What a down jacket is all about
Down jackets are very light, breathable and heat insulating. Compared to synthetic fibers, they have a small pack size and are particularly durable with good care. The moisture transport of down feathers allows a comfortable fit. A disadvantage is the long drying time. In the case of wetness, the insulation effect of down can be lost. In addition, the moisture inside the jacket, which is caused by perspiration during sports activities such as hiking, climbing or skiing, is strongly absorbed.
The down is of gray or white color. It is located in the lower plumage of waterfowl, such as geese and ducks. Its three-dimensional structure of keratin has elastic and soft ramifications in which air can store. Air is a natural cold protection that conducts heat badly.
The upper of the down jackets is made of polyamide. In it, the downs are incorporated into chambers, with the seams are usually stitched through. This technique prevents the down from slipping and the body from being heated evenly. In high-quality down jackets, a lining or fabric layer is additionally sewn in to prevent the ingress of cold air.

As the qualitative differences of a down jacket show

The quality of a down jacket is recognizable by the bulk and filling power. The international unit of measure is measured in cubic inches and derived from cubic inches. It measures how well the down can revert to its original state after compression. Also the amount of down determines the degree of insulation. A tight filling, however, has a higher packing size and limits the mobility of the wearer. Also, the ratio of feathers to down affects the weight of the jacket, because feathers have significantly more weight. Due to their natural structure, they can not store heat as well as down.
Down jackets in the outdoor and trekking area have a bulk strength of at least 500 cuin. Down jackets with 600 to 700 cuin are commercially available for everyday wear. High-quality down jackets with 700 to 900 cuin are particularly suitable for extremely cold regions.
Some manufacturers impregnate the down before filling a jacket. The water-repellent effect prevents the down from clumping when wet. In addition, many companies advertise using only the down of slaughtered animals. ME offers a „Down Codex“ to follow the path of extraction. Manufacturers such as Jack Wolfskin, Vaude, The North, Mammoth and Patagonia have committed to a complete documentation and independent control to down.

Their origin dates back to the 80s
The very first down jacket for women was red. It was launched by Moncler in the late 1970s. At that time, the company sold more than ten thousand units in Milan. But as soon as it rained, the jacket soaked up water and became uncomfortably heavy. Mid-80s was no longer interested in the jackets. Meanwhile, the elegance of down jackets has returned and has captured all ages. Today, Moncler’s lightweight jackets are wearable in any weather.
For the care are special detergents for down. Appropriate products are offered by TOKO, Nikwax and Granger’s. For down jackets, the laundry by hand proves to be gentler, especially with thick filling. Those who prefer to resort to a machine wash at 30 degrees, should pay close attention to the care label of the manufacturer. Wool or down programs with minimal spins are best. The drying should at best in the clothes dryerrespectively. To do this, the drum will be two Tennis ballsattached.
The winner of the down jackets for women was the hip-length Jack Wolfskin Baffin with 80 percent down. It turns out to be very soft and durable. Elegant and high quality is the Boss Orange Odorella with 70 percent down and a hood with faux fur. The Kabru Hooded by Vaude is also very high quality processed with 90 percent down. The CMP down jacket for women is the winner with 90 percent down in the price-performance ratio of the tested products. The offer includes a sack bag. A high collar characterizes the Revend hooded down by G-Star. The Hilfiger Denim Maria and the Zenon XT by Jack Wolskin are also worthy of commendation due to their high-quality workmanship.