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Style & Inspiration

A selection guide you must read before buying a down jacket

10 Jan 2023

The cold weather is coming and we are about to have one of the coldest seasons of winter, which means that we have one more essential piece of equipment in our closet, that is the down jacket. In this season, the down jacket is the undisputed winter warming tool. Not only does it give you a warm embrace, but it also keeps you stylish during the harsh season. For many people, it is not easy to find a down jacket that suits them in this cold season because there are various kinds of down jackets in the market. This post will bring you a down jacket shopping guide to help you choose a down jacket that is both warm and stylish to keep you warm and in style in this cold season.

So let's talk today, how exactly should you go about picking a good down coat? We hope this down jacket shopping guide will give you useful advice and guidance on how to find the best one for you during the cold winter months. Let's get started!

What Is A Down-FIilled Jacket?

A warm winter jacket with a filling made of swan or duck down is called a down jacket. The percentage of drops relative to other lining components may be different. Warm, consider the value of more than 70%. Jackets with a lining of other insulating materials (fur, feather, synthpop) are not down jackets.

Goose Down Or Duck Down?

There are two main types of down on the market today: goose down and duck down. Let's see how to choose and why GOELIA uses only 90% white goose down.

The down and feather structure of ducks and geese is almost identical, but there is still a difference. To avoid falsification, manufacturers pay particular attention to the species origin of the raw material. In particular, there are special devices that allow for unmistakable identification of down. Thus, at 100x magnification, the monitor shows the difference between the beards of down-perch geese and ducks. During the growth of goose down, most of the nutrients are obtained by eating grass. The body structure and nutritional structure of a goose determine that it will preferentially eat grass. As a result, goose down is usually white and odorless.

Goose down is larger, bulkier, and lighter. The duck down feather is slightly smaller, but denser and heavier. This is because the "nucleus" to which tufts are attached in duck down is slightly larger than in goose down.

All waterfowl protect their feathers with the secretion of sebaceous glands, but duck down, unlike goose down, contains much more of this fatty protection. Consequently, cleaning raw materials requires additional efforts by producers. To destroy the specific odor, duck down must be seriously treated with special detergents, which reduces the service life of such down in pillows and blankets. If a blanket made of goose down can last 20-25 years, then duck down – only 10-15 years.

And finally, last but not least. The goose is the only one of the domestic bird that allows itself to be plucked during its lifetime. During down collection, only mature feathers are removed, which guarantees the quality of the final product.

Down Fill Power

Fill power is a measure of the height or "fluffiness" of a down product and is loosely related to the insulation properties of down. The higher the filling power, the more air the down of a certain weight can trap and, therefore, the more insulating power the down will have. Fill power ranges from about 300 (inch3 / ounce or 175 cm3 / g, or 75 mm/30 g) for feathers to about 900 (inch3 / ounce or 520 cm3 / g, or 225 mm/30 g) for the highest quality goose down. Rare and relatively expensive down from some species of wild waterfowl, such as musk duck or common eider, may have a higher filling capacity than goose down.

Weight

Another clear advantage of down as an insulator for winter clothing is its lightness. For example, an ordinary men's down jacket with Fill Power 550 weighs less than 1 kg, and an extreme jacket (Supernatural model by The North Face) with Fill Power 950 weighs only 370 grams and is designed for high-altitude climbing. In addition, the natural down is so soft that it allows you to move freely without restricting your movements. The use of membrane fabrics and various elements significantly increases the weight of the down jacket. Thus, the weight of the down jacket refers to the quality of the filler and the product as a whole.

Can Down Jackets Be Waterproof?

The waterproofness of a down jacket depends on its fabric and treatment. Generally speaking, normal down jackets are not waterproof. Down jackets are usually filled with down, while their outer fabric is usually a lightweight and breathable material such as nylon or polyester. These fabrics are usually somewhat water-resistant and can withstand light drops of water or drizzle. However, they are not water resistant for long periods of time and cannot block large amounts of water from entering the interior of the garment.

To increase the water resistance of a down jacket, additional treatments can be applied, such as coating it with a water repellent or using a special waterproof fabric. Some down jacket brands offer products with specially designed waterproof fabrics or coatings that are effective in resisting rain and moisture penetration. These waterproof treatments keep jackets dry and comfortable in rainy or wet conditions. For outdoor activities or where a higher level of waterproofing is required, choosing a down jacket with waterproofing features may be a more desirable option.

Material

Down jackets are usually made of a very light material – polyamide, polyester, or nylon. It is also possible with leather, but this is for urban conditions and turns out to be quite expensive. In addition, natural leather weighs much more than fabric, is much thicker, and requires a very delicate attitude. Technological disadvantages are compensated by beauty and luxury.

Polyester is a synthetic fiber, the main advantage of which is high wear resistance. It practically does not wrinkle, does not fade in the sun, does not let moisture inside, and protects against wind. Secret: It is even used in the reinforcement of car tires, so it is strong.

Polyamide is also made of synthetic fiber. The threads for this fabric are woven in a cross-diagonal method, which allows the material to keep water inside and gives it the ability to withstand water column pressure of up to 1000 mm! The vapor permeability of polyamide is up to 6000 grams of water per square meter per day. That is, up to six kilograms of moisture evaporates through a piece of this fabric per day. This material dries perfectly and removes vapors.

Nylon is also very lightweight and has high wear resistance, and durability. Increased moisture retention and vapor permeable properties of nylon allow companies to successfully use it in the production of down jackets.

Size Selection

It remains to be seen how important it is to pick up the size of a down jacket. Relying on standard tables today is not possible. One reason is the love of oversize. Different manufacturers may have an oversized value. Therefore, it is desirable to request specific sizes from the manufacturer or seller.

We remind you that outerwear should not fit too tightly to the body. Otherwise, you will not be able to put anything extra under it. At the same time, excessive oversize can also play a cruel joke. Wide jacket flaps are easy prey for cold winds. When trying, raise your hands, bend over, and sit down. Every manipulation should be done easily. If the seams start to crackle, it is not your size.

Of particular importance is length. The most popular option is up to the middle of the thigh. However, for frosty weather, we recommend taking jackets to the knee or slightly below. Short models are suitable for sports or outdoor activities.

Features 

Adding a belt to your duffle coat is a stylish choice that can greatly enhance your overall appearance. It cinches the waist, creates attractive curves, and accentuates the body shape. As well as being aesthetically pleasing, a waist belt can help keep your down jacket firmly in place, especially in windy weather, ensuring that cold winds do not penetrate your down jacket. This practical and stylish addition not only adds style but also provides practical protection from the wind.

Another important detail you should not forget. Look at the cuffs and don't let snow, rain, or wind get inside the jacket through the sleeves. Cuffs are made for extra protection from wind so it does not blow into the sleeves. A mandatory detail for those who will wear a coat for a walk with a child, skiing or tubing, as well as for any other activity. Most often, cuffs are made of elastic bandage, jersey, or lining fabric.

If you want to find and purchase a really high-quality women's down jacket that will last for several seasons, then you have come to the right site. Goelia offers excellent models of winter clothing, which are optimal for daily use, as well as for long winter walks or active sports, such as alpine skiing.

Good down, high-quality life needs the clothes with high quality. GOELIA 90 white goose down, a good down jacket choice.
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