Insulation Jackets | Outdoor

INSULATION JACKETS AT SPORT CONRAD

Insulation jackets primarily have one task: to keep you warm. They do this thanks to their material – insulation jackets are equipped with down filling or synthetic fiber insulation, or they are made of wool or fleece. They are usually worn as a top layer, but depending on the thickness, you can also use your jacket as a midlayer, under a hardshell jacket for example. Our tip: Since insulation jackets are often lightweight and have a small pack size, you should have them in your backpack on every mountain adventure. At Sport Conrad you will find a large selection of insulation jackets for every purpose and every taste. We have put together some information and tips so that you can find the jacket that suits you.

Breathability

One thing is logical: the denser, warmer and more protective, the less breathable. Insulated jackets with synthetic fiber filling still perform best, as they achieve better thermal performance in humid conditions than down jackets, for example.

Water repellent vs. waterproof

If you take the jacket for ski touring, it should at least be water-repellent. For mountaineering over several days and uncertain weather, your jacket should perhaps even be waterproof or you have a hardshell jacket to put over it. For climbing, on the other hand, a waterproof jacket is not as important. As a rule, iso jackets are not waterproof. Some jackets are equipped with a DWR impregnation (Durable Water Repellent), then they can withstand short rain or snow showers.

Good freedom of movement

The jacket should not hinder your movement. Insulation jackets are usually not very stretchy, so it is even more important that the cut adapts well to your body and that it is neither constricting nor so wide that you could get caught somewhere with it.

Light weight and small pack size

Insulation jackets with down or synthetic fiber filling are naturally quite light. That's handy when every gram counts on your tours.

The right equipment for your needs

If you're a climber and often wear your jacket with a harness, it's important that the pockets are positioned in such a way that you can easily reach them. The same goes for hikers with backpacks: You probably don't want to open the straps of your backpack every time to get to your smartphone in the pocket.

The advantages of insulated jackets with synthetic fiber filling are, on the one hand, the lower price and, above all, the fact that they reliably warm the body even when damp. On the other hand, they are usually somewhat heavier than down jackets and not quite as compressible.

Insulation jackets with wool
Wool is a natural insulation material that is increasingly used instead of down or synthetic fiber. Since animal materials are also used here, you should, as with down, make sure that the wool is fairly obtained. For this there is, among other things, the label RWS (Responsible Wool Standard). Here it is ensured that the sheep are kept in a species-appropriate manner, get good feed and that mulesing is avoided.
A big advantage of wool is that the material is relatively insensitive to moisture and can still keep you warm when wet. Wool jackets are usually lightweight and also have a small pack size. Wool is self-cleaning and robust and also odorless and temperature regulating. However, the thermal performance of down and synthetic fiber jackets is higher.

Fleece jackets
Is a fleece jacket also an insulating jacket? Yes-no. It can certainly be insulating, but not nearly as well as down, synthetic fiber or wool. Fleece jackets with high material thickness always keep warmer than thin micro-fleece. Fleece jackets are often cheaper and comfortable to wear. However, they are not weatherproof and therefore more suitable as a midlayer.

WASHING AND CARE INSTRUCTIONS FOR INSULATION JACKETS

In order to enjoy your outdoor clothing for as long as possible, you should always follow the manufacturer's washing and care instructions. Then nothing can go wrong.
For down jackets, it is often enough to remove stubborn stains with gall soap and air them out well. If you still want to wash it: close all zippers, empty the pockets and turn the jacket inside out. Use a special down detergent. Wash the jacket alone in the washing drum and not at more than 30 degrees, preferably in the delicate or wool program and with minimal spinning. After the main wash, follow with a rinse cycle and then carefully remove the down jacket from the machine!
To dry the down jacket, it is best to put it in the dryer (not too hot!). Tip: Add two to three tennis balls, this will shake up the jacket during drying and the down will be puffed up. If you don't have a dryer, you have to shake the down jacket regularly by hand.
You don't have to wash synthetic fiber jackets all the time, once a season is enough. In principle, all the same instructions apply as for down. The only difference is that you can put other garments in the drum, and you should not use a spin dryer at all. For drying, the same applies as for down jackets.
For insulated jackets with wool, you should use a wool detergent. Do not spin dry and hang dry the jacket (but not in direct sunlight) – never put it in the dryer!
Fleece jackets can usually be washed normally and hung to dry. To prevent microplastics from getting into the water, there are now special wash bags for fleece products.

BUY INSULATION JACKETS AT SPORT CONRAD

Sport Conrad offers a variety of insulation jackets for every purpose. They come in all shapes, sizes and styles and of course for men, women and children. Top brands for down jackets are for example Mountain Equipment, Patagonia, Salewa or Peak Performance. Synthetic fiber jackets are available from Norrona, Vaude or Dynafit, among others. Ortovox often uses Swisswool for its insulation jackets. Fleece jackets are also available from all well-known top outdoor brands in our online store.