Soft down jacket | The Press

After a few hours of snowshoeing, it’s time to stop for a well-deserved snack. It’s cold, but all you need to do is bundle up in your down jacket to keep yourself warm.

“My down jacket is my safety,” comments Jean-Philippe LeBlanc, adventure guide and founder of Face aux vents, an organization that works through nature and adventure. “When I’ve had trouble during the day, when I’ve worked hard, when I start to feel cold, it’s super comforting. »

You still have to know when to put on this sports jacket. During an outdoor activity such as snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, it may be too hot. The person could sweat too much, wet his clothes and freeze all over once stopped.

“The down jacket will be used during breaks,” says Mr. LeBlanc. When you stop at noon to eat your sandwich, that’s when you’re going to take it out. »

Ice climbers are masters in the art of using the down jacket wisely: they wear it when they are stationary to belay the climber and they take it off when it is their turn to climb, an activity more dynamic.

Two major types

There are two main types of down jackets: those that are insulated with down and those that use more synthetic materials.

“The advantage of down is lightness, but its big disadvantage is that it loses all its functionality when it gets wet,” says LeBlanc. Synthetic is able to withstand moisture better, but in return it has more weight. »

However, more and more manufacturers are adding a coating on the exterior to protect against the elements, such as wind and rain. “It’s a relevant addition, especially with the temperature variations we see now. Even in a polar expedition at the end of winter, the temperature may rise above zero, there may be precipitation. »

One thing is certain, for Jean-Philippe LeBlanc, a real down jacket has a hood, which can provide surprising additional warmth.

A good down jacket will also have inside pockets. In particular, you can slip a small bottle of water into it. “It can be used as a hot water bottle. Once at camp, when I start cooking, it’s not uncommon for me to put hot water in my canteen and put it in a pocket. It adds comfort. »

In very cold weather, putting a small bottle inside the down jacket helps preserve the water against freezing.

There are models for polar expeditions, such as the Canada Goose Resolute Parka. These massive coats come down to mid-thigh and the hood is lined with fur, a nice feature to protect the face against polar winds.

It is therefore not the one that mountaineers will drag up an 8000 m peak.

Lightweight down jackets

On the other hand, there are small, light down jackets that can easily be stored in a backpack and can be taken out at any time. “I’m going to use one like that, in synthetic, to wear as a mid-layer when I’m working out. It somewhat replaces the thriller. Or, I use it in spring, fall or winter when it’s not cold. »

It may be a good idea to layer over a down jacket and play around with it depending on the temperature and activity level.

On the other hand, you should not wear a coat that is too tight on a big down jacket. “It’s often a mistake that I see. It compresses the down jacket. However, the garment works well when the insulation is expanding. »

The other big mistake not to make is to leave it in the backpack.

“I saw people in the breaks, half frozen, recalls Jean-Philippe LeBlanc. If you take a break, you shouldn’t even ask yourself the question, you should put on the down jacket. It is sure that two minutes later, you have a smile on your face. »