Material Library · Insulation & linings
Insulation & Linings
What sits inside a ski jacket, pant or suit decides how warm it is and how it feels. This page covers the insulation we use, polyester wadding and polyester fibre fill, and the linings that go against your mid-layers: taffeta, brushed tricot, mesh and fleece.
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Insulation and linings
Insulation and linings we work with
Open a fabric to see what is typical for it and what we confirm for your order.
Insulation & Linings
Polyester Wadding (Padding)
Sheets of polyester fibre quilted or stitched into ski jackets, pants and suits for warmth. It keeps much of its warmth when damp, dries quickly and…
InsulationPolyester waddingLight to heavy (varies)
- Warmth
- High
- Breathability
- Moderate
- Stretch
- Low
Insulation & Linings
Polyester Fibre Fill (Down Alternative)
Loose polyester fibre clusters blown into stitched chambers. It gives the puffed look and loft of down while keeping much of its warmth when wet, washing…
InsulationPolyester fibre fillLight to heavy (varies)
- Warmth
- Very high
- Breathability
- Moderate
- Stretch
- Low
Insulation & Linings
Microfibre Thermal Insulation
A thin insulation made of very fine polyester fibres, which usually hold more warm air for their thickness than standard wadding. It helps keep ski pants,…
InsulationMicrofibre insulationLight to heavy (varies)
- Warmth
- High
- Breathability
- Moderate
- Stretch
- Low
Insulation & Linings
Polyester Taffeta Lining
A smooth, light polyester plain weave used to line ski jackets and pants. Its slippery face lets a jacket slide over mid-layers, and in padded styles…
WovenPlain weave (pongee, taffeta)Lightweight
- Warmth
- Low
- Breathability
- Moderate
- Stretch
- Low
Insulation & Linings
Brushed Tricot Lining
A fine warp-knitted polyester with a brushed, soft face. It lines collars, chin guards, pockets and bodies of ski jackets and pants, and forms the inner…
Tricot (warp knit)Lightweight
- Warmth
- Moderate
- Breathability
- High
- Stretch
- Moderate
Insulation & Linings
Heat-Reflective Lining
A lining printed with fine metallic dots that reflect some body heat back inside, while the gaps between them let moisture out. It can add warmth…
WovenTricot (warp knit)Lightweight
- Warmth
- High
- Breathability
- Moderate
- Stretch
- Low
At a glance
Insulation and linings compared
Typical characteristics relative to the other fabrics in the library.
| Fabric | Construction | Weight class | Warmth | Breathability | Stretch | Moisture management | Typical products |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polyester Microfleece | Microfleece | Lightweight | High | High | Moderate | High | Balaclavas, Beanies, Scarves, Ski wear |
| Polar Fleece | Polar fleece | Midweight | Very high | High | Low | High | Balaclavas, Beanies, Scarves, Ski wear |
| Polyester Mesh | Mesh | Lightweight | Low | Very high | Moderate | High | Balaclavas, Ski wear, Caps & hats |
| Polyester Wadding (Padding) | Insulation, Polyester wadding | Light to heavy (varies) | High | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Ski wear |
| Polyester Fibre Fill (Down Alternative) | Insulation, Polyester fibre fill | Light to heavy (varies) | Very high | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Ski wear |
| Microfibre Thermal Insulation | Insulation, Microfibre insulation | Light to heavy (varies) | High | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Ski wear |
| Polyester Taffeta Lining | Woven, Plain weave (pongee, taffeta) | Lightweight | Low | Moderate | Low | Low | Ski wear |
| Brushed Tricot Lining | Tricot (warp knit) | Lightweight | Moderate | High | Moderate | Moderate | Ski wear |
| Heat-Reflective Lining | Woven, Tricot (warp knit) | Lightweight | High | Moderate | Low | Moderate | Ski wear |
| Sherpa (Teddy Fleece) | Fleece, Sherpa (teddy fleece) | Heavyweight | Very high | Moderate | Moderate | Low | Ski wear, Caps & hats |
| Faux Fur | Faux fur (long pile) | Heavyweight | Very high | Low | Low | Low | Beanies, Ski wear, Caps & hats |
| Cap Sweatband & Lining Fabrics | Lightweight | Low | High | Moderate | Very high | Caps & hats |
Choosing insulation
How much insulation a ski garment needs
Insulation is specified by weight in grams per square metre (g/m²). The right weight depends on the climate, how active the wearer is and how much they layer underneath. We confirm the weight for each style in the sample.
| Build | Typical insulation | Suits |
|---|---|---|
| Shell (no insulation) | None; warmth comes from the layers underneath | Active skiers, spring skiing, touring, snowboarders who layer |
| Lightly padded | Light polyester wadding, often 60–100 g/m² in the body | Resort skiing in average conditions, active wearers |
| Warmly padded | Heavier wadding, often 120–200 g/m², more in the body than the sleeves | Cold resorts, beginners, kids, instructors and staff who stand still |
| Puffer | Polyester fibre fill blown into stitched chambers | Puffer ski jackets and vests, après-ski styles |
Linings
Which lining goes where
Most ski garments combine two or three linings, each chosen for its place in the garment.
