Duck Down Range

Stand Out, Stay Warm

50 products

The Duck