I racked my outdoor mind for a while and again it was a struggle, so I decided to approach it from a different perspective and as it was the first time choosing I could select something which has been about a bit longer than a year. I have given it the name Functional Insulation.

The variety of this type of insulation is huge now. A lot of brands are creating their own synthetics, we have an Icebreaker jacket, the Helix, in for test that contains merinoLOFT.

Our natural insulation is being engineered to get the best out it, feathers are being coated to repel moisture: Hydrophobic Down. There are multiple providers, including Nikwax used by Rab and Downtek used by Jottnar. Downtek say that there is no measureable difference in weight once it is dry treated.

So with the same light compressible garments now losing the issue of getting wet where does that leave the synthetic insulations?

Synthetics are getting more advanced too. Our recent post on Polartec Alpha shows how it is designed to adapt to use and “regulates” the body’s core temperature. We tested the Montane Alpha Guide jacket and it performed well. There are varying types and weights available for different uses and zoning. Primaloft is the same calibre of insulation.

Natural untreated down will remain will still be available for a while, environments like the Alps and uber cold places like the polar caps don’t really need to have treated down. However there may well come a time that hydrophobic is the minimum.

There are hybrids already around that use synthetic in hard wearing areas like shoulders and down around the core. The scope for this will only get better as hydrophobic becomes the norm and synthetics continue to evolve.