I am sure somebody has already posted this but I cannot find it in BPL using a google search so here it is:

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/gear-blog/waterproof-down-from-berghaus/7971.html

http://www.outdoorsmagic.com/editorial-musings/om-live-from-berghaus-in-the-lakes/8765.html

Here is a working link:

DWR Treated Down

Not sure what to think about "treating" the down. Seems like a bit of a gimmick, especially since it will never last more than a handful of washes or seasons before washing out anyway. Why not just dump the treated 700 fill and go with untreated true high quality 900 fill down. I would bet money that 900 fill would simply do better than treated 700. They also make it sound like down simply wets out, clumps and is useless instantly or that drying it requires a major effort to do?

I'm not going to totally discount it, but since goose down has a good 20yr+ lifespan adding a very temporary DWR treatment to it seems excessive and is nothing more than a marketing ploy to make people think their 700 fill is better than it is. It's good to see companies trying new things, I just don't know how sure I am at trying to improve the best insulation layer mother nature has to offer with more chemicals. Makes me wonder how much a pound of treated 700 fill costs...

Great marketing idea, doubtful value in practice.

When down is being prepared for sale it is washed to make sure it is 'clean' - no lice or insects or whatever. But a good down supplier will not strip all the natural body oils out of the down: they will leave a fair bit of it in. This body oil is a natural DWR used by the ducks to keep their feathers and down dry. In fact, when ducks are 'preening' they are actually spreading that body oil through their feathers.

Somehow I doubt that what they are adding will match what a million years of evolution has developed.

I also question the ethics of the advertising. Good down does float on water, and does not immediately turn into a wet soggy lump. When properly dried out a washed sleeping bag usually has a lot more loft than before the washing, not some small percentage. To suggest otherwise, per the advertising, verges on being deceptive.

Mind you, if you scour ALL the natural oils out of the down, then you have a problem. The best solution is to not do that.

Cheers
PS: strong and accurate analogy with partially scoured wool: it too is 'waterproof'.

Edited by rcaffin on 09/19/2011 15:39:53 MDT.

Nicely said Roger. Somehow I figured you'd agree...