Primaloft is a new synthetic material with excellent thermal insulation properties. Light and warm, it is durable, resistant to compression, well breathable and does not absorb moisture.

Primaloft One is used as an insulator for urban and outdoor clothing.

Primaloft Sport is used in the production of clothing designed for extreme conditions.

PrimaLoft Yarn® yarns are an optimal blend of PrimaLoft® fibers and soft sheep wool. This combination makes this yarn ideal for outdoor garments where maximum functionality and comfort are important. PrimaLoft Yarn® fibers are half the diameter of regular cashmere fibers. This gives the threads a special softness. PrimaLoft Yarn® absorbs moisture 2 times faster than sheep's wool (NCSU vertical wicking test method)! PrimaLoft Yarn® dries up to 30% faster than sheep's wool (drying rate measured using ASTM D1776)! Hydrophobic properties PrimaLoft fibers® combined with the hydrophilic properties of wool form a "force field" that draws moisture from the surface of the skin and pushes it to the surface of the fabric. The result is a perfect moisture wicking system to keep you dry and comfortable.

Synthetic insulation "Primaloft®" was developed by order of the US Army, which was looking for a replacement for down for sleeping bags and military clothing. As a result research work lasting three years, Albany International registered the "Primaloft®" brand. Research has shown that new material has hygienic properties superior to traditional fluff.

When creating "Primaloft®", the structure of goose down microfibers was carefully studied and copied, which determined the thermal properties of the new fiber. Factor thermal resistance for down is 2.18, and for "Primaloft®" - 2.15. Most other synthetic fibers are twenty times thicker and retain heat less than Primaloft® fiber. Other notable synthetic materials don't even come close to that.

Primaloft filler allows moisture to evaporate. Its microscopic air layers are too small for moisture to penetrate, but large enough to release evaporation from the inside.

The filler returns its volume better than other materials, even after repeated washing and drying. It can be strongly compressed, after which this material completely returns to its original volume.

A small amount of "Primaloft®" is enough to accumulate human heat.

According to www.prestigeokna.ru/

Synthetic insulation "Primaloft" was developed by order of the US Army, which was looking for a replacement for down for sleeping bags and military clothing. As a result, the "Primaloft" brand was registered by Albany International. Studies have shown that the new material has hygienic properties that are superior to traditional down.

When creating Primaloft, the structure of goose down microfibers was carefully studied and copied, which determined the thermal properties of the new fiber. The thermal resistance factor for down is 2.18 and for "Primaloft" 2.15. Most other synthetic fibers are twenty times thicker and retain heat less than Primaloft fiber.

The most important characteristic modern heaters, especially for artificial materials, is their thermal resistance (resistance to heat evaporation) per unit weight distributed over area (density).

The higher it is, the easier it can be made ready product without losing its functionality. The density of the material varies. The store presents a density from 60g/m2 to 200 g/m2.

Other important parameters for synthetic insulation are:

1. Durability. In this case, the ability to maintain high thermal insulation characteristics over a long period of use. It is known that during the operation of the product over time, the vast majority of insulation begins to cake or fall off, increasing its density and reducing the amount of bound air, which leads to a decrease in its heat-insulating properties.
2. The ability to compress. Another fairly important indicator that affects the volume of transportation. It is worth noting that frequent or prolonged compression, to one degree or another, harms almost any insulation.
3. The ability to pass vapor molecules. The air cavities are too small for moisture to enter from the outside, but large enough to allow evaporation to escape from the inside.

Primaloft filler allows moisture to evaporate. Its microscopic air layers are too small for moisture to penetrate, but large enough to release evaporation from the inside. The filler returns its volume better than other materials, even after repeated washing and drying. It can be strongly compressed, after which this material completely returns to its original volume.

There are several varieties of Primaloft materials with different thermal and physical characteristics:

Primaloft One, Warmcore by Primaloft- thermal insulation index (clo) 2.6/2.7 per 100 g/m2. Microfiber insulation has a hydrophobic treatment. It is used for the manufacture of urban jackets, shoes and some ski models.

Is different:
- very high thermal insulation per unit weight;
- relatively small thickness of insulation;
- minimum transport volume;
- relatively low durability;
- medium compression volume.

