Frequently Asked Questions
Down or synthetic insulated jacket for hiking?
Down offers the best warmth-to-weight ratio and compresses better, ideal for dry, cold conditions. Synthetic insulation keeps you warm even when wet and dries quickly: better suited to damp or rainy conditions.
When should you wear a down jacket while hiking?
Especially during breaks, at camp and at altitude where the temperature drops, or in cold weather. It's an insulating layer you put on when you stop and take off when you're moving, so you don't work up a sweat.
Is a down jacket waterproof?
No: insulation hates moisture, especially down. In the rain, cover your down jacket with a waterproof jacket. Some models have a water-repellent fabric that can handle light showers, but not sustained rain.
How to choose the warmth of a down jacket?
Match the fill to the temperatures you're expecting: a lightweight down jacket for stops in spring and autumn, a model with more fill for serious cold and altitude. A hood and good compressibility are well worth having.