In the early eighties, Primaloft® got off to a strong kick start in the outdoor sports arena, when the U.S. Army sought a fast-drying, synthetic substitute for goose down. The synthetic fabric is lightweight, durable, breathable, highly compressible, resistant to moisture and provides excellent insulation properties – a direct hit.

• Patented, environmentally friendly and easy to care for
• PrimaLoft® qualities: How big is the difference?
• It’s all in the filling!
• The best of both worlds: PrimaLoft® Performance Down Blend
• PrimaLoft® wash: Child’s play

Patented, environmentally friendly and easy-care

PrimaLoft® has been a registered patent for its refined polyester textile since 1986. The proprietary ultra-fine fibres of PrimaLoft® insulation form a tight collection of air pockets that trap heat from your body and keep the cold out, providing an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio. When insulation gets wet, it loses these air pockets and consequently, its insulating properties.

It is often referred to as “synthetic down”, due to the fact that PrimaLoft® has similar thermal protection, can provide similar compression properties, but remains in contrast to untreated down – lofty and warm even when wet. This is the main advantage of PrimaLoft®: In a wet state, the material retains approx 96% of its insulating properties. The ultra-fine microfibers have been specially coated and by way of their surface tension of water molecules prevent moisture from sticking to the fabric.

“It’s no wonder that PrimaLoft® is one of the most used insulation materials for outdoor sports”, says Johann Öttl, Product Manager Textiles at Bergzeit “A real advantage, is that the fibre retains its insulating function and dries quickly, even when becoming moist from rain or perspiration”. PrimaLoft® insulation clothing is ideal for use in harsh outdoor conditions and is a loyal companion on all trips in wet areas.

The synthetic material is most often seen in jackets, pants, gloves, sleeping bags and footwear but can also be found in household products such as blankets and pillows. Compared to other synthetic textiles warm PrimaLoft® has been known to be much drier, softer and smaller to pack. PrimaLoft® is also very “easy-care, wear-resistant and ensures a comfortable balance in the cold.”

PrimaLoft® qualities: how big is the difference?

There are now a numerous variety of Primaloft® qualities that play a role in outdoor clothing and equipment. The microfibers have been refined in several aspects: Performance Down PrimaLoft® microfiber blend has been mixed with water-repellent down. This way, fans of down, can now also enjoy the benefits of down in wet conditions for their outdoor adventures. PrimaLoft® Insulation Gold, found, for example, in the HighCamp 3-Finger Glove from Outdoor Research is regarded as a synthetic thermal wonder, with the very best of insulation performance. This variant is currently the most commonly found in outdoor clothing. PrimaLoft® Insulation Silver is considered to be highly compressible and for our green conscience, there’s PrimaLoft® Eco, which has been produced with a high proportion of recycled material.

The filling capacity makes the difference

Regardless of the finer details that PrimaLoft® has to offer, most products offer the same functional benefit. A good indication of the product’s insulation performance is the fill capacity. For those in need of a thin transitional jacket or insulation layer would be best to look at the models weighing in at around 40 to 60 grams, such as jackets from Patagonia, PrimaLoft® at 100 gram per square meter (or more) provide cosy warmth, despite chilly temperatures. A slightly reduced fill capacity on the sleeves as in the slim-fitting Seis by Salewa Alpine Life collection increases freedom of movement without thermal performance suffering for a relatively thick jacket. Salewa distributes the classic fill capacity to 120 grams on the body and 100 grams in the sleeves. To obtain a uniformed thermal distribution despite a mix of fabric, the fill capacity is reduced below the three-layered wool-laminate by another 20 grams.

Insulation jackets are often found where a combination of both PrimaLoft® and down has been used. The Asgard Hybrid Jacket from Berghaus is a perfect example where “exposed areas” such as hem, shoulders, sleeves and hood are filled with PrimaLoft®, while the trunk is packed in bulky 700-Cuin-down.

Since 2010, PrimaLoft® has been one of the first manufacturers of insulation material that has met all criteria and standards for a certified blusign in order to produce as environmentally friendly as possible. This, in turn, gives outdoor brands such as industry pioneer Vaude, the possibility to produce blusign-certified garments. An example of this is available for men and women in the Alagna Jacket III a jacket that provides excellent protection against the cold for long Autumn walks or hiking. It goes unsaid, that Vaude has used PrimaLoft®Eco in this jacket, although similar variants have also been stamped with the excellence of certified blusign and Oeko-Tex Standard 100.

The best of both worlds: PrimaLoft® Performance Down Blend

Down is the warmest insulation there is. It does, however, have one major drawback: if it gets wet, it completely loses its warming properties. PrimaLoft® Performance Down Blend is a unique blend of water repellent down and microfibers. The warmth, compressibility, lightness and the loft of down is successfully combined with the water-repellent properties of synthetic insulation.

This hybrid insulation is available in two categories. The Gold version is made up of 70% goose down and 30% microfibers. It offers a thermal power comparable with a fill power of 750 cuin geese down. The silver variant consists of 60% duck down and 40% microfibers. Both products, keep 95% of their thermal capacity even when wet, thanks to a fluorocarbon-free finish.

PrimaLoft® Wash: Child’s play

Finally, a word about the care and maintenance of insulation fabric products: All PrimaLoft® products are machine washable (liquid detergent and gentle cycle use) and can also be dried in the dryer at low temperatures. Care instructions vary in detail from manufacturer to manufacturer, so it’s worth reading the care wash label beforehand.