Down jackets - the best insulation not only for outdoor enthusiasts

Did you know that a down feather jacket is not an outer layer belonging only to rugged climbers, polar explorers and other extreme winter enthusiasts? You can enjoy down feather products more often than you think and there is no need to worry about upkeep. How do you choose a down feather jacket or vest? We have summarised all the important information we have discovered in our years of experience with down feathers at Kilpi for you.

Why down feather? Is it warm?

With down feathers, even the best technology often fails to overcome millions of years of natural evolution. Of course, synthetics are bringing a shift in some areas, but you may wonder how much they play into the cards of insulation of the trusty down feather, that extra soft feather, sometimes referred to as fluff. Don't be fooled by its softness, it simply insulates the best in the world. It is important to distinguish between insulation and warmth. Down feathers do not warm, just like all other insulating materials. What keeps you warm is the air in the air pockets. The down feathers prevent circulation and insulate heat from the environment. Another advantage of down feathers is the excellent weight to heat ratio and packability. For example, the total weight of the KENAI women's vest in a size 36 is only 200g, the men's PYRAMIDEN down jacket for alp skiing and hiking weighs in at just 400g in a size L. Simply pack both into the small bag included with your purchase.

A summary of the main advantages of down feather:

superior insulation properties
lightweight
trouble-free collapsibility

Filler capacity and CUIN concept

A key parameter that tells you a lot about the quality of a down jacket is the filler. Its unit is CUIN, short for CUbic INches (cubic inches).You can think of fullness as fluffiness. The higher the number, the fluffier the feathers and the greater the volume. A CUIN less than 500 represents below average, a CUIN greater than 600 represents high, if not outstanding quality. A high number also means more air volume with a lower filler weight. At Kilpi, you will most often encounter a CUIN value of 650, as in our women's down jackets, e.g., VERNON-W, as well as men's jacket such as the SVALBARD-M.

When and what to use down jackets and vests for?

Down feather is the king of dry conditions. High mountains, autumn-coloured forests and winter urban jungles can present perfect conditions for wearing down clothing when it's dry, cold or bitterly frosty. Its insulation allows you to be perfectly warm, enjoying a pleasant internal climate. Typical uses for down feather jackets include downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, ski mountaineering and winter hiking, but there's no reason not to take one of these stylish jackets, like the GUUS men's down jacket, out on the town. And did you know that a down feather jacket does not necessarily have to serve as an outer layer? The lightweight PAPILON jacket can be used as an insulating layer under the top layer of waterproof clothing (e.g., HASTAR-M or NALAU-W jacket). Down feathers do not like humidity, which causes them to stick to each other and lose their insulating properties because the air pockets disappear. The placement of down feathers in the individual chambers of the jacket does not prevent this, and the water-repellent surface of the fabric is at least a partial rescue from moisture.

Summary of the use of down feather products:

all types of skiing
mountain hiking
autumn and winter walks
urban winters
and whenever it's dry!

How to take care of down feather products? What about longevity?

Are you now afraid that your down feather jacket will get wet and lose its properties? Don't hang your head! Once the down feather has dried, they insulate the same as before. There is also no need to worry about the washing machine, as well as the loss of longevity. Washing a down feather jacket has its own specifics, of course, as does the subsequent drying. But it's no big deal, look:

How to launder a down feather jacket:

empty the contents from your pockets and zip up all the zippers
use a detergent without fabric softener or down detergent and wash without wringing at 30°C
after rinsing, just drain the water from the drum
remove the jacket and only lightly wring out, do not twist to wring
dry the shaken down feather jacket with a towel by lightly compressing it
for drying, choose a ventilated room and a drying rack on which to spread the jacket horizontally
turn the jacket after a short while and re-shake
always dry in the shade
when drying in a dryer, dry at a low temperature up to 30°C
done, you can enjoy all the cool features of your jacket again!

The symbols with information on the label of each Kilpi jacket will help you with washing. When this is not necessary and you have only discovered one spot or smudge, opt for a damp sponge or cleaning cloth instead of washing. Once winter is over and it's time to put your down jacket to sleep for the summer, store it ideally in the open. Such care will guarantee extra longevity of the product and reinforce your belief in the power of natural materials!

Explore all of Kilpi's down feather jackets here.