Why Lagoped chooses recycled wadding

At Lagoped, we have made a clear choice: that of outdoor equipment that is 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 insulating 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 located closest to the body of birds, mainly ducks and geese. It allows them to regulate their temperature and provide optimal insulation against cold and humidity. 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. In addition, some of the down comes from birds from the foie gras industry, a practice that is already controversial due to 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 involves massive consumption of water and resources . In addition, the processing and treatment of down requires the use of chemicals . In humid conditions, down loses its insulating properties and often has to be treated with water-repellent agents, which often contain PFAS, perennial pollutants with serious environmental consequences.

Although 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, disinfected with steam and then dried before being reused. 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 an outdoor textile manufacturer. This is why some outdoor brands are favouring it, considering it a more responsible alternative.

However, for this solution to be truly effective, a real collection and sorting sector 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 precisely recycled wadding, presents a more virtuous alternative.

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

Recycled wadding is made from recycled polyester fibres , generally obtained from PET plastic bottles. Its manufacturing process reduces the extraction of fossil resources , while offering insulating properties comparable to those of down. At Lagoped, we have chosen 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 highlights European know-how .

G-LOFT® insulation stands out as an innovative synthetic fibre developed by Austrian manufacturer Goldeck Textil. Designed to combine the benefits of natural down with the robustness of synthetic fibres, this high-tech material is ultra-light, breathable and high-performance, even in cold and damp conditions.

One of the major assets 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 build-up . Unlike down, G-LOFT®'s synthetic fibers 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 loss of 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 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 , from used plastic bottles. The outer and inner fabric is made of regenerated polyamide , from fishing nets, carpets and rugs. Its assembly in Poland guarantees entirely European production .

In addition, the manufacture of the down jacket emits 5.04 kg CO2-Eq, or -89.92% of particle emissions compared to a down jacket with the same properties. An environmental performance that could make manufacturers of down jackets made from recycled down pale.

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 is based on the same principle, but with a few differences. Its outer fabric in recycled polyester is windproof and water-repellent, while its ultra-breathable wadding ensures rapid moisture evacuation. Its stretch fabric inserts and its quilted interior guarantee optimal comfort.

The choice between down and wadding depends on each person's priorities. Down is appreciated for its lightness and compressibility, while wadding is preferred for its durability, water resistance and ease of maintenance. In outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking or mountaineering, these performances 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 mode of consumption that respects nature and those who inhabit it. At Lagoped, we have made our choice. And you?