Can't use down feathers

[nothermark]

I wonder how she manages to accept a chemical sleeping system. ;-)

[CamoDeafie82]

she should be able to use a Garlington Taco insulator with a space blanket/casualty blanket..OR a windproof breathable sock...

[VictoriaGuy]

And, I just sent an inquiry email to Taiga about their down sourcing. I'll report back here when/if I get a reply.

My questions to Taiga:>
> Where do you get the down for your products? What are the conditions
> for 'harvesting' your down. Live plucking? Harvest from force-fed
> birds?

I got a quick reply from 'Erich' at Taiga:

Our down comes from Central & Eastern Europe where the geese are raised and slaughtered for food. If people stopped buying down the geese would still be killed since down is only a byproduct.
We only buy high-lofting down. Only down from mature birds, 6-9 months old, can have down with this fillpower. Live-plucking, for a better yield (quantity-wise) would result in immature, lower-lofting down.
Regards,
Erich

Notice that the 'force-fed birds' question was evaded- which fits with the Patagonia statements that it's v. difficult to control that problem.

[Storytellertn]

Everyone knows you don't get down off a goose, you get down off a horse.

Next there will be free-range down and gluten free down...

I'm far more worried about the impact of global warming and the resulting drought in California leading to a potentially devastating velcro crop drought. http://www.umbachconsulting.com/miscellany/velcro.html

I couldn't stop laughing. I agree about the draught worry. We should all be concerned no matter where in the US you reside.

[riverjoe]

What would be the point of live plucking unless the Geese were able to grow back the down ? If that's the case it would be sort of like milking a cow or shearing a sheep , would it not ? A goose that was a big producer might extend his life manyfold .
I know birds all go through a molting process but don't know if that includes down .

[DRobertson]

Apex climashield for me. Not too pricey, but warm and light enough for me.

[Trailrider74]

The whole vegan/ethical thing does raise an important point: barring merino wool and down, many of the products we hangers and hikers use are synthetic. I've always wanted to convert to fully natural materials but I wouldn't know where to start.

What natural materials would you use for a hammock, suspension, rain gear etc?

[VictoriaGuy]

What would be the point of live plucking unless the Geese were able to grow back the down ? If that's the case it would be sort of like milking a cow or shearing a sheep , would it not ?

Next time you need a haircut (or a shave) just yank the hair out...same idea....it'll grow back.
The video of live plucking that's online is pretty horrific IMO.

[wildcrafter]

i respect the vegan persons right to believe what they do as long as they respect my right to believe as I do. I believe in more of a natural diet and In nature omnivores eat meat and vegetables. Like it or not the human animal is an omnivore. The human body evolved/designed as an omnivore therefore I eat what fits my body was designed to. Using the by products from these action is a duty not to be wasteful. So for me not only is the use of down ethical but an admirable act. To waste the down would be wrong.

[HammockFan]

i respect the vegan persons right to believe what they do as long as they respect my right to believe as I do. I believe in more of a natural diet and In nature omnivores eat meat and vegetables. Like it or not the human animal is an omnivore. The human body evolved/designed as an omnivore therefore I eat what fits my body was designed to. Using the by products from these action is a duty not to be wasteful. So for me not only is the use of down ethical but an admirable act. To waste the down would be wrong.

Well put!!