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Find out answers to the most common questions and learn how to choose a down jacket that’s right for you in our down jacket guide.

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1. What is a Down Jacket?

A down jacket is a jacket which has been insulated with the soft and warm under feathers from duck or geese. Down is a fantastic insulator as the loft (or fluffiness) of down creates thousands of tiny air pockets which trap warm air and retain heat, thus helping to keep the wearer very warm in cold winter weather.

The down fill of a jacket will be either goose down, duck down or a combination of the two. All down jackets using any of these feathers will keep you warm, with duck or a combination of duck and geese feathers often being more affordable.

2. What is Down Fill Power?

Down fill power is a measure of the loft or ‘fluffiness’ of the down and its insulating properties. The higher the fill power, the more air pockets in the down and the more insulating the jacket will be for its weight.

 

Down Jacket Fill Power Ratings:

Fill Power Rating 400 – 450 Medium 500 – 550 Good 550 – 650 Very Good 700 onwards Great

 

Fill power is calculated in laboratory conditions and is measured in cubic inches per ounce. To test fill power an ounce of down is compressed by a weight in a glass cylinder. It’s ability to bounce back and ‘loft’ is calculated as the fill power.

Fill power is also an indication of the quality of the down used. The better the quality of down the higher the fill power. As less down is required to provide the same amount of warmth, jackets with a higher fill power tend to be lighter and more compressible.

Fill power ranges from 400 to 900. For down outerwear ratings will generally fall between 500 and 800.

3. Down Vs Synthetic Insulation

Down Insulation

Pros

Cons Excellent heat retention Loses insulating ability when wet Lightweight- better warmth to weight ratio Takes a long time to dry out when wet Wider comfort temperature range- making it suitable for cold and warm temperatures More expensive Easier to compress and packs small Requires special cleaning

Synthetic Insulation

Pros Cons Cheaper than down Heavier Easier to clean

4. Jacket Construction

There are three types for down jackets, Sewn Through, Box Baffle or Heat Seamed Baffle.

Sewn Through

This is the most common type of down jacket, most Mountain Warehouse down items are made using this method. Sewn through is just as the name suggests, chambers are created between stitches as the outer fabric is sewn through to the inner fabric lining. No extra fabric is added so the item is usually more lightweight than something using the box baffle technique.

 

Box Baffle

The box baffle items have small chambers of down, separated by a wall of fabric. Imagine a line of squares next to each other, touching, that is what box baffle looks like. Extra fabric is added, meaning it can be heavier than a jacket using the sewn through method, and because extra fabric is used and the technique is more complex, box baffle items are often more expensive.

 

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Heat Seamed

Heat seamed baffle (sometimes called welded or bonded) is when the outer fabric is bonded together with the inner fabric using heat. Like the sewn through technique, chambers are created between the bonded baffle. However, as there is no stitching, warmth can’t escape from the seams. This can also make this type of down jacket more wind and water resistant.

 

Outer Material

The materials used for the outer shell will have an effect on the jackets performance in four vital ways:

-Durability
-Weight
-Warmth
-Waterproofness/Breathability

5. Durability & Weight

A super lightweight down jacket will be made with a thin, light material for the outer shell. Although ideal for reducing weight they can be more vulnerable to snagging and abrasions. This type of jacket is great if you are wearing it now and again on cold days. If you are looking for a jacket to wear regularly for many years to come, it is worth looking for a slightly heavier and thicker outer shell which will last far longer.

6. Fit

A down jacket should not be too fitted or too loose. You should allow for adding layers underneath but ensure it’s not too roomy as cold air could get in through the hem and arms. Down jackets tend to be heavier than regular waterproof jackets or wool coats so remember you need a bit of room in it to allow you to move about.

7. Features

• Hoods – A hood will help add extra warmth but will also add bulk. If you are wearing a down jacket as a mid-layer, i.e. under a waterproof coat, you may consider wearing a jacket without a hood.
• Cuffed waist and wrists – Help to seal in the warmth.
• Pockets – Padded lined pockets are ideal for cold hands.

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HOW AND WHY TO CHOOSE A PUFFER JACKET

There are many puffer jackets in the world of winter clothing, so here are a few things to consider before making your final decision. After all, when navigating these waters, you will see pricing from $80 to over $1500, and many different takes on the style, so a couple of tips might make you a little richer in addition to more comfortable.

About Puffer Jackets

Puffer jackets, also called quilted jackets, have a signature quilted design with sections that are "puffy" between the stitching. They are filled with down insulation or synthetic fibers, both of which can provide a high level of warmth depending on how well they are made and the quality of the synthetic fibers.

Puffer jackets are often very lightweight, despite being very warm (with the down-filled jackets weighing a little more, so keep that in mind). Compared to wool or leather, puffer jackets provide the unique combination of both warmth and lightness. For example, our Frostline® Jacket keeps you warm in freezing temps while keeping bulk and weight to a minimum.

Puffer Jacket Insulation

As mentioned, these jackets can feature down or synthetic down insulation. Both are fairly lightweight, but not all methods of insulation will provide the same level of warmth. Generally speaking, a down-filled jacket will be warmer, yet synthetic down can be very comparable if the manufacturer knows a good bit about how insulation works.

At RefrigiWear, we have outfitted workers in minus-zero temperatures for over 70 years, so we know that the air in the layers of your insulation is what really helps create barriers against the cold. With our proprietary synthetic insulation, we provide high-quality quilted jackets that retain the loft of the synthetic fibers longer so your jacket will keep you warm after years of wear. Cheaper ways of insulating with synthetic fibers often result in the loss of fiber loft after shorter periods, leaving you more vulnerable to the cold.

How Stitching Affects Styles in Puffer Jackets

The "puffs" of a puffer jacket are created by the combination of the insulation layer and stitching. Though vertical and horizontal puffers are the most common, we have found that diamond and other geometric shapes provide a more fitted, functional jacket that lasts longer. Quilted designs can vary from small diamonds to larger triangles, which allows for different fits and styling. Our Women’s Pure-Soft Puffer Jacket features traditional horizontal puffs, with a more slim fit than most puffers.

Style, Warmth and Quality

From style perspective, you may hesitate and think that the puffer style will be too bulky and unflattering. That is why RefrigiWear offers quilted designs for a stylish fit that also protects and offers functionality. Lightweight but still warm, and great for both cold and cool weather, our quilted puffer jackets are great for both work and everyday wear.

As with all RefrigiWear garments, we crafted our quilted puffer jackets with our knowledge of tough working conditions, so you won't be disappointed in the quality of your RefrigiWear quilted jacket or the many years of wear you can get out of it.

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