admin ALLIED Feather + Down, industry leaders in high performance and hydrophobic down
insulation, is proud to announce Jack Wolfskin, creators of innovative, eco-conscious outdoor
apparel, equipment, and footwear will replace current, chemical-intensive hydrophobic down
with ALLIED’s ExpeDRY throughout their fall/winter 2024 hydrophobic down apparel line.
Poised to render current, chemical-intensive treatments obsolete, ExpeDRY down insulation
is cleaner and better performing than all other hydrophobic down technologies. Created in
partnership with FUZE Technologies and relying on gold particles permanently bonded to
down plumes, ExpeDRY is PFAS-free, permanent, and far better at keeping insulated jackets
dry and warm in any outdoor environment.
“Traditional hydrophobic chemistry works great when in direct contact with water droplets,
and is effectively used on jacket shell material to keep water out,” said Matthew Betcher,
Creative Director with ALLIED. “However, for insulation, the needs are much different. In real
world situations, the down in jackets more often comes into contact with humidity and water
vapor, where traditional hydrophobic chemistry is far less efficient. ExpeDRY, however,
actively works to keep this vapor from condensing, allowing it to evaporate more easily,
keeping the entire insulation chamber, and the user, dryer and warmer.”
Beyond performance, there is a very real environmental need to limit – or eliminate – the use
of chemicals throughout the manufacturing process.
“As responsible manufacturers, we should all be looking to remove chemicals in our supply
chain, whether they are currently considered “acceptable” or not,” continues Betcher. “It
wasn’t all that long ago that PFAS chemicals were considered safe, and as environmental
metrics change, going chemical-free is the only way to stay ahead.”
As we explore how different chemicals drive climate change and adversely affect human
health, it becomes clear that we still have a long way to go to create a sustainable future.
According to new studies recently published by Scientific American, “in the European Union
alone, some 80 percent of human-made chemicals have been used without testing for more
than a decade.” This lack of testing has allowed harmful chemicals to be used for years before
their true, negative impacts are understood.
Starting in Fall 24, chemical-free ExpeDRY down can be found in several new Jack Wolfskin
apparel lines, including the Discovery series.
“We are incredibly excited to work with brands like Jack Wolfskin to help reduce their overall
chemical use while maintaining – or even increasing – performance in their technical
products,” added Betcher. “We look forward to driving this revolution and working with all of
our partners towards this goal.”
“The continuous development in the field of sustainability combined with performance and
technological long-term solutions is an important task for our industry. We are very excited
to be the first brand to bring the new eco-friendly technology in our new FW24 products to
market” Regina Goller, Director Fabric & Trim Management, Jack Wolfskin.
Now available through manufacturers based across China, ExpeDRY is affordable, widely
available, and ready to scale, giving brands an easy way to increase performance while
reducing the environmental impacts associated with the reduction of chemical usage.
About ALLIED Feather + Down
Founded in Vernon, Calif. in 1987, ALLIED has been responsibly sourcing and sustainably
processing down while simultaneously driving innovation within the insulation market for
over 30 years. The family owned and operated business has earned the reputation as the
largest, most reliable and most responsible supplier of raw material in the industry. Through
the creation of programs such as the Responsible Down Standard (RDS) and TrackMyDown,
ALLIED is committed to safeguarding the welfare of animals while protecting the
environment. ALLIED remains a family owned company with facilities worldwide and is
proud to produce the highest quality down technologies demanded by the most discerning
brands in the outdoor, hospitality and fashion marketplaces.
About Jack Wolfskin
Jack Wolfskin is one of the leading providers of premium quality outdoor apparel, footwear
and equipment in Europe and the largest franchisor in the sports retail market in Germany.
Jack Wolfskin products are currently available in more than 490 Jack Wolfskin stores and at
over 4,000 points of sale worldwide. Jack Wolfskin products are renowned for their optimized
functionality, high quality and exceptional innovation. In recent years the specialist outdoor
brand has captured a large share of the market with numerous new products and materials.
Jack Wolfskin is also a pioneer of the first order when it comes to sustainability. The company
has been a member of the Fair Wear Foundation since 2010 and was awarded with FWF
Leader status seven times. Jack Wolfskin is also a bluesign® system partner since 2011. The
company is head-quartered in Idstein, in the Taunus region of Germany and currently
employs over 1,440 people worldwide.
