What does fill power mean?
Fill power is a number that indicates the relative quality of down. The number comes from a lab test that measures how many cubic inches of loft one ounce of that down fill produces. Higher fill power numbers indicate greater loft and insulating efficiency.
What is fill power of a down product?
Fill power is a measure of the loft or "fluffiness" of a down product that is loosely related to the insulating value of the down.
What is fill power of down insulation?
Fill power measures the amount of space one ounce of down will occupy in cubic inches. Higher fill power means the down will have better quality, higher loft, and will retain its firmness longer. This is because higher fill power means the down can trap more air which allows for greater insulation.
What is the difference between high and low fill power down?
Higher fill power means the down will have better quality, higher loft, and will retain its firmness longer. This is because higher fill power means the down can trap more air which allows for greater insulation.
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What Is Fill Power?
Fill power is a number that measures the fluffiness and quality of a down product. Fill power measures the amount of space one ounce of down will occupy in cubic inches. Higher fill power means the down will have better quality, higher loft, and will retain its firmness longer. This is because higher fill power means the down can trap more air which allows for greater insulation. Common fill power measurements include 650, 750, 800 & 850.
How to compare fill power?
Comparing our Down & Feather Co. ultra-premium Hungarian white goose down sourced, cleaned, packaged and shipped by our team to other down in the market is going to be a challenge. All down is not sourced from the same species, from the same geography, cleaned the same and certainly not packaged, shipped and stored in a climate controlled room with moisture barrier floors installed and designed specifically for our down. All of those variables can and do significantly impact the way the finished goods; pillows, comforters and mattress toppers perform over time.
What does down fill power mean for pillows?
Fill power represents the size and quality, loft and how long a pillow will retain its firmness. The higher the fill power the higher the quality, the higher it will loft and the longer it will "retain its firmness" (i.e. years it will last). DO NOT use fill power as a "measure of firmness", 850 fill power down pillows are NOT firmer than 650 fill power down pillows.
What does fill power mean for down comforters?
Fill power represents quality, loft and how warm a down comforter will sleep. The higher the fill power the higher the quality. The higher the fill power the higher your down comforter will "puff up" and loft. If you are looking for a big billowy down comforter then you will want to look at our Quality Rest™ Winterweight down comforter or our Natural Nights™ Winterweight down comforter. They will loft the highest, last the longest and sleep the warmest.
What does fill power mean for Feather beds?
Fill power represents quality, loft and longevity. Fill power is a very important factor for an item like a feather bed given that all your weight will be compressing the down clusters underneath you for, hopefully, 8 hours. The larger the down cluster the higher the quality. The higher the quality longer it will retain its loft and firmness. DO NOT use fill power as a "measure of firmness", 850 fill power down feather beds are NOT firmer than 650 fill power down feather beds. However the 850 feather bed will last longer.
What does higher fill power mean?
Higher fill power means the down will have better quality, higher loft, and will retain its firmness longer. This is because higher fill power means the down can trap more air which allows for greater insulation. Common fill power measurements include 650, 750, 800 & 850.
Why are fill powers not created equal?
And, since higher quality fill powers are also larger comparing them to other fill powers becomes a challenge. The reason is all fill powers are not created equal even within the same fill power especially when compared across different manufactures.
What is fill power?
First off, the term “down” refers to the fine feathers found on a young bird, or under the tougher, exterior feathers of an adult bird. Down makes a great insulator for birds and it does the same job when it’s inside your favorite down jacket or gilet.
How is fill power measured?
Fill power is measured in a lab, where an ounce of down is slowly compressed for one minute then measured for volume. The volume of that ounce of down in cubic inches equals the fill power of that down, so 300 cubic inches equals a fill power of 300, which is the lowest fill power you’ll find in gear, while the highest fill power is around 900. In short, fill power describes down’s ability to fluff back up after being compressed – the more it can fluff up, the more air it’s able to trap which means more heat provided for your body.
What does higher fill power mean?
Again, the answer to this question lies a little in what you need the gear for. Higher fill power means higher quality and also higher price . Assuming you want a jacket that will keep you really warm and packs down small, you’d be better off looking for one that contains a smaller amount of higher fill power down.
