Some of the outdoor world’s top brands will use an innovative insulation in their clothing next winter.

PrimaLoft’s new hybrid filling uses a blend of goose down and synthetic ultra-fine fibres to create a product the company said combines the best qualities of each type of material.

The Gold Insulation Down Blend has 70 per cent grey goose down and 30 per cent PrimaLoft ultra-fine fibres. The Silver version has 60 per cent white duck down and 40 per PrimaLoft fibres.

They are rated the equivalent of 750 and 650 fill power respectively.

Among brands that will use the new insulation are Helly Hansen, Black Diamond, Sherpa, Salewa and adidas.

PrimaLoft said its Performance Down Blend is synonymous with durability, softness, environmental responsibility, outstanding loft, lightness, superior warmth, breathability – measured independently by the Hohenstein Institute – and compressibility.

“It also provides exceptional water repellency, retaining 90 per cent of warmth in wet weather and has comparable warmth in construction to 750 fill goose down,” a spokesperson said. “It goes in the washing machine and drier, maintaining its performance level on all fronts even after 10 washes, including dry times.

“In fact, it actually dries four times faster than untreated down. As a result, PrimaLoft Performance Down Blend insulation creates the freedom to go further and into more diverse climates where no other insulation has been able to go before while still delivering the wet thermal properties you expect with PrimaLoft.”

The bluesign-rated insulation uses patented fluorocarbon-free chemistry processing. The spokesperson said: “This makes the down permanently water repellent and breathable as it retains its structure even when wet, keeping the wearer warm and dry even in snowy or rainy weather.

“After this processing, the treated down is intimately bonded with the ultra-fine PrimaLoft fibres, providing additional robustness, hydrophobic benefits, as well as enhanced dry times and retain full effectiveness even after numerous washes.”

PrimaLoft said the down is from socially responsible sources, tested by the International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory and European Down & Feather Association.

Jochen Lagemann, managing director of PrimaLoft Europe, said: “Our focus is on innovation that delivers comfort, allowing consumers to enjoy the experience and not to worry about the environment.

“PrimaLoft Performance Down Blend Insulation is just one example of our efforts to launch innovative products with new technologies into a growing market segment.”

Marc Fischer, director of adidas Outdoor Central Europe said: “Our aim is to provide athletes with the best equipment possible to help them achieve their goals.

“We have trusted PrimaLoft technologies for over 10 years and this has been proven right for adidas Outdoor. Our athletes, mountain guides and customers all love PrimaLoft products.

“We are pleased and proud to be one of the first brands to use PrimaLoft Performance Down Blend Insulation in our autumn-winter 2014 collection.”