The Sherpa Nangpala jacket uses PrimaLoft's Gold Down Blend insulation
A panel of outdoor experts has chosen a new insulation filling for an award for innovation.
PrimaLoft’s Performance Down Blend was described by the Outdoor Writers and Photographers Guild as a game changer.
The insulation, which combines goose and duck down with ultrafine synthetic PrimaLoft fibres, won the Derryck Draper Award for Innovation at the guild’s annual dinner this evening.
The engraved crystal glass Derryck Draper Award was presented by OWPG guild chairman Jonathan Williams, and received on behalf of PrimaLoft by Chris Humphris, the company’s European sales manager.
An OWPG spokesperson said Down Blend is a hybrid insulation combining engineered down with PrimaLoft’s microfibre. “It marries functional, durable, water-resistant down with ultra-fine, high-performance PrimaLoft fibres to offer warmth, protection and comfort no matter what the conditions, as well as outstanding drying times. It features the characteristic loft associated with quality insulation materials,” the spokesperson added.
Panel judge Graham Thompson said: “The down and synthetic mix is potentially a huge game-changer. It is a major development that will have a wide influence within the outdoor industry and, from a practical point of view, the product is actually useful.
“In terms of innovation, Down Blend stood head and shoulders above everything else this year.”
The judges noted PrimaLoft’s environmentally responsible approach: PrimaLoft Performance Down Blend’s production is independently bluesign certified with regard to consumer safety, air and water emissions, health and safety, energy resources and more. Sources of down are monitored by the International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory and the European Down & Feather Association.
The down is treated with a patented fluorocarbon-free chemistry process to make it permanently water repellent and breathable.
Unlike untreated down, which collapses when wet and loses much of its insulation value, the treated down retains its structure when wet, keeping the wearer warm and dry even in snowy or rainy weather. It is then bonded with ultra-fine PrimaLoft fibres to provide additional robustness, hydrophobic benefits and enhanced drying times.
Down Blend is available in two grades, Gold and Silver. Gold blends 70 per cent goose down and 30 per cent Primaloft ultra-fine fibres, while Silver features 60 per cent white duck down and 40 per cent Primaloft ultra-fine fibres.
Mr Humphris said: “We are delighted to receive the 2014 Derryck Draper Award for our PrimaLoft Performance Down Blends.
“The vision was to combine the best properties of both down and synthetic insulations with the goal of providing ultimate comfort solutions that consumers love to own. That’s why PrimaLoft is especially proud of receiving this award, because innovation is at the heart of our brand mission.”
The OWPG represents professional journalists, writers, photographers and others who specialise in covering sustainable outdoor activities and the environment in the British media.
The guild’s 2014 annual meeting and awards dinner is taking place this weekend at Plas y Brenin National Mountain Centre in Capel Curig.
The award is named in honour of OWPG founder member and past chairman Derryck Draper, who died in December, 2004.
- grough is currently testing a jacket that uses PrimaLoft Performance Down. Keep checking the site for our review.