What is the best fill power for down?
Anything below about 450 is considered low quality down and anything above 550 is considered high quality. The best quality down is goose down, which compresses less than other types of down and therefore traps more air, providing more warmth. So objectively speaking, a down item with a fill power of 900 is the best. That said, it really depends what you need it for.
What is down in a bird?
First off, the term “down” refers to the fine feathers found on a young bird, or under the tougher, exterior feathers of an adult bird. Down makes a great insulator for birds and it does the same job when it’s inside your favorite down jacket or gilet.
Is down fill power equal to fill power?
However, not all down is created equal and fill power, also known as “loft,” refers to the fluffiness of down and is a way to measure its insulating capabilities, or essentially its quality. Down insulates by trapping air, and the more air a certain weight of down can trap, the better it is at keeping you warm.
Who is Julia Clarke?
Julia Clarke is a staff writer for Adventure.com. She is an author, mountain enthusiast and yoga teacher who loves heading uphill on foot, ski, bike and belay. She recently returned to her hometown of Glasgow, Scotland after 20 years living in the USA, 11 of which were spent in the rocky mountains of Vail, Colorado where she owned a boutique yoga studio and explored the west's famous peaks and rivers. She is a champion for enjoying the outdoors sustainably as well as maintaining balance through rest and meditation, which she explores in her book Restorative Yoga for Beginners , a beginner's path to healing with deep relaxation. She enjoys writing about the outdoors, yoga, wellness and travel. In her previous lives, she has also been a radio presenter, music promoter, university teacher and winemaker.
What exactly is fill power?
Fill power determines the loft or ‘fluffiness’ of down. Higher fill power reflects better quality down that’s capable of:
How much power down does an Epiq jacket take up?
As an example, our Epiq Down Jackets are filled with 600 fill power down – so in the above test, one ounce of this down takes up 600 cubic inches of space.
Why do people wear down jackets in Kathmandu?
The down: Provides an exceptional amount of warmth for minimal weight. Offers a comfortable feeling. Compresses easily. Down jackets are worn for warmth and to protect you against the wind.
Why wear a down jacket with a higher power number?
Benefits of wearing a down jacket with a higher fill power number. If the down in your jacket has a higher fill power number, the: Larger the down clusters will be – which are generally stronger and able to loft more fully. Warmer it will be for its weight.
What does the power number on a jacket mean?
But what does that really mean? The fill power number on your jacket comes from a standardised lab test and indicates how many cubic inches one ounce of down occupies with a standard weight resting upon it. A higher number means the down takes up more space and is capable of trapping more air.
How much power does a down jacket have in Kathmandu?
Kathmandu’s down jackets range in fill power from 550 to 800. But what does that really mean?
Why is down with a higher fill power better?
Why? Because down with a higher fill power will trap more air and create a thicker layer between your body and the environment.
How does down insulation work?
Down jackets keep you warm the same way goose down keeps geese warm— which is also the same way the newer synthetic insulation materials keep you warm. By trapping pockets of warm air close to the skin, keeping the warm air in and the cold air out.
How warm is a 650 down jacket?
A 650 down fill jacket with 330g of down may be as warm as an 800 down fill jacket with only 120g, but the 650 fill jacket will be bigger, heavier and take up more room when stuffed in your pack.
What is an outdoor research down jacket?
Whatever your down insulation needs, Outdoor Research makes the down jacket for you. (All Outdoor Research down jackets have been certified by The Responsible Down Standard (RDS), ensuring that the down and feathers come from animals that have not been subjected to an unnecessary harm.
What does higher down fill rating mean?
A higher down fill rating doesn’t necessarily mean one jacket will be warmer than another. The down fill rating number is a measurement of down quality, meaning the cubic inches of loft one ounce of the specific down produces. A higher rating means less down fill is required to capture the same amount of heat.
When was the first down jacket made?
Considering the first commercially available down jacket was produced in 1936, that’s an impressive run. Outdoorspeople everywhere still stuff down jackets into backpacks before a trip mainly for the aforementioned three reasons: they keep you warm, they’re lightweight and they pack down to a very small size.
Is goose down insulation good?
