Is LoftTek Better Than Down Insulation?

Subscribe to join the tribe:
kzbin.info...
Is Our New LofTek Better Than Down Insulation?
There are a couple different types of insulation on the market, namely:
- Bonded insulation (synthetic)- comes in sheets. Keep insulation together and spread uniformly. Works when wet, easier to take care of, cheaper, a little more breathable and forgiving of extreme temperatures because it doesn’t need coating.
- Down insulation: warmest weight to warmth ratio. Very compressible, more maintenance involved, can “wet out” or gets wet and collapses as insulation and doesn’t insulate. Even our StormLoft (DWR treated at the down level) has some risk of wetting out.
Where is the happy medium? Is there a product that can do the good things from both these types of insulation? That’s where loose-fill synthetics come in.
There are a number of different types of loose-fill synthetics that are basically trying to mimic down. They’re lightweight and compressible, but they have pros of synthetic (insulate when wet, affordable, breathable, etc.)
We’ve met with some of the most reputable insulation companies in the world to see what they have to offer. For a while didn’t find anything we quite liked. When there was something we were interested in, we would look at the companies that used that type of insulation and the products they made. After testing out some of these products we just weren’t quite satisfied with the performance of the insulation. Some insulations are a bit too clumpy or have a variety of other issues.
A few months back, we came across a great company to work with and were able to produce what we call LoftTek™ insulation. LoftTek™ insulation is the closest thing to down insulation we have ever seen without actually being down. All the individual plumes look just like plumes from down and are amazing in mimicking down, especially in what we’ve tested.
LoftTek™ insulation is a hollow-filament polyester fiber that’s about 2.5 denier, so it’s a very small fiber which also helps with its thermal efficiency. It’s actually been rated. We sent it into the IDFL (International Down Laboratories for Testing), and they typically test down. However they tested our LoftTek™ as if it were down, and it rated as a 525 fill-power by them. Essentially LoftTek™ is rating as a little bit of a lower quality down, but retaining all the properties of a synthetic. The fibers have been siliconized so that as it comes in contact with water, the water won’t stick to it but kind of just drains out. This also makes it anti-static.
Why is anti-static nature such a great thing? It makes the insulation more stable. One of the hardest parts of using loose-fill synthetic insulation is stability. If it’s not stable enough, you have to sew it into tiny baffles, which brings in more opportunity for cold air to seep in on those baffles.
Here are some more pros of LoftTek™ insulation.
LoftTek™ is way more compressible than bonded insulation. Those big sheets don’t compress down very well. It’s light-like down, giving it a higher weight to warmth ratio than other synthetics. Unlike down, LoftTek™ remains warm when wet, and it dries a lot faster as well. It’s more breathable and doesn’t require the down-proof coated fabric, which allows for more air movement. LoftTek™ is easier to wash and take care of than down.
Another pro for LoftTek™ is that it is not a byproduct of the meat industry. All of our down is responsibly sourced, meaning it is a byproduct of the meat industry and not acquired by live-plucking, but LoftTek™ is completely synthetic and not related to the meat industry in any way.
Story Time:
Tayson was out hiking and testing out one of our jacket prototypes that use LoftTek™ insulation. It’s as warm as a down jacket and is lightweight and compactable. Most of the day the weather was sunny and warm and Tayson was just packing the jacket. However, the weather suddenly changed while he was up on the mountain and it started hailing and snowing. Tayson threw on the jacket and found that it heats and insulates like a down jacket. It ended up being a blizzard up there so some of the jacket insulation got “wetted out”. However, despite being wet, Tayson remained warm inside the jacket. The blizzard stopped about 45 minutes before he got back to his vehicle. During those 45 minutes, Tayson’s body heat basically pushed the moisture out of the jacket and he was almost dry by the time he got back to the vehicle.
In this instance, you can kind of see how LoftTek™ gives you the benefits of both synthetic and down insulation.
We are really excited about LoftTek™ and will be using it in some of the upcoming products we are developing. Stay tuned for more info on those, and we hope to see you all on the trail!
Subscribe to join the tribe:
kzbin.info...

[@OldPackMule]

From one who sweats more than most, thank you. You may have a new customer. Going to check these products now.

[@ElderHiker]

Thanks for that excellent comparison analysis of the insulation types. It helped clear up some lingering questions that I had about synthetics and I will definitely be in the market for LofTek garments.

[@AndrewElkins]

Looking good Tayson! Sending more folks your way.

[@brucefluth3930]

As a new backpacker this year, and having to get all my gear for my kiddos and I, I’ve really had to watch what I was spending. Having said that, you guys are my absolute go to on any upgrading I do. Keep the great ideas coming!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for the support! We'll see you all on the trail!

[@JoMoClimber]

Very informative video. I can’t wait to purchase one of your loftek jackets!

[@shailycripe8807]

Bought one of those 30 degree quilts that you “messed up” on. Had it out a couple times into low 50’s and it’s done just swell. Best mistake I ever spent $50 on! Video quality has really improved. So excited when I saw that the jacket packs into itself!