Primaloft Sport - mixed insulation that combines fibers in its composition different diameter, which ensures the creation of even more air cavities to retain heat inside the material. Has a hydrophobic treatment, used in ski clothing models.

Is different:
- high thermal insulation per unit weight (clo = 2.3/100 g/m2);


- average durability.

Primaloft Infinity - the material is created from a continuous fiber. It has a thermal insulation index (clo) of 1.7 per 100 g/m2. It has a hydrophobic treatment, suitable for both clothes and shoes.

Is different:
- high thermal insulation per unit weight;
- high volume compression;
- maximum resistance to compression;
- high durability.

Primaloft Synergy - Has a thermal insulation index (clo) of 2.2 per 100 g/m2. Mixed insulation that combines fibers of different diameters in its composition, which ensures the creation of even more air cavities to retain heat inside the material. The fibers of the material have a continuous structure. Has a hydrophobic treatment, used in some types of ski clothing.

Is different:
- sufficiently high volume per unit weight;
- medium compression volume;
- average durability.

Down - the most commonly used in the production of clothing and bivouac equipment is duck and goose down. Eider down stands apart, the use of which in serial products is difficult due to its extremely high price. Duck down is inferior to goose down in terms of durability and thermal resistance, but has a lower price.

The quality of down and its thermal insulation per unit weight is influenced by such factors:

1. Down/feather ratio (the smaller the feather, the better thermal insulation, but, as a rule, more time straightening);
2. The age of the bird (the down of an adult goose is better than the down of a young one), high-quality down can only be obtained from geese living in a fairly cold climate. Therefore, the fluff of birds living in Canada, in the north of Russia and in Eastern Europe is most valued;
3. Color (down of white geese is traditionally valued more than gray);
4. Additional processing of down, aimed at cleaning it from impurities, disinfecting and maintaining elastic properties. Down obtained by plucking geese during the molting period has higher characteristics than down obtained from dead birds.

The advantages of down are:

1. High thermal insulation per unit weight. According to this indicator, high-quality down is approximately twice as superior to the best synthetic counterparts.
2. With proper use, down also demonstrates amazing durability - no synthetic analogue lasts longer.
3. High-quality down compresses well and tolerates compression well.

Difficulties associated with the use of fluff:

1. It is vulnerable to moisture: it gets wet relatively easily, when wet it begins to lose its heat-insulating properties, it dries for quite a long time, moreover, when storing a downy product in a wet state, the down can deteriorate quite quickly.
2. Even high-quality down is prone to migration both through the fabric and seams of the product (unlike low-quality filler, European goose down sheds much less).

To characterize the quality of down, the Fill Power indicator is used, which describes the ability of a limited mass of down to fill a certain volume.

The physical meaning of Fill Power is the volume in cubic inches occupied by one ounce of fluff. In essence, Fill Power characterizes the ability of the insulation to straighten out after compression to a certain volume and is a kind of assessment of the density of the insulation - the higher the value, the lower the density.

Outdoor equipment uses down with Fill Power values ​​of at least 550 units, Fill Power values ​​of 650 units and above are considered good.

White goose down with a Fill Power of 800 or more is used in high-end equipment. In exclusive equipment top brands down with even higher Fill Power values ​​of 850+ and even 900+ can be used.

Allied Corporation supplies feathers and down. It is a leader in quality and a reliable source of material for the production of quality products.

High quality European down with excellent thermal insulation properties, lightness and unsurpassed durability.

Table of the ratio of the coefficient of thermal resistance of the material and the external temperature.

Originally developed for the US Army, PrimaLoft insulation is now used by many brands. The company offers several variations of thermal insulation, from maximum, designed for harsh conditions, to lightweight - for the city. The North Face was one of the first to draw attention to Primaloft technology black. It is a waterproof synthetic alternative to down filling. It is quite light and suitable for casual wear, jackets and boots. Insulation also often uses the Helly Hansen brand.

Primaloft Black Features

Primaloft has been making synthetic microfiber insulation since the 1980s. Insulation is engineered to mimic all the properties of down, but with less weight, bulk and no loss of properties when wet. The fibers do not retain water, so the wearer of such equipment remains dry and warm, regardless of the weather. The essence of the technology is to create many air pockets that actually trap and retain body heat.

