Those who control synthetic fibers control winter mountains. How to choose the latest insulation jacket and highlights

Thermal insulation, breathability, eco-friendly materials... Synthetic fiber padding is truly the Warring States period

No matter what, I can't help but pay attention to it every year, so I checked it out again this year as usual. Introducing the popular models this season, this synthetic cotton insulation jacket is an essential mid-layer jacket for winter wear and behavioural wear. I'm craving this year, but I'm actually trying out some.

This may have been the case in every era, but I feel that this year, the struggle for supremacy over synthetic fiber insulation has not subsided, but is increasingly increasing. The battle between materials manufacturers that are moving forward in research and development with an eye on the world, and outdoor manufacturers who want to outdo other companies and sweep the market with groundbreaking products, which unfold every year, is always exciting.

2018-19 Fall/Winter season with a wide range of products for each brand

Looking at the lineup of each brand that has been released, it may not be that this year, groundbreaking materials and items with new perspectives have emerged. However, I feel that each brand has started to have a wide range of options to suit a variety of activities, and there have been an increasing number of models with subtle differences, with the same material being changed in quality and quantity.

For this reason, choosing winter winter warm-weather clothing (middle layers) is becoming increasingly complicated, but this time we've picked out some of the most notable titles that you can't miss out on this year. By the way, the models that were featured last year are still alive and well this season, and as expected, they seem to have grown into a major model, so if you're thinking of trying it out this year or replacing it, check out the following special article last year.

• Something's different this year! ? Featured synthetic insulation jacket 2017

table of contents

• Three types to note when examining synthetic insulation jackets
• The 2018-2019 season is popular insulation jacket

Three types to note when examining synthetic insulation jackets

The trend of "stretchy and warm padding," represented by Patagonia's Nano-Air Hoody and Polartec® Alpha®, which began around 2013-4, has not yet waned, and is now becoming a standard winter mid-wear.

Meanwhile, the latest years have been gaining popularity among the "lightweight, heat-retaining padding" such as the PrimaLoft® Black Insulation ThermoPlume® and Patagonia Plumapil.

In this way, even though it is called synthetic fiber insulation, the sharpness of the functions is diverse. Recently, the trick to choosing an insulation jacket wisely is to choose the appropriate function depending on the role you want.

If you are asked what kind of thing to choose now, I recommend that you first divide it into three types depending on the purpose.

Thermal insulation type

Originally, the role of padding is to keep warm, and in that sense, I think it can be said that all of the common synthetic fiber padding today are this type. However, there are particularly many highlights of jackets made from newly developed materials that have been newly developed over the past few years, which have been delved into the nature of down. These are lightweight and have excellent heat retention, and are characterized by the fact that they do not compromise heat retention even when wet, and can be easily washed. This type is certainly warm, but if you move violently and sweat, you'll want to take it off.

Examples: PrimaLoft® Black Insulation ThermoPlume®, Patagonia Pullmafil, Polartec® Power Fill™, etc.

Active-focused type

Although this type does not match the above type in terms of heat retention per weight, it has quick-drying properties that instantly spread even when sweating is produced in large quantities, and has the property of keeping the inside of the clothing constant, oriented in a completely different direction from down. In addition, many models have stretchability and are more suitable for active scenes, and are surprisingly comfortable to wear even when sweating in the bass, making them easy to wear even when you're on the go.

Examples: Toray 3DeFX+, Patagonia full range, Polartec® Alpha®, THE NORTH FACE Ventrix™, Primaloft® Gold Active, and many more.

Running type

This type, which is made to be comfortable when running, is slightly different from the above two, and is not just about the quality of the filling, but rather has the characteristics of the absolute less amount, a tight silhouette, ease of movement (stretchability), windproofing the front of the wind, and increased breathability in the sweaty areas. This type is usually the type if it is designed with care to avoid getting in the way when running in the cold winter.

The 2018-2019 season is popular insulation jacket

As usual, the introduction has become a long one, but with the above intro, I've roughly tried out the five most popular items released this year. As usual, the ★ rating is merely the specs and impressions after trying on a few times.

MILLET K Belay Hoodie

Heat retention ★★★ Comfort & mobility ★★☆ Breathable ★☆☆ Windproof ★★★ Weight ★★☆

This is the biggest news for this winter's materials, and this jacket features POLARTEC's latest padding Power Fill®.

When this material was first released, the eco-friendly element of "100% recycled materials" was at the forefront, so I didn't really understand what was so amazing. However, after doing some research and actually wearing it, I realized that it is a groundbreaking next-generation padding material in many ways.

First, the padding, which is made by welding ultra-fine polyester hollow fibers through a uniquely controlled process, creates thousands of fine air pockets, has a visible "fluffy" soft feel and high bulk that have not been found in the padding that has been touched (so-called sheet-like) before. As it is a jacket for belays, it also has excellent heat retention. And yet it's lighter than it looks.

What really makes it feel like the "next-generation model" is that it has been firmly incorporating modern needs, such as having such high heat retention, not easily get stuffy even when you sweat, and using 100% recycled materials that are designed to have an impact on the environment. In terms of overall strength, this is probably the best insulation in recent years.

Mountain Hardwear Core Strata Jacket

Insulation ★★☆ Comfort & mobility ★★★ Breathable ★★☆ Windproof ★★☆ Weight ★☆☆

Primaloft (gold silver) is the benchmark of the padding world, which reigns as the classic synthetic fiber insulation. The new Primaloft® Gold Insulation Active smells like a tricky guy who is capable enough to make a comeback in the slightly inferior active insulation field. The Koastrata Jacket is said to have been deliciously cooked by the skilled Mountain Hardwear made from new ingredients.

