Blog

One of the more technical jackets we have used over the past 6 months, the Axis Alpha Down jacket on first appearance is similar in design to the Montane Quattro Fusion, a jacket we very much enjoyed testing and reviewing and have continued to use over the past few years. Montane has a great reputation for creating some very innovative clothing, with a wide mix of materials to produce …

Picking a sleeping bag for a 2-week trip is a difficult one; the time of year, where you are hiking, how changeable the weather is, and what altitude you are camping at, should all be taken into account when choosing what bag to take on a trip. May in Scotland is arguably the most unpredictable month, in the most unpredictable of places, it could snow, and it could also be a heat wave, …

Down is the natural plumage that forms the undercoating of waterfowl. It forms in tufts, or plumules, and consists of fluffy, wispy filaments. It is an exceptional insulator, prized for being light, easy to compress, durable and breathable. It excels in cold, dry conditions. Down is more expensive than synthetic fill, but it maintains its loft (which provides its heat-trapping ability) at a near-o …

Generally the more down in a jacket (fill weight), the warmer it is going to be but this assumes the down is the same quality. However, down quality can vary significantly and is measured by its fill power. A higher fill power down will keep you warmer than a lower fill power. To make matters worse there are two widely recognised methods of measuring Fill Power - the 'US' Method and the 'EU' Metho …

When down gets wet, it will lose most of its insulation properties but this is where Hydrophobic down comes in - this is a relatively new concept and the purpose is to solve the main drawback of 'regular' down, which is it's lack of effectiveness when wet.Hydrophobic down has been treated with a durable water repellent that enables the down to dry quicker and resist water for longer, meaning it wi …

What does 'Ethical Down' mean?Down is the most efficient insulation for clothing and sleeping bags; it is much warmer for a given weight than other insulators and it is long lasting. Over the years, there have been some issues surrounding the ethical nature of down products and how they are produced.The most ethically sourced down is that gathered from nests, however this is a time consuming proce …

Backpacking quilts are rapidly increasing in popularity especially amongst lightweight backpackers. So, what is a backpacking quilt? Essentially, it’s half a sleeping bag with no bottom layer (although there might be a footbox) and in most cases no zip or hood. The down in a sleeping bag gets compressed underneath you so do you really need it? So why would you choose a quilt over a …

“The Lost Ranger 3N1 20° sleeping bag is part of our latest evolution of the Big Agnes Sleep System. This modular bag design offers just what you’d expect: three bag configurations in one simple, yet technical sleep system.” Combining sleeping bags has long been a choice of ours for a few reasons, including boosting the warmth of an older bag extending its use, or combining separat …

Fill Power Explained Fill PowerThe warmth of a down product comes from the large volume of air trapped inside the shell by the down feathers; Fill Power is the measure of loft of a product that is related to the insulating value of the down or to put it simply, a measure of how well the down will expand after being compressed. This is a key factor that should be taken into account when purchasing …

Why We Choose DownSince our beginning, Western Mountaineering has always felt that high fill power goose down is the best insulation material available. This natural fiber, while highly variable in nature, provides more warmth per ounce than any other material. Down's unique structure is responsible for its tremendous ability to trap warm air. Its filaments are divided and sub-divided to reach out …

Montane Down information page