Best Canadian Made Winter Jackets Provide Warmth for Decades
Posted by KONSTANTIN POLKOVNIKOV
Online Shopping for Canadian Made Winter Jackets
When it comes to winter jackets, Canadians are looking for the best defence against wind and snow while staying in style. Canada is known for its abrasive winter weather and there are many different brands on the market that boast protection from the elements. How do you choose which one is best for you? Beginning with shopping online provides a tremendous source of information for the consumer. Reading blogs and customer reviews about styles give you different points of view on what type of outerwear to choose. There are many luxury brands that use down from duck, goose or a combination of both. There are others that use synthetic materials promising top performance for winter activities.
Down vs. Synthetic
Down is made from the underside of duck and goose feathers. This fluffiness of the feathers traps the warm air within the jacket. This is called fill power. The higher the fill power, the warmer the jacket. Down is very light weight and highly resilient. The larger the feathers, the more warmth is captured within the jacket. Goose down is more expensive because it is a larger feather but also because goose feathers aren’t as accessible. Duck feathers can provide a fill power of 750 which is considered excellent. Duck meat and eggs is in higher demand than goose, making the down collected from farms more accessible. Using duck down in Canadian made winter jackets makes luxury down jackets more affordable for consumers and can last for decades.
Water-wicking synthetic materials were designed to keep you dry. While down is not water resistant, polyester fibres are. This is a benefit for the harsh winter climate in Canada, but these polyester fibres aren’t as light weight or resilient as down. This means the fibres break down at a quicker rate causing you to have to purchase a new winter jacket before you would need another down filled jacket. Essentially, down is mother nature’s insulator. It provides incredible warmth with minimal weight and gives you the most value for your money.
Inuit Inspired Design
The best Canadian made winter jackets find their inspiration from those who have battled the Arctic weather for centuries. The Inuit people created the earliest form of the parka from coyote and seal hides. They used fur trimmed hoods to protect their faces from the arctic winds, preventing frost bite when out hunting. European influence evolved the concept of the parka to include down filled jackets and these have been used by the military for those service in exceptionally harsh winter climates. Arctic Bay is one Canadian outerwear company who uses the design of the Inuit people in their high-quality products. The material is sourced locally, so it isn’t shipped from overseas and meets the standards Canadians expect to fight the frigid temperatures.
Choosing to shop Canadian-made has a positive impact on the environment as transportation is kept within our borders and it leaves a smaller carbon footprint. Buying Canadian made outerwear also helps to support our national economy and creates jobs within Canada. Made for Canadians, by Canadians. Buy the best Canadian made winter jackets and invest in a garment that will protect you from the harshest of wind chill nature can throw at you.