It felt a bit heavy when I picked it up. However, when you put the sleeves on it, the alpine fit, which is closely attached to the lines of your body, is less stressful and doesn't feel much weight. At the same time, the padding that provides high stretchability in four directions and the outer fabric that supports it makes it easy to move in to.

Among Primalofts, it is based on a reliable high-performance insulation material called gold, so it still has a stable heat retention that doesn't bother you with its solid cold protection, but does not even notice any wetting. Furthermore, as it is active, its moderate breathability prevents the body from overheating. Personally, I thought it would be better to wear it between the base layer and the shell in the harsh winter without a hood, but it would be nice to choose a hooded one as an outerwear in autumn or early spring.

THE NORTH FACE Red Point Berry Light Hoodie

Insulation ★★☆ Comfort & mobility ★★☆ Breathable ★☆☆ Windproof ★★★ Weight ★★★

From what I've seen from the news, the North Face is doing great things in a variety of ways, and is pushing forward with its extensive research and development capabilities in the material competition, making its own development path. Last year's Ventrix was also a hot topic in various places, but this year, this Red Point Berry Light Hoodie caused a personal stir.

Thermoball™, a synthetic fiber padding that was created in collaboration with Primaloft, is a fine sphere material that aims to combine the heat retention of down and the convenience of synthetic fiber, which is lightweight, bulky, and maintains heat retention even when wet. The latest version of the Thermoball™ Pro, kneaded with aerogels with low thermal conductivity, improves heat retention even with less padding.

The moment I held it in my hand it was so light I was worried, but when I tried it on, I realized that it was even warmer than I thought. This lightness makes it undoubtedly the best in my experience. However, it is thin so it is difficult to get close to your body. To fully utilize the performance, the key is to match the size properly and not create gaps. The stretch fabric is attached to the sides to cover ease of movement and breathability, and it can be used as a mid-wear during the cold season, or as a small winter wear that can be stored in a pocket.

By the way, when I wore this and entered the barber shop, it seemed to just look like a down jacket. Its high appearance and design are also not to be overlooked.

Marmot WOOLWRAP Compact Jacket

Insulation ★★☆ Sweat disposal capacity ★★☆ Breathability ★★☆ Windproof ★★☆ Weight ★★☆ (This is an image of a product that only comes after trying on at the store)

Over the past few years, the outdoor industry has been rapidly increasing worldwide demand for materials with little environmental impact. In Japan, there has been a bit of a stir recently about the issue of abolishing plastic straws, and some people may be surprised at the difference in awareness with the world. Especially in Europe, there is an atmosphere that it is not allowed to stand in the market unless the product is not considered such a consideration. Among these, along with recycled synthetic fibers, the padding material made from "wool" that is being attracted from the attention of this model.

Although it does not have an outstanding heat retention power like down, it can be expected to produce a natural heat-generating effect due to the "adsorption heat" that occurs when moisture is exposed to moisture. It also has a deodorizing effect even in sweaty situations. Wool, which is also excellent as a base layer, has excellent moisture absorption and release properties, reducing discomfort even when exercising. This season, cupra, a recycled fiber with moisture absorption and heat absorption properties, is added to maintain its bulk, which makes it feel highly resilient for a wool blend.

Personally, I'm disappointed with the classic design, but the natural temperature and humidity control performance can be expected to provide comfort that synthetic fibers do not have. This is a piece that we'll be looking forward to, including future brush-ups.

NORRONA lyngen Alpha90 Raw Jacket

Insulation ★☆☆ Sweat processing capacity ★★★ Breathability ★★★ Windproof ☆☆☆ Weight ★★★

Every year, I'm curious about POLARTEC's Alpha®, which has suddenly become the mainstream of active insulation in recent years, with each brand having a lineup in a variety of arrangements. The uniquely interesting thing about this material is that it can be adjusted to suit the purpose of use and situations, such as purely padding and clamping it between the outer and lining, exposed and matching the outer and outer materials, or eliminating the front and back for a mid-wearing look, allowing you to adapt to the situation and the purpose of use and situations.

This Alpha90 Raw Jacket uses a type called Alpha® Direct, which has a front and backing, and is light, warm and comfortable when sweating, making it the easiest to wear as a winter interchangeable item. Last year, we introduced Rab's Alpha Flash Jacket, but this time it's a model with thin material placed on the body and shoulders, and fleece on the rest of the body, making it the most focus on sweat removal rather than heat retention.

As you can see, it is intended to be used as a middle layer rather than an outer layer, and it can also be used in low mountains and running in autumn, spring, and winter. It has moderate heat retention and incredible breathability and quick-drying (sweat removal ability), so it can be used as an intermediate piece while you are in action. The other day, the jacket and hard shell were on top of the base layer in a temperature of around 0°C, but I was able to spend the day without taking off, whether it was a tough climb or a peak.

POLARTEC® Alpha® is also being made with various ingenuity in terms of usage and thickness this season, making it even more eye-catching. In any case, there is no doubt that it is one of the most convenient materials for winter wear that Stop and Go frequently use in the outdoors, so why not consider this year?

We also recommend this article about middle layers.

• It's about time to summarize how to choose a middle layer
• Something's different about this year's synthetic insulation jacket! ? [Featured latest model 2017-2018]
• I'm left wearing it and not getting cold and sweaty! 7 recommended synthetic fiber insulation for your activities
• Comparison review: [Beyond fleece!?] We compared the latest synthetic fiber insulation (cold protection clothing)
• 3 questions to choose insulation wear that won't make a mistake and 15 recommended items