Denier (D) is the measure of the weight of a yarn

The fill weight corresponds to the actual amount of feathers inside the jackets. Ounces or grams are generally used as a measure. The higher the weight, the more warmth and comfort.

•Estimated temperature scale

It is difficult to determine an exact temperature range in which you feel comfortable wearing down jackets; however the standardized recommendations are:

•A parka with 2 to 4 ounces of padding (56/113 gr) when you are in environments of 2 to 15 ° C.

•4-, 5-, or 6-ounce (113/141/170 g) down jackets when mercury drops below freezing.

•Weight

For those of you who are backpackers, or those who like climbing, mountaineering, or cross-country skiing practices and who need to carry their own equipment in the snow, it is important to check the weight of the dejected jackets. Him is recommended to take the 8.8 oz (250 gr) towards 10.6 oz (300 gr), which combine in their technology, a light piece, with great compression and heat.

•Shell fabric (denier)

Denier (D) is the measure of the weight of a yarn, and the smaller the number, the lighter the jackets will be. So when you see a lower denier rating, it means that the material is less durable and more prone to abrasion.

Another of the materials used to make down jackets is shell fabric. These are generally lightweight jackets when the shell is 7D. The thickest and strongest would range between 10D and 40D.

•Compressibility

The higher the filling power, the easier it will be compressed. This is noticeable when you search for the premium tiers for down jackets, which are reduced to seemingly impossible sizes, but which recover after just a few minutes out of the bag.

•Hydrophobic treatment of the down

Down jackets unfortunately lose much of their ability to insulate man from the cold when wet, turning into a soggy, agglomerated mass. This is a serious problem when moisture or excessive sweat occurs, which is why some prefer a synthetic jacket that continues to provide warmth even when it is soaked.

To solve this situation, recently, the manufacturers of these clothes began to treat the feathers to make them more resistant to water. They do this by adding a polymer to it before filling the jackets, resulting in better water resistance when there is light rainfall.

•Adjustment

Down jackets have a more informal fit than the ultralight or high performance versions, including torsos, arms and hoods, however, you will see that this adaptability to the body also varies significantly depending on the brand and type of user. For example, the more athletic will prioritize a reduced volume, improved range of motion, and designs with specifications.

•Hooded or no hood?

Most of the down jackets that I have prepared for this list are both hooded and non-hooded versions. The first version is usually a bit cheaper and weighs less, but you don't get the extra warmth and comfort.

On the other hand, this decision will depend on the type of activities you do. For example, for casual wear or as a midlayer for skiing, many athletes opt for a down vest or remove the covering and wear a separate hat. For backpacking and climbing, people opt for hooded jackets and have no regrets.