I recently sent 2 sweaters (puffer jackets) in to Patagonia for repair.
One 800-fill Down Sweater:
Down Sweater
One 60-g Primaloft Synthetic Pullover similar to this:
Nano Puff Pullover

I have used both of these tops extensively over the last 3-4 years. When I sent them in I expected them to be repaired but Patagonia sent me a credit for $283 and said they would price match as needed to make sure I got 2 similar jackets.
The down jacket was very warm and kept me toasty on a few nights when I needed to sleep in it. I always felt the synthetic was about as warm. Living in the humid Southeast we get a lot of rain. I've always been able to keep the down jacket dry but realize if it ever does get soaked it's pretty well useless.
So my question is Down or Synthetic?
Which do you prefer and why?
Thanks in advance!
WFR

I have both the Patagonia Down Sweater and Nano Puff. I find the sweater a fair bit warmer. I think Patagonia's Ultralight Down Sweater is more comparable in warmth to the Nano. The Nano Puff is something I use in spring/fall and mild winter days. I use the down sweater on colder winter days. Backpacking, I take either depending on expected lows.

Down vs. Synthetic, I prefer down. Packs smaller, and a comparably warm sweater to the Nano Puff would be the Mountain Hardware Ghost Whisperer which is about 5oz's lighter than the Nano Puff. But here in Montana we're a fair bit dryer than the SE. Even so, I don't find it especially difficult to keep down dry with a bit of care.

I too have both. The down is w/out question warmer. I use the primaloft often in my a layering system and it sometimes get sweated into and and I can just throw into the washer when I get home.

I wouldn't be w/out both and find both very useful in different applications.


mike r

Have either of you noticed the Primaloft breaking down after repeated stuffing into packs, etc. Does it seem as lofty and warm now as when new?

I compact my Primaloft items in dry bags as small as I can and they have always regained their loft. I keep a SD primaloft jacket in my winter pack until all the snow is gone and it does well after extended periods.

I have a Wilderness Experience Jacket that is 21 years old and has been massively abused and is still functional though not very pretty.

Nothing is as warm and comfortable as down but if you plan on extended use in wet climes Primaloft is your Huckleberry.


mike r

Using identical garments, there is a noticeble decline in loftiness and warmth after as little 6 months to a year of regular use.


Down has no such issues. Now that there is "waterproof" down, there are very few instances that I would choose synthetic.

Interesting... I haven't noticed any difference in my primaloft stuff. I carry it compressed, but store it uncompressed.