Montane's ExpeDRY™ Down Technology Explained
Oct 31, 2024
What is ExpeDRY™ Technology?
ExpeDRY™ is a new chemical free alternative to WR treated hydrophobic down that performs better in real world situations, assists in consumer care and uses 70% fewer resources to produce.
How Does ExpeDRY™ Work?
ExpeDRY™ works through a permanent and chemical-free bonding of non-toxic gold particles to the down cluster, which actively attacks the humidity inside the insulation and keeps the entire chamber dry in extreme conditions.
The ExpeDRY gold particles create an electro-static shield that provides a small hydrophobic barrier and weakens the hydrogen bond that allows water to form…
By attacking the hydrogen bond of the water molecule, ExpeDRY helps keeps moisture from coalescing into droplets (as is the case with performance in use) and helps break that bond to help any water that may be present to dry faster (as is the case in home laundry).
This helps to create a drier insulating chamber in almost every real world applications. It also helps with moisture from within, such as sweat in high energy activities, which could ultimately lead to a more regulated warmth.
ExpeDRY™ Performance Tested Results
To understand the efficacy of the drying power of ExpeDRY, we subjected the same sample size of ExpeDRY, traditional hydrophobic chemically treated down and untreated to complete collapse. We then air dried the material in a relatively low humidity room at around 72 degrees °F. the Material was housed in loose mesh bags in order to remove textile influence. A sample was considered dry when it fell below +5% of the original weight.
In real world situations, insulation is almost never in direct contact with water. In order to determine efficacy in extreme environments where one might consider the use of hydrophobic treated down, we have simulated a real world scenario that subjects insulation to a period of humidity. This mimics that caused by extreme external weather. This is followed by a period of air drying. The down has been placed in a container that allows 90% humidity to enter through the middle. The containers have a pierced exterior to allow a certain amount of humidity to escape in a manner representative by a traditional down proof fabric. The canisters are marked with fill power volumes. Upon completion of the humidity cycle, the return to loft is visually measured over time.
Fire Up Your Alpine Adventures
The Alpine 850 Nano Hoodie’s uncompromising, high-performance design keeps you warm in the high places without weighing you down. It’s filled with 60g (Medium) of high-quality, fast-drying 850 fill power ExpeDRY™ goose down, with panels of synthetic insulation in high-moisture areas for outstanding thermal efficiency. The 100% recycled 10D ripstop outer fabric has a PFC-free DWR for lightweight windproof protection, and our improved Trim fit makes this the ultimate lightweight down jacket for technically demanding, high-altitude terrain where every gram counts.
Key Features
ExpeDRY™ RDS-Certified Down: Fast-drying 850FP goose down that stays dry in high humidity. The Alpine 850 Nano Hoodie is filled with 60g of goose down (men's medium), which has non-toxic gold particles bonded to it for fast-drying performance and industry-leading warmth. The inert, chemical-free technology works because gold particles vibrate water molecules, just like heat, to speed up evaporation to a rate faster than the absorption rate of down and manage moisture from the body too.
PRIMALOFT GOLD 100% (Recycled): Specifically placed synthetically insulated panels reduce bulk and manage moisture for high-moisture areas.
PERTEX QUANTUM 100% (Recycled): Lightweight, windproof 10D ripstop outer with PFC-Free (C0) DWR.
TRIM FIT: Tailored For Movement. Our new Trim fit has been developed to move with you during fast and light activities in the mountains, so that you can reach for climbing holds and turn your body without resistance. It has been optimised to fit underneath a Trim shell but can also be paired with other fits.
REDUCED VERTICAL SEEMS: Optimises ergonomic patterning for a precision fit and reduces construction for a lower weight.
ExpeDRY™ is a new chemical free alternative to WR treated hydrophobic down that performs better in real world situations, assists in consumer care and uses 70% fewer resources to produce.
The Alpine 850 Nano Hoodie is filled with 60g (Medium) of goose down, which has non-toxic gold particles bonded to it for fast-drying performance and industry-leading warmth. The inert, chemical-free technology works because gold particles vibrate water molecules, just like heat, to speed up evaporation to a rate faster than the absorption rate of down and manage moisture from the body too.