[@robwenman8179]

do they sell seconds?

[@BackcountryAddictions]

Love the idea of the jacket! I’ll take a medium!

[@KuntryRD]

Definitely very interesting! Moisture is a reason that I really don't like down jackets; you have to baby them and keep them dry or you freeze. But synthetic jackets are bulkier and usually heavier. This stuff may change how I do jackets. Nice video.

[@jimtrouten7529]

Good video on the principals of outdoor insulation! Even touching on down-proof fabrics and breathability. Nice.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Glad you liked it!

[@Gingerbreadman369]

love what you're doing brother . OV has come a long way the past couple years.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Thanks for the support!

[@EspenFrafalne]

NICE! Cant believe i have not checked out your store sooner :)

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Let us know if we can answer any questions for you!

[@ed5042]

have been watching your website for the vests jackets with Loftek, anxious

[@bobwampler3387]

Sounds great.

[@fancyname5997]

Great video seems like a great company

[@joeso8114]

It does look interesting. I think it would be great for a bag, but would not think it will be as warm in a jacket as something like CLIMASHIELD. One of the big issues with a jacket is how much heat loss there is with all the sewing making the baffles. Very interested in hearing reviews as this product is in use for awhile.

[@MichaelMiddletonTBH]

I need that jacket for a September elk hunt! There's a whole market out there just waiting for you to fill it! ;)

[@TaysonWhittaker]

We are doing what we can!

[@wastelandviking4547]

My god man... how do you not have 100000 subs...love your content... caught you through an ad on @theoutdoorgearreview P.s. EPIC BEARD by the way🤘💀🤘

[@davidhristu6742]

Do you know around or have an update about what part of august the insulted long wide pads are going to be back in stock? Thanks guys! Keep up the good work! Cant wait for the jackets! Do you know how they will be priced relative to the ov-light series sleeping bags? Cheaper, the same, or more expensive?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

We don't have an exact date yet for the pads to be back, but hopefully sooner rather than later. We don't have a price to be released for the jackets just yet. The kick-starter will be in July!

[@awksedgreep]

Love your new top quilt. Is there one in the works with LofTek?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

We do currently have a LoftTek top quilt. Here's a link! outdoorvitals.com/collections/underquilts/products/lofttek-15-degree-ultralight-backpacking-topquilt

[@MatthewChristiana]

Very interested in that Jacket.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

That makes the both of us.

[@griz795]

Tayson, when do you think you'll offer that jacket with lofttek?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

We'll launch a kickstarter for them in July, and then should be shipping out the first batch to customers in late September.

[@georgiandanielpadurariu2808]

Outdoor Vitals hey Tyson . I want to buy one but ... how can i select the size ?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

You select the size and color once the campaign is over and your payment method is charged!

[@sailor-rick]

Wow! I just found this vid and went straight to your website. Very soon I will be buying a topquilt/bag. And, maybe a hammock.

[@MrEMann]

As a confessed 'gear abuser' (I want my gear to take care of me rather than me constantly having to baby my gear. Lol) I am looking forward to seeing the jackets and hopefully sleeping bags. 👍

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Stay tuned, we plan on a kickstarter for the jackets in July! More LoftTek insulated products are likely to follow shortly.

[@waltercorneto4560]

Have the problem of loft tek leaking out of the adventure jacket been corrected ..

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Yes, even though all our testing we never duplicated the problem we are still going to add an additional coating to the fabric!

[@arpudli8962]

you dont need a sleeping bag broooo hahaha, you have it on your face

[@67Bubble]

The thing that was a shocker to me was that the LofTek was rated as a 525 fill... that's probably the warmest synthetic insulation I've heard of

[@hashimfur9680]

Isn't thermoball meant to be as warm as a 600 down of the same weight?

[@187WCB]

@@hashimfur9680 thermoball costs a lot more.

[@hashimfur9680]

@@187WCB thermoball is generally cheaper than down, you can pick them up for about £60-90 in the sale and im guessing US markets would be similar.

[@andymarc3tims222]

Get that jacket on the market right now!

[@joeantonicci8920]

I LOVE MY LOFtTek jacket more than any I have don't know why your clearing it out

[@TaysonWhittaker]

Time for new innovation.

[@ForsakenXennial]

Long term compress ability? Meaning can i keep it in a stuff sack stored in the truck?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

We don't have any tests yet on compression for LoftTek. So right now we believe it will function as a normal synthetic as far as compression goes. We don't recommend you keep any bags stored like that for really long periods of time.

[@ForsakenXennial]

Outdoor Vitals. Thank you. Love what you're doing

[@Tsar239]

How can I purchase some of the insulation? I can't find it on your website.

[@TaysonWhittaker]

We'll have more products using the LoftTek insulation in the coming months!

[@Tsar239]

Outdoor Vitals, So you won't be selling the insulation as a stand alone product?

