What is KJUS Down Fill Made Of?
What goes into a KJUS down jacket? It’s more than you might think. We sat down with two of our expert designers to get the scoop on ethical down sourcing, what fill power ratings mean and how all the elements come together to create performance apparel you can’t find anywhere else…
How does your supply chain for jacket insulation (or jacket components in general) work?
“We typically partner with other technical experts in the industry, whether that be an insulation supplier, a fabric mill or trim suppliers. The conversation is around thinking about the components from a different perspective and bringing together our expertise to develop something new. We're always looking at how we can innovate new materials. Sometimes that even means our fabric team is collaborating with those suppliers to make something new that's never been seen in the market before.”
What’s KJUS’s overall process for design development?
“We focus on trying to solve problems, especially in our ski line. For example, the Men's Helium 2.0 Jacket came to being because we wanted to make the lightest weight ski jacket in the world. We were challenged as designers to examine the problem a skier faces which is, as a jacket gets warmer, it also gets heavier. We worked towards a solution of how we can make an ultra-lightweight but fully functioning ski jacket a reality. We had a strong collaboration with one of our vendors to come up with a super lightweight fabric that was still waterproof and met KJUS’ durability standards.
We weighed individual components for this jacket to find the lightest possible combination to hit that dream goal. From there we looked at both down and synthetic insulations to create a combination that would keep this jacket as warm as our normal ski jackets, but still lighter in weight. We mapped the insulation according to the body’s heat patterns to achieve this.”
What standards do you hold for a down supplier?
“We have extremely high standards when it comes to quality. Our company was founded by renowned ski icon Lasse Kjus. That excellence is in our DNA, from the passionate people who work here, through to our expectations of the suppliers we work with. We evaluate new partners who are innovating in a particular area, as well as established partners to meet our needs for each season.
When it comes to down, animal welfare is always a concern, as it is a natural product from birds. We only work with partners that are RDS certified, which is the Responsible Down Standard. This certification not only ensures the quality of the down, but that the practices used to procure that down meets the highest possible standards in the industry. Each down product has a "Track My Down" code. When you receive your jacket, look at the hang tag for your specific product lot number to source the origins of the insulation keeping you warm.”
Are certain types of down superior to others, and what qualities do you look for to use in a KJUS down jacket?
“There are three major factors when it comes to down quality and selecting what type of down we want to use in different products: plume, fill power and source.
1. The first one is the plume-to-feather ratio. Plume is the downy underbelly of the animal: think of it as light, airy puffball. There's no quill in it as there would be on a feather, which comes from the other parts of the animal. Plume holds more air mass around it than the feather itself but is also more costly to use. At KJUS, we have a very high plume-to-feather ratio so that there is more air in the material, which makes it a warmer and lighter insulator.
2. Then we consider fill power, which is the volume in cubic inches of one ounce of down. It ranges on a scale from 450 to 900. The higher the fill power, the larger the air pockets that keep your body warmer. A 450-fill power is what you’d find in household goods like duvets and pillows. At KJUS, we typically aim for a 600-800 fill power for our down jackets.
3. We also consider the down source. Smaller birds have smaller feathers and thus, smaller plumes. For example, a duck is smaller than a goose, so a duck produces smaller plumes than what a goose produces. So, goose down is warmer and is the premium down we use in our top-tier jackets. It always has that great hand feel, which is why we love to use it where we can.”
Is synthetic or natural down better?
“Neither is a ‘better’ material, it just comes down to the use case. The downside of natural down is that when it gets wet, it loses its warming properties, and it dries slowly. For certain sweat zones in our ski jackets, that’s a drawback because if it gets wet, it's not going to work as well. That is why we choose to body-map our insulation in almost all our products.
Body mapping is strategic placement of different materials to control body temperature and comfort. We may use both synthetic and natural down in the same jacket, synthetic insulations in the high-sweat heat-shedding areas of the coat and down in the low or no sweat zones.