Primaloft has three main types of insulation: Gold, Silver and Black. And if the first and second are more related to serious equipment for harsh conditions, then the latter is applicable in everyday life.

Primaloft Black most suitable for everyday wear. It has a CLO rating of 0.65. This is a unit of measure for the thermal insulation properties of a product. For example, a down filler with an indicator of 550 will have a rating of 0.7. That is, a jacket with Primaloft Black is equivalent to a warm down jacket.

There are three types of Black insulation in total. All of them are breathable, moisture resistant and provide warmth without extra bulk.

PrimaLoft Black Insulation Eco- Lining made from 60% recycled material. It is obtained from recycling plastic bottles, packages and other raw materials.

PrimaLoft Black Down Blend Made from 50% synthetic fibers and 50% down. Due to this, the loss of thermal insulation properties when wet is minimized, but the jacket is more voluminous due to down.

PrimaLoft Black Insulation Hi-Loft with fibers that provide high insulation, similar in feel to down fill, but it is not. The insulation is more compact and softer, while all key properties, such as warmth when wet, are fully preserved.

For the new winter season, the company announced PrimaLoft® Black Insulation ThermoPlume. It is made using small, silky bundles of fibers that are joined together. Such a filler is suitable as an intermediate layer for climbing equipment, as well as for warm urban jackets.

Clothing Primaloft Black

The North Face brand, known for its collections of warm and durable clothing, quite often resorts to the use of synthetic filling. Their jackets are lightweight yet keep you warm in cold and wet weather. When choosing outerwear it is worth paying attention to these characteristics. The North Face Primaloft Black uses mainly 60, 80 and 100 grams. Of course, the more popular “silver” insulation is more common, as it is equally good for outdoor activities and the city. It is placed in the iconic Back To Berkeley boots and an array of jackets. However, Primaloft Black is even lighter and is used in demi-season clothing during the period when winter gives way to spring or warm autumn turns into frost.

PrimaLoft- it is a synthetic material that has high thermal insulation properties. When it was created Albany International very meticulously studied the structure of goose down and put it into the base PrimaLoft material. fibers this insulation very fine and goose-down-like more than the fibers of any other synthetic material. It is this similarity that gives it the thermal properties of down. The thermal resistance coefficient for goose down is 2.18 and for PrimaLoft it is 2.15. This is a very high figure, because other synthetic fibers do not even come close to this value.

PrimaLoft fill has a long-fibre structure, thanks to which it restores its volume better and faster than similar materials. Even after a huge number of washes and dryers, the material does not deform. The fibers are endowed with water-repellent properties that help any liquid drain or evaporate. This ensures that PrimaLoft insulation products are always dry.

PrimaLoft has been tested in the lab to have exactly the same softness as goose down and is much softer than similar thermal insulation materials. Thanks to this characteristic of the material, all products made from it take the necessary shape: clothes sit on the figure, and the blanket exclusively fits the body of a sleeping person.

Another great advantage of this material is that it breathes and allows moisture to evaporate. Its air gaps are very small for moisture to penetrate, but large in order to allow the moisture formed inside to evaporate. To keep a person warm, a small volume of PrimaLoft is enough.

It can be highly compressed, and this will not affect the quality and structure of the material. In a short period of time, the material completely returns to its original volume. According to the above parameters, PrimaLoft surpasses all its synthetic and natural counterparts. Of all the world-famous heaters, only PrimaLoft has the ability to retain moisture due to the silicone treatment of the fibers. Such insulation, in comparison with similar materials, absorbs 3 times less moisture, it is 14% warmer when dry and 24% warmer when wet.

Due to its long-fibre, down-like structure, the filling regains its volume better than other materials even after many washes and dries. The water-repellent properties of the microfibers help any liquid run off or evaporate, allowing the Primaloft® wearer to stay dry and warm at all times.

