Down vs. Synthetic Insulation

www.ProLiteGear.com discusses Down vs. Synthetic Insulation, including Polartec Alpha which is setting a new standard for breathability.

[@microsnook3]

Your videos are so detailed and thorough. I really enjoy it. Thanks!

[@325iaddict]

Hi Craig, you just made one of the best comparisons I've ever seen on this topic! For me, a waterproof down jacket still is the best choice, as it is warmer than other fills. I'm very skinny and long, so I don't have much "natural insulation" on my body so to say. That's why I ended up with no less than 5 expedition down jackets (THF Himalayan parka, MHW absolute zero parka, Canada Goose Expedition parka, Arcteryx Cold WX parka SVX and Fjallraven expedition down parka no. 1). As an all-around waterproof "user" I have the Patagonia Wanaka jacket, and TNF Gotham and Bergans lava down parka. As regular, non-waterproof ones I have an innumerable amount of other down jackets by at least 30 different manufacturers, from el cheapos to quite expensive ones, from "tech" manufacturers like TNF, MHW, Marmot and Rab to the more fashionable ones like Moncler. Then, there are the lightweights. That is, where my question is: WHAT jacket do you wear in this video?? It looks like exactly what I'm looking for...

[@resaismoi]

Thank you for the informative video!

[@kan-zee]

This is a great vid. Thank you so much , for this great education. Cheers ;-))

[@valentynsabulis2858]

Solid review, thank you!

[@johncherry1870]

Thanks for a great video.

[@ov3rcl0cked]

Hey Craig, I'd really like to know how different down treatments perform and how durable they are. I've heard of a few of them, and I'm not really sure if they are much different from each other. An all around video on down would be appreciated. Like caring for a down product. Something I'm unsure of is whether or not I will eventually have to retreat my down jacket. I have a jacket with Q.Shield, and I'm considering getting a sleeping bag with DownTek for the peace of mind. Are there any drawbacks to treated down(breathability, weight, etc)? I have so many questions, and I've found researching these things is often scattered and many times subject to someone's opinion rather than fact. I feel like you guys do a great job of explaining things objectively and without bias, and I'd like to see a video on buying and caring for different types of down gear.

[@Crwf58]

Very informative.

[@smackboy123]

How does the water resistant down e.g. Dridown, Downtek, Q-Shield, compare to synthetic insulation e.g. Primaloft for situations where moisture is a factor? There are a ton of comparisons of treated down vs. untreated, but nobody has tested treated down vs. synthetic in a water agitation test.

[@mrScemp]

What do you think about 3m thinsulation featherless jackets?

[@W4YN0T]

Hi Craig, great comparison :) I wander if you have any idea how warm Rab strata hoodie really is. Would you use it in temperatures below let say -5 degrees Celsius or would you go for down instead?

[@thdjjfsfh]

I have a Rab strata, and strata flex. Depending on my level of activity the strata can be comfortable between 10 to -15c (seating at camp to cross country skiing). -5c is a comfortable hiking temperature with the strata and a base layer. I used the same setup at -25c for running. I was actually really comfortable xc skiing at a windy -31c with a base player plus strata flex and strata hoodie. The hoodie is pretty loose fitting so it might a great outer layer in the winter. Hope that help.

[@kevinyang1464]

I got confused, does primaloft belong to Polartec? I heard few times that he said Polartec primaloft.

[@Lawiah0]

As stated - Quilting with any insulation allows for cold air and water intrusion.

[@usernameuser5573]

So is this supposed to replace a down jacket? Or could this be used as a fleece without the weather layer?

[@stevesassaman]

I'd love to see a comparison of wool loft insulation.

[@varun009]

It's crap. It's heavy and mats down very easily. Worse than cotton. Primaloft thermoplume and thinsulate fatherless are the best IMHO.

[@thepkeezy]

The Rab Strata is no longer available on your site. Is there something that is comparable or a newer model made by Rab???

[@clawhammer704]

I love fleece but wind blows right through it.

[@liamsweeney9238]

what mulicam jacket is that

[@ghpatriot]

I'm curious to see how Polartec Alpha stacks up against Primaloft One in terms of breathability, and durability.

[@ProlitegearPage]

I will try to test that today and upload a video. Thanks! Craig

[@ghpatriot]

ProLiteGear Thanks! I do love my Primaloft One insulation but my closet is full of different Polartec as well and I might just have to give Alpha a shot in my next garment.

[@ProlitegearPage]

Here it is: Primaloft One vs. Alpha - kzbin.info/www/bejne/m3jTYYR7Zt6be6s

[@ghpatriot]

ProLiteGear Thanks so much! Great test and I'm going to definitely give Polartec Alpha a shot.

[@Amer-yl4gb]

down is the KING.

[@MeDLellO]

What do you think of TRESPASS DIGBY MENS PACKABLE HOODED DOWN JACKET? any good value for 60 euros??

[@liosmani9353]

I've had few trespass parkas...they not all that

[@l.d.9903]

You forgot to mention how the feathers are violently ripped from live geese leaving them bleeding and in pain. When their skin is tore, they are sutured without anesthesia. I was about to buy a down jacket but I was wandering how the feathers are collected. What I learned was horrific. Now I'm looking for a good substitute; I will welcome any recommendations.

[@MrHfeet1]

L. D. Haglöfs Essens Mimic jackets are a great synthetic down jacket :)

[@steveh9951]

How is your air permeability machine set up. In the video looks like only one hose is hooked up. One pump one hose with a T connection is not giving you proper result. The air will always leak where there is less resistance causing the other to lose pressure not showing a fair enough result. Two air sources or regulating valves are really need to show any valid results.

[@ProlitegearPage]

There is one hose from one pump going into a common air chamber. Air will follow the path of least resistance which for a side by side comparison demonstrates which jacket is more air permeable. I also think the size of the air chamber, the size of the exit holes, the amount of pressure inside the chamber, the rate(volume) of air moving into the chamber, etc. all make a difference. I could plug the "exit" hole on one side and only test one at a time, or since I have several of these devices put two of them side by side - each with one of the exit holes plugged. If I have time today I will play around with this. Thanks for the question! Craig

[@robertcameronjones]

Why won't anyone provide a numerical comparison between down and synthetics? It's a simple engineering problem.

[@tenhirankei]

You forgot to factor in allergies to certain insulation. Down makes me sneeze!

[@Wuldier]

i clicked on this video in hopes of seeing a Thermal imagery comparison between down and synthetic (in cold would be best)

[@theSaltCat]

I have to say it. Polartec and Primaloft are two completely different companies.

[@Zack_Darce]

Super annoying hum in the background of this video

[@clawhammer704]

Zack8133 sounds like a compact heater running.