Long Down Coats Information

Although they can sometimes look bulky, long down coats are very light and comfortable to wear.  They are often called “walking coats” because of their light weight.  Down is a layer of very soft, fine feathers found under the larger, stiffer feathers of adult birds.  Baby birds are covered only in down until their contour feathers grow in.  The down feathers lack the stiff hooks and barbs of adult feathers, making them looser than the typical “zipped” feather structure.  The loose structure traps small pockets of air, which acts as an insulator.   Down can also be packed into very small spaces and still retain much of its insulating property, as long as it isn’t fully compressed.
These properties make down an excellent choice for insulating cold weather gear.  As long as the down is kept dry and not fully compressed, it is the best insulating material known.  Down can simply be pressure filled into the open spaces of a jacket or coat, or it can be quilted.  Quilting creates small separate chambers within the fabric, holding small pockets of down in place.  Without quilting, the down would tend to settle or bunch up at certain places in the garment and the insulation would be uneven.  A quilted long down coat is generally assumed to be better made than a long down coat without quilting.
A long down coat with hood is called a parka.  Originally, parkas constructed by Alaskan Natives were filled with down, had fur lining in the hood, and were waterproofed by coating the outer surfaces with fish oil.  They were a single piece garment, designed to pull down over the head like a sweater or tunic.  Parkas sold commercially today have zippers or buttons, and are generally filled with synthetic down.  Synthetic down can be used as an insulator in a men’s long down coat or a women’s long down coat.  It is made from acrylic fibers and often has the trade name “Thinsulate.”  It is slightly heavier than natural down, but is significantly less expensive.  While a natural down coat may cost $200, a synthetic down coat can be purchased for less than half that amount.  It also has better thermal properties when wet.
When buying a long down coat, consider the value you are getting for your money.  Do you need natural down, or will a Thinsulate artificial material do?  What is the outer layer, or “shell”, of the coat made from?  This is especially important if you are opting for natural down, because it has very poor insulating properties when wet,  Is the shell quilted, to hold the insulating down or Thinsulate in an even distribution throughout the coat?  Considering these factors will help you make the wisest selection when shopping for a down coat.

Although they can sometimes look bulky, long down coats are very light and comfortable to wear.  They are often called “walking coats” because of their light weight.  Down is a layer of very soft, fine feathers found under the larger, stiffer feathers of adult birds.  Baby birds are covered only in down until their contour feathers grow in.  The down feathers lack the stiff hooks and barbs of adult feathers, making them looser than the typical “zipped” feather structure.  The loose structure traps small pockets of air, which acts as an insulator.   Down can also be packed into very small spaces and still retain much of its insulating property, as long as it isn’t fully compressed.

These properties make down an excellent choice for insulating cold weather gear.  As long as the down is kept dry and not fully compressed, it is the best insulating material known.  Down can simply be pressure filled into the open spaces of a jacket or coat, or it can be quilted.  Quilting creates small separate chambers within the fabric, holding small pockets of down in place.  Without quilting, the down would tend to settle or bunch up at certain places in the garment and the insulation would be uneven.  A quilted long down coat is generally assumed to be better made than a long down coat without quilting.

A long down coat with hood is called a parka.  Originally, parkas constructed by Alaskan Natives were filled with down, had fur lining in the hood, and were waterproofed by coating the outer surfaces with fish oil.  They were a single piece garment, designed to pull down over the head like a sweater or tunic.  Parkas sold commercially today have zippers or buttons, and are generally filled with synthetic down.  Synthetic down can be used as an insulator in a men’s long down coat or a women’s long down coat.  It is made from acrylic fibers and often has the trade name “Thinsulate.”  It is slightly heavier than natural down, but is significantly less expensive.  While a natural down coat may cost $200, a synthetic down coat can be purchased for less than half that amount.  It also has better thermal properties when wet.

When buying a long down coat, consider the value you are getting for your money.  Do you need natural down, or will a Thinsulate artificial material do?  What is the outer layer, or “shell”, of the coat made from?  This is especially important if you are opting for natural down, because it has very poor insulating properties when wet,  Is the shell quilted, to hold the insulating down or Thinsulate in an even distribution throughout the coat?  Considering these factors will help you make the wisest selection when shopping for a down coat.

Tagged as: , , , , ,

Comments on this entry are closed.