Should I pick down or synthetic insulation? | Rab Lab
Should I pick down or synthetic insulation?
Although down and synthetic insulation share many of the same properties, there are certain situations where one is more suitable than the other.
So how do you choose between a down jacket and synthetic insulation? Which is best for you depends on the activities you’ll be doing, the conditions you’re likely to face, and how restricted you are on weight.
Unrivalled warmth for weight. Thanks to its lofting capabilities, down traps warm air within its fibres and provides an impressive thermal barrier for minimum weight. Its warmth-to-weight ratio is unmatched by any other type of insulation.
Highly compressible and packable. Because down is so light and airy, a down jacket can be easily compressed and stored in a stuff sack, so it takes up less space in your backpack.
Long-lasting. Down continues to perform well over the years with little degradation, unlike other types of insulation. Good care for your down jacket means you'll be able to use it for a lifetime.
Copes best with moisture. Synthetic insulation operates at around 80-95% of its dry performance when wet. This makes it ideal for use in damp environments, such as cold, wet Scottish winters. Although it's not waterproof and you will still get damp, you'll stay much warmer than you would if you were wearing a down jacket.
Fast-drying. Synthetic insulation is very easy to clean and dries much more quickly than down.
Resilient. If you manage to snag or tear your jacket, you’ll lose less synthetic insulation due to the nature of its construction. Synthetic sheet insulation will stay put completely, while loose fill will escape less freely than down thanks to its weight. That means you’ll stay warm until you can send it to us for a repair.
