A Puffer Jacket often known as a “Puffy” is a light-weight jacket insulated with down or artificial insulation used as a heat layering garment by hikers and backpackers. It’s so-called as a result of the insulation is sewn into small pockets known as baffles that entice air physique warmth and puff up. Puffer jackets are often weigh lower than one pound.
Puffer jackets are finest worn as a warming layer once you take a relaxation break on a hike or as an outer layer in camp once you’re much less lively as a result of they’re designed to entice heat however not perspiration. For those who want an additional insulation layer whereas actively mountain climbing and perspiring, you’re higher off carrying a extremely breathable pullover or jacket comprised of polyester fleece. Fleece is excellent at venting moisture and can dry if it will get damp from perspiration. For those who nonetheless want extra heat, it’s good to layer a extremely breathable windbreaker or windshirt over a fleece to dam the wind, entice your physique warmth, and launch moisture as a substitute of carrying a puffer jacket since it is going to make you sweat and soak your baselayers.
Down Insulated Puffy Jackets
Puffer Jackets are often waist-length and infrequently have a really sparse function set with a non-adjustable hood, elastic wrist cuffs, zippered handwarmer pockets, a zippered chest pocket, and hem adjustment to seal out drafts from under. They’re often “sewn-thru” by way of development, the place the within and exterior material layers are stitched collectively to create pockets to carry the insulation. Whereas this leaks heat via the ensuing needle holes, it’s finished to maintain the price of manufacture low.
Puffer jackets differ from Parkas, that are often hip size, a lot heavier, and far hotter. Parkas often have a greater function set, too, with a one or two-way adjustable hoods, hook-and-loop wrist cuffs, and inner drop pockets. Parkas are sometimes made with field baffling to carry their insulation in place, which, although extra environment friendly and rather more costly to fabricate, gives significantly better heat than jackets with a sewn-thru development.
Artificial Insulated Puffy Jackets
Puffer jackets can be found with down or artificial insulation. Whereas the warmth retention traits of artificial insulation have improved in recent times, it’s nonetheless solely equal to 550-650 fill energy down, which isn’t that spectacular in comparison with puffy jackets insulated with 800, 850, 900, and even 1000 fill energy down. Regardless of the distinction in thermal effectivity, the load of down and artificial jackets is fairly shut. The heaviest element in each jacket varieties is the material used to make them, not the insulation itself.
Are there benefits to having a down-insulated puffy vs one made with artificial insulation? The most important distinction between the 2, in addition to thermal effectivity, is compressibility. Down puffies are inclined to compress higher when stuffed in a backpack, which is useful when packing. In addition they have an extended lifespan as a result of artificial insulation loses its insulating energy over time when compressed repeatedly, whereas down-insulated clothes retain it with age. Whereas artificial insulation will keep hotter longer than down when it will get damp, if you happen to ever saturate your puffy or soak it with perspiration, you’re most likely doing one thing fallacious. Very fallacious.
SectionHiker is reader-supported. We solely become profitable if you are going to buy a product via our affiliate hyperlinks. Assist us proceed to check and write unsponsored and unbiased gear evaluations, newbie FAQs, and free mountain climbing guides.
