Down vs. Synthetic Insulation

two women wrapped up in a sleeping bag in the outdoors while pouring coffee

Whether you’re looking for a new sleeping bag or winter jacket, understanding the difference between down and synthetic insulation will help you make the best decision. Both down and synthetic insulated products have their advantages and depending on your lifestyle, you may find one will be better than the other. This guide will outline the pros and cons of each insulation, helping you find the best products for your needs.

What is Down Insulation?

Down insulation is made from goose or duck plumage—the fluffy, lofty undercoat beneath the feathers. Down is a powerful natural insulator that traps in your body heat for warmth even in extreme cold. The lightweight nature of down makes it extremely compressible, so another benefit of down insulation is packability. You can easily travel with a down jacket and store it in the warmer months. This natural wonder isn’t without its drawbacks—down insulation is fairly useless when wet so if you’re consistently facing rainy conditions, down may not be the best fit for you. Down jackets are also typically more expensive than those with synthetic insulation, but down is extremely resistant to deterioration so your down jacket should last a lifetime with proper care.

What is Synthetic Insulation?

Synthetic insulation is comprised of plastic polymer threads typically woven together in a continuous filament or arranged together in batts of filament. Like down, synthetic insulation also works by trapping in body heat. However, synthetic materials aren’t created equally—synthetic insulation is bulkier and heavier than down. The lifespan of synthetic materials is also much shorter than down as the filaments gradually degrade over time. The differences compared to down translate to a lower price tag for products using synthetic insulation. Synthetic insulation dries fairly quickly compared to down, and it still provides some insulation when wet, making it a great option for those in rainy climates.

What Is the Best Insulation?

The answer to this question relies on many subjective factors since the two types of insulation perform differently in a variety of conditions. The bottom line—if price is a concern for you, synthetic insulation is the way to go. Modern synthetic insulation provides a ton of warmth and it performs well in wet conditions. On the other hand—If you want the best quality and warmth-to-weight ratio, nothing beats down insulation. Down will keep you warm in the lowest temps, and products filled with down are highly compressible so you can take them everywhere.

If you have any questions or are looking for more information, head into your local SCHEELS and speak to an Expert to find the best insulation for you.