Approximation winter cold makes you seriously think about choosing a 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 obvious advantages and the disadvantages 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 the harsh winter the best option Will be purchasing 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 crosses 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, synthetic winterizer does not belong to the category of durable materials. Therefore, by purchasing a padding polyester product at a low price, you can safely afford the most trendy model of the season.
The main advantage of winter clothing is the ability to retain heat and be reliable protection from low temperatures. This ability depends on what kind of insulation is used for a particular item. Materials such as down and padding polyester are widely used today. To determine which filler is better, let’s look at the properties of each of them.
It is common to use natural down to insulate outerwear. This was even fixed in the name of the things - “down jackets”. To prevent clothing from getting wet and keeping out the cold, its contents must have the property of repelling rather than letting in moisture. Therefore, clothes are filled with down obtained from waterfowl. Most often, duck or goose is used for this, and less often, swan down.
Reference! It is believed that the warmest and most suitable for regions with harsh winters is eider down filling. Products with natural eider down are more expensive than jackets with duck or goose down.
Sintepon as an artificial filler
Synthetic winterizer, a material made from artificial fibers, has replaced natural down as a modern insulation material. Bonded together using heat, glue or mechanical bonding, synthetic polyester fibers have become a substitute for down, making the filling cheaper.
Features, characteristics and differences
Each of the materials has its pros and cons.
Pros and cons of down
One of the main advantages of down insulation is its natural origin and environmental friendliness.
Down has other positive qualities:
- reliable thermal insulation, providing comfortable conditions in winter;
- ability to repel moisture;
- light weight that does not weigh down the product;
- practicality, long service life.
Reference! Adding feathers to the down filling increases the life of the product. Their price should be lower than products with 100% down insulation.
Disadvantages of down insulation:
- may cause allergic reactions in people with hypersensitivity;
- compliance with special conditions (washing and drying regime of the product) during care.
Pros and cons of padding polyester as a filler
Manufacturers artificial material managed to endow it with many qualities of fluff.
Advantages of padding polyester:
- ability to retain heat well;
- moisture resistance;
- ease;
- high wear resistance;
- hypoallergenic;
- ease of care;
- affordable price.
The negative aspects of synthetic insulation are associated with its washing:
- Wash gradually has an adverse effect on the filler fibers. They are destroyed, which leads to deterioration in the appearance of the product.
- During washing, the padding polyester may clump into a lump.
Which jacket is better to choose: down or padding?
Finding out what qualities they have various materials, let's see how these qualities manifest themselves in finished product. This will help you decide what is better to choose, clothes made with padding polyester or natural down.
Down jackets filled with natural down
Main advantage down jackets are reliable protection from the cold. Natural down makes the jacket light and very warm. Down jackets with eider, goose or duck down are best purchased by residents of northern regions where constant low temperatures are observed in winter.
In temperate latitudes, down jackets may also be needed by people who spend time outdoors. outdoors for a long time.
However, these products have several shortcomings. The main ones are the high price and difficulty of care.
Important! Professional dry cleaning instead of washing it yourself at home will preserve the quality appearance and extend the life of the down jacket.
Advantage synthetic padding material becomes practical and functional, affordable price. Winter clothes with synthetic fiber insulation also retain heat well. Their lightness and water resistance make the products most convenient for active people who do not change their lifestyle even in winter. Padded jackets provide comfort during long walks, sports, and outdoor games.
Another advantage of artificial contents is ease of care. You can wash these jackets yourself.
Flaws winter jackets with synthetic padding are also related to the care of the product. Sintepon, which tends to bunch up when wet and washed, will force you to work hard to return products that do not have quilting to their former appearance.
Important! To prevent the insulation from crumpling during washing, you need to place it in a drum washing machine along with the jacket are tennis balls.
What to look for when choosing a winter jacket
Knowledge of properties and features different materials will help you decide which jacket to buy.
But choosing a specific product will require attention to the item, because no filler can save a low-quality jacket.
- Carefully study the label, ask the seller about the insulation and how to care for the product.
- Examine the jacket carefully, pay attention to its weight: the true quality of the jacket does not make it heavy.
- Please pay attention Special attention filler. See how evenly it is distributed throughout the item, and whether there is quilting to secure the material.
- Don’t forget to examine the quality of all seams and fastening of fittings. Crooked stitching and protruding threads are never found with serious brands, but they are not uncommon for fakes that should have a low cost.
Choosing a winter jacket is a serious matter, it depends not only appearance, but also human health.
Which jacket is better to buy? Should you give preference to a down jacket or buy outerwear with synthetic insulation? Each option has its pros and cons.
Buyers have many requirements for a winter jacket; it must be warm, light and comfortable. But most people don’t know which filler to give preference to. Each manufacturer praises its products, talks in detail about its advantages, while remaining silent about its disadvantages. However, it should be noted that high-quality men's jackets Regardless of the insulation, they will be comfortable and durable.
Advantages and disadvantages of down jackets
In fact, it is impossible to say that any option is better. You just need to choose outerwear in accordance with your lifestyle and financial capabilities. Winter down jackets are suitable for men who, due to the nature of their work, are forced to spend a lot of time outdoors. They are often warmer than synthetic winterizers, but they are also much more expensive.
In addition, down jackets are often not down jackets at all; the manufacturer adds bird feathers to the insulation, which significantly reduces the heat-saving properties. It is quite easy to distinguish such a jacket from a real one; next to the word down there will be the prefix feather. With a down/feather ratio of 80 to 20, the outerwear will be quite warm, but if there is less down, the jacket will be cold and suitable only for cool autumn.
