Finding the right down jacket or the right equipment based on your thermal protection needs is no simple matter. Here is a short Pyrenex insulation guide to help you choose the down jacket and equipment that will keep you best insulated from the cold!
How to keep out the cold
Whatever the season, there is always a moment when the weather and temperatures take a turn for the worse. Whether in spring or even in summer, the feeling of cold can catch you off guard, especially if you decide to head to the mountains. In autumn and especially in the depths of winter, temperatures often close to zero give your body no respite. A brief overview of best practices for keeping out the cold:
- Clothing:
Whether it is the upper or lower body, it is important to be well equipped according to the season. The jacket you choose as well as the trousers (or shorts) are the first barriers against the cold. A highly waterproof material ensures a flawless seal and limits air ingress, but you must make sure it has breathable properties, otherwise you risk poor thermal regulation and sweating very quickly. Likewise: the thicker a jacket, the warmer it is, but the heavier it is too. At Pyrenex, the use of natural down makes it possible to combine loft and warmth while also offering breathability and lightness compared to synthetic padding.
A handy tip: depending on the intensity of effort, the location, the weather and the temperature, each Pyrenex down jacket has an indicative temperature range that varies from -20°C to 15°C. Pyrenex natural down jackets provide perfect insulation from the cold. The various Pyrenex down jacket ranges all have specific characteristics in terms of use. Some are more urban, others more technical. Everyone is free to choose their down jacket according to their own needs.
- Base layers:
They help retain body heat and stay dry throughout the day. Pyrenex tip: the so-called "3-layer" technique. The 1st layer is breathable (it keeps you dry), the 2nd layer is insulating (it keeps you warm) and the 3rd is protective (it shields against wind and injury). You can choose a thin or sleeveless down jacket as a second layer under your favourite coat, or even a thicker down jacket as a 3rd layer!
- Accessories:
They protect the extremities not covered by clothing. It is very often the sensation at these points that can tip your feeling of cold during an outdoor outing. The skin there is generally thinner and therefore more sensitive (ears, nose, hands and toes): one should never skimp on their protection. Depending on the intensity of effort, the Pyrenex down jacket, the location, the weather and the temperature, it is advisable to equip yourself with a hat, a scarf, gloves, thermal tights and warm socks.
Synthetic insulation and natural insulation?
Synthetic insulation aims to replicate the qualities of natural insulation. Made primarily from polyester fibres of varying thickness, synthetic insulators are arranged to form small pockets that trap air and retain heat. Although insulating and easy to care for, synthetic insulation is often less effective than natural insulation. And even when it claims to be high-performing, one must never forget that synthetic insulation is made from petroleum-derived materials, which are non-biodegradable and therefore have a negatively impactful carbon footprint.
For centuries, natural insulation has been synonymous with warmth, quality and prestige. At Pyrenex, since 1859, duck feathers and down have been processed at the Saint-Sever factory, delivering exceptional performance in terms of thermal insulation, lightness and product durability. The DOWNPASS label on Pyrenex products guarantees compliance with ethical, quality and traceability criteria for feathers and down. This label is based in particular on the standards of the European Convention for the Protection of Animals kept for Farming Purposes. It certifies all Pyrenex products with natural filling.
Through the recycling and upcycling of a by-product from local agricultural supply chains, the manufacturer is committed to a process of sustainable development and circular economy, also known as "upcycling".
Pyrenex down jackets filled with natural feathers and down are aimed at responsible consumers who care about their own well-being and that of all stakeholders.
The filling power of Pyrenex natural down:
The indicator used to guarantee the thermal insulation of Pyrenex down is the filling power – that is to say the loft of the down. Calculated in CUIN (cubic inch), it refers to the ability of a given weight of filling to occupy a given volume. The greater the volume occupied, the higher the down's thermal insulation and lightness performance. Indeed, a "large" down cluster will trap a greater quantity of air within it. It is this film of air inside a down jacket that insulates your body from the external cold while offering excellent thermo-breathable properties.
We have translated this filling power into a range of indicative temperature ranges to help you choose your Pyrenex quilted jacket more easily. This range goes from -20°C to 15°C.
Pyrenex natural insulation down jacket ranges and their uses:
The thicker a natural down jacket is (filling power), the warmer it keeps you. Having come back into fashion in recent years, the down jacket can be worn perfectly well in the city or in your everyday life, just as much as for sporting activities, particularly in the mountains. The classic Pyrenex down jacket is, in any case, designed to accompany you through the heart of winter as an outer layer.
Lighter down jackets, often thin and compressible, are better suited to being worn in mild temperatures or during physical activity (brisk walking, trail running, hiking, skiing and more). They can also work very well as a mid-layer under your favourite coat or winter jacket.
Sleeveless down jackets from Pyrenex sit at a crossroads in terms of use. They can be worn in the depths of winter over a thick jumper, just as well as on their own during the mid-season over a long-sleeved t-shirt, for example. On one hand, you adopt a resolutely urban and streetwear style; on the other, a more sporty and casual look.
A special case: warm parkas. At Pyrenex, they are all filled with natural down and often paired with genuine fur to ideally combat (very) extreme cold. The technical features, pocket capacity and cut of Pyrenex parkas are assets for facing winter cold during excursions; they are often long and use thicker fabrics.
