Down vs Synthetic for puffy jacket

[DIY]

looking for a direction on this. Down or Synthetic?

 

[Upcountry]

I'm a bit of a jacket junkie(not expert), but I'll chime in with my two cents...
It depends on what you're expecting out of it and it's use. If you need the lightest and most packable warmth, then you cannot beat down. For under a pound you can have a ton of warmth shoved into a small nook in your pack, it's worth it. However synthetic has it's place, especially when you are expecting some wet weather. There are some new down jackets that are treated to retain more warmth when they get wet, but I haven't ran these through their paces. I will say that 95% of the time I pack a down jacket for my backcountry trips whether hunting, or just backpacking. On the other hand, when I'm heading on a fishing trip, I pack synthetic nearly every time.

 

[kodiakfly]

^^^^Pretty well said.

It all depends and they each have their place. I'd love to use down but I'm a synthetic kinda guy.

 

[5MilesBack]

I have yet to find a synthetic puffy that's anywhere near as warm as a good 800+ fill down puffy, and the down puffys are about half the weight and pack much smaller. However, wet down is useless........so use accordingly, and wisely.

 

[COSA]

I used to use down puffy's. This year I tried the synthetic First Lite Umcompagre and am very impressed with its warmth and design. Weight and compressability is barely noticeable.

 

[MuleyFever]

I got a First Lite Umcompahgre and sold it. While a nice item it is too heavy and does not pack very small in its pocket. I will most likely get a down jacket now. I still want to try a different synthetic one.

 

[5MilesBack]

I got a First Lite Umcompahgre and sold it.

As did I. I was still using a down puffy under it to stay warm anyway, even in the 40's.

 

[Becca]

I have yet to find a synthetic puffy that's anywhere near as warm as a good 800+ fill down puffy, and the down puffys are about half the weight and pack much smaller. However, wet down is useless........so use accordingly, and wisely.

This is spot on. At this point, I am ok with keeping both a treated down jacket (made by GoLite) and a synthetic fill jacket (Barney's super cub) in our gear closet because it just depends on the trip. I think I actually prefer the treated down, as its lightweight, packs down small, has an insulated hood and is just generally cozy. Have been careful not to get it soaked thus far, but I feel the treatment offers me at least some insurance in the case that it got wet. That being said, if wet weather is expected for days on end, or its a fly out where extraction may not be possible in the event of a bad storm, I often bring the super cub along. While heavier and a bit less cuddly feeling, it's proven itself to be warm even when I have gotten the sleeves wet, and it has a much more water resistant shell.

When we goat hunt Kodiak, I usually bring both as long as weight allows. The synthetic stays in basecamp, and I haul the down up the mountain with me. No such thing as overkill when you might have to weather out a storm on "the rock"

 

[AXEL]

I have had and used several examples of both in BC/AB for years. I always use my Primaloft jackets/vests when hunting and keep my downies for interior-BC winter wear.

I like to wear one of the synthetic pieces while sitting and watching and wear a fleece camo OVER this or, in the open, windy mountains, an eVent or "Neoshell" light parka. I buy the lightest models I can find and layer these with a Pl. vest in severe cold.

 

[Broomd]

I have both....an Intergral Designs in synthetic and Montbell UL in down.

For a dry Idaho fall elk hunt in high country the down is the bomb; hunting goats on Kodiak? Leave the down at home....synthetic all the way.

Ideally a guy should have both and use appropriate to the specific outing and location. If you opt for one for all hunts go synthetic for warmth and relatively quick drying.

 

[luke moffat]

I have both....an Intergral Designs in synthetic and Montbell UL in down.

For a dry Idaho fall elk hunt in high country the down is the bomb; hunting goats on Kodiak? Leave the down at home....synthetic all the way.

Ideally a guy should have both and use appropriate to the specific outing and location. If you opt for one for all hunts go synthetic for warmth and relatively quick drying.

Agree 100% and do the same. Though I leave my synethic stashed where the plane dropped me off as a back up and take the treated down jacket up the hill with me on Kodiak. Do the same with a sleeping bag as well.

 

[Aron Snyder]

looking for a direction on this. Down or Synthetic?

If I could only buy ONE, it would be synthetic, as it works in all climates.

Having said that, you can't beat down for warmth to weight ratio.
I had several clients, guides and hunters use hydrophobic down and standard down this year. It was great until it got wet.....then they were wishing for synthetic.

A lot of your decision should be based on the layering system you choose/use and the area/climate you're hunting.

Good luck with your decision!

 

[mtnclimber]

If I could only buy ONE, it would be synthetic, as it works in all climates.

Having said that, you can't beat down for warmth to weight ratio.
I had several clients, guides and hunters use hydrophobic down and standard down this year. It was great until it got wet.....then they were wishing for synthetic.

A lot of your decision should be based on the layering system you choose/use and the area/climate you're hunting.

Good luck with your decision!

What were you observations as far as hydrophobic vs. standard down?

 

[Matt W.]

I really want try out a jacket that uses PRIMALOFT's GOLD INSULATION DOWN BLEND. Intriguing technology...

http://primaloft.com/insulation
http://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/20...ith-new-down-synthetic-blend-for-outdoor-gear
http://www.gearinstitute.com/gear-news/industry-news/item/primaloft-performance-down-blends
http://gearjunkie.com/primaloft-down-blend-jacket

This technology is pretty interesting... At least to me.

 

[mtnclimber]

I really want try out a jacket that uses PRIMALOFT's GOLD INSULATION DOWN BLEND. Intriguing technology...

http://primaloft.com/insulation
http://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/20...ith-new-down-synthetic-blend-for-outdoor-gear
http://www.gearinstitute.com/gear-news/industry-news/item/primaloft-performance-down-blends
http://gearjunkie.com/primaloft-down-blend-jacket

This technology is pretty interesting... At least to me.

Very cool! I wanna check out that black diamond jacket

 

[martin_shooter]

http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en/mens-insulation-primaloft.html#start=8

Looks pretty neat for sure

 

[cuerro viejo]

Columbia turbo down

Shell: 100% nylon 30D Micro Rip-Stop
Lining: 100% polyester Omni - Heat™ Reflective Microtex DP
Insulation: 800 fill goose down + Omni-Heat™ synthetic insulation, 60g

It gets cheaper the lower down fill and higher the synthetic.

My only complaint is the fabric is a little shinny on the 860, but very warm and very light weight

 

[n2horns]

http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en/mens-insulation-primaloft.html#start=8

Looks pretty neat for sure

Wish they show fill weight. I hate manufacturers that down show how much insulation the are putting into garments. During the black Friday specials, I picked up an Arcteryx Atom AR jacket for a great deal, I like the fit of it, very trim 120 primaloft one body, 80 chest 60 hood. Room for a Arcteryx Atom LT vest 60 grams primaloft one. Backcountry dot com was having great sales too.

I'm set on down products for dry times, and now set on wet days with synthetics. I need to find a vest with 100 or 120 grams primaloft one or equivalent. I get cold in my chest and if i can keep that warm i can adjust other layers ie., thinner outer jacket if needed.

 

[doverpack12]

Are you sure the atoms use primaloft? I know the new ones use coreloft. Would take a pretty big change In design to use those two different insulations. I prefer synthetic on my legs and down for my upper body mostly for mobility and durability. Extreme moisture isn't an issue most of the time where I am.

 

[Poser]

I sure do love my Feathered Friends Helios. 7.8 oz of 850+ fill. After 15+ years with a TNF, The FF is freakin' toasty!