Which Is Better - Down Jacket Or Synthetic Jacket 

Seems to me I could have the best of both with a down vest under a synthetic jacket!👍

Thank Trail I really like both and I do use both Great video God's Blessings on all your adventures

Another great video from Trail. It's always the right tool for the job. Will you be hiking long distance? Will it be wet/dry or combo? How long will you be in the field? How strong are you? What will the temp ranges be? So many variables. I love a really tough gore-tex pro rain gear which keeps me plenty warm alone (at it's weight) with merino bases and a mid like a sitka ambient or sg cirque. That covers me in 100% of situations that might arise. My feet/footwear, head/ears and hands are always more of my concern. Those are what make you miserable when cold (

Great video you did a great job expaining and sharing thank you!

This video was great because it was so thorough. Just your opinion, would you recommend synthetic for someone who tends to sweat more so that it handles the moisture better?

Thanks!😊

One down jacket with goretex lining on the outside works best for me. Thus combining the benefits of both into one piece of gear

Maybe a combination of the two is best...layering with a 'down sweater' which is just a light down jacket and then a more durable synthetic over that.

Best bet then is a three in one with a down coat liner and a waterproof shell.

What one do you find yourself using more?

PrimaLoft is a brand of patented synthetic microfiber thermal insulation material that was developed for the United States Army in the 1980s to relpace Down.

How do you compare warmth factor between the two. Down has fill rates like 650 to 900 on average but how can you compare primaloft, primaloft gold, and other synthetics to pick the best weight and bulk to your needs? Thanks for the info!

wool down is a better option. Handles moisture and retains many of the benefits of down.

One thing you forgot to mention (maybe I missed it) is that synthetics lose their loft (And warmth) through loft degradation. I've seen as much as 40% loss.

What about down with a waterproof shell, like a Marmot rain jacket? Will the shell wind up compressing the down too much, thus compromising the insulation ability?

Personally I opt for synthetic. While I understand the benefits of down especially for backcountry hunters who are humping out slabs of meat, I have a military background. Spending weeks on end in filth, dirt, grime, rain, mud etc; Shit happens! Your gear gets wet for whatever reason, you space and leave a pack open or forget that your gear is laying out in the open, you take a fall crossing a creek etc;..... it just happens! I bring that life experience to my present outdoor activities. Durability and non-maintenance is important for me and I'm willing to sacrifice weight for that piece of mind. With all the fatigue and things that we experience in the outdoors... the last thing I need to worry about is wether my down jacket or sleeping bag is safe!

I would never have down in northwest. I suggest testing gear before you need it. I tested gear in freezing rain once and had an epoche fail at 12,000’ missing not one but two giant 6x6’s because i was shivering from cold and wet everything and could not aim

🥇

Big synthetic guy

Down is better. You are not going to be super active in a puffy just saying. I have a synthetic and wish I got the down. I picked synthetic due to being an archery hunter and wanting something more quiet, but if I had to pick one right now it would be down. Mainly due to the weight and compressibility. Look at Kings Camo down as well, another affordable option.

I have multiples of each.... Synthetic takes the cake... I don't care how "hydrophobic" they sell you on down - it all wets out..... Only synthetics will insulate after that point ..... It never fluffs up the same / clumps up. My synthetic is hanging out on my apple tree limb right now getting rained on - it'll be fine...... My down jacket in the back of my truck - it's forever dead...... Goretex isn't water proof neither... It all wets out.

Synthetic

Lol like you'd by both with out that employee discounts you receive 🤣 😉

Does that weight difference really matter for someone that’s strong lol

Neither. Wool is still the best. It’s not even close.