Mike,
Argon's been 'on the table' as a divers suit inflation gas and there's a helpful article about the pros & cons here :
http://www.decompression.org/maiken/Why_Argon.htm
Now for divers, down is obviously a daft idea (unless you're a duck of course). The point of an inflating gas dry suit is to withstand the compression of diving as well as insulate. I can see how the quoted 10-20% gain in insulation might be worth considering in those circumstances.
But on land? Unless you're in very high winds, I just don't see argon-filled chambers being warmer than down filled baffles. Air and Argon are both excellent insulators against conduction but the reason that down makes such a good insulative material is that it reduces (effectively stops) natural convection currents. If you wore an inflatable suit it would be convection that would rob you of heat more than conduction IMO, especially if you add the forced convection associated with moving your body around.
Of course, I can see some applications - such as boating use (especially if they could rate the garment as a floatation aid). But down filled fabrics are (again IMO) going to be more breathable, lighter, warmer and quite possibly cheaper. The inflatable jackets would get points for water resistance. But as for breathability? Very puzzled about this one. If your sweat passes from you through the inner layer, isn't there a good chance it'll condense inside the air chambers - afterall, the outer layer is going to be colder? So won't you risk wearing a load of chambers with moisture trapped inside them, especially if you fill it from your breath?
A friend (gadget magnet!) bought one of the Gore ski jackets but I never heard him speak about it after a very big outlay. I'll ask him if it was any good!
Posted: 12/11/2009 at 16:49
