In the harsh conditions of the Russian winter, any person wants to have warm and high-quality outerwear that will protect from the cold and wind. The best solution in terms of price-performance ratio is undoubtedly a down jacket.
Now on the Russian market there are many options for down jackets, made in a classic, sporty and casual style and belonging to different price categories. Not sure what will be trendy this season? Type down jackets winter 2014-2015 in Yandex , and everything will immediately become clear. But the most important thing in a down jacket is, of course, the quality of the material, filler and accessories, so let's talk about this.
Filler composition
Down jackets are usually called down jackets. In order to be sure that it is a down jacket in front of you, and not a jacket on a synthetic winterizer, you need to read the composition of the filler on the product label. If the English word “dawn” is present there, then you can be sure: this is a real down jacket.
In the production of down jackets, eider, goose and swan down are used. Eiderdown is the warmest, but also the most expensive.
If the label also has the word “feather”, it means that a certain percentage of feathers have been added to the down. A filler consisting only of down is extremely rare, as this significantly increases its cost.
The percentage of down to feathers affects the heat-saving performance of outerwear. If you need a winter down jacket, choose a model with at least 75% down.
The word “wool” in the filler indicates that the jacket is stuffed with batting, and the word “polyester” suggests the presence of padding polyester. These materials are used in the production of inexpensive models, which are inferior in their properties to real down jackets.
Down characteristics: elasticity, distribution
An equally important characteristic of the filler is the elasticity of the down - on the label it is referred to as FP. High-quality fluff has this figure of at least 550. In fact, it is easy to check: roll the sleeve of the product into a bundle and evaluate its thickness. The thinner the tourniquet, the higher the elasticity of the down.
A couple of minutes after the experiment, make sure that the sleeve has returned to its original shape - this is necessary proof of the high level of elasticity of the down.
The distribution of the fluff into individual blocks affects the shelf life of the product and its ability to recover after washing. Blocks should be medium in size, no more than 20cm in length and width.
Quality fittings and finishes
Before buying, carefully inspect all the seams of the model you like on the outside and on the wrong side: they should be even, without interrupted threads.
Pay attention to the quality of the fittings used: rivets, buttons, locks and fasteners. They will last you a long time if they are made of durable materials.
Branded models feature studded branding and fabric straps on the tongue of the closures for easy fastening with gloves. Also, the original product can be recognized by a transparent plastic bag attached inside with a sample of fluff inside.
Appearance
The style of the down jacket is a matter of taste for each individual buyer, and the length of the down jacket should be chosen based on individual needs. Short models are suitable for car enthusiasts, and longer ones for pedestrians.
It would be more rational to purchase a model with a hood: it will protect you from gusts of cold wind, and in sunny weather you can simply unfasten it.