Scientific tests have shown that "Primaloft®" has the same softness as down and is significantly softer than other synthetic fibers. Due to the softness of this fiber, clothes made from it fit perfectly, and a blanket or sleeping bag hugs the body of the sleeper. Try the sample to the touch, and you yourself will feel how magnificent it is! This wonderful material not only repels water and retains volume when wet, it is breathable, allowing moisture to escape. Its microscopic air layers are too small for moisture to penetrate, but large enough to release moisture from the inside. A small amount of "Primaloft®" is quite enough to accumulate human heat. It can be strongly compressed, after which this material completely returns to its original volume. In these parameters, it surpasses both synthetic and natural materials.

Of the world brands - heaters, only PrimaLoft® has the property of not retaining moisture due to the silicone treatment of the fibers. As the table shows, more number fibers, the more the insulation absorbs moisture:

PrimaLoft PL1 - 75%
PrimaLoft Sport - 400%
Polarguard 3D - 500%
Thinsulate LiteLoft - 995%
MicroLoft (DuPont)-1730

Other well-known synthetic materials do not even come close to such indicators. Due to its long-fibre, down-like structure, the filling regains its volume better than other materials, even after many washes and dries. The water-repellent properties of the microfibers help any liquid run off or evaporate, allowing the Primaloft® wearer to stay dry and warm at all times.

Try the sample to the touch, and you yourself will feel how magnificent it is! This wonderful material not only repels water and retains volume when wet, it is breathable, allowing moisture to escape. Its microscopic air layers are too small for moisture to penetrate, but large enough to release moisture from the inside. A small volume of Primaloft® is enough to store human heat. It can be strongly compressed, after which this material completely returns to its original volume. In these parameters, it surpasses both synthetic and natural materials.

The human body has a normal temperature of 36.6 degrees Celsius but is often found in places that make it noticeably colder! PrimaLoft® retains your body heat to keep you warm and comfortable even in extreme cold.

As such, this lightweight, highly insulating, and quick-drying insulation is one of the leading insulators in the field of equipment and outerwear insulation.

There are several types of PrimaLoft insulation: Primaloft® One- this is one of the best insulating (insulating) materials. It is created using microfiber technology, the closest in performance to natural down in terms of structural, thermal and tactile characteristics. It is the only fill in which each fiber has a permanent, water resistant treatment.

Very thin fibers are specially processed using patented technologies and then woven to form an incredibly soft, lightweight and moisture-proof insulation.
PrimaLoft®One absorbs 3 times less water, 14% warmer dry and 24% warmer wet than other materials.

PrimaLoft® Sport

PrimaLoft® Sport is a high quality insulation made with technologies that combine ultra-fine fibers and variable diameter fibers for maximum high efficiency thermal insulation. PrimaLoft® Sport - The technology behind PrimaLoft® Sport combines ultra-fine and variable diameter fibers to achieve these characteristics. Specially processed ultra-fine fibers provide a water-repellent structure, while variable diameter fibers help shape the material.

If your desire for a great weekend is to spend it in nature, PrimaLoft ® Sport allows you to feel comfortable, like you are at home, even when it gets wet.

PrimaLoft Eco - the heater created for fans of ecological materials. It is made from 50% recycled ultra-fine fibers and standard PrimaLoft fibers. In combination, the fibers create an effective heat-insulating and moisture-resistant structure. Clothing made with using PrimaLoft Eco, will provide its owners with dryness, warmth and comfort.

PrimaLoft Infinity are heat-insulating blocks that can compress 20% more than similar insulating materials. This type insulation has a fairly light and soft structure due to the use of ultra-thin fibers in the production. PrimaLoft Infinity has high thermal insulation and moisture resistance. The fibers, united by a single thread, prevent the appearance of cold spots in the insulating material and ensure the uniformity of the insulation structure over its entire surface. PrimaLoft Infinity provides excellent protection from the cold even when completely wet. This material retains its shape and quality even after numerous washes and dryers.

PrimaLoft Yarn- These are threads that are a mixture of PrimaLoft fibers and sheep's wool. This combination is most suitable for the manufacture of outerwear. PrimaLoft Yarn fibers are half the size of cashmere fibers for a softer feel. This material has the property of quickly absorbing moisture from the surface of the skin and bringing it to the surface of the fabric, and this provides additional dryness and comfort.

PrimaLoft SYNERGY is an advanced thermal insulation material, which is created on the basis of weaving fine and ultra-thin fibers and combining them into a single thread. The insulation has excellent thermal insulation characteristics. PrimaLoft SYNERGY is a moisture resistant material used in the manufacture of sleeping bags and outerwear.

