Getting a Down Jacket Wet While Skiing?
Your Questions
Obviously, you shouldn’t get a down jacket wet, due to the fact that it will lose a large percent, if not all of it’s heat retainment.
However, what about using a down jacket when skiing or snowboarding? Falling, and getting wet snow all over you is a big part of both sports. How would a down jacket hold up to wet snow?
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01/11/2011 at 2:22 pm
You actually have to get the Down inside the coat wet, not just the nylon shell. If you have a halfway decent down parka it should take a LONG time for the insulation to get wet from skiing. It also depends on where you are. If you are in Colorado you could roll around in the snow all winter and not get the down wet. If you are on the west coast and ski in a down jacket it might soak up more quickly due to more moisture in the snow and humidity in the air.
All that said. Down jackets still are not a great choice for a ski jacket because skiing can be very aerobic and down jackets are great for keeping warm, but not great for aerobic activities. I would positively die if I tried to ski in a down jacket if it was warmer than 30 below. Maybe if you ski in Canada or Anarctica or something it would work for you.
01/11/2011 at 2:22 pm
It will if you waterproof it. REI sells a spray on waterproofer that really keeps the coat dry and won’t let the water soak into the shell to the down. I live where there is really dry snow, but have skied in really wet snow and wouldn’t wear my down coat without waterproofing it first because I would be miserably wet.
01/11/2011 at 2:22 pm
First off…spraying waterproofing on a down anything will cause it to lose it’s loft. Down keeps you warm because it makes dead air spaces. Waterproofing will cause the down to become matted and then you might as well wear a shirt stuffed with cotton balls.
Down loses its loft when wet…it doesn’t matter if it’s from wet snow, rain , perspiration, or a dunk in the river….wet is wet.
I have a down vest and a down jacket…neither ever see the ski slope or a camping trip. I’m just not willing to take the chance of getting hypothermia. Plus, then, if it does get wet or soiled I have to wash the thing more often with special down wash and slow dry it for hours so it retains its loft…down is a pain in the a s s.
I have a Primaloft vest and a Thermore jacket. Both are lighter and warmer than the down stuff I own. I can abuse them more, and they keep me warm even when they get soaked. (I rolled a kayak in 40F water (air temp was about 50F) and I didn’t even get cold the remaining three hours of the paddling trip. I was wearing Primaloft.)