Sierra Designs DriDown

Down is one of the best insulators out there. It's warm, compressible and can make even the most freezing days manageable. It also has an unmatched warmth-to-weight ratio. Yet, like Superman with Kryptonite, the minute it touches water its powers start to fade - until now. This year at SIA Sierra Designs introduced their new DriDown. Each individual plume in DriDown has been treated with a molecular level hydrophobic polymer that will prevent the water from soaking in as quickly and keep the insulation dryer longer. In fact, DriDown will stay dry 7x longer in the presence of rain, snow and body moisture than regular down. It will also dry 3x faster. The jacket also has a hydrophobic finish that allows moisture from inside the jacket to escape while keeping exterior moisture out.

Sierra Designs has incorporated DriDown into several jackets and sleeping bags. The Tov Jacket ($259) is great for belaying and will keep you dry even if you are sweaty post-climb. The Gnar Lite Jacket ($229) is an 800-fill count jacket perfect for bitter days. They have also created several sleeping bags filled with DriDown including the Zissou 0 HI ($299) which is a 0 degree 600-fill winter bag. Look for these products fall 2012.