What is the purpose of developing synthetic insulation in the presence of excellent natural materials? What provides them with heat-shielding properties? To choose the right clothes for suitable insulation, you need to know their main types and features

Synthetic insulation for clothes is an extensive class modern materials with heat-saving characteristics due to the special texture.

Initially, these air-filled nonwoven products appeared in the 70s of the last century as a cheaper alternative to natural options, but with the development of the polymer industry, they are increasingly more advanced in operation and more technologically advanced in processing.

was completely forgotten and for a long time was not used outdoors, but now it returns in a new quality and at a different technological level. For example, merino wool used in the manufacture of thermal underwear, socks, medium warming and even upper layers clothing (in designs or wool is one of the components composite materials). Thus, against the background of the general spread synthetic insulation in particular cases, just the opposite processes can be observed.

Why, after all, in the bulk of clothing, natural heaters are being replaced by synthetic ones? The fluff remains, but for all its merits, it is an allergenic material. It is capricious in production and care - to “retain” it in clothes, it is necessary to use special fluff-retaining fabrics that prevent the migration of fibers, that is, they simply do not allow fluff to climb out of clothes. When wet, down loses its heat-shielding properties and dries for a very long time. And with frequent washing and active wear, it wears out into dust and falls off.

Wool is hypoallergenic, but can irritate the skin. It is subject to wear, shrinkage and is also afraid of water. Warming with wool and fur significantly makes clothes heavier, so this option is practically not used in clothes for such types of outdoor activities, where low weight and volume play a vital role. important role, for example in climbing equipment.

Wetting negates the heat-saving functions of almost any insulation. But air-filled synthetics in conditions high humidity works better than down or wool, has a very low hygroscopicity and performs its functions even when wet.

The main differences between natural and synthetic products can be summarized in the table:

The main differences between natural and synthetic insulation

Characteristic	natural insulation
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)	Absorbs moisture	Does not absorb moisture
Vapor permeability	high	Depends on type and brand
Hypoallergenic	May cause allergies	Does not cause allergies
Ability to accumulate static electricity	Down is not electrified. Wool is electrified	electrified
insect resistance	Low	high
Resistance to bacterial contamination	high	Low (requires treatment with silver salts)

Types of synthetic insulation

To successfully compete with natural materials, synthetic novelties must have:

low thermal conductivity of the fiber material;

light weight;

high porosity;

hypoallergenicity;

hygroscopicity close to zero;

good breathability;

resistance to microorganisms;

high elasticity and mechanical strength.

Polyester fibers differ in density, thickness, texture, twist type, which is why the choice of modern heaters is so diverse. Air-filled canvases are produced different thickness and density for different weather conditions.

To improve wear resistance, a layer of insulation can be placed between thin non-woven fabrics - spunbond or non-woven.

Any changes, both in the design of the insulation layer in order to strengthen it, and in the form of twisting of the fiber, its length, allow manufacturers to patent more and more new brands that differ slightly from each other in their consumer parameters.

Consider the most famous types of synthetic insulation.

Sintepon

The synthetic winterizer is still the most common material for warming clothes. It is based on polyester fibers fastened together in various ways:

adhesive- connects the fibers with special glue;

thermal— fuses fibers by high temperature;

needle-punched- entangles the fibers with penetrating needles.

However, adhesive technology is gradually becoming a thing of the past, because the introduction of chemical substances degrades environmental friendliness and adds weight. In addition, the adhesive is easily subjected to thermal degradation during washing and dry cleaning, so these products are short-lived.

Needle-punched synthetic winterizer is the most dense and durable among its counterparts. And the hot-melt version is not only the most environmentally friendly, but also allows you to offer consumers the lightest and most effective insulation.

But this insulation is heavy compared to more modern developments, it clumps after numerous washes, does not hold its shape well and has low vapor permeability.

The widespread use of synthetic winterizer is due to its versatility and satisfactory consumer qualities such as low hygroscopicity and easy maintenance. At the same time, it is cheap and its production has long been mastered by industry.

