DOWN VERSES SYNTHETICS?

One often talks about down versus synthetic padding. The advantages of down are that the material is light, compressible and binds a lot of air and thus heat. The disadvantage is that the down loses a large part of its volume and insulating ability when the material gets wet, and also dries slowly.

Jackets with synthetic padding, on the other hand, perform just as well in high humidity and precipitation because synthetics do not absorb water as easily, and dry quickly. However, it does not heat as efficiently. At the same time, development is constantly advancing.