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Choosing a down jacket
How do you choose the right down jacket and how do you know what you need? We would like to help you with that in this article about choosing down jackets.
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Why should you choose a down jacket?
In addition to the fact that there is a jungle of down jackets and many different providers, it is important to understand what makes a down jacket unique and why you need one. Down jackets are, among other things,
- Light and warm at the same time
- Takes up very little space and can be packed down to almost nothing
- Soft and comfortable to wear
- Long durability if cared for properly
Additionally, down jackets can be used for a wide range of activities and help outdoor enthusiasts all year round in various ways. In the summer, down jackets are used on cold evenings. In the spring and autumn, they can be used as an outer layer and transitional jacket, and in the winter, they can be used as a mid-layer on really cold days.
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What to look for
The first thing you, as a future down jacket owner, should focus on is what you will use the down jacket for:
Should you use it for skiing, hiking, everyday use, or something else entirely? If weight is an issue, it is especially important to look at the quality of the down, as this determines the weight of the down jacket.
If weight is not a factor, it may be advantageous to look for a down jacket with lower quality down, as this can often save you some money.
Relevant questions
What activity should I use it for?
Regardless of what you will be using your jacket for, your choice of down jacket should reflect the activity you want to use it for. If it is primarily an everyday jacket, how warm you want the jacket to be and what season the jacket will be used in will determine which one you choose. If you are looking for a winter jacket , a warmer down jacket will be the best choice.
Water-repellent down jackets
Some down-filled jackets have a DWR treatment, which makes them somewhat resistant to rain and drizzle. These jackets come in different degrees, depending on the outer fabric, which can be made of either nylon or polyester. In addition, the weave will affect how water-repellent the jacket ends up being. Read more about washing and caring for down jackets to see how to maintain your down jacket and its water-repellent effect.
Down jacket as a midlayer
They can be used as an outer jacket or as a mid-layer, but when does it make sense to have a down jacket as a mid-layer? This is often the case when you go out in colder and rainier weather, where a shell jacket will act as the outer layer of your outfit. There are water-repellent down jackets, but it is usually best to keep your down jacket away from too much rain. In colder and rainier weather, a down jacket as a mid-layer will be a perfect measure. It is also possible to take a layer off and on depending on the temperature and weather. The down jacket can also be compressed and packed together, so it takes up very little space in your bag or pocket. If you are skiing, where weight is a factor, a lightweight down jacket under a shell jacket will be preferable, and with a weight of around 250-350 grams you will not notice that the jacket is on under the shell. Here it is important to consider whether you should go down a size to get a tighter-fitting down jacket that has the necessary space for a jacket over it.
FP (fill power), filling power, filling power or CUIN
The quality of the down is described in several different ways, but the most important thing is that the higher the number, the higher the quality. So what does 900 FP (fill power) or 700 FP mean, for example? It is a measure of how much air a certain volume of down can fill. Higher FP therefore indicates that the down is larger and better at retaining the air between the down and therefore also the heat. It does not indicate how warm the jacket is, but rather that less 900 FP down is needed to achieve the desired warmth than a 700FP. Therefore, when you are looking for a down jacket, you should keep an eye on this number to know how high the quality is and how light the down jacket ends up being. Often the filling will contain 90/95% down and 10/5% feathers, as it is impossible to remove the small feathers and fibers among the fine down.
With or without hood
When choosing a “classic” down jacket, you need to consider whether you want one with or without a hood. This depends on the activity and where the jacket will primarily be used. The advantage of the hood is of course that it protects the head and provides extra warmth and comfort. If you spend a lot of time in shelters or sleep outdoors in very cold weather, a down jacket with a hood will provide the final protection for your head to keep you warm. A down jacket without a hood is most often seen in connection with climbing or skiing, where a jacket is without a hood and the hood will get in the way of maximum freedom of movement.
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RDS certified down
It's important to ensure that the down in your jacket is ethically sourced. Be sure to look for Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certification, which ensures that the down has been sourced in a humane manner and can be traced all the way back through the supply chain.
The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) is an independent, voluntary global standard developed to ensure animal welfare throughout the supply chain. It's much more than just a logo - it's a guarantee that the down in your clothing does not come from birds that have been subjected to unnecessary abuse.
https://textileexchange.org/responsible-down-standard/
Here are several reasons to prioritize products with RDS certification:
- Ethical animal welfare: RDS ensures that the down does not come from birds that have been subjected to unnecessary harm, such as force-feeding or live plucking.
- Traceability: RDS certification requires full traceability throughout the supply chain. This means you can trace the down from "farm to wardrobe", ensuring transparency and trust in where and how the down was produced.
- Independent Third-Party Verification: RDS certification includes rigorous checks by independent third parties that ensure compliance with the standard at all levels of the supply chain. This gives you additional assurance that the down is produced ethically
- Contributes to sustainable change: By choosing RDS certified products, you support an industry that takes responsibility for its impact on animal welfare and the environment. Your purchasing decision sends a strong signal to producers about the importance of ethical and responsible practices
- Increased quality and durability: Down from RDS certified sources tends to be of higher quality as the birds are healthier and their down is better preserved. This leads to a product that is warmer, more durable and has a longer lifespan.
