Why Lagoped chooses recycled wadding

At Lagoped, we have made a clear choice: to make outdoor equipment more respectful of the environment and of living things . Each material we use is carefully selected to reduce our impact and promote a more sustainable model.

When it comes to designing insulated clothing, there are two main options: animal down and synthetic wadding . While the former has historically been prized for its thermal performance, it now raises many ethical and environmental questions. 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 body of birds, primarily ducks and geese. It helps regulate their temperature and provides optimal insulation against cold and moisture. These properties make down a popular insulator for many products, including down jackets, sleeping bags, and bedding .

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

Intensive farming of geese and ducks for down production results in massive water and resource consumption . In addition, down processing and treatment require the use of chemicals . In humid conditions, down loses its insulating properties and often needs to be treated with water-repellent agents, which often contain PFAS, perennial 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-sanitized, and then dried before reuse. This process ensures a clean filling that meets hygienic 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 one outdoor textile manufacturer. This 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 there are containing recycled down and the more consumers recycle their old items, the less waste will end up in landfill, thus extending the life cycle of the materials already extracted.

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

While feathers have long dominated the thermal insulation market, wadding has evolved to offer equal, if not superior, performance. Unlike down, wadding remains effective even in wet conditions , making it an ideal choice for outdoor adventures. It is more durable over time, more resistant to wear and tear , and does not leak through the seams of clothing, a common problem with down.

Recycled wadding is made from recycled polyester fibers , usually obtained from PET plastic bottles. Its manufacturing process reduces the extraction of fossil resources , while providing insulating properties comparable to those of down. At Lagoped, we chose this material because it embodies our values: a high-performance, sustainable product in line with our environmental commitments.

The Lagoped brand uses recycled wadding, made in Germany and Slovakia. A responsible alternative to animal down, which showcases European know-how .

G-LOFT® insulation is distinguished by its innovative synthetic fiber developed by 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 high-performance, even in cold and wet conditions.

One of the major advantages of G-LOFT® is its unique spiral hollow fiber structure, inspired by the polar bear's fur. This design effectively traps body heat while optimizing air circulation to prevent overheating and moisture buildup . Unlike down, the synthetic fibers of G-LOFT® do not absorb moisture, ensuring high thermal performance even in humid environments. In addition, thanks to its "memory effect," the insulation retains its loft for a long time and always returns to its original shape after compression, providing consistent and reliable thermal insulation over time.

Responsible and sustainable insulation

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

Made 100% in Europe , G-LOFT® is a responsible alternative to traditional fillings. It contains no animal materials, is fully recyclable, and is suitable for allergy sufferers. It is one of the highest-performing 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 , sourced 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 guarantees entirely European production .

Additionally, the production of the down jacket emits 5.04 kg CO2-Eq, or 89.92% less particle emissions than a down jacket with the same properties. This environmental performance could put recycled down jacket manufacturers to shame.

It is distinguished by:

• Its immediate and lasting heat supply (CLO = 4.52).
• Its perfect complement to our technical jackets, ideal as an intermediate layer.
• Its recycled material, in accordance with our environmental commitments.

The CORUJA down jacket shares the same principle, but with a few differences. Its recycled polyester outer fabric is windproof and water-repellent, while its ultra-breathable wadding ensures rapid moisture wicking. Its stretch fabric inserts and 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 favored for its durability, water resistance, and ease of care. In outdoor pursuits such as skiing, hiking, or mountaineering, these qualities are essential.

Where possible, we encourage the use of recycled wadding, an alternative that conserves resources while ensuring high thermal performance. If you do choose a down product, make sure it has a certification that guarantees 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 way of consuming that respects nature and those who inhabit it. At Lagoped, we've made our choice. And you?