The temperature threshold for using synthetic winterizer is -10 ° C, and in order to increase its heat-shielding properties, it is necessary to increase the thickness and weight. Most often, a sewing synthetic winterizer has a density of 60 to 300 g / m2 and is used for demi-season clothing.

holofiber

The trademark "Hollofiber" belongs to the only manufacturer - the Moscow plant "Termopol", and recently it celebrated its tenth anniversary. For warming clothes, a modification of the Hollofiber SOFT material is used.

This is an improved type of synthetic winterizer, characterized by environmental friendliness, increased elasticity and low weight. Quick restoration of the shape and the absence of residual deformations are ensured by the special structure of hollow fibers (hollow + fiber) in the form of multidirectional microsprings that move freely when pressed and dissipate the compression energy. Lightweight fibers create additional porosity, increasing the volume of air per unit of material, and thereby reduce thermal conductivity.

It is a heater with zero hygroscopicity and reliably protects at temperatures up to -25 °C. The thermal conductivity of Hollofiber is almost half that of a synthetic winterizer.

For clothing, a non-woven fabric with a density of 60-350 g/m2 is used, in which twisted fibers are pressed and joined by a hot-melt method, and the surface is processed between calender rolls to give smoothness and strength. This treatment prevents the migration of fibers from the insulation layer and makes it unnecessary to use additional insulating coatings.

The thermal conductivity of the insulation is related to its density, and this must be taken into account in the first place when choosing clothes. At the same time, a comparison of heaters of different brands in terms of density will not be correct, because the thermal conductivity of, say, synthetic winterizer and Hollofiber is different at the same density.

thinsulate

Thinsulate - innovative material, similar in terms of thermal saving to natural fluff, but at the same time devoid of its shortcomings. It holds its shape well, is hypoallergenic and absolutely sterile. It is also called artificial swan down. Just as birds smear their feathers with a special substance to protect them from getting wet, so this type of fiber is coated with silicone for the same purpose. This not only provides one hundred percent protection against moisture, but also easy sliding of the fibers during deformation.

Its feature is excellent vapor conductivity, so the material protects against hypothermia even at a temperature of -30 ° C with active movement. It copes well with, effectively removing excess heat.

This is the thinnest of modern heaters with similar thermal insulation properties. It does not absorb odors, does not shrink and dries quickly after washing, completely restoring its shape.

To harden the surface and better fix when sewing clothes, some modifications of Thinsulate are produced with one- and two-sided padding made of cellulose fiber - interlining. Thickness of Thinsulate is from 100 to 230 g/m2, and today it is the lightest and most effective synthetic insulation.

Initially, the material was developed by 3M by order of NASA for astronauts back in the 70s. Its production from the thinnest, spirally twisted, highly siliconized fiber with a thickness of up to 10 microns is still expensive, so this material is mainly used for the production of professional outdoor clothing for extreme sports enthusiasts and polar explorers.

Fibertec

Firetec is a Belarusian brand of non-woven fabric made from hollow polyester fibers. The treatment of highly crimped short fibers with silicone allows them to easily slide relative to each other without deforming, without caking and quickly recovering their shape. The density of 200-400 g/m2 provides an optimal ratio of air capsules and fiber, so the material has excellent heat-shielding properties.

Often the canvas is reinforced on both sides with a spunbond - a thin non-woven fabric made of polypropylene, which gives additional strength to this kind of sandwich. Fibertek is an environmentally friendly, breathable material that perfectly protects against 40-degree frost, however, in this case, the thickness of the insulation layer will be greater than that of Thinsulate. The technology does not involve the use of adhesives, so it is absolutely hypoallergenic.

Compared to synthetic winterizer, Fibertek is lighter, dimensionally stable, and compared to Hollofiber, it is more durable, since thermal bonding of fibers is not used in its manufacture. After deformation, the insulation restores its shape by 100%, and even after three washes, its shrinkage does not exceed 3%. It is used mainly for special clothing, but its price is lower than that of Thinsulate.

Isosoft

Synthetic insulation under the Belgian trademark Isosoft is produced by Libeltex from ultra-thin fibers that form a dense structure. A double-sided spunbond coating is additionally applied to the surface, which prevents displacement and deformation of the fibers during operation. This contributes to good combinability with various cover and lining fabrics.

