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Insulation Materials

Discover our selection of technical insulation materials for making quilts, jackets, boots, and outdoor gear. Lightweight, packable, and high-performance. We select our insulation materials to offer an excellent warmth-to-weight ratio while meeting the demands of ultralight hiking and backcountry camping.

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Climashield APEX Insulation for Quilts, Clothing, and Outdoor Gear

APEX Climashield

Price range: €8.00 to €18.00

Our Technical Insulation

Climashield APEX Insulation for Quilts, Clothing, and Outdoor Gear

Climashield® APEX

This insulation has been used for many years in the outdoor industry, as well as in equipment designed for demanding applications. Its structure makes it possible to produce lightweight, compressible insulated gear that is well-suited for on-the-go activities.

French Light Outdoor uses it, in particular, to manufacture the Orion Quilt, several insulated jackets, and bivouac boots.

Unlike natural down, Climashield® APEX retains a significant portion of its insulating properties even when wet. It also dries faster and requires less maintenance. These characteristics make it a particularly well-suited solution for multi-day hikes, humid environments, and bivouacs prone to condensation.

Climashield® APEX is a synthetic insulation designed to provide reliable thermal protection while maintaining good performance in wet conditions.

Country of origin: UNITED STATES

The name of each APEX version roughly corresponds to its weight per square meter. The higher the weight, the greater the insulation, but the weight and volume of the equipment also increase.

French Light Outdoor uses several versions:
APEX 67: 10 °C
APEX 134: 4 °C
APEX 200: −1 °C
APEX 267: −6 °C
APEX 334: −10 °C
APEX 400: −17 °C

These values represent indicative temperature limits, not a universal guarantee of comfort.

The sensation of warmth varies depending on the individual, their gear, their level of fatigue, their diet, the clothing they wear, and weather conditions. The quality of the mattress and its R-value also play a key role. Even a high-performance quilt cannot compensate for a mattress that does not provide sufficient insulation against the cold coming from the ground.

The lightest models are ideal for mild nights, summer use, or for users looking to minimize the weight and bulk of their gear.

Mid-weight fabrics offer greater versatility for mid-season hikes or nights when temperatures are close to 0 °C.

The thicker versions are designed for cold conditions and are naturally bulkier and heavier.

For people who are particularly sensitive to the cold, it is best to err on the side of caution rather than base your choice solely on the forecast low temperature.

Key Benefits

✔ High-performance synthetic insulation

✔ Retains its moist heat

✔ Quick-drying

✔ Good compressive strength

✔ Relatively easy to maintain

✔ Available in various weights

✔ Suitable for quilts and insulated clothing

Climashield® APEX is made of continuous synthetic fibers. This construction allows the insulation to remain uniform across the entire surface of the product, without requiring the same compartmentalization as down insulation.

It minimizes the movement of material within the garment, thereby reducing areas with poorer insulation. It also allows for the design of quilts and clothing with fewer through-seams, which helps minimize thermal bridges.

Climashield® APEX features AquaBan® technology, a treatment designed to reduce the impact of moisture on the insulation’s thermal performance.

This technology also helps facilitate the transfer of moisture to the outside of the gear. As a result, the quilt or garment remains more reliable in the damp conditions frequently encountered while camping: condensation, dew, ambient humidity, or incomplete drying.

However, this moisture resistance does not make the equipment waterproof. Appropriate protection is still necessary in case of rain or prolonged exposure to water.

View the product
Apex ankle boots made in France for backpacking and camping.

Apex camp boots

Price range: €40.00 to €50.00
Select options This product has several variations. Options can be selected on the product page

Where is our insulation manufactured?

We prioritize high-performance, durable, and clearly identified materials whenever possible. However, when it comes to ultralight synthetic insulation materials, there are still very few solutions that meet all of our criteria.

Climashield® APEX is manufactured in the United States. It was selected for its thermal performance, moisture resistance, durability, and ability to withstand the demands of lightweight hiking.

A Commitment to Transparency

We indicate the origin of the materials used when it is known and verifiable.

This transparency helps people understand the reality of the manufacturing chain, without giving the impression that a fabric or insulation material is European simply because it was purchased from a European distributor.

Ongoing research

French Light Outdoor remains attentive to new solutions developed in France and Europe. When a local material offers a comparable level of performance, durability, and reliability, it may be tested and then incorporated into our products.

The goal is not to replace a material simply to highlight a closer source of origin, but to gradually build a more locally sourced selection without compromising the quality or lifespan of the equipment.

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