DuPont Industrial Biosciences, a DowDuPont Specialty Products business, works with customers across a wide range of industries to make products and industrial processes more efficient and sustainable. When the days get shorter and the mercury drops, its time to reach for a winter jacket to guard against the cold. The Sorona insulation also offers unique compression and recovery characteristics making it ideal for packable pieces. These synthetic microfibers are far finer than down feathers, so they can trap more air in less space, which naturally makes for better insulation than down. It maintains its loft wash after wash, so you can look good and stay warm day after day. Your email address will not be published. In order to find your best match, keep these points in mind: Down insulation works well for just about everyone, unless you frequently find yourself in extremely wet conditions or youre on a budget. Sorona Unveils New Brand Website, Customer Portal, New Website Celebrates Common Thread Fabric Certification Program, Apparel Sub-brands. A durable foam insulation board with shiplap edges, DuPont Styrofoam Brand Deckmate Plus Extruded Polystyrene Insulation is easy, fast and flexible to use. With proper care, it can last for decades. Conversely, synthetic products have a limited lifespan from the start, but most can take a beating much better than down. The structure of down provides warmth by creating thousands of tiny air pockets. Its partially plant based which reduces its impact on the environment and certified by the Sorona Common Thread Fabric Certification Program to ensure the origin and the high-performance standards of this innovative, sustainably sourced insulation. Synthetic insulation also tends to be friendly on the wallet and is naturally hypoallergenic. Polyester fibers - naturally hypoallergenic. The ECOLoft eco-elite insulation collection is the first post-consumer recycled product that also incorporates bio-based materials for innovative, breakthrough insulation. It has a high level of breathability, which disperses the excess heat generated during everyday workouts, and can trap an extremely large amount of air, preserving the bodys natural temperature. Duck and goose plumage arent always ethically sourced, but more and more manufacturers are starting to use fill certified by the Responsible Down Standard (RDS). Can we declare a winner in the down vs. synthetic debate? Sleeping Bags for Backpacking: How to Choose, Higher warmth-to-weight ratio than synthetic insulation, Very durable; with proper care, a down sleeping bag or jacket can last for decades, Loses insulating power when it gets wet and takes a long time to dry, Very water-resistant and continues to insulate even when wet, Offers less warmth for its weight than down, Less durable than down; insulating power gets reduced each time the bag is stuffed into a stuff sack, Lighter weight and more compressible than synthetic alone, Less water-resistant than synthetic alone. In addition, synthetic insulation has a slightly higher weight-to-warmth ratio than down, meaning it needs to be heavier to achieve the same warmth as down. For example, if one ounce of down takes up a volume of 650 cubic inches, it is given a 650 fill power rating. The RDS is a global certification given to down products and indicates that the birds were treated humanely and not subjected to unnecessary harm, such as force-feeding or live-plucking. Pic: DuPont. Its used in the outdoors market as well as for home furnishings and bedding in over 500 brands. It is an undercoating, or a natural midlayer. Milkweed fiber is a natural and eco-friendly material that can be used in a wide variety of products, including jackets, sleeping bags, gloves, bedding, and boots. Synthetic insulation is less uniform than down: Market leader Primaloft makes a number of different versions, but you also have FullRange and PlumaFill (Patagonia), Thermoball and Ventrix, (The North Face), Coreloft (Arcteryx), etc. Referred to as frozen smoke because its so lightweight, Aspen Aerogels insulation was developed in a lab 80 years ago and then reintroduced in 2007, when NASA figured out how to use it to keep instruments warm on a Mars rover. [6], Sorona has been used in the manufacture of clothing, residential carpets, automotive fabrics, and plastic parts. Unfortunately, not all Columbia Sportswear Jackets using Omni-Heat are free of animal products. Orif you REALLY want the warmth of down regardless of the weather, you could consider one of theHelium Down Jackets. From jackets and pants to gloves and hats, the only thing Sorona Aura insulation fill retains more than its shape is warmth. Not all insulation is created equal. We consider durability to be a tie, with each insulation having their advantages and disadvantages. Compared to low- and medium-quality down (ranging from about 450- to 650-flll power), high-end synthetics arent that far behindespecially highly compressible insulations such as Patagonias PlumaFill and The North Faces ThermoBall Eco. Environmental Chemistry, CRC Press, 2005, p. 503. If youre looking for some Primaloft insulation with more style, try the AIRS (womens) or the LARSON (mens) by ethical (vegan) fashion powerhouse, Vaute Couture. These ultrafine fibers trap warmth in air pockets, providing great warmth though not quite as good as down. (PRWEB) June 12, 2019 DuPont Biomaterials, Unifi, Inc. and Youngone today announced a new collection of insulation products that offers soft, dimensionally stable and sustainable options for cold-weather garments and bedding materials. Down insulates by trapping air and is prized for being light, easy to compress, long-lasting and breathable. It features three products with various benefits that all offer a reduced environmental footprint without compromising on insulation performance. Once their feathers are ripped out, many are paralyzed with fear and are left with gaping woundssome die as a result of the procedure. The Sorona polymer gives you the opportunity to offer a more eco-conscious product without compromising performance or increasing cost of production. Editors note: REI has adopted theResponsible Down Standard (RDS) for 100% ofREI Co-op brand products with virgin down and feathers. They are, however, a bit less durable than continuous filament and the insulation can move around to create cold spots. However, they by no means create an impenetrable barrier, and will not stand up to truly inclement conditions like sustained rain or snow. This bio-based fiber insulator is lightweight, breathable, warm, quick-drying, and resilient. This partnership brings together two forward-thinking leaders in the materials space to explore new, innovative materials that will combine DuPont Sorona fibers and Thindown to . Synthetic insulation also dries much faster than down. Find materials, components, equipment, MRO supplies and more. Dries quickly, often within a day or even hours. Keep in mind that the quality of down (and therefore its loftiness) matters in this equation: the higher the fill power, the more the down will compress. Thermore, a producer of vegan thermal insulation for apparel and sleeping, has been on the leading edge of thermal insulation technology and continues to be a pioneer in the development of advanced fibers that help your body maintain its natural warmth. Its super warm and light at the same time, giving you that pillowy feeling that you just wont get with synthetics. Although it works in the same way as downbody heat gets trapped by the fibers loftsynthetic insulation in general is less warm, heavier, and less compressible than down. Ingeo is a unique bio-based material made completely from plants. REI and the REI Co-op logo are trademarks of Recreational Equipment, Inc. 24 reviews with an average rating of 3.6 out of 5 stars. If youre looking for a jacket that offers solid warmth at a good value, synthetic insulation is the way to go. Send a powerful message to the cruel industry by pledging to be down-free. About YOUNGONE Founded in 1974 Youngone is a leading global manufacturer of functional apparel, textiles, footwear and gear. Goose and duck down fill are among the premier insulators on earth, trapping air and creating pockets of warmth around your body with very little weight. The lofty nature of the plumage allows it to trap air between its filaments, which is then heated by your bodys warmth. In the end, the most sustainable solution is to buy nothing at all and do what you can to extend the life of what you already own. Hydrophobic down, or plumage that has been treated with a water-repellent coating, is able to resist moisture much better than untreated down and can maintain much of its loft and insulating abilities when wet. And if you do make a purchase, we encourage you to be a responsible consumer and choose products with RDS-certified down or recycled synthetic fill. Synthetic fill does not lose its loft when wet, continues to insulate even when soaked, and dries out quickly. Anyone can join and everyone belongs. Anyone have information on the down feather alternative called DuPont Sorona? It is used primarily in fiber applications, including textiles for apparel and home, office and automotive interiors, residential and commercial carpeting and automotive mats. Its strands require minimal to no quilting, which allows products containing it to be less expensive. Treated well, down products should have a very long life (were still using our dads sleeping bag from the 70s). Other people prefer synthetic insulation. The Sorona design marks, and all trademarks and service marks denoted with , SM or are owned or used under license by Covation Biomaterials LLC or its affiliates, unless otherwise noted. There are important considerations when making a purchase: What is your skill level? DuPont Presents Blended Down Insulated Fabric with the Combination of Sorona Fiber and Thindown Process DuPont Feb 06, 2019 Company Profile Company News Company Website Press Release Summary: Reduces cold spots and adds drape and stretch Offers more sustainable insulated material than traditional down fabric All rights reserved. Here are several thatll keep you cozy without hurting animals: PrimaLoft offers high-performance insulations and fabrics that are 100 percent vegan. Ecoloft ActiVe SR features more recycled + renewable content than industry peers, improved vapor management while maintaining warmth, and the compressibility and soft comfort that is ideal for active adventures. This is because several synthetic insulation materials have been developed over the years that are far superior than down and wont leave you looking like the Michelin man. Its easy to point the finger at down: were probably all familiar with the ethical concerns involved with sourcing feathers, which include ducks and geese suffering live plucking and force feeding. Some products use a blend of down and feathers, but by definition, down is different than feathers. You dont get quite as high of a warmth-to-weight ratio as down, but synthetic jackets resist moisture, can breathe better, and are more Patagonias Nano-Air took the active insulation market by storm, designed to be a synthetic jacket that truly can be worn all day through a variety of conditions and activities. And how does killing an animal protect an animal? Company. (WARNING GRAPHIC) Most sleeping bags are exclusively down or synthetic, but not all jacketsfall neatly into one category or the other: Keep an eye out for down/synthetic hybrids. Plumtech, an exclusive Save The Duck padding, is a synthetic down made from recycled polyester using innovation thats completely animal-free. The store will not work correctly in the case when cookies are disabled. Thankfully, programs like the Responsible Down Standard and Patagonias Traceable Down Standard certify responsibly sourced down, making it possible for the consumer to shop ethically. So a sleeping bag rated +20F with 700-fill-power down will be lighter than a +20F bag using 600-fill-power down (assuming the fabrics and other features are comparable in weight). for your first email from REI. Cleaning down gear requires special care. Thermal R is resilient, has an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio, and is highly durable. Sorona Agile Fabric for Breathable Insulation Sorona Agile by DuPont is a sustainable fabric and spandex replacement for designing high-performance exercise apparel that fits an active, eco-conscious lifestyle. Synthetic insulation is heavier and bulkier than down, requiring more weight and volume to keep you in the comfort zone. This makes sleeping bags and jackets feel soft and flexible, much like down-filled products,and allows for great compressibility. Nature's best insulation, down creates high-loft clusters that keep air and body heat from escaping. REI member since 2006. These include Patagonias PlumaFill, The North Faces ThermoBall, and Outdoor Researchs VerticalX SuperStrand. In the end, synthetic still wins out. Down vs. It provides outdoor enthusiasts with outerwear that allows easy movement and is durable, light, packable, and machine-washable. http://biosciences.dupont.com/solutions/biomaterials/. Both down and synthetic have pros and cons when it comes to performance, so choosing the right type of insulation for your use can turn a cold, uncomfortable outing into an enjoyable time outside. For updates about how DuPont Industrial Biosciences is helping customers deliver cost-effective products with superior performance and sustainability, follow@DuPontBiobasedon Twitter or visit our website athttp://biosciences.dupont.com. Down is picked from birds after they are slaughtered for meat or foie gras and in some cases, by forcibly restraining the animals while they are still alive. Why do you cause their suffering? Proper storage is essential, including keeping your jacket or sleeping bag unstuffed in your gear closet. Sorona Aura Fabric for Breathable Insulation Sorona Aura by DuPont is a sustainably sourced insulation for outdoor clothing that provides warmth and long-lasting shape while reducing the impact on the environment. Without a doubt, down holds the warmth-to-weight crown. The higher the percentage of down, the better the warmth-to-weight ratio will be, and the higher the cost. Although its not a problem for many people, down is not hypoallergenic. Deciding between down and synthetic really comes down to what environment youre venturing into and what activities youll be undertaking. It features more recycled and renewable content than industry peers, improved vapor management while maintaining warmth, and the compressibility and soft comfort that is ideal for active . For the Alpha Industries MA-1 Echo Flight Jacket. About Unifi Unifi, Inc. is a global textile solutions provider and one of the worlds leading innovators in manufacturing synthetic and recycled performance fibers. Down is water-resistant but not waterproof. [4], Sorona can theoretically be produced from about 37% renewable resources as [3] DuPont won a 2003 Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award for their development of the fermentation process for the production of 1,3-propanediol from corn-derived glucose in recombinant Escherichia coli K-12. Unlike down, synthetic insulation is water-resistant and will still provide some warmth if it gets wet. The special vertical lapped, maximized multi-layer, and integral ball fiber production technologies are all enhanced by the Repreve and Sorona fibers combined flexibility, high resilience and excellent volume to weight. Why do you support laws that REQUIRE abject suffering rather than support the RESCUE of those who suffer? It is oil- and animal-free and is known for maintaining its breathability. Fill power is the term used to measure downs ability to loftand thus trap heat. My concern was that this would be the difference between buying a merino (down) vs. polyester (sorona) sweater but I can't be sure on that comparison. How about the courage and decency to NOT harm? Flocus is a revolutionary textile brand producing insulation made with fibers harvested from kapok pods found on tropical ceiba trees. Privacy Statement and Samples of these products will be available at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market June 18-20. A 30-degree down sleeping bag will always pack down smaller and weigh less than a 30-degree synthetic bag. MicroCloud achieves an affordable price point without harming birds, and the filling provides greater health benefits than down does. The quality of the down is directly related to its fill power rating. This makes Sorona a perfect choice for fiberfill insulation in winter gear. Sorona fabrics are tested for content and performance through our Common Thread Certification Program. While synthetic fills have been less scrutinized, they have their own set of issues. 3M Thinsulate is a unique insulation that works by trapping air molecules between you and the outside, providing a breathable and moisture-resistant experience, and its machine-washable. Its used in running shoes, sleeping pads, snow pants, and spacesuits and is extremely effective as an insulator because the holes in it are only 1/10,000th the diameter of a human hair, blocking almost all airflow. And, as with other synthetic materials, Climashield resists moisture and is fairly effective at keeping you warm even when wet. 2023 Covation Biomaterials. That said, some synthetic fills can release micro pieces of plastic into the water during each wash, an issue that is becoming more and more of a global problem. Regardless of the type, warmth is measured in grams per square meter (gsm); importantly, this is not the total amount of insulation in a product (unfortunately, synthetics arent measured the same way as down). By using this site, you agree to our, Solar Lights are Lining Highline Canal Pathway in Tempe AZ, Metal Powder Transfer System Safeguards Particle Shape for Consistent Part Quality in 3D Printing, New Peptide Characterization Services for Development and Optimization of Novel Therapeutics, New PFCT Services for Chromatographic Analysis of Pharmaceutical Preparations, New DC-DC Converters with Efficiency of up to 97%, 4 Vortex Furnaces to Arrive at ASSAN ALMINYUM in Turkey, Top Obstacles Engineers Face in Custom Coils Projects, Quick Release & Spring Loaded Pins: Fast, Convenient and Secure, Four Ways to Retrofit Your Fluid Bed System (Without Replacing It! We are pleased to partner with DuPont, the creator of some of the worlds most outstanding fibers to bring together the best of Science and the best of Nature to create the next evolution of down fabrics, said Ronie Reuben, the inventor of Thindown. Sorona contains 