The System of Down: A Guide to Buying, Storing and Wearing

When it comes to combatting the cold, keeping out the wind and braving the awfulness of blizzards, nothing beats a down jacket. With its heat-retaining filling and comfortable, lightweight material, a down jacket does it all.

Down transforms regular jackets into the ultra warm outerwear that makes battling the brutal cold possible. With tundra-like weather showing no signs of slowing, we’re giving you a deeper look into the details of down so you can make this must-have member of your outerwear outlast all the others.

Fabric:

The ideal down jacket needs to be water-resistant, windproof and breathable which means you’re better off opting for synthetic fibers like nylon, polyester and Gore-Tex. A good rule of them when buying is to remember the more weather resistant your jacket is, the heavier and costly it will be.

Filling:

Goose down is fluffy, sustainable and still the best insulation in terms of weight-to-warmth ratio, compressibility and longevity. However, when it comes to getting wet, goose down loses its warming properties and takes a while to dry. If you’re planning on wearing yours in rainier situations, choose a good synthetic filling like PrimaLoft which will keep you warm even when waterlogged.

Storing:

For long-term storage, keep your down jacket loosely folded or on a hanger, in breathable cotton or paper bags. Avoid compressing them or folding them down, it will reduce the down’s warmth-giving loft.

Cleaning:

Dry cleaning chemicals strip the natural oils of goose down, causing it to break apart and can damage certain synthetic shell fabrics. Wash your down jacket in a front loading washing machine using the gentle cycle, warm water and a down-specific detergent. Tumble dry on low with a few tennis balls to keep your down jacket light and fluffy.

When it comes to warmth, comfort and versatility, nothing beats the all-doing down jacket. With the right tips, you’ll have your down jacket beating blizzards and fighting the freeze for infinite cold weather seasons.

It’s time to retire your standard jackets and get down with the down jacket.

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