Insulated Clothing Infographic

ellisbrigham MOUNTAIN SPORTS INSULATED CLOTHING GUIDE Insulated clothing is a fundamental part of the modern winter layering system. With lots of different options, here's our simple guide to the pros and cons of down and synthetic, how insulation works and how it is measured... WEIGHING UP THẺ PROS AND CONS VS DOWN SYNTHE IC Down is a natural material from geese and ducks. It's not the long feathers but the 'fluff' Synthetic insulations are made by Primaloft, Polartec and other fabric manufacturers, while most outdoor brands have their 'own-brand' beneath. alternatives. Synthetics are made from soft strands of microfibrous polyester. PROS PROS Fantastic warmth for weight, unbeaten by any synthetic These materials maintain good levels of warmth even when wet . Synthetics dry out more quickly than down garments . Excellent compressibility allows small pack sizes . Highly resilient so lofts back quickly when released from compression They offer great value relative to down clothing Garments drape well and feel luxurious Easier to maintain than down CONS CONS Moisture is the enemy; wet down loses all its insulating properties Synthetics are fundamentally less warm than down . Damp down will take a long time to dry . They won't compress as small as down Good quality down is expensive relative to synthetic alternatives . Extra bulk also makes garments heavier and less comfortable to wear Water Resistant Down Water resistant down jackets are an excellent choice for a damp climate like the UK's. However they are still only resistant to moisture - they're not fully waterproof! There are various ways of creating water resistant down Rab have partnered with Nikwax and effectively pre-treated their down with Nikwax Down Proof. NIKW KWAX DOW MIKWAX DOWN PROC DOWN PROOF PROOF Patagonia have gone high-tech with their 'Encapsil' process. This is a plasma treatment that modifies the molecular structure of each dowwn fibre to make it hydrophobic. This also adds strength and loft, making it warmer. Bridging The Gap The North Face have developed a form of Primaloft that mimics down's lofting capabilities called Thermobal. This is made in clusters rather than layers, so not only traps heat more effectively, but is lighter, and more compressible than regular synthetic insulation. THE NORTH FACE How Insulation Works Insulation prevents you from losing the heat you generate. All insulation works by creating numerous tiny pockets of air close to the skin. The more air trapped, the warmer it will be. Measuring Down Insulation Goose down gives 10% more loft than duck down. Down is measured in fill power. This represents how much loft' the down has, or how much space in cubic inches an ounce of down takes up. Down quality is very important, but the amount of down used also makes a crucial difference. A jacket containing 300g of 600 fill power will feel much warmer than one containing just 30g of 800 fill power! 500 Standard Quality FILL POWER Perfect for cold urban and casual winter wear. 600 Good Quality FILL POWER Ideal for winter walking and active ski and snowboard wear. 700 High Quality FILL POWER Luxurious, very lightweight and very insulative. A must if you feel the cold. 800Extremely High Quality FILL POWER Intended for the coldest conditions - Alpine adventures, Himalayan treks and long hours of belaying on the mountain. 900 Incredibly Rare FILL POWER Until recently, the very highest quality gold- standard down available offering the very best warmth for weight and found only in preimum mountaineering clothing. -------------- 1000 FILL POWER ejuodejed To this day only ever used in one jacket, the Patagonia Encapsil Belay Parka Measuring Synthetic Insulation Clo Values are a measure of thermal comfort. Clo values are based on two, known points: 0 (a naked person) 1 (the sum of all clothing needed to maintain thermal comfort in a room at, 21c) O Clo 1 Clo 1.68 Clo NAKED ROOM 800 FILL TEMP DOWN The warmest synthetic insulation is An 800 fill down jacket has a Clo value roughly equivalent to 600 fill down of 1.68 ellisbrigham MOUNTAIN SPORTS WWW.ELLIS-BRIGHAM.COM/INSULATEME WARMEST COLDEST