Despite the release of new, high-tech insulation technologies just about every season, good ol’ goose down is still one of the warmest, lightest and most-compressible insulation materials available. Considering the first commercially available down jacket was produced in 1936, that’s an impressive run. Outdoorspeople everywhere still stuff down jackets into backpacks before a trip mainly for the aforementioned three reasons: they keep you warm, they’re lightweight and they pack down to a very small size.
Does down insulation work in wet weather?
But while synthetic insulation may outperform down in wet weather, down still comes in first in cold, dry environments. Also, down jackets almost always weigh less and compress more than their synthetic counterparts, providing the same amount of warmth at a fraction of the weight.
How is down fill power determined?
As you can imagine, measuring down fill power isn’t as straightforward as measuring something like weight. There’s no magic scale out there that can instantaneously determine the fill power of your down jacket.
Does a higher down fill power mean more warmth?
It’s a common misconception that you need to have a high fill power down to stay warm at night. In fact, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
What does 950 fill down mean?
So, using a higher fill power down, such as 950 fill down means more loft, more warmth, and a lighter, less dense, and more compact sleeping bag or jacket than what you’d find in a model with 600 fill down.
What is loft insulation?
Basically, loft refers to the overall fluffiness of down, or any other fibrous insulation, such as the synthetic insulation you might also find in summer and winter sleeping bags.
How to measure fill power?
Instead, fill power is generally measured by placing 1oz (28g) of down inside a large graduated cylinder. Then, researchers will place a weighted disk on top of the down to compress it for approximately 1 minute.
How warm is a sleeping bag?
In fact, you can get very warm sleeping bags rated to -20ºF (-29ºC) that have a fill power of 650. These bags are plenty warm, but they’re just not very light or compressible.
What does higher fill power down mean?
As you can see, a higher fill power down has a much larger volume than a lower fill power alternative of the same weight, or, in other terms, higher fill power downs are less dense . As a result, high fill power down has more loft, which means they can trap a whole lot of warmth at just a fraction of the weight.
What is fill power?
Fill power is a measure of the loft or "fluffiness" of a down product that is loosely related to the insulating value of the down. The higher the fill power, the more air a certain weight of the down can trap, and thus the more insulating ability the down will have. Fill power ranges from about 300 (in³/oz or 175 cm³/g or Lorch 75 mm/30g) for feathers to around 900 (in³/oz or 520 cm³/g or Lorch 225 mm/30g) for the highest quality goose down. The rare and relatively expensive down of certain wild waterfowl species such as the Muscovy duck or Common eider can have higher fill powers than goose down. Higher fill powers are associated with a larger percentage of down clusters and a larger average down cluster size.
What is the difference between 550 and 700 fill power down comforters?
The warmth of a down comforter depends not only on the fill power, but also on the quantity of fill. So the difference between a comforter with 550 fill power down and a comforter with 700 fill power down is that the 700 fill power down comforter will be lighter for the same warmth rating. High fill powers are most important for weight sensitive applications such as backpacking.
How does down insulation work?
Down (or any insulation) provides warmth by trapping a layer of air that separates the cold side from the warm side. A thicker layer of trapped air gives more insulation. This thickness is often called "loft." A comforter that uses 550 fill power down, for example, would have to use approximately 40%-50% greater weight of down than a similar item that uses 800 fill power down to provide the same loft.
How to restore fill power of down?
The fill power of a down article can be restored by washing the article in a washing machine with or without detergent (mild) and dried in a home dryer. Tennis balls can be added to help fluff the down.
What is power down test?
All other things being equal, bedding or garments made with high fill power down are lighter and more compressible than an equally warm one made with lower quality down.
Which duck has the highest fill power?
The rare and relatively expensive down of certain wild waterfowl species such as the Muscovy duck or Common eider can have higher fill powers than goose down. Higher fill powers are associated with a larger percentage of down clusters and a larger average down cluster size.
Is 750 fill down the same as 400 fill?
750+ fill is quite different from 400 fills. Almost all down commercially available is a secondary product of geese raised for consumption. It would be prohibitively expensive to raise geese for down alone. The geese that are the source for lower fill down are about four months old when they are killed for food.
How warm will my jacket be?
When purchasing a down jacket, should you pay more attention to the fill power or to the down weight? If you’re looking for a jacket to keep you warm, you need to consider both! Here are some examples to help illustrate how fill power and down weight work together:
Why use higher fill power jackets?
This is why higher fill power jackets are used by performance athletes such as hikers, climbers, and skiers who seek lightweight jackets that provide mobility and warmth. Trying to make sense of the relationship among fill power, down weight, and the down to feather ratio can be a little confusing.
What is plumage in birds?
The plumage is the soft, fluffy undercoat that lies beneath the tougher feathers at the underbelly. The most common types of down come from ducks and geese. In either case, the more mature the bird is, the larger its plumage tends to be. This results in a greater loft and a higher down fill power rating.
What is the clo value of a naked body?
For reference, the naked body has a Clo value of zero, and a Clo value of 1 is what a person needs at room temperature. According to Adventure Poet, winter temperatures from -4º to -40º F require a person to wear clothing totaling a Clo value of 4 or greater.
What is the power rating of a down jacket?
The fill power rating can range from 300 to 900 and above. The most common down products have a rating of 400 to 500. These are considered to be low quality, however, as they come from immature geese and ducks and therefore are made from smaller down clusters. When purchasing a high quality down fill jacket, you should look for a fill power rating of at least 550. A quality jacket of this caliber will be both warmer and more comfortable.
How much does a down cylinder weigh?
In the U.S., the cylinder has a diameter of 241 millimeters and weights around 68.3 grams. In Europe, the cylinder is larger at 289 millimeters and weighs more at 94.25 grams. The fill power rating can range from 300 to 900 and above. The most common down products have a rating of 400 to 500.
What is the role of insulation in the body?
Insulation acts as the barrier between your body and the outside air. It retains the heat and reflects it back to you. During production, down gets formed into clusters which are then used for items such as jackets, pillows, comforters, sleeping bags, and other such things.
What is Down Fill in Bedding?
Down fill makes the ideal bedding covering because it’s light and lofty yet very breathable. Different than feathers, down is the fluffy coating clustered beneath the feathers of waterfowl that protect them from the elements. Most down can be found on the belly of geese and ducks, as this is the part that is exposed to water and must keep the bird warm.
What is Down Fill Power and Why Is It Important?
The most important thing to consider when buying a Down Duvet Insert is fill power, which is essentially a measurement of how fluffy the down is. The higher the down fill power , the better the blanket. Fill power is expressed as a value, usually in the hundreds, equal to the number of cubic inches one ounce of that particular type of down fills. (For example, one ounce of 600 fill power down will take up 600 square inches of space, while 700 fill power will take up 700 square inches.) It’s a measurement of volume.
What is fill power on a duvet?
The most important thing to consider when buying a Down Duvet Insert is fill power, which is essentially a measurement of how fluffy the down is. The higher the down fill power, the better the blanket. Fill power is expressed as a value, usually in the hundreds, equal to the number of cubic inches one ounce of that particular type of down fills.
What is the difference between down duvet inserts and all season duvet inserts?
The difference here is amount of fill (in ounces). All season duvet inserts have more of the same high fill power down than their lightweight compatriots, making them warm enough for frigid winter nights without being heavy and suffocating.
What is a down comforter?
Soft, cozy and luxurious, the down comforter is the capstone of the perfect bed setup. Warm but not too hot, snuggly but not too hefty, the right Down Duvet Insert transforms your bed into a cloud of comfort. Down fill makes the ideal bedding covering because it’s light and lofty yet very breathable. Different than feathers, down is the fluffy ...
What does higher fill power mean?
Higher fill powers (around 700) means a warmer and lighter blanket. That’s because fluffier down has higher insulating power (it can trap more air), so it requires less down to fill the same space than a lower fill power down (say, 600), which needs to be heavier to get the same amount of warmth.
What is down fill?
Down fill makes the ideal bedding covering because it’s light and lofty yet very breathable. Different than feathers, down is the fluffy coating clustered beneath the feathers of waterfowl that protect them from the elements. Most down can be found on the belly of geese and ducks, as this is the part that is exposed to water and must keep ...
