Down, which is made up of goose or duck feathers, is a popular insulation for clothing and sleeping bags. It has advantages and disadvantages versus synthetic fibers. Your choice will probably depend on what factors are most important to you--there is no clear winner.
Physical Properties
Down is light and can be squeezed down into a tight space, making it more convenient to pack for traveling. Down is also "thermostatic," which means it can both keep you warm and keep you cool.
Environmental Issues
Down can lose as much as 80 percent of its effectiveness if it gets wet. For this reason, you may want a waterproof down jacket, which is more expensive than a normal one. You may also be allergic to goose or duck feathers.
Dealing with Wetness
Furthermore, wet down takes a long time to dry compared to most synthetic fiber.
Cost
Down feathers are not cheap, whereas synthetic fibers can be mass-produced. This means that a jacket insulated with synthetic fiber is usually cheaper--and these fibers can be water-resistant as well.
Maintenance
Down insulation can be damaged by the normal washer-and-dryer cleaning process, whereas synthetics don't need special treatment.
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