Chockstone Forum

      Sponsored By
      ROCK
   HARDWARE

Chockstone Photography

Australian Landscape Prints

Chockstone Forum - Gear Lust / Lost & Found

Rave About Your Rack Please do not post retail SPAM.

Topic Date User

synthetic vs down puffy jackets 16-Jul-2007 At 10:08:47 PM J Qui

Message

Hey there

I own both a Mont Icicle down jacket, and a synthetic that I recently purchased. I love down, and the
fluffy warm feeling I get when wearing it, but due to recent conversation I thought I might try a
synthetic. So I purchased a Lowe Alpine Outer Limits, which comprises of Primaloft insulation.

The idea is this; normally I wear one thermal layer under my Mammut Zenith Jacket (which is very
lightweight and highly breathable) when I am active, and if I then decide to stop for lunch, or slow
down, or get somewhat chilly, I put my synthetic over the top of my alpine shell. That way, my alpine
shell becomes another insulative cell, trapping warm air in...and any heat that radiates through is
further captured in my synthetic jacket. That way, I am not losing heat by taking off my alpine shell to
then put on another insulation layer. It doesn't matter if my alpine shell is a little damp, as synthetic
works just as well when wet. Besides, water should bead or easily shake off good Gortex or similar.

The other bonus is that synthetic gear is usually more durable. When I take my jacket off, I simply
stuff it in the top of my bag, knowing that I dont have to be as gentle than I would if it were down. It's
easier to wash, cheaper, and only weighs approx. 450g....and yes, it stuffs down small enough.

Most of all, it provides as much insulation as my down jacket, and will keep doing so when wet.

To date, never had an issue with this method, and prefer it now!

You could always buy both! We can never have enough toys.