Perhaps the biggest fabric/materials buzz at the Outdoor Retailer show this winter surrounded the release of water-resistant down. At least two companies unveiled products with treated down said to retain its loft and its warmth even when wet.

Live demonstrations at the OR Show were hard to ignore. Sierra Designs, which will release sleeping bags and puffy jackets with water-resistant down, had large Plexiglas beakers filled with treated feathers suspended in water. Show attendees could spin and tilt the beakers on a stand to submerge treated and regular down. It was easy to see the treated feathers absorbed much less water than the old fashioned fluff off a goose’s back.

http://gearjunkie.com/outdoor-retailer-best-in-show-winter-2012