We are one of the few companies that also adds technology to our insulations in some items where we are concerned about the potential for the down to get wet. One example is with some jackets in our exclusive Orange Label line—signifying our highest standard of quality—we infuse our premium down with gold. (Yes, you read that right, actual gold!). In the manufacturing process, gold particles are added to create a finish on individual pieces of down. This finish works with your body heat to help the down dry faster and therefore maintain its warming properties to better level than untreated down.
Another example is, we will wash the down in a sustainable DWR finish. It’s very similar to what your rain jacket exterior would be coated in. We use the same water resistant coating, but instead of coating the outside of a fabric, we're coating the down itself. These are just two examples of what we can do after selecting down to help counteract some of the moisture issues.”
How do you take good care of a down jacket?
“Each of our jackets has specific care instructions depending on the fabric and materials, but generally with down you want to make sure you're washing it on a semi-regular basis. More often if it’s your everyday ski jacket, less often if you only wear it once or twice a year for the most extreme conditions. Wash it in a gentle detergent and then dry it with no heat and add dryer balls, which helps keep the loft and the fluff of the jacket so that you can maintain that volume.
Our jackets are built to last decades, but one of the things about our design team is that they are always innovating. A KJUS coat will have cutting edge technology today, and two years from now it may have technology that doesn’t exist yet. So, it’s good to keep coming back and seeing what’s new.”
Take a peek at some of our favorite down vests and jackets!
Elevate your winter look with the Vivi Shine Vest, a modern cropped silhouette crafted from premium, water-repellent fabric with a subtle shine finish. The fixed hood adds cozy protection, while soft-lined pockets deliver warmth and comfort on brisk days. 100% Duck (90% Down / 10% Feather; 650 fill power).
Refined elegance meets cutting-edge performance. The Women's Avalon Jacket features a sophisticated silhouette with a subtle shine finish, crafted from premium materials and advanced technologies. Gold-plated down insulation delivers exceptional warmth, while moisture-renewal fabric on the cuffs and face keeps skin hydrated. A graphene-lined phone pocket extends battery life in cold weather, and phase-change material, graphene, and mineral circulation linings support thermoregulation and muscle recovery. 100% Goose (90% Down / 10% Feather; 750 fill power).
Designed for dynamic performance, the FRX Blackcomb Jacket combines lightweight warmth with sleek, sporty style. Quilted down chambers and a VaporTemp lining regulate body temperature, while stretch inserts offer unrestricted movement for all winter pursuits. 100% Duck (75% Down / 25% Feather; 600 fill power).
A jacket that combines sustainability with high performance. The Men's Capture Jacket is crafted from innovative fabric that captures carbon from the air during production. Graphene lining, phase-change material, recycled down chambers, and body-mapped synthetic padding provide optimal warmth and performance. A graphene-lined phone pocket protects battery life on cold days. The removable hood, Advanced Ventilation System including KJUS AC-Vent™ on the arms, and removable snow skirt ensure breathability and functionality in a sleek design. 100% Duck (80% Down / 20% Feather; 700 fill power), 100% Polyester.
Double the style, double the fun. The Juniors Backflip Jacket is fully reversible for two looks in one. Crafted from water-repellent, windproof fabric with synthetic insulation and a fixed hood, it keeps young adventurers warm and protected on and off the slopes. 100% Polyester (KJUS FAST Thermo Core™).
Warmth and growth in one thoughtful design. The Girls' Reflect Jacket features quilted baffles, a cozy interior, and KJUS FAST Thermo Core™ insulation for exceptional warmth. The KJUS Growth System in the arms extends the jacket’s lifespan, while reflective, waterproof fabric, a fixed hood, and an adjustable snow skirt keep young skiers dry and comfortable all day. 100% Polyester (KJUS FAST Thermo Core™).
Engineered for young skiers, the Boy's Formula Jacket combines warmth, mobility, and protection. Waterproof and breathable with four-way stretch fabric, it features KJUS FAST Thermo Core™ insulation for all-day comfort. The KJUS Growth System in the sleeves extends the jacket’s lifespan, while an adjustable snow skirt and removable hood provide extra defense against the elements. An easy-access pass pocket adds convenience on the slopes. 100% Polyester (KJUS FAST Thermo Core™).