What is the best padding or filling for a men's padded jacket?
If you're looking for a padded jacket, it's because you want something warm that is also compact and thermal, and that you can wear anywhere!
Which men's padded jacket should you choose?
Choosing the right padded jacket is essential to protect yourself from the cold! Don’t miss out on advice from our sporting experts!
Padded jackets are somewhat of a wardrobe staple, even for men. Whether you’re a keen hiker/trekker all year round or just when is warm outside, or even if you like to hike when it is -10 °C, you’ll need a different padded jacket depending on the weather.
Gentlemen, even if science says that on average you "feel" the cold less than women (on average, I insist!), you’re still bound to need a "fleece" or rather a "padded jacket". ". " to protect you from the cold when you're hiking or just wandering around town. Even though it may not seem like it to look at them, not all padded jackets are the same, and different models meet different needs. Join us as we choose a men's padded jacket based on the outside temperature, your sporting activities, as well as the cut, weight and padding of the jacket.
The thermal insulation of padded jackets and their filling (or padding)
Certain padded jackets are better at keeping you warm than others, or rather are better at retaining heat than others! Padded jackets don’t create heat themselves – they retain what your body produces and protect you from the cold outside. And depending on whether the padding is synthetic or quilt and depending how dense it is, you'll feel more or less warm.
However, when it comes to padded jackets, "if they can do more, that doesn’t automatically mean they can also do less"! and yes, padded jackets provide thermal comfort within a temperature range: for example between 0°C and -10°C. If you choose the warmest padded jacket there is, but want to wear it in the spring or autumn, you'll be far too hot and it will become useless.
Finally, a padded jacket can be used as the second layer in the famous "three-layer technique", something that every good hiker needs to know! The second layer provides you with warmth while absorbing sweat to avoid a “sauna” effect. A padded jacket can be worn as a third layer if it also protects you from bad weather. To find out more about the three-layer technique, (re)read our article here.
If a padded jacket is filled with feathers or a quilt, is it guaranteed to be warm?
If you really feel the cold, opt for a jacket that is padded with a natural-fibre quilt (goose or duck), even though it will be trickier to wash and maintain. Preferably wash by hand and leave to dry naturally for several days, or use the appropriate machine programmes. To find out everything you need to know about caring for, washing and repairing a quilted padded jacket, click here.
The natural filling can be made from a quilt, feathers or a mixture of the two, which will give it more or less "loft" and therefore more or less insulating power, i.e. warmth.
In short, natural quilts have a high loft, which gives them three qualities that are essential for mountain sports in cold weather:
• Thermal insulation, because it traps more air
• Lightweight, because feather is lighter than wadding but provides the same level of warmth
• Compact, because a quilted padded jacket will be more compressible than a synthetic one, but will provide the same level of warmth.
The higher the cuin value of your padded jacket, the more thermally insulating it will be.
Do you know what "cuin" is in the world of padded jackets?
"Cuin" is a crucial factor in determining the loft, and therefore the thermal insulation, of a padded jacket. "Cuin", which stands for "cubic inches per ounce", represents the strength of the padding under a defined pressure. The higher the "cuin" value, the warmer and more lightweight the padded jacket will be.
It can be measured to US or EU standards, the latter being more demanding. For example, a padded jacket with a US standard cuin value of 850+ is equivalent to an EU standard cuin value of 800+.
To compare two quilted padded jackets, simply multiply the "cuin value" by the quilt volume. For example, a padded jacket with a cuin value of 600 and a 200g quilt will have the same insulating power as a padded jacket with a cuin value of 800 and a 150g quilt.
Did you know...? The way your padded jacket is made will affect its ability to keep you warm and its cuin value! For example, the MT900 men's padded jacket with hood has a cuin value of "only" 660 and yet offers thermal comfort in temperatures as low as -18°C thanks to its heat-sealed compartments. Therefore, be sure to read the whole product sheet to find out the cuin value and the recommended temperatures.
Does polyester really keep you warm?
A synthetic padded jacket will provide a little less warmth for the same density, but it will be less sensitive to damp and above all easier to care for – you can machine wash it at 30°C. If you’d like to find out more, we've got an entire article on how to wash your polyester padded jacket here.
It will therefore keep you warm, but not as warm as a down jacket. So it's not necessarily a bad choice, and will depend on your need for warmth, the humidity of your hiking area, your preferences in terms of looking after your jacket, and your budget. They are indeed more affordable than padded jackets of comparable quality.
In short, synthetic padded jackets shouldn’t be criticised or overlooked – they can be a very good choice and meet all your needs for a reasonable price.
And what about a combination of feather and polyester? Is it worth it?
Combining feather and polyester has some interesting benefits. If you’ve been following, you’ll have understood that feathers provide effective thermal insulation, while polyester is moisture-resistant and easy to care for. But is it really possible to get "the best of both worlds"?
If you live or hike in a region with mild, dry winters, a blend made up predominantly of feathers could be perfect. On the other hand, if you are in a very humid area, a blend made up predominantly of polyester may be more suitable. So compare the quality of the down, and above all the percentage of the two materials on the product sheet or label of the padded jacket to make your choice.
It's also worth noting that the feather and polyester blend makes a jacket that is warm but also lightweight. Polyester makes padded jackets lighter without sacrificing their insulating properties. For more information on the weight of padded jackets, scroll down a little further in this article 👇.
To sum up, a combination of feather and synthetic polyester fibre is worth considering if you're looking for a warm, lightweight padded jacket that is easy to care for. Just make sure you choose a good quality padded jacket to get the most out of this blend.
The breathability of padded jackets
As we have mentioned above, it is good to be warm. But not turning into a walking sauna is even better!