This plastic, hypoallergenic material reliably warms at temperatures down to -20 ° C, is easy to wash and dries quickly. The most demanded density for warming clothes is 200-300 g / m2. One layer of isosoft in terms of its heat-saving parameters replaces four layers of traditional synthetic winterizer.

PrimaLoft

Albany International's PrimaLoft ® brand of innovative synthetic insulation was originally intended for the US military. The manufacturing technology is the know-how of the manufacturer, but it is known that high consumer characteristics have been achieved by combining long ultra-thin polyester fibers with a special water-repellent coating and variable cross-section fibers.

Imitation of natural fluff allows you to create a highly porous structure, strong and elastic, quickly restores volume and dries faster than the natural prototype.

The Primaloft material is just as light, but practically does not absorb water. Therefore, military development very quickly found application in outdoor clothing, as well as in the equipment of fishermen, hunters, making their stay in extreme conditions as comfortable as possible.

Clothing with Primaloft remains dry at any ambient humidity, it effectively removes excess heat and moisture from the body during active movement.

PrimaLoft ® Sport, PrimaLoft ® One and PrimaLoft ® Infinity varieties are used for warming clothes. They differ in the percentage of fibers of different thicknesses and, accordingly, in specific gravity, caking and wear resistance. PrimaLoft ® One is considered the lightest and warmest, it is most often used in activewear, and it holds its shape best and is characterized by increased wear resistance of PrimaLoft ® Sport. Therefore, as a rule, it is this variety that is used in the manufacture of clothing for extreme conditions, shoes and sports equipment.

In 2014, PrimaLoft ® partnered with The North Face ® to launch the new Thermoball ® insulation. Its peculiarity lies in the structure of fibers that imitate the texture of fluffs. Rounded balls of PrimaLoft ® Thermoball ® synthetic fiber hold heat as well as natural down, but are much more resistant to moisture and dry quickly.

In addition to synthetic insulators, PrimaLoft ® developed and began to produce hybrid insulation series PrimaLoft ® Gold Insulation Down Blend and PrimaLoft ® Silver Insulation Down Blend. In the "golden" line, the ultra-fine Primaloft fiber is mixed with natural goose down in a ratio of 30/70; and in the "silver" - 40/60. In hybrid heaters beneficial features natural and synthetic fibers are combined in such a way that the final result allows to achieve the maximum efficiency of the thermal insulation of the material. In addition, hybrid heaters are cheaper than down ones.

Very often, Primaloft is compared with Thinsulate, and among lovers of high-quality outdoor clothing, disputes do not subside. Objective tests have not yet been carried out, but one thing is known for sure - both materials retain heat equally well and surpass natural heaters in performance parameters.

Mixed heaters

Despite the obvious shortcomings of the outdated synthetic winterizer, manufacturers seek to improve its thermal insulation properties and environmental friendliness by adding up to 70% natural camel and sheep wool fibers to the thermally bonded fabric. This is how Shersticron is obtained, the wind protection of which is three times higher than that of a synthetic winterizer, with excellent vapor permeability and low moisture absorption. This material is lighter than pure wool, but at the same time has similar heat-shielding properties.

In order to increase environmental friendliness, polyester fibers are sometimes combined with cotton. These materials include the little-known Italian insulation Valtherm on the Russian market. It is plastic, breathable and warm material with a special cellular structure, used in children's and sportswear.

Care rules

Caring for synthetic insulation is almost the same for all brands and is not difficult.

Basic Rules:

1. exclude chlorine-containing detergents;
2. washing temperature 30-40 °C;
3. dry in a vertical, straightened state in the air.

Unlike natural materials, synthetic counterparts dry quickly, do not shrink or go astray.

Summary

Synthetic heaters are more convenient and practical than natural ones, but they are still inferior to them in terms of heat saving efficiency.

The basis for the production of synthetic insulation are polyester fibers.

The heat-shielding properties of the insulating layer are provided by a porous structure, and the more pores per unit area, the more effective the material.

Types of synthetic insulation differ in thickness and density, as well as crimp and additional processing surfaces polyester fiber.

• Other materials can be applied to the surface of non-woven fabrics of heaters to give additional strength.