This winter, you’re probably hoping to hit the slopes and bring out your inner snow bunny. At the end of the day, you’ll be snuggled up in front of a fire, sipping on hot cocoa and figuring out how many marshmallows your body can possibly consume. While you’re enjoying the warmth of the fire, it may not cross your mind that another object kept you toasty all day as well: your jacket.
Although thick jackets are vital for a successful winter, we often overlook their importance. Have you ever wondered how your trustworthy puffer keeps you warm?
The idea behind insulation itself is simple: Air is trapped between pieces of material. This material, which is either down or fibers of polyester, keeps the warmth from your body in these pockets, thus preventing you from losing heat. The more air space in a material, otherwise known as “loftiness” or “puffiness,” the warmer it will be.
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Down has long reigned as the most effective insulating material. Coming from the interior layers of a bird’s coat, it is nature’s best blanket. It is lighter, more compressible and has a longer lifetime than man-made synthetics. However, it is much more expensive to buy an object that is insulated with down than one that is insulated with synthetic materials.
Another disadvantage associated with down is that it becomes largely useless when wet. It not only loses its ability to insulate, but clumps together and can’t regenerate without the use of a dryer. Thankfully, technology has come up with a solution to this problem. Nowadays, down feathers are covered in a treatment that makes the feathers water-resistance. Since the formula is applied at a molecular level, it adds little to no weight to the jacket. The solution doesn’t affect the loftiness either, so it’s a win-win situation!
The downside to synthetic jackets is that they’re designed to be generally heavier and bulkier than jackets. That being said, there are high quality synthetic insulators on the market. Synthetic fibers are made from polyester that is spun with super fine threads to create pockets of air. The finer the filaments, the higher quality the jacket. These artificial fibers will also withstand moisture better than down and dry a lot faster on top of that!
These jackets, paired with fleece interiors or waterproof exteriors, are the perfect invention to keep both men and women nice and cozy during the cold winter months. Whether you opt for a lightweight puffer, a full-on parka or a quilted hybrid, you can rest assured that you know where that cuddly warmth is coming from.
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