A good padded jacket keeps you warm, but not sweaty. This is especially necessary if you’re doing sports of moderate to high intensity, hikes with steep uphill climbs or short bursts of power walking. Staying dry is essential so that your body is not affected by changes in temperature or levels of exertion, and so that you don’t freeze if there are any gusts of wind.
Water repellency and waterproofing (not the same thing!)
Although the outer fabric of padded jackets may look quite shiny and smooth, few are actually waterproof! But many models out there are water repellent. What is the difference?
Water repellency is a treatment applied to a fabric that makes water droplets "roll" or "slide off" without passing through the fabric. However, while this technology is perfect for light rain showers, it won’t protect you from longer, heavier rainfall. On the other hand, padded jackets with this water-repellent feature have a good balance between providing protection from the elements, warmth, breathability and compactness. If you opt for a water-repellent padded jacket and heavy rain is forecast, remember to pack an extra light waterproof jacket in your backpack.
If a jacket is waterproof, it won't let any water through thanks to the waterproof fabric and sealed seams (with a strip running the length of the seam on the inside of the garment). However, as a general rule, the more waterproof a fabric is, the less breathable it becomes.
The rub resistance of a padded jacket’s outer material
A padded jacket that is designed for the "city" won’t face the same challenges as a "hiking"padded jacket, but a hiking padded jacket will be able to withstand the city! When you're out hiking, you'll come into contact with nature – you’ll rub up against branches as you walk and so on. When choosing a padded jacket, check that the outer fabric is rub resistant to avoid any premature damage from the straps of your backpack rubbing against your jacket or a chance encounter with the surrounding flora.
The strength of a fabric is measured in dernier. The higher the dernier, the more rub resistant the outer fabric of the padded jacket will be.
Choosing a men’s padded jacket with the right cut
Men’s padded jackets can be sleeveless, hooded, long, short, etc. Which should you choose? Should you give in to trends?
As well as style, the cut of a padded jacket will fulfil a number of functions or needs depending on your sporting activities and the weather conditions. Of course, you can choose the type of padded jacket that suits you best, but the style will mainly depend on the colour and a few small details, while the sleeves, hood and jacket length will depend on your sporting needs.
Padded jackets: WITH OR WITHOUT SLEEVES? Both options have their benefits
Sleeveless padded jackets are everywhere. And not without good reason! This type of padded jacket is "casual" and ideal for wearing in the city, the mountains, the countryside, or at the seaside, in spring or autumn when it is freezing cold in the morning and then quite summery in the afternoon. However, you’ll need a long-sleeved padded jacket in the winter, sometimes even with a hood or a longer cut depending on your need for freedom of movement in the legs. Let's take a look at the different cuts of padded jackets to help you make the right choice:
Which men’s padded jacket is best for wearing all year round?
Sleeveless padded jackets are ideal for spring and autumn, keeping your vital organs warm while giving your arms complete freedom of movement. It is very popular with golf enthusiasts, but also with equestrians in spring and autumn. In short, a sleeveless padded jacket that is short in length is guaranteed to provide warmth for your mid-season hikes. But it's also a versatile padded jacket that you can wear in your everyday life or when doing other sports.
Which men’s padded jacket is best for wearing in winter?
Winter means cold. And when it’s cold, you need to cover your arms! Without doubt, opt for a long-sleeved padded jacket if you’re planning on hiking in winter. As for a hood, that will keep your neck and head warm. Seeing as we know that we lose most of our body heat through our extremities (hands, feet, head), a padded jacket with a hood is surely a "must-have" for winter!
Finally, the length of your padded jacket will depend on how much freedom of movement you want to have compared to your need for warmth. "Classic" padded jackets come up to the hips, to keep your whole back warm, but some golf-specific models can be shorter to make it easier to swing. If your activity requires you to be seated, such as horse riding, a shorter padded jacket will also be more practical, so it doesn’t fold up around your stomach (unless it has a double zip that opens at the top as well as the bottom).
When hiking or wandering around town, opt for a padded jacket that comes up to your hips (rather standard), especially if you're going to be scrambling over scree or climbing steep slopes, or if you're likely to be chasing your train. If you're hiking in winter when it's very cold and the terrain is fairly flat, opt for a long padded jacket that will keep your thighs warm, or one with a zip that can also be opened from the bottom for when you need more freedom of movement.
Choosing the right padded jacket for your weight
A padded jacket is the perfect garment for spring and autumn. This means you'll probably spend a lot of time taking it off and putting it back on as temperatures change, sometimes going from one extreme to another, throughout the day.
What is the best lightweight padded jacket?
If you're going out for several hours or days, the best lightweight padded jacket would be a quilted padded jacket. This type of padded jacket is compact. It will easily fit into your backpack, without weighing you down.
At Forclaz, we know that the weight of a product weighs heavily in your purchasing decision. That's why you'll find the weight of our items on our product sheets (in size M).
Choosing a men’s padded jacket in the right size
Size is an essential factor in determining the comfort and thermal efficiency of a padded jacket. A padded jacket that's too big can let the cold in, while one that's too small can restrict your movements.
In order to choose the right size when buying a padded jacket, you need to consider several different factors. First of all, it's a good idea to measure your chest size. To do this, place a tape measure horizontally across your chest, 1 cm below the armpits, and note down the measurement.
If you're not sure, we've put together a size guide to help you. The best thing to do is to come and try some jackets on in the shop! However, if you have a Decathlon loyalty card, you have 365 days to change your mind and return your padded jacket to the shop if the size isn’t right, as opposed to 30 days without a card. Get yours now – it’s completely free!
We've explored everything there is to know about men’s padded jackets! If you want to get the whole family kitted out, check out our more general article, which will give you advice on choosing a padded jacket for adults as well as kids.
Agathe
A mountain hiking enthusiast
