The image of a modern man in the cold season is inseparable from a down jacket. Whether you are a distinguished gentleman in a suit, a winter sports enthusiast or a typical urban dandy, everyone will find the right down jacket for themselves.
What to pay attention to
Like any element of the wardrobe, a men's down jacket has various variations in design. Therefore, you should learn to understand some of its characteristics so that when purchasing you do not make a mistake in choosing a model.
Model and size
The down jacket model matches the style. Young people can afford to wear bright jackets with a belt with a hood, while respectable men will have to choose elongated, plain, more coat-like models without a hood. Fortunately, there are many down jackets on sale, varying in style:
- short, medium and long;
- loose and fitted;
- sports and business.
At the same time, it should suit not only the style, but also the physique.Tall men should avoid very short jackets, while short men should be wary of long outerwear. She will visually steal a few more centimeters.
It is best to determine the size of a down jacket by trying on several pieces. You should choose the one that is convenient for you. It shouldn't be pinched anywhere, but it shouldn't be loose either. When trying on, you need to stretch your arms forward and sit down. If the clothes do not restrict movement, the size is suitable.
When purchasing without the opportunity to try on, the size is selected based on the size chart.
Please note that sizing charts may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Therefore, you need to navigate according to the table of a specific manufacturer.
Filler composition
The main criterion for winter clothing is the ability to retain heat. Therefore, the quality of the filler is of great importance for a down jacket. Its characteristics are indicated on the label with symbols that are easy to understand.
Down/feather ratio
Although the name of a down jacket comes from the word “down,” its filling may also include feathers. The higher the percentage of fluff, the warmer it will be. On the label this ratio is indicated by numbers, for example, 60/40, where 60 is the amount of fluff, 40 is the percentage of feathers.
For warm winters or for car enthusiasts, a jacket with 50/50 filling is suitable. Where winters are harsh and frosty, the down content should be at least 80 percent, that is, the label should indicate 80/20 or higher. Depending on the region and method of transportation, you can choose a filler in this range.
Thermal insulation
The thermal insulation coefficient on the label is indicated by the abbreviation “CLO” and numbers from 1 to 3:
- CLO 1 – designed for warm winters with air temperatures above -15 °C.
- CLO 2 – clothing is designed for temperatures not lower than -25 °C.
- CLO 3 – can be worn in extreme conditions with temperatures down to -40 °C.
Elasticity
This indicator is designated as FD (FillDown) and means the ability of the down jacket to return to its original shape after compression. The optimal elasticity value is in the range of 800-550 FP. If the indicator is not indicated on the label, you can check the down jacket yourself. If, when folded, it folds into a small envelope, and after releasing it smoothly unfolds to its original position, the elasticity is good.
If the envelope is not small, the filling is too dense. Unfolding too quickly indicates synthetic filling.
Availability of down bags
To extend the wear period, the down filling is packaged in special bags. You can check their presence by palpation. Down sticking out from the lining or seams indicates their absence, which means the filler will gradually spill out.
Material
The quality of the filler is important, but the quality of the material from which the product is made is equally important. It should be waterproof, but at the same time breathable, retain its appearance for a long time, be durable and easy to clean. The most commonly used materials are:
- nylon – light, durable, “breathable”;
- polyester – retains its appearance, does not fade, does not allow water to pass through;
- polyamide - dries quickly.
Some manufacturers also use specially processed cotton fabric for sewing. However, it is worth considering that their wear life is significantly less than their synthetic counterparts.
Color
Down jackets are available in a rich color palette. However, dark tones predominate. Olive, dark blue, black are colors for respectable men, older men.Bright multi-colored jackets are sold for youth and for sports: blue, yellow, purple and others.
When choosing outerwear in light colors, especially white, you must remember that it is more easily soiled and will have to be cleaned more often. In addition, yellowish stains may appear on light down jackets after washing, so in this case dry cleaning is preferable.
Some tips
A few more recommendations:
- Sleeve cuffs – additional protection from the cold. They should fit tightly to the wrist, but not pinch it.
- Hood can be a good alternative to a hat. It protects from wind and precipitation better than a knitted headdress.
- High collar will protect your chest and neck from bad weather no worse than a warm scarf.
- Car enthusiasts better choose shortened models. Suitable for those who stand at a bus stop for a long time down jackets of medium and maximum length.
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