PrimaLoft Extends Down Alternative Offerings with New Loose Fill Insulations

PrimaLoft Insulation ThermoPlume®+ and PrimaLoft Insulation RISE Loose Fill provide increased loft, thermal performance and longevity. adidas TERREX, Nike and RAB among early adopters.

PrimaLoft, Inc., global leader in advanced material technology, has expanded its synthetic down alternative portfolio with two new high-performance insulations. PrimaLoft® Insulation ThermoPlume®+ and PrimaLoft® Insulation RISE Loose Fill are the latest products to achieve the performance and aesthetic of natural down, while adding the advantages of PrimaLoft synthetic fibers, all in a sustainable chassis. Global outdoor brands like adidas TERREX, RAB, and Nike are some of the first brands to adopt the new innovations into their collections for the fall/winter 2024 season.

"Our latest loose fill offerings have been developed to serve a variety of needs for our customers,” says Tara Maurer-Mackey, SVP Product Strategy. “Performance brands appreciate the products’ durability, packability and top thermal performance, even in wet conditions. Fashion and lifestyle partners are drawn to PrimaLoft synthetic down alternatives by the down-like hand feel, luxurious puffiness, sustainability, and animal welfare considerations. Across categories, brands value the design flexibility and ease of manufacturing our loose fill options provide.”

ThermoPlume®+: Increased loft and structural integrity with less material

PrimaLoft® ThermoPlume®+ is a synthetic down-alternative that has been designed to mimic the lightweight warmth, loft, softness, and compressibility of down. The innovation blends two unique fiber shapes to increase loft and thermal properties. ThermoPlume®+ requires 20% less material to create the same loft compared to PrimaLoft’s popular ThermoPlume® technology.

ThermoPlume®+ combines the existing sail-shaped fiber structure of ThermoPlume with spherical fiber balls to create a unified structural network. The empty spaces between the differing forms create a scaffolding effect that delivers a structurally resilient loft that provides down-like warmth and hand-feel. The durable structure stands up to repeated laundering and wear, and dries quickly, allowing for easy care. Unlike treated down, PrimaLoft® ThermoPlume®+ synthetic fibers provide fluorocarbon-free water resistance to keep the wearer warm, even in wet conditions. Made from 100% recycled material, the insulation provides a responsible, vegan-friendly alternative to down.

PrimaLoft® RISE Loose Fill: high performing, lightweight and compression resistant

PrimaLoft® RISE technology was first introduced in 2020 as a batted insulation and quickly found popularity due to its impressive mix of lightweight warmth and durable compression resistance across a variety of thicknesses. With RISE Loose Fill, PrimaLoft has taken this unique fiber construction and used it to create a high-performance loose fill product. With thermal values, weight, compression resistance and loft comparable to high-quality natural down, PrimaLoft® RISE Loose-fill is a true vegan down-alternative. Made using 100% post-consumer recycled material RISE Loose Fill provides 650 fill power for elevated style, warmth, and comfort.

Early adopters for the upcoming winter season 2024 include adidas TERREX and UK-based brand Rab.

Allen Liu, Director Materials, adidas TERREX says: “The TERREX Xperior loose fill insulated jacket is a true innovation in collaboration with our technology ingredient partner, PrimaLoft. Together with the latest PrimaLoft RISE insulation and our TERREX special quilting technology, we’ve created a brand-new and iconic aesthetic in our insulation jacket collection.”  The product has recently won the prestige ISPO award.

Rab Senior Designer Ben Manwaring says: “At Rab, we pride ourselves as being the Masters of Insulation, with more than 40 years of experience in crafting high-performing insulation products for Mountain People. With PrimaLoft® ThermoPlume+, our synthetic insulation offering has now received a premium addition, allowing us to develop the new Cirrus Ultra Hoody, the warmest and best performing synthetic insulation jacket we have designed, so far.” 

Other brands adopting the new loose fill Insulations Include Nike, Bomboogie, Ecoalf, La Sportiva, Ternua, Chlorophylle, Kingsland, Lole, Ripzone, Woods, Paul & Shark, amongst others.

Pioneer and expert for synthetic insulations

40 years ago, PrimaLoft was the first company to develop a synthetic microfiber for apparel. Since then, the company has earned the trust of over 950 global brands. Over the years, PrimaLoft has made significant strides to mimic the properties of natural down while adding the advantages of synthetic fibers – warm-when-wet, longevity, easy care, vegan-friendly and hypoallergenic. PrimaLoft expertise extends to a variety of Insulation form factors and loose fill products represent a key element of growth for the company.