baffled

Someone did mention this in a thread very recently – the post was in reference to a specific jacket that a specific company was working on, I don't remember the details.

From the website:

"After a year of testing and fine-tuning the production process, DownTek™ is now available for immediate shipping of bulk down orders. DownTek™ will be offered in premium goose down fills that are 700 Fill Power and higher."

I wonder what they consider a bulk order, and whether or not some of our home-grown gear makers can get their hands on this stuff.

I also wonder how much this stuff is.

There was such a thread.

But there are so many products coming out that's its hard to tell whats the real deal from the gimmicks. There are alot of potential downsides from treating down so until there are some expert third party reviews it's going to be hard to be too eagar.

Also there doesn't seem to be alot of actual products to try.

Finally, who wears alot of down in the rain? Water resistant down is great but I own 5-6 very expensive pieces of down items and generally I don't get them wet.

I think this a really awesome innovation if it really works. I'd really like to know how much moisture (level and duration) this stuff can withstand. We really need a BPL article that puts this stuff to the test. It it really works, it's amazing.

I personally wonder if it's going to end up being more like a mediocre DWR that just delays the wetting out a bit.

mentioned here

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/2012_prospects_new_and_noteworthy_gear.html

and here

http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/forums/thread_display.html?forum_thread_id=58430

Thanks for the link. After watching the video, I find it interesting that they had to shake the jars with water and down for 2 minutes to soak the untreated down. I would have thought a few seconds would be enough.

I did not realize it was in that article, so I was not trying to circumvent that. I figured there would be more buzz nevertheless – it's looks like one of the next big things.

I have not watched the video but anyone that has washed down knows it takes a while to soak a bag – probably because we watch it – like waiting for water to boil. We all know that when we REALLY need the down it might not be there though.

Brooks Range is coming out with a jacket using "WP down". I've already contacted them to see if we can get a sample for review, but they won't have anything until Spring.

I wonder if science behind this down treatment is the same (or similar) to Never Wet.
http://www.neverwet.com/index.php
(Be sure to watch the video. It will blow your mind)

Assuming it works, it would be great but, as this is a coating, I wonder if there will be a significant weight penalty added to the down?

Think it will be up to their sponsored athletes and those with deeper pockets than mine to test this out initially.

Not to derail this down discussion, but just watched Michaels link to neverwet…very cool….if it works as advertised. Need to get Mythbusters onto this one.

I liked that Down-tek seemed to be making an effort to make an environmentally safe product. We don't need more nano poly beads floating around.

Berghaus already have a jacket out using this technology, the Mount Asgard hybrid. BPL might be able to get one from them to test.

@Dan,
Excellent point about the down DWR being environmentally friendly and not so much with the Never Wet. For those of us who love the outdoors it's important that we support companies that are committed to low/no impact business practices. I'm going to start a separate thread for the Never Wet and see what others think.
Thanks for starting this thread Dan. Interesting stuff.

It could even work to keep my Cheeerios puffy.

Looks like it's a down/synth mix so it'd be harder to see if the special down actually makes a difference. IMO anyway.

Making down more water repellent or even waterproof will be a big deal if they can do it without affecting its compressibility, but if it means being able to use less down, so as not to compensate for moisture absorption, it could make up for that.

Hi to all

I was thrilled to see a discussion about our exciting new product (DownTek). I want to review some of the questions you guys had below. If there are any others, please email us at:

info@down-tek.com

1)Affect loft/compressibility at all?

Absolutely no negative effects on loft or compressibility

2)How is it enviro friendly?

It is a 6 carbon based carbon DWR. It is PFOA and PFOS free. It not classified as dangerous according to the criteria of European directives 67/548/EEC and 1999/45/EC

3)Extra weight added?

Because it is a Nano treatment, it is a micro-layer of protection that adds no measurable weight

4)Generally, it will cost 6% to 10% more than untreated down.

5)How long does it retain water resistant ability?

We have gone to 20 washes in a home washer & dryer with no degradation of the water repellancy

You should expect to see the product available beginning this Fall (2012)

Brooke, how about a list or link to companies using it? It's enough to make a person switch brands.

LL Bean will be launching a 850 FP jacket in Fall 2012

Big Agnes will be launching a 700 FP sleeping bag in Fall 2012

Brooks Range will be launching an 850 FP jacket in Fall 2012

Spring 2013 will add…

Mountain Hardwear

Salewa

Dynafit

Sea to Summit

You can follow us on Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date on brands and release dates. Thanks for the inquiry, enthusiasm, and attention!!

@DownTek

https://www.facebook.com/DOWNTEK

info@down-tek.com

Hi Brooke,

Will the general public be able to purchase the down in small quanties (maybe 2 pounds)

Thanks,

Stephen

Hi Stephen

Unfortunately it's only available to be purchased for bulk production.

Thank you for your interest!

info@down-tek.com

Hi Brooke,

What consitutes a bulk order?

The reason I ask is most of down clothing and a quilt I have is custom made by a cottage business which offers high levels of customisation.

Cheers,

Stephen