down is like a pig, put lipstick on it and you still have a pig

A NEW DOWN INSULATION BECAUSE THE OLD ONE FAILED!!!

The following article I suppose will never be published for the general public to read, except that I am making it available for one and all to read to include my comments about the fallacy of what has been published for the trade.

Insulation With Loftier Aspirations … DownTex x 37.5 Technology Partner To Create A New Down Insulation

Thermoregulated PFC-free down hybrid
speeds evaporation and reduces dry time

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Sustainable Down Source—a division of Down Decor and parent company to DownTek—partnered with 37.5Technology to create a sustainably treated, highly water-resistant down capable of regulating the next-to-skin microclimate while delaying the onset of sweat and further facilitating a quick dry time.

The possibility of regulating “next-to-skin microclimate” is physically impossible. However, not only do they make the statement they can also “delay the onset of sweat” which if it could be done would fit in the realm of miracles. Of course if you could stifle the onset of sweat were possible there would be less moisture to dry so it would happen faster. What follows is the joining of the down to the 37.5 volcanic sand.

37.5 collaborated and created the next generation down from DownTek. The technology, using naturally-derived volcanic sand, creates much more surface area. These volcanic particles have a lot of tiny holes in them. It’s the difference between pouring water into a cup and pouring water over a thousand-square-foot table, except the 37.5 technology creates as much new surface area as a football field in one comforter. And because of this, the particles provide an immense amount of surface area to capture moisture using the body’s infrared energy to speed evaporation and significantly reduce dry time for that simple reason.

I live next to the Grand Mesa the largest flat top mountain in the world. About 5 million years ago it was much higher than its 11,000 feet of today and it was a volcano. When it blew it left volcanic rock all over the place. I see it every day in the fields around my house and it is porous and light. If it were pulverized to a powder I do not believe their statement that the rock could hold as much water as they claim if all you had was the amount that they have added to the down in one comforter. Very creative imagination!

So they claim that these particles of volcanic sand are going to capture all of this moisture and then by use of the body’s infrared energy drive it out of the volcanic sand particles. As we read further we find out that the volcanic sand particles even if they do have microscopic holes will never receive the moisture.

How are the volcanic particles embedded into the down? As the polyester is extruded, the volcanic particles are embedded into it in the manufacturing process and it never washes out.

If I am correct the volcanic particles are mixed in with the polyester chemical while it is still in a liquid state. As such the polyester liquid will seep into these microscopic holes and when the polyester is extruded and dried (heat set) that renders the volcanic sand useless, and yes it will never wash out.

Now we have a blend of 80 percent water repellent down and 20 percent 37.5 fiber to create the fill. It’s DownTek Powered by 37.5. The poly staple fiber weaves itself into individual down clusters and is about the same thickness as typical down molecules.

Now they blend the polyester with the down and the polyester which is probably two inch staple with a crimp to it will basically attach to the follicles of the down clusters. The end result is not ever going to show itself as a positive additive to add warmth retention or keep the down from ultimately absorbing water.

Can you give us an example of how this works?Let’s talk about a jacket. You’re sweating when you are wearing the garment during a high-energy activity. The interior of the jacket, in particular, is getting wet with your evaporating moisture from your body. The 37.5 fiber is looking for water in the air and drawing it into itself. Because of the awesome surface, it is also evaporating that water quickly. This is what we refer to as the ‘engine effect,’ grabbing the moisture from your body and dispersing it mostly toward the outer surface of the jacket.

The 37.5 volcanic sand particles are not a living entity with any ability to “look” for water. At this time they are encased in the polyester fibers. As such how can they draw the water in the air into itself? Maybe we now have a second miracle taking place. I think they should say “we have the absorption effect”, meaning that all of the layers worn between your skin surface and the lining of the jacket are trapping ALL of the sweat as is the down. Of course if you are wearing a goretex shell garment you have guaranteed yourself to retain ALL of your sweat.

It works on the principle of diffusion. Whenever something is coming from an area of more density and being released back into the environment, it’s looking for an area of lesser density to migrate to when you are talking about heat, moisture or anything in nature.

Their use of the term “principle of diffusion” is a stretch to its meaning. Density has nothing to do with it. Heat does go to cold, moisture goes no place unless it is moved by an outside source such as air movement or tides.

Do you see applications of the technology across the outdoor industry, including footwear? For sure, in the fabrics. Everyone believes it will be much more effective if we have the liner and the fill working together. There is significant data to support that.

I must say I have no idea what is being referred to here. I do not know of any footwear other than booties that have down in them.

Sustainable Down Source’s PFC-formula enables a person to stay insulated and dry in wet conditions, and does so without the harsh chemicals typically found in DWR technology.

Utter nonsense!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

“We’re excited to be offering another great innovation in the world of insulation. The temperature-regulating power of 37.5 Technology will be a fantastic complement to the natural insulating power of down and the DWR performance of our DownTek products. By combining these sustainable, naturally-derived technologies, a person can stay thermoregulated from the inside while having full protection from exterior cold and wet elements.” —

They mean another bogus insulating material versus a positive innovation. 37.5 technology is nothing more than a non-functioning concept that has not ever worked nor will it ever work and as for down it is best left on the ducks and geese.

The word “thermoregulated” may become more widely used in the outdoor industry these days.

“The DownTek x 37.5 hasn’t been introduced yet into a garment, but we are working on it.”

This last sentence is telling. I wonder how much they are going to offer a company to use the stuff.

This goes to show you the lengths that some of the companies in the outdoor industry will go to in an effort to hood wink some marketing company into thinking they have a new exclusive “technology” upon which to hang their hat.