Did You Know? "Down Is Still The World's Best Insulation" Really? No!

DID YOU KNOW?

"DOWN IS STILL THE WORLD'S BEST INSULATION" REALLY? NO!

Recently I was solicited by a German processor of down for use in clothing and sleeping bag products that I make, only I do not use down. Having been on my web site and not seeing a down product should have told them something. This company has been in business since 1903. I can only assume that their business is not that good in view of the fact that they are soliciting a company that does not show a down product on its web site and also speaks disparaging about down. They are entitled to try.

They gave me pricing for a variety of down qualities and blends. The prices start at $62.50 per pound for 650 fill grey goose down which is 80 percent down and 20 percent feathers from Ukraine to as high as $172.50 per pound for a blend of 95 percent down and 5 percent feathers at 950 fill power which is white from Poland. What I have since learned is the European manufacturers generally use the 850 fill power 80 percent down and 20 percent feathers which are white from Poland. The cost is $85.00 per pound. Then I received a follow up e mail asking if I was interested in Polish white goose down that was rated for 1000 cubic inches. I wrote back “really” because I have never heard of 1000 fill power down before. Where have I been for the past 50 years, but they made the claim and sent me a test report done by the International Down and Feather Laboratory and Institute (IDFL), the cost: $234.50 per pound.

I'd never heard of this organization so I researched where they were located. Home office is in Salt Lake City, UT., of all places. They were established there in 1973 and have offices in Switzerland, Taipei and of course China. While perusing their web site I came across one of their newsletters from 2005. The headline is “down is still the world’s best insulation”. One of the points that they make and I quote “Down is also the insulation of choice for billions of migrating birds who spend time in both freezing wet Arctic conditions and warm tropical conditions”. Was that intended to be tongue in cheek or were they serious, I think they meant it. They further state that there is no synthetic down which I agree with. And they also say that in Europe it is illegal to use the term “synthetic down”. I have heard that the sales of Primaloft have seriously deteriorated in Europe and this maybe one of the reasons over and above the fact that it is not a particularly good insulation to begin with.

Lamilite made with continuous filament fiber is the “best insulation made in the world”. I never thought of presenting my insulation to the billions of birds that currently use down; imagine if I only sold a few million that would be quite as the pigeons say “quite a coo”.

I wonder how this company thinks of the desire on the part of at least one company and I understand it is now two who are working feverishly to come up with a polyester fiber and down blend. Down not only is not as good as Lamilite but down is working at pricing itself out of the market entirely. Compare a down jacket from 4 or 5 years ago to what is available in the stores today. The prices have not changes but the amount of fill has. Just like the candy bar companies make smaller candy bars but charging the same prices. Think there isn’t inflation think again. Keep in mind that the use of duck down is probably on the rise since it is less costly. Therefore, the reason for a down synthetic blend, lower cost. The quality of the product is trash!

The reality is two things that I fervently believe; 1-down is obsolete as insulation in sleeping bags and outerwear and; 2- 100 years from now continuous filament fiber will still be in use and still the best insulating medium on the planet while down will have gone by the wayside for these purposes; maybe not for pillows and comforters or furniture.

The only action that will help the companies that market these down filled products will be a major change for the better in the economy, and I doubt that a change of that magnitude is possible. But then there will be people who want to get a status item.

I wonder where I can advertise to get the attention of the birds.