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Insulation materials: a guide to the right padding
At Pelle P we work with many different types of insulation materials. Which one we use in a specific garment depends on which characteristics we want the garment to have. Our goal is to work as sustainable as possible, from sketch to finished product and the materials we use are a big part of that. That is why we are constantly looking for new and innovative materials and chose to work with materials that have as little environmental impact as possible.
Are you curious about a specific type of insulation or want to compare two different materials? Then this article is for you.
Sorona ® Dupont
Sorona ® Dupont is a synthetic material with properties similar to down. It is extremely flexible and is partly made of renewable plant-based ingredients. Compared to for example Nylon 6 it uses 30% less energy and releases 63% fewer greenhouse gas emissions. Sorona ® Dupont is also 100% recyclable.
- 37% renewable plant-based ingredients
- Quick dry
- Warm even when wet
We use Sorona ® Dupont in our Commodus garments
Down
Down are the very finest feathers closest to the bird’s body. These light, fluffy feathers are naturally insulating and it is the type of padding that provides the most warmth in relation to its weight – or actually, down does not actually create heat; but rather it traps air between the loose tendrils helping to prevent heat loss, effectively maintaining heat generated by the human body.
Down is also extremely durable – if you take care of your down garment it will keep you warm for the rest of your life. Typically, down from duck or geese is used in clothing and the material is very pliable and will shape itself after your body. Down is a byproduct of a renewable resource that is both biodegradable and recyclable. We think it is important to take responsibility, that is why we only use RDS-certified down in our down jackets.
- The material that provides the most warmth for its weight
- Durable and sustainable
- Pliable
We use down in our Urbis garments
3M™ Thinsulate™ Featherless Insulation
3M™ Thinsulate™ Featherless Insulation is an innovate loose-fill insulation that mimic down when dry and is warmer than down when wet. The material, which is a type of polyester, is extremely light, highly breathable and provides warmth even when it is extremely cold. It meets the harmful substances requirements of OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 and has been awarded the OEKO-TEX® Certificate for Product Class 1 by Hohenstein Institutes.
- Highly breathable
- Warm even when wet
- Down-like feel
We use 3M™ Thinsulate™ Featherless Insulation in our Sirocco garments
So what to choose, down or synthetic padding?
Both types of material have their pros and cons. Down is lighter and has a higher warmth-to-weight ratio than synthetic materials, on the other hand it doesn’t provide warmth when wet which synthetic paddings do.
So which one is better?
Well it depends on what you want do and in which situations you will primarily use the garment.
Choose a down jacket…
When it is really, really cold! When it is extremely cold, it is usually also dry, which is great if you are using down garments. It is also a great alternative if you have limited space and want to avoid carrying too much extra weight. Down will give you the most warmth per gram.
Choose synthetic materials…
When it is wet and damp! Synthetic paddings will keep you warm even if you get wet – which can happen if you are on a boat or live in Gothenburg.
See all down jackets and padded jackets here: