The Feathers That Keep You Warm - Everything You Need to Know About Down

A down jacket is an essential piece in most Canadians' wardrobes, offering warmth and comfort during our frigid winters. If you've ever wondered what down is, why we use it and how to pick a down jacket, you're in the right place! 

What is Down and Why is it Effective?

Down is a layer of fluffy clusters found under the tougher, waterproof feathers of ducks and geese. If you've ever wondered why a Canada goose seems to stay warm in freezing temperatures, it can be attributed to down!

The fibres that down is constructed of are fine and can expand to fill an area much greater than their size, allowing it to trap air and making it an efficient insulator. Most of the volume taken up by a down jacket (or other down product) is air, making it extremely lightweight and packable (perfect for all you backpackers out there). When it comes to keeping you warm in dry conditions, down is unmatched! For information on how to layer and when to use synthetic or down, check out our guide to layering!

What is Down-Fill Power?

When looking at the specs of a jacket, you've probably noticed the term "down-fill power". Manufacturers use this as a way of conveying how warm a down-filled item is, the higher the fill power the more it insulates. More precisely, this term tells you how much volume a 30-gram cluster of down takes up. The down-fill power scale usually ranges between 500 and 900, most Patagonia gear will land on the higher end of that scale.

Higher down-fill power doesn't always mean warmer (although it is a good indicator), a lower-rated down jacket could simply have more in it to compensate. To put it simply, higher down-fill power translates to more warmth relative to the weight. If you're looking for a warm, lightweight and packable jacket, go with a higher down-fill power rating!

Where Does Patagonia Source Their Down?

In order to enforce quality-of-life standards for the birds who supply the down such as avoiding live-plucking and force-feeding, all of Patagonia's virgin down is RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certified. RDS certification ensures that the down was sourced ethically and can be traced from the farm to the final product. A significant portion of the down Patagonia uses is recycled 600 - 700 fill power goose and duck down, reclaimed from cushions and bedding.

Photo Credit: Rob Naughter

Our Favourite Down Jackets

Down Sweater: This is a classic down jacket, perfect for just about anything you throw at it! The windproof shell is made with 100% postconsumer recycled nylon ripstop made from recycled fishing nets. The jacket is filled with 800 fill-power RDS down offering a great insulation-to-weight ratio!

Fitz Roy Down Hoody: For those seeking something more technical, the Fitz Roy Down Hoody is a great option! Designed for done-in-a-day, cold-weather alpine missions where moving fast and taking less is essential, this jacket is a packable, midweight belay hoody with 800-fill-power 100% RDS down.

Jackson Glacier Parka: Ideal for those in wetter climates, the Jackson Glacier Parker is rainproof, windproof and filled with a toasty 700 fill-power 100% recycled down to keep you toasty! This jacket combines technical elements with a casual style, guaranteed to keep you warm, dry and comfortable.