[@goodgearguy4582]

based on his description, I believe he's using Allied Feather and Down's Loftech, which you can buy by the lb here: www.downlinens.com/products/premium-washed-down

[@smokey9467]

Do you have an idea what this jacket may cost?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

We don't have price points yet, but we are getting closer to that.

[@bihlygoat]

I’ve read and experienced that synthetic insulation, especially short fiber, loses significant loft when it is compressed - even if not for long periods of time. I would be interested to see you report on how much loft is lost by compressing LoftTek multiple times. I’ve seen some top-end synthetics (Prima...) lose 1/3 of their loft after just a few times being compressed.

[@goodgearguy4582]

This is my main concern with this type of fill and it's the one unknown that prevents me from using it in my own MYOG projects. Short filament insulation that was used in the past was extremely vulnerable to repeated compression cycles. More recent continuous filament insulations like APEX fare better, but absent any other information, I'd expect this to perform more like the short filament insulations of the past.

[@billseay6399]

Hey how much is the jacket

[@TaysonWhittaker]

It's $97 today only (october 30th 2018), and then the price will go up.

[@blakeryals8284]

This could change everything

[@TaysonWhittaker]

We think so too!

[@cashroyale9001]

The Outdoor Vitals LoftTEK jacket is not warm & the design is poor. Every seam connecting the baffles alows airflow. This airflow is what allows cool / cold air to penetrate through the jacket. The seams also allow body heat to escape. I purchased the 2022 version of this jacket & Outdoor Vitals has still not addressed the issues since it's original release for the Kick Start.

[@AmericanDrainWorks]

can you wash this jacket?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

We recommend washing with cold water and mild detergents in a machine without an agitator. Then hang drying.

[@mattmiller1179]

Looks like a cool fiber, and I am glad to share in the advances in the industry. However, I am curious if most average viewers understand where synthetic fibers come from. I just find it noteworthy that you tout how responsibly sourced Loftek would be (no, you do not specifically state this, but that sure seems like the inference to me even though you only phrase it in terms on not being a "meat byproduct"). Of course, the truth of the matter is that any synthetic fiber is nowhere near a "responsible" decision since it is made straight from petroleum products. Not trying to make this a political discussion, but I would like to challenge any viewer to think about their impact on this world by using ANY outdoor product. I know a lot of people who are so gung ho about being vegetarian but while on the trail, and around the city, they are sporting their 800 fill power down jacket harvested from killing birds that these same people would stand aghast at their "imprisonment" and "torture." I also know a lot of people who tout the other side of the argument that responsible sourcing dictates we leave no trace all while sporting their awesome fossil fuel petroleum product jacket as they paddle their largely petroleum product kayak. It is a damned if you do, damned if you don't scenario. Of course, there are more than plenty on the other side of the argument all-together, who say they are all about conservation as they go out shooting animals for sport so that they can mount that full curl ram on their wall. I'm not saying there is a right answer, because clearly this scenario doesn't seem to have one, unless we are returning to a fully sustainable harvest of natural fibers like wool (although it should be noted that sourcing wool comes with the same problems listed above, though you don't have to kill a sheep to get wool). Even better, qiviut would be an awesome resource, but I am not ready to debate with people who have no clue that qiviut is perfectly sustainable, as the musk ox shed that layer every year). Any way, this has gone much longer than I anticipated when I started. The TL; DR version: there is no way around the fact that if we want to enjoy the outdoors, humans are forced just like every other aspect of our lives to cannibalize either living animals, or animals that died last week, last year, or last ice age. EVERY ONE OF US is responsible to take a good long look in the mirror before we talk about anything in the outdoor product world being "responsibly sourced." /rant

[@FlyfishermanMike]

Matt Miller Agreed. Pick your poison and drink up! There are certainly more animal/earth friendly options but you'll never be UL.

[@dheibeljr]

But how do you buy it!?!?! I hear about all these insulations but can never find a retail seller of the insulation itself! It is always a sleeping bag or jacket or other useless shit i have no need for. WHY do these companies make it so damn hard to buy the insulation on its own!?!?!? I sew my own stuff I just want to be able to buy insulation and only the insulation but its so hard to find with these niche speciality synthetics!

[@revanslacey]

Loftek or lofttek?

[@TaysonWhittaker]

LoftTek.

[@rileypatterson1208]

Cold air doesn't come in. Heat goes out. FYI

[@jasonzevenbergen6338]

Cold air can come in, heat is then transferred into that cold air because it is a lower temperature than the things around it. You're right that cold cannot be transferred, but low temperature air can certainly enter a jacket through baffle stitching.

[@thomaslinton1001]

Puffery!

[@coltonsandlin6508]

Can you make pants out of that

[@TaysonWhittaker]

As an insulating piece? That's good food for thought!

[@hermit6208]

Are you spending a lot of money on that beard?

[@Gingerbreadman369]

love what you're doing brother . OV has come a long way the past couple years.