Jacket Smackdown: Down Vs. Synthetic

[wayno]

http://gearjunkie.com/down-vs-synthetic-parka-test

Jacket Smackdown: Down Vs. Synthetic

In the right corner we had professor Chris Minson wearing MontBell’s Mirage down parka. In the left, I donned Mountain Hardwear’s Super Compressor synthetic parka. We traded parkas throughout the week to compare warmth and comfort. Here’s a breakdown from the test.

[GPSGuided]

Interesting how the synthetic packed smaller than the 900-down puffer, at least in the photo.

[beean]

Synthetic insulation seems to have come a long way.

I find higher loft down isn't as warm as they say in windy environments. The wind seems to flatten the baffles and push heat out. Lower loft down seems to resist this, possibly because of overstuffing?

[wayno]

yes i saw an article somewhere which actually measured how warm various garments remained in high winds, wind fleece was about the only one that didnt loose loft. and a fleece with a windshirt was similar. down lost a lot of its loft, and synthetics lost less. thats why you get the synthetic "belay jackets" the puffier down jackets. they stay warmer in severe conditions than down but they are bulkier than normal synthetic jackets
although the original article above doesnt state it, how much of their testing was done standing around and how much on the move, standing around in moderate weather down is always warmer, synthetics dont have anywhere near the loft usually to trap enough heat, its when you're on the move that synthetics are better. hold less moisture, dont loose their loft as easily, denser material can hold enough heat when you're generating more on the move.. i had two synthetic insulation layers on a long haul plane flight once and i was cold.. yet the same jackets always kept me warm in much colder conditions on the move... why was the down colder in the test? if you sweat too much then you loose the advantage of a warmer garment, you're more likely to sweat more with down... the test isnt scientific, it's just subjective.

[beean]

You're right, I don't keep as warm in my synthetic when standing around compared to my similar downie.

I am interested in a synthetic jacket for belay duty though. I've found if it's cold enough that you need one you're probably climbing something wet and/or snowy, so your puffy is going to be wet anyway.. once you throw in a water resistant shell all the weight and compressibility advantages are lost.

[roysta]

You're right, I don't keep as warm in my synthetic when standing around compared to my similar downie.

I am interested in a synthetic jacket for belay duty though. I've found if it's cold enough that you need one you're probably climbing something wet and/or snowy, so your puffy is going to be wet anyway.. once you throw in a water resistant shell all the weight and compressibility advantages are lost.

Try this link
http://www.bivouac.co.nz/patagonia-mens ... acket.html

[beean]

Try this link
http://www.bivouac.co.nz/patagonia-mens ... acket.html

Cheers for the recommendation, however I don't think that's warm enough for a belay jacket in Canukistan.

I've got my eye on a Rab Generator or Plasma parka, that seems suitable with layering for mountain activities.