-
Taffeta
Smooth and slippery, so the jacket slides over mid-layers; holds wadding in place in padded styles.
-
Brushed tricot
Soft against the skin at the collar, chin guard and hand pockets, and the inner layer of 3-layer shells.
-
Mesh
Airy and quick-drying; the usual hanging lining of 2-layer shells, where it protects the membrane.
-
Fleece
Adds warmth without wadding, for example in the upper body of a shell jacket or the seat of ski pants.
Related fabrics
Other lining fabrics in the library
These fabrics are also used as linings and are described in full on their main family page.
Polyester Microfleece
A fine, low-pile polyester fleece, often with an anti-pilling finish. Warm for its weight, quick-drying and not bulky,…
Polar Fleece
A double-sided polyester fleece with a thick, lofty pile: one of the warmest common fleeces. Used for winter…
Polyester Mesh
An open knit with clearly visible holes that lets air straight through. It is used for vents and…
Sherpa (Teddy Fleece)
A polyester fleece with a deep, curly pile that looks like sheep's wool. It is the warm lining…
Faux Fur
A long-pile knitted fabric in acrylic or modacrylic, usually on a polyester back, that imitates animal fur. Used…
Cap Sweatband & Lining Fabrics
What touches the head: a cotton, moisture-wicking polyester or terry sweatband, and satin, cotton or quilted linings in…
Products
Where insulation and linings are used
Inside our ski jackets, pants, suits and kids' ski wear.
- Custom ski wearCustom ski jackets, pants, suits, fleece and base layers under your label, waterproof 5K–20K with taped seams. From…
- Custom balaclavasPrivate-label balaclava and ski mask manufacturer in Sialkot, Pakistan. Knitted, fleece, mesh and sublimated styles from 50 pcs,…
- Custom beaniesCustom beanies under your label: cuffed and logo, streetwear, pom-pom and winter, sports and jacquard beanies. From 50…
- Custom scarvesCustom scarves under your label: knitted, football, silk and printed scarves, bandanas, neckerchiefs and hijabs. From 50 pcs…
- Custom caps & hatsCustom caps and hats under your label: baseball, dad, trucker, snapback, bucket, boonie, safari and camo caps. From…
Journal
Guides on ski wear
Product Guides & Comparisons · 15 min readDifferent Types of Balaclavas: Styles, Materials and Uses ExplainedThe types of balaclavas explained: face openings, hinged and hooded styles, knitted vs cut-and-sew, materials, uses and fashion styles, with a quick guide.Read the guide 
Product Guides & ComparisonsOne-Hole, Two-Hole, Three-Hole or Open Face? Balaclava Openings ExplainedBalaclava face openings explained: one-hole, two-hole, three-hole and open face compared for breathing, goggles, glasses, helmets, fabrics and uses.Read the guide 
Manufacturing & ProductionKnitted vs Cut-and-Sew Balaclavas: How Each Type Is MadeKnitted vs cut-and-sew balaclavas: how each is made, what “seamless” really means, flatlock seams under helmets, decoration options and how to choose.Read the guide
FAQ
Insulation and linings: frequently asked questions
Which insulation do you use in ski wear?
Polyester wadding is our standard insulation for padded ski jackets, pants and suits. It keeps much of its warmth when damp, dries quickly and washes easily. The weight is set for each style and confirmed in the sample.
Synthetic insulation or down?
Down is very warm for its weight but loses warmth when wet and needs careful washing. Polyester wadding and fibre fill keep insulating when damp, dry faster and cost less, which is why most ski wear uses synthetic insulation.
Can the lining carry our branding?
Yes. Linings can carry a printed pattern or a logo repeat, and your woven or printed labels are usually sewn into the lining. A contrast lining colour at the collar or hood is a common design detail.
Material Library
More fabric families and guides
- All fabrics in the Material Library
- Fleece Fabrics
- Cotton Fabrics
- Merino Wool & Wool Blend Fabrics
- Polyester & Recycled Polyester Fabrics
- Acrylic Knits & Yarns
- Performance Fabrics
- Shell & Waterproof Fabrics
- Cap & Hat Materials
- Sock Yarns & Constructions
- Knitting Yarns
- Scarf Fabrics
- Waterproof & Breathability Ratings Explained
- Fabric Weight & GSM Guide
- Textile Certifications Guide