As soon as the first cold weather sets in, the majority of the population puts on down jackets. These clothes “came” from Canada and become more and more popular every year. It does not constrain movements, perfectly retains heat and looks stylish. But it is not so easy to figure out how to choose a down jacket for the winter for women. How warm it will be depends primarily on the filler.
A few years ago, products of the Canadian manufacturer were considered the best down jackets. But today, "native" ideas and technologies are used very widely, so it is not necessary to buy goods directly from Canada. To choose a quality thing and determine the strength of the product, it is enough to carefully study the information on the label and carry out a few simple manipulations.
Fluff or artificial "filling"?
So, how to choose a women's down jacket for the winter? It is necessary to decide what the filler will be. One of the main rules - the more fluff, the warmer the jacket. Its presence can be determined by the inscription on the label down. The word feather indicates that the filler contains a feather. If the manufacturer combines these two "fillings", then puts a fraction on the label. The first value indicates fluff, and the second indicates feathers. For severe frosts, a product that contains at least 80% fluff is suitable.
Whose fluff to choose?
The answer to this question depends on personal preferences and climatic conditions. Most often, down jackets are filled with duck, goose, eider or swan fluff. It is worth noting that with proper operation and proper care, the goose “insulation” will last at least 20 years, but duck - no more than 5 years. If you decide how to choose a warm down jacket, you need to consider this fact.
Important little things
If the product is of high quality, a small bag with a filler and spare accessories: buttons, buttons and a piece of similar fabric will definitely be attached to it. The distribution of filler is an important nuance. It should be located in medium-sized blocks, then the fluff will not settle down at the bottom of the product. Sometimes it’s not easy to notice these blocks: the manufacturer hides them behind a decorative layer of fabric. Therefore, the thing must be studied closely to notice all the little things.
All fasteners, rivets and zippers must be branded and of high quality.
Inspection and fitting
Of course, you can’t buy down jackets without trying on. It’s not enough to see the photo, you need to put it on, fasten it and spin in all directions. After this, you need to remove the thing and carefully examine your sweater: are there any feathers or any spools on it.
You also need to inspect the jacket. Feathers or down should not stick out of it. It should be wary if lumps and seals are felt.
There is a little-known, but effective test for those who do not know how to choose a women's down jacket for the winter. It needs to be rolled up into a tube. When it is repaired, dents and creases should not remain on it. If such a slight load led to deformation, then the quality of the product leaves much to be desired.
It is difficult to determine synthetics by touch, therefore it is necessary to read the data on the label. The presence of artificial materials is evidenced by such inscriptions as polyester, cotton and wool.
Compression ratio and layering
Thinking about how to choose a warm down jacket, you need to know that the products can be single-layer and multi-layer. The latter store heat better and are suitable for winter sports. But for a city dweller, a single-layer model will be enough.
The padding should quickly return to its original position after compression. This can be verified by strongly squeezing the material. If this method does not seem reliable enough, then it is better to look at the shortcut. As a rule, the compression ratio is displayed there, it is indicated by FP. In the case when a thing is of high quality, the number 550 or more will be indicated there. Not sure how to choose a down jacket size? To begin with, you should study the data indicated on the label.
It also provides information on the level of down processing. If there is a designation DIN EN 12934, then the filler was thoroughly washed, dried and disinfected.
Seams and Lining
A high-quality women's down jacket has only smooth and neat seams, of which the insulation does not “stick out”. All threads must be strong and not damaged.
So that the fluff does not fall down, the gasket is sewn. The sleeves and bottom of the jacket are made with elastic so that the cold does not penetrate inside. In practical models, you can unfasten the down jacket and fur insulation. This allows not only to wear the product in warmer weather, but also facilitates cleaning and washing things.
Some manufacturers provide a "lower shirt" - a knitted vest that comes unfastened.
How to care for a down jacket?
In order for a thing to last quite a while and not lose its appearance, you need to know not only how to choose a down jacket for the winter women, but also how to properly care for it. All information is indicated on the label, but there are generally accepted rules. You can wash the down jacket at a temperature of no higher than 40 degrees, exposing the careful mode.
Owners of such products should remember that they should not be soaked in any case: prolonged exposure to water causes irreparable damage to things. Also, you do not need to dry the down jacket on the battery.
Dry the jacket should be expanded in a room that is well ventilated. You can take the product to the balcony. Put the item on a clean, large terry towel so that it absorbs moisture. Periodically, the down jacket needs to be turned over.
All detergents should be selected with great care so that they do not harm the product. Well, if they are antibacterial, then microorganisms will not multiply in the vehicle.
So that adverse factors, such as rain, snow, do not spoil the original look of the down jacket, it is worth buying a water-repellent spray. It must be applied before going out.
To prevent the down jacket from washing during washing , you can put small balls in the washing machine, for example, for ping-pong. They will not let the fluff fall into lumps or clump.
Today, models are presented in a wide variety, so it is not so easy to choose down jackets. A photo will help to explore the possible range and choose the best option.