. Despite years of effort, scientists have not yet created a synthetic equivalent that matches its performance. Therefore, it's definitely worth investing in gear with down insulation.
You simply need to learn how to handle down properly. When you remember small details, such as not sleeping too close to a burning campfire and hanging the gear in a well-ventilated area after each use to allow it to expand and dry, everything will be fine. Additionally, every wash restores full loft to the down, ensuring its longevity. It's not surprising to see people in the industry using down sleeping bags and jackets for over a decade. Synthetic insulation, unfortunately, does not last that long.
Nobody knows about down as much as we do! The best way to delve into the secrets of down clothing is through outdoor adventures, and that's exactly what we encourage you to do. Visit pajaksport.pl, choose the product that suits you, and enjoy the incredible properties of down sleeping bags, jackets, and accessories on your next expeditions.
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