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Hi-Tec dyes its down with Color-Tec

by Seth Levy
February 1, 2012

Yet another company aims to improve upon the natural state of down insulation, this time in a very visible way. This time it's Hi-Tec as the first company to offer dyed down in its insulated clothing, which it will show off inside a new transparent shell for 2012.

Timaru Hoodie
Women's Timaru Down Hoodie

The proprietary technology, called Color-Tec, dyes the individual down clusters vivid colors (see also water-resistant down offerings from Brooks-Range and Sierra Designs).

Why mess with the appearance of down, you might ask?

In addition to the unique look, Hi-Tec claims that Color-Tec technology increases the loft of the down clusters slightly—about five percent—and doesn’t affect the oils needed for healthy down insulation.

Hi-Tec will showcase its colored down in the 700-fill women's Timaru Down Hoodie. The Timaru features a thin, translucent shell with narrow baffles that allow the vivid colors of the dyed down to show through.

The shell fabric is a 15D nylon mini rip, silicon coated. The jacket includes two zippered handwarmer pockets and a single‐hand drawcord adjustable hem.

Timaru Down Hoodie

  • Insulation: 700 fill power down
  • Sizes: Women's S‐XL
  • Available: Fall 2012
  • MSRP: $189

What do you think? Is there a market for colored down insulation or are outdoor brands messing around with an already good thing?


Color-Tec down clusters from Hi-Tec


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure: The author serves on a volunteer board of directors with a Hi-Tec employee.