DOWN:
Lighter, loftier, and more compressible than its synthetic brethren, down insulation is the way to go for ultralight outings and any trip where pack space and warmth are precious commodities. The price of down is noticeably higher, but down provides more insulation per ounce than any other material and will outlast a synthetic piece by up to five times if cared for properly. The major “down” fall (sorry, we couldn’t resist) is its susceptibility to moisture, which keeps the down from lofting and essentially renders it useless. If you’re headed somewhere that’s guaranteed a soaking, choose a waterproof down garment or go with synthetic.
SYNTHETIC:
From soggy backpacking trips to exposed belay ledges, synthetic shines in conditions that turn down into a useless clumpy pile. Synthetic fill, usually made from spun polyester fibers that imitate goose down, insulates even when wet, which makes it ideal for any time cold and moisture combine forces. And if you’re an environmentalist or goose rights activist, you’ll be happy to know that many companies now produce synthetic fills from recycled polyester and other reclaimed materials.
