Why Lagoped chooses recycled wadding

At Lagoped, we have made a clear choice: outdoor gear that is more respectful of the environment and living beings. Every material we use is carefully selected to reduce our impact and promote a more sustainable model. 

When it comes to designing insulating clothing, two main options exist: animal down and synthetic wadding. While the former has historically been valued for its thermal performance, it now raises many ethical and environmental concerns. Recycled wadding, on the other hand, offers a sustainable and responsible alternative without compromising on warmth or comfort.

Down comes from the feathers closest to the birds' bodies, mainly ducks and geese. It helps them regulate their temperature and provides optimal insulation against cold and moisture. These properties make down a prized insulator for many products, including jackets, sleeping bags, and bedding.

However, down harvesting is far from harmless. While some certifications guarantee down from animals slaughtered for their meat, investigations reveal that live-plucking is still practiced, causing severe suffering to the animals. Furthermore, some down comes from birds raised in the foie gras industry, a practice already controversial for its farming conditions. Each year, more than 600 million geese and 3 billion ducks raised and slaughtered in intensive farms could suffer from these abuses. 

The intensive farming of geese and ducks for down production leads to massive consumption of water and resources. Additionally, the processing and treatment of down require the use of chemicals. In wet conditions, down loses its insulating properties and often needs to be treated with water-repellent agents, which frequently contain PFAS, persistent pollutants with serious environmental consequences.

While some initiatives aim to regulate these practices and improve the traceability of down, they remain insufficient to guarantee a reduced ecological and ethical impact.

Recycled down comes from old items containing feathers and down, such as pillows, duvets, or clothing. Once collected, these feathers are carefully washed, steam disinfected, then dried before being reused. This process ensures clean filling that meets hygiene requirements.

Using recycled down helps reduce the carbon footprint of our clothing. Its environmental impact is lower than that of virgin down: a 33% reduction in CO₂e emissions per kilogram of insulation compared to new duck down, according to an outdoor textile manufacturer. That is why some outdoor brands favor it, considering it a more responsible alternative.

However, for this solution to be truly effective, a genuine collection and sorting system must be developed. The more products containing recycled down there are and the more consumers recycle their old items, the less waste will end up in landfills, thus extending the life cycle of already extracted materials.

Recycled down therefore helps to reduce waste and limit the demand for new down, but it remains an indirect support to the down industry. Its environmental impact is certainly lower than that of virgin down, but it does not offer a solution completely detached from the ethical issues related to animal exploitation. In comparison, synthetic wadding, and more specifically recycled wadding, presents a more virtuous alternative.

While down feathers have long dominated the thermal insulation market, wadding has evolved to offer equivalent or even superior performance. Unlike down, wadding remains effectiveeven in damp conditions, making it an ideal choice for outdoor adventures. More durable over time, it resists wear better and does not escape through clothing seams, a common problem with down.

Recycled wadding is made from recycled polyester fibers, generally obtained from PET plastic bottles. Its manufacturing process helps reduce the extraction of fossil resources, while offering insulating properties comparable to down. At Lagoped, we chose this material because it embodies our values: a high-performance, durable product aligned with our environmental commitments.

The Lagoped brand uses recycled wadding, made in Germany and Slovakia. A responsible alternative to animal down, highlighting European craftsmanship. 

G-LOFT® insulation stands out as an innovative synthetic fiber developed by the Austrian manufacturer Goldeck Textil. Designed to combine the benefits of natural down with the durability of synthetic fibers, this high-tech material is ultra-lightweight, breathable, and effective even in cold and wet conditions.

One of the major strengths of G-LOFT® lies in its unique spiral hollow fiber structure, inspired by polar bear fur. This design allows it to effectively trap body heat while optimizing air circulation to prevent overheating and moisture buildup. Unlike down, G-LOFT® synthetic fibers do not absorb moisture, ensuring high thermal performance even in damp environments. Additionally, thanks to its "memory effect," the insulation maintains its loft over time and always regains its original shape after compression, providing consistent and reliable thermal insulation.

Responsible and sustainable insulation

In addition to its thermal performance, G-LOFT® is an ethical and responsible alternative to animal down fillings. Its durability and resistance to washing also make it a sustainable choice, designed to accompany adventurers season after season without loss of performance.

100% made in Europe, G-LOFT® is a responsible alternative to traditional fillings. It contains no animal materials, is fully recyclable, and is suitable for people with allergies. It is one of the most efficient insulators on the market, ideal for outdoor clothing designed to face the elements without compromising on lightness, warmth, and breathability.

The HEYDO2 down jacket is a technical piece designed to accompany adventurers in cold weather. Its padding is made of recycled polyester, coming from used plastic bottles. The outer and inner fabric is made of regenerated polyamide, sourced from fishing nets, rugs, and carpets. Its assembly in Poland ensures an entirely European production.

Moreover, the manufacturing of the down jacket emits 5.04 kg CO2-Eq, which is -89.92% particle emissions compared to a down jacket with the same properties. An environmental performance that could make recycled down jacket manufacturers pale.

It stands out by:

• Its immediate and lasting warmth contribution (CLO = 4.52).
• Its perfect complementarity with our technical jackets, ideal as a mid-layer.
• Its recycled material aligns with our environmental commitments.

The CORUJA down jacket is based on the same principle but with some differences. Its outer fabric made of recycled polyester is windproof and water-repellent, while its ultra-breathable wadding ensures quick moisture evacuation. Its panels in stretch fabric and its quilted interior guarantee optimal comfort.

The choice between down and wadding depends on individual priorities. Down is valued for its lightness and compressibility, while wadding is preferred for its durability, water resistance, and ease of care. In outdoor activities like skiing, hiking, or mountaineering, these qualities are essential.

Whenever possible, we encourage the use of recycled wadding, an alternative that preserves resources while ensuring high thermal performance. If you still choose a down product, make sure it has certification guaranteeing animal-friendly production, such as the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), the Traceable Down Standard (TDS), or Downpass 2017.

Choosing your clothes consciously also means choosing a consumption mode that respects nature and its inhabitants. At Lagoped, we have made our choice. What about you?