Spending a night outside shivering, and wondering when the sun will rise, will make you realize the value of good outwear.
Good outwear is determined by what type of insulating material it is made of. Examples of insulating materials are lamilite, Down, or Primaloft.
This article will discuss what lamilite is and the differences between lamilite and other insulating materials.
What is lamilite?
Lamilite is a type of insulation constructed of laminated filament fibre and is silicone-coated. The filament fibre is made of 70-denier nylon taffeta. The denier taffeta is the thickness of the yarn.
All gear that has lamilite has apparel stiffness and hydrophobic properties due to the laminated fibre in the lamilite.
Sleeping bags made of lamilite are compatible, lightweight, and rigid. The sleeping bags are designed to work even when wet and may be stored compressed for extended periods without losing their insulation capabilities.
Characteristics of Lamilite
Lamilite sleeping bags and gear are utilised by the military, demonstrating their quality and durability beyond the stock market.
The main thing that sets lamilite apart from all other insulating materials is; that lamilite can be compressed and left in the compressed state for an unspecified period.
Even when uncompressed, lamilite does not lose its insulating capability. Lamilite insulated sleeping bags are the only ones used by the United States Air Force and any other military organisation or government agency that requires vacuum-packed sleeping bags.
Businesses such as the oil industry also use lamilite sleeping bags to keep in their trucks in case the car breaks down and the crew is stuck where relief is not immediately available.
Also, backpackers who worry their transportation might be unreliable tend to use lamilite-insulated sleeping bags.
Another feature that differentiates Lamilite from other types of insulation is that it is entirely unaffected by water in any form.
Lamilite does not absorb moisture and is not weighted down like different types of polyester fibre. Polyester fibre is made of chemical binders mixed in liquid and then oven-dried.
So when dipped in water, polyester absorbs the water and weighs down the fibre.
When Lamilite insulated products become wet, they do not lose their insulating function.
Also, if a lamilite bag is slept in or a garment is worn, the user’s body heat dries the bag or garment. Lamilite is also lightweight, very soft, and lofty.
Lamilite vs down
Down insulation is constructed of a high, fluffy substance found behind the feathers of a goose or duck. It forms high-loft loose fibre tendrils that retain body heat.
Also, it serves as an undercoating. Down is breathable, which helps expel undesired moisture away from your body.
| Lamilite | Down |
| It maintains its loft and insulating ability even after being compressed. | It does not retain its insulating ability after being compressed for a long time. |
| Lamilite fibre does not absorb moisture. It also allows moisture to pass through it. This is because it is treated with silicone, which functions as a lubricant. As a result, water, whether vapour or liquid, does not affect the Lamilite. | It absorbs water which makes down clump up and loses its insulating ability. |
| It will never lose its original loft. | It loses its original loft. |
| Lamilite does not cause any known allergies. | Down is hypoallergenic. |
| If a lamilite product gets wet, the user’s body heat dries it out. | Down takes a long time to dry out. |
| Lamilite is a low-maintenance product. It can be washed in warm or cool water and dried in standard machines at a low-temperature setting. | When cleaning down products, you must be very specific about what y ou use. You can only use mild detergents and down-specified cleaning products. Since it is a natural product, Down must be stored and laundered in specific ways, and it will deteriorate over time. Down’s longevity is determined by the care it receives. |
| It can be used in all conditions. | It can only be used in dry cold conditions. |
In terms of loft and compatibility, down and lamilite are equal. In all other characteristics, lamilite surpasses down.
Lamilite vs Primaloft
Primaloft, also called synthetic down, is a synthetic material that was made for the U.S army in the 1980s. It has been developed to mimic all the characteristics of down and even made better.
Primaloft is now waterproof, which is down’s main downside.
PrimaLoft fibres have been treated so they do not retain any water, allowing them to keep you dry no matter how hard it rains.
This synthetic insulation imitates the warmth-giving properties of down by fabric with tiny air pockets that trap and retain your body heat. However, is it better than lamilite?
| Lamilite | Primaloft |
| Lamilite can be used in all weather conditions | Primaloft can be used in wet conditions but will still absorb moisture and water. The only difference between PrimaLoft and down is that it keeps warmer for longer. |
| It is less bulky and very compatible, making it very reliable | Not very compatible due to the amount of fiber-packed to retain warmth. This makes it bulky |
| It does not lose its loft even after being compressed | It flattens after being compressed because it is synthetic. |
All things considered, lamilite is still better than PrimaLoft.
Conclusion
Lamilite is not only waterproof, but it also does not lose its loft even after being compressed for an extended period. Lamilite is made of laminated fibre, which is silicone coated. In terms of weight, loft, and compatibility, lamilite surpasses all other types of insulating material.
