Down is a natural material, particularly popular for its ability to warm, in which it is virtually unrivalled. Its weakness, however, is rain, snow, water, sweat or any other form of moisture, which interferes with down's insulating abilities.
DownTek Water Repellent Down is a down treated with a patented nanotechnology treatment process that imparts hydrophobic properties to the down, eliminating its weaknesses.
The biggest advantages of down
Down is a popular natural fill, most commonly used in jackets, sleeping bags and bedding. Its processing and use has a minimal environmental impact, less than any other filling material.
No other synthetic or natural material can warm as efficiently as down, and at a very low weight. Down-filled jackets or sleeping bags are therefore extremely lightweight with excellent insulating properties, which is why they are very popular in the so-called "Ultralight Hiking" category. In addition, it is very easy to pack down to a minimal size, as it holds its fluffy shape for a long time - after unpacking, it returns to its original shape very quickly, more efficiently than any synthetic alternative.
Alongside all this, down breathes very well and wicks away moisture efficiently, making it a fill with excellent thermoregulating properties.
WHAT MAKES DOWNTEK DOWN STAND OUT?
When ordinary down comes into contact with water, droplets of water stick to the down fibers. Such wet down loses its ability to heat - the air cushions that take care of the thermal insulation disappear. However, if moisture comes into contact with down that has been treated with DownTek, it hits a barrier on the surface of the down over which it slides down. This leaves the individual fibres dry, able to insulate effectively.
Down treated with DownTek absorbs 30% less moisture than untreated down, stays dry over 900% longer than untreated down and dries 5x faster than conventional down.
DownTek Shake Test Video from DownTek Water Repellent Down on Vimeo.
These properties also make it easier to care for down-filled products, which can be machine-washed without degrading the finish. DownTek states that a down jacket with is able to withstand up to five washes without degrading the quality of the down. However, down jackets really only need to be washed in exceptional circumstances.
The DownTek treatment can be used on both goose and duck down. In most of our products we use goose down, which has slightly better properties than duck down. Their ability to heat is similar, but duck down contains oils without which their structure would break down. If duck down gets wet, it may be accompanied by a typical mild smell.
With DownTek, however, this unwanted effect is also minimised - this treatment both prevents moisture from penetrating to the down fibres and acts as a barrier through which this typical odour does not penetrate as intensely.
However, as the higher the down quality (down to feather ratio), the better the DownTek treatment works, we use a superior quality down, just in cooperation with DownTek itself.
HOW IS THE DOWNTEK TREATMENT APPLIED TO DOWN?
In the past, the DownTek treatment was applied to down using a spray - however, this was not a perfect solution in terms of both efficiency and ecology. That's why DownTek stepped up to a new form of applying the finish to the down, in giant vortex washing machines, using a chemical formulation. The whole process is extremely environmentally friendly and DownTek does its utmost to minimise its impact on the environment.
THE ECOLOGICAL CHARACTER OF DOWNTEK-TREATED DOWN
The DownTek treatment is only used for certified down. This down is only a by-product of the meat processors, which would otherwise become unusable waste. The down is then hand-sorted to minimize the appearance of feathers of substandard coloration - however, such feathers are of the same quality as white ones and occur naturally in the filling.
As of 2018, DownTek does not use any toxic perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), or perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in the treatment of down. These claims are confirmed and backed by Bluesign certification.
Sustainable Down Source from Lauren Fisher on Vimeo.
At the same time, the company continuously monitors its environmental impact through the Higg Index and works relentlessly to improve its processes, not only in terms of quality but also in terms of environmental impact.