It is more difficult to care for a down jacket; at the end of the season it is advisable to dry clean it. After washing it in washing machine, the fluff may clump together. It is quite difficult to return the jacket to its previous condition. Therefore, if you are willing to put up with the high price and difficulty of care for the sake of additional comfort, then a down jacket is your choice. The main thing, remember, is that you cannot skimp on the quality of jackets; cheap fabric is not dense enough and after a couple of months the fluff can “climb”, and the jacket looks sloppy.
A down jacket from a famous brand will look perfect for many years and will last much longer than any synthetic padding jacket. Therefore, if you do not like to change outerwear every season or two, then feel free to buy a down jacket. And even if you like to buy a lot of things, no one forbids having two, three or even four jackets with natural insulation in your closet.
Jackets with padding polyester insulation
In the case of padding polyester, everything is much simpler. The insulation tolerates numerous washes well and retains its properties for many years. But it is important to remember that synthetic padding can also be different. This insulation can be warm and light, or it can be completely useless, and the jacket will be blown through. Much depends on the manufacturer, e.g. Fred Perry jackets It is produced with insulation, which is as close in properties as possible to down, but does not have the disadvantages of natural filler.
A padded jacket is suitable for an active person who moves a lot and does not have to spend a lot of time in the cold. All other things being equal, such clothes retain heat worse than a down jacket. But often, insulation is enough to make a person feel comfortable. Its price is lower, but it will wear out much faster. After three or four seasons you will need to buy a new jacket.
But for many this can even be a plus, because monotony gets boring after purchasing inexpensive model, it can be safely changed to another. And it’s not a pity, and not a lot of money was spent. And the style changes, you want to change your wardrobe, and enjoy purchasing new clothes. And in the case of branded products, there will definitely be joy from new things.
Activewear
Separately, it is worth noting jackets for active rest. Great value has not only the choice of filler, but also its quality. Professional athletes mainly choose down, but its content must be at least 90 to 10 in relation to feather. Such clothing remains light, warm and does not restrict movement. If you prefer synthetic winterizer, then it is important that the fabric is dense. A membrane that allows you to use a minimum of insulation, creating the effect of a thermos, is perfect. A person is not hot in a warm room and not cold outside when sub-zero temperature. The combination of well-chosen fabric ensures comfort regardless of the weather. And the weight turns out to be no more than that of a high-quality down jacket.
Video.
Because now it's very Cold winter, I suggest watching a video about how not to freeze in 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 for the towel to absorb 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!
Summer is almost over, very soon you will need to switch to warmer clothes. And autumn is the most suitable period for buying a warm jacket for the winter. IN last years Down jackets have become especially popular. These products are affordable, practical and fit almost any clothing style. True, before buying such a jacket, the question always arises: which down jacket is better, padded or down?
Firstly, it’s a matter of taste; whoever likes it best buys it. Those who find it easy to decide on a winter down jacket are those with allergies who have a negative reaction to down. In this case, you need to buy a jacket with padding polyester. Whatever down jacket you buy, in the harsh winter it will protect you from the cold and prevent you from freezing. This product does not allow cold air to pass through and retains heat perfectly. For winter jackets with natural down, geese and duck feathers are usually used.
If you are leading active life, and have a lot of entertainment, then in winter you cannot do without such practical clothes as a down jacket. If you want to choose an inexpensive, stylish down jacket, contact the specialists at http://milanova.com.ua/ for help. They know for sure whether padding polyester or down feather is better, and they will also select a jacket that is ideal for your color and shape.
Each person chooses outerwear that will suit his lifestyle and financial capabilities. In any case, any of the options will be comfortable and durable. We cannot say for sure which down jacket is better, padded or down. Because each person decides for himself what to wear.
But, for those who spend a lot of time in the winter on fresh air, we recommend buying a jacket with natural down. Such products are much warmer than synthetic winterizers, and accordingly, they are more expensive. When purchasing this product, be careful. After all, many manufacturers sell down jackets with insulation and add bird feathers to them. This will no longer be a full-fledged down jacket, but you will pay for it as for a product made from natural down.
To save money and not fall for this trick, look at the clothing label, it will also say “feather” with the word “down”. If the product has a ratio of 80/20, where the first indicator is real down, and the second is feather, then such a jacket is very warm and you can survive the harshest winter in it. Now about the disadvantages of down products:
- they are difficult to care for (they need to be dry cleaned),
- After washing in the washing machine, the fluff gets lost and the product loses its original appearance.
A real down jacket from a famous brand will serve you for many years, however, such a jacket is not cheap.
A synthetic down jacket also has its advantages; with this material everything is much simpler. If you still haven’t figured out which down jacket is better, padding poly or down, here are a few facts about non-natural jackets.
The insulation is not at all picky about washing and even after numerous washes, such a jacket will look like new. But, do not forget that synthetic padding can be different. You can buy a warm and light jacket, or you may end up with a completely useless, low-quality down jacket that will be blown through. Here everything will depend on the manufacturer’s company. For example, Fred Perry produces products with insulation, which has properties as close as possible to down. But, it is much better than natural filler, because it does not have its disadvantages.
Undoubtedly, such a jacket does not keep warm as well as a product made from natural down, but high-quality insulation is enough to keep you comfortable and warm. The cost of such products is lower, and a jacket made with synthetic padding wears out faster. This type of outerwear will last you for three to four seasons. But there is also a plus here: you can wear new models every winter and will always be in trend.