37% annually renewable plant-based ingredients. I wanted to know about the longevity and effectiveness of it vs. down feather alternatives. However, the shell fabric found on synthetic jackets is often burlier and more abrasion-resistant, meant to take a beating on rock, when packed with sharp ski equipment, and around town. Polarguard is a continuous-filament, polyester synthetic fiber that is most commonly used in sleeping bags and outerwear. Synthetic Guide When it comes to staying warm in the great outdoors, some people prefer down insulation. Cleaning the item on occasion can help remove oils and dirt. But your search for a warm, comfortable and convenient jacket that will get you through your ski trip and the worst days of winter does not have to begin and end with down. Its also inexpensive and efficient. The industry is now embracing pure bamboo for insulation in quilts, comforters, and pillows. WILMINGTON, Del. ECOLoft ActiVe SR (35% Sorona + 55% Repreve) is a synthetic, vertically lapped insulation that combines the warmth-to-weight of down with breathability. Down is the soft layer of fine feathers from the breast of a goose or duck that is closest to their skin and grows to form quill, but does not have the hard quill shaft found in the outer feathers of birds. Website Last Modified May 1, 2023. As technology has improved, however, synthetic has made significant headway. Climashield is composed of thousands of continuous strands of synthetic fibers in a distinctive interlocking solution. Thomas Register and Sorona for Faux Fur was one of six innovations nominated for this prestigious award. Down is rated according to fill power, which is directly related to the loft quality. This is primarily because down can take a long time to dry once it is wet, and when wet, it loses many of its insulating properties. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Covation Biomaterials trademarks may not be used in connection with any product or service that is not a Covation Biomaterials product or service. Without a doubt, synthetic insulation is cheaper than down. Very few manmade fibers can match downs warmth-to-weight ratio. This treatment allows down to resist light moisture without compromising loft. Wanted to invest in a down jacket for the winter and saw the MA-1 Echo Flight Jacket. And with either type of insulation, its key to treat it well. Unlike traditional down or synthetic insulation products, this offering optimizes the use of recycled and renewably sourced content for best-in-class insulation solutions, and we look forward to introducing this to the market at Outdoor Retailer.. Try again later. Connect and transact with thousands of top North American companies today, Innovative material brands are collaborating for a single, seamless sheet of Sorona and Thindown fabric offering superior warmth and breathable insulation. Bio-based Sorona fabrics can be sorted into today's 100 percent polyester recycling streams without compatibility issues. In both cases, the birds involved generally live short, miserable lives and die painful deaths for purposes that are absolutely unnecessary. The most common criticism of down insulation is its tendency to clump up and lose loft when it gets wet, thereby losing its insulation properties. Further, synthetic jackets will often have a more sweatshirt-like shell (the Patagonia Nano-Air, for example), rather than the shiny, swishy nature of most down shells. This technology can be found at OROS Apparel and The North Face. Black Diamond, Patagonia, The North Face, and Adidas are among the retailers that offer PrimaLoft. Stay up to date on New Arrivals, email exclusives & more. Unifi continually innovates technologies to meet consumer needs in moisture management, thermal regulation, antimicrobial, UV protection, stretch, water resistance and enhanced softness. Sorona Aura insulation provides long-lasting shape and warmth for any climate, from jackets and pants to gloves and hats. Fill power can vary from around 450 to over 900, with most high-quality down products featuring a fill power of 800 or above. For example, the popular Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Hoody has 3 ounces of 800-fill down, and the REI Co-op Magma 15 sleeping bag features 15.9 ouncesof 850-fill-power down. Thirty-seven percent of its polymer is made using annually renewable plant-based ingredients. It offers a line of jackets and vests with built-in inflatable chambers. In the cruel industry, the birds are often plucked alive for their downthe soft layer of feathers closest to the skin. Thomas Regional are part of Thomasnet.com.
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