Which is warmer Down , Thinsulate or Thermaloft ?

Tony C

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Dec 9, 1995, 3:00:00 AM12/9/95

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Which is a better insulator, when trying to keep warm and dry ?
Down, Thermaloft, or Thinsulate ?

Thanks

Tony

Dennis Summerbell

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Dec 9, 1995, 3:00:00 AM12/9/95

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In article <4aakg6$3...@worf.qntm.com>, tcap...@qntm.com (Tony C) wrote:

> Which is a better insulator, when trying to keep warm and dry ?
> Down, Thermaloft, or Thinsulate ?

Down is great if you can keep it dry. Wet it's horrid.

Dennis

Dr D. Summerbell, NIMR, The Ridgeway, Mill Hill, London NW7 1AA.

email: d-su...@nimr.mrc.ac.uk
Tel: +181 959 3666 X2366
Fax: +181 913 8527

Alan Boucek

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Dec 12, 1995, 3:00:00 AM12/12/95

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In article <4aakg6$3...@worf.qntm.com>, tcap...@qntm.com (Tony C) wrote:

> Which is a better insulator, when trying to keep warm and dry ?
> Down, Thermaloft, or Thinsulate ?
>

Depends on what kind of conditions- if it's really cold and you're
standing around outside, or sleeping, Down is great. Get it wet, you're in
trouble. Ski or do anything athletic, it'll probably be too warm.
Thermaloft and Thinsulate are synthetics that function as down
substitutes, more or less. Similar cautions regarding getting too hot, but
both will still insulate when damp.

For skiing, it's important to keep dry- you'll probably sweat while
skiing, and you want the moisture to evaporate away from your skin and not
soak into your clothing. I find that a base layer of thermal underwear
(some sort of synthetic- for me, usually a winter cycling jersey) plus one
or two layers of polar fleece) and a good windproof shell with vents is
plenty- that's what I was wearing while skiing when it was -25 C, and I
was still comfortable. When I was less experienced, I had more trouble
with getting too hot than with keeping warm. Now my only significant
problem is that my feet get cold in my ski boots.

Generally, stay away from all of the insulators you're asking about,
particularly if you're skiing in the Sierras. Down is nice to wear at
night after skiing (or around camp if you winter camp). Heavy insulation
for skiing only makes sense in New England conditions - cold-and damp, or
when it's extremely cold (-10 and below) which doesn't happen very often
out there during daylight hours.

--
Alan Boucek abo...@panix.com
New York, New York

Kai-n-Zappa

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Dec 14, 1995, 3:00:00 AM12/14/95

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>> Which is a better insulator, when trying to keep warm and dry ?
>> Down, Thermaloft, or Thinsulate ?
>

>Down is great if you can keep it dry. Wet it's horrid.

Any insulation is horrid if it is wet. I cant believe people still are more
concerned about getting there down products wet vs. synthetic products wet. Ive
used the same down sleeping bag for over 15 years in all types of climate and
conditions and only once did I wind up staying up all night because I was wet
and cold. My partner was up all night as well in his wet synthetic...Seems to
me warmth is a dryness factor.

My 2 bits,
Jason

Robert Himmel

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Dec 18, 1995, 3:00:00 AM12/18/95

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Try Polartec Windbloc!!

JefrSki

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Dec 23, 1995, 3:00:00 AM12/23/95

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Another suggestion is to try anything made of Capilene. I use a bunch of
different weight thermal underware made by Patagonia. It ranges from
silk-weight to expedition-weight so you can really dress for the
conditions. Its also machine washable and dryable. I like to ski bumps,
so I end up wet no matter what the temperature is, and this stuff wicks
moisture pretty good also. Only problem is its kind of expensive.