Down that stays dry

[Down Décor] Cincinnati, Ohio

Down is universally regarded as an efficient natural insulator, used for decades in apparel and sleeping bags. The central flaw of down, however, is that once it is wet, it loses its loft and insulation factor, making it difficult to dry and compromising the comfort and safety of outdoor athletes. Working with Belgian lab NanoGroup Europe, Down Décor now offers Downtek™, a new technology that reduces the absorption of water by 300 percent and dries five times faster than conventional down. It will be available in a range of outdoor and home products, including the Mojave jacket from Brooks-Range Mountaineering, Fremont, Calif. The treatment does not add any weight to a down garment or sleep system.