What are winter jackets made of?
Winter clothing has come a long way thanks to technology. Today, winter jackets are made from various natural and synthetic materials, all with the sole purpose of keeping the body warm from the winter chills. A few conditions should be noted when looking for a winter jacket: insulation, water/wind resistance, comfort and style. Deciding which material is best will depend on lifestyle and personal taste.
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Wool
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Wool is popular for winter jackets, but is not water resistant. Wool has been a popular, inexpensive material for winter jackets. The elasticity of the fibers and the tightness of the weave help insulate heat and resist wind; however, the material is not water resistant.
Fleece
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Fleece is great for a warm winter jacket. The synthetic material fleece is similar to wool but far lighter in weight, absorbs less water and dries much quicker. Fleece jackets usually come with a water-resistant soft or hard outer shell.
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Down
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Down coats are warm, but get clumpy when wet. Feathers are excellent comfortable, light-weight insulators. The major disadvantage of a down-jacket is that when wet, it absorbs water and can become clumpy.
Thin Synthetic
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Thin synthetic jackets are warm and resilient to water and wind. Super-thin, synthetic materials are twice as warm as down but have the added advantage of being far more resilient to wind and water.
Hydrophobic Fiber
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Polypropylene fabrics are plastic, water-proof fibers. The chemical nature of the fabric moves the water vapor away from the body as it evaporates.
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References
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