A Matter of Fabrics: Downlite®
Downlite® has promoted traceable, responsible and welfare-first feather and down supply since the early 1980s.
Down jackets are made with the plumage found underneath the outer feathers of ducks and geese. It’s a natural insulator and a by-product of the poultry industry, which means that birds are not farmed for the down alone. This is a big part of why we source and process through Downlite®, who trace the down through its full journey from start to finish.
All the down used in our range is sourced with Downlite®, but our performance down jackets - our Ashland and Northstar styles - go one step further and have RDS (Responsible Down Standard) certification, certified by Control Union. This means the down and feathers have been independently certified against animal welfare requirements, and tracked from farm to final product.
Why We Use It
Down jackets have a great weight-to-warmth ratio. As a base material, down retains heat remarkably well as it pockets warm air and distributes it around the body incredibly efficiently.
This means the jacket can stay super lightweight, as less stuffing is required to achieve the same warmth given by synthetic insulation. For the same reason they’re a real space-saver in your pack and surprisingly breathable to wear.
Responsible Down Standard
RDS is a globally recognised and independent certification that independently certifies animal welfare practices at duck and goose farms in the down and feather supply chain.
You'll find RDS-certified down in our performance range of down jackets.
What about other jackets in our range that use down, we hear you say? We'll always ensure any down we use is sourced from Downlite®, who has full visibility and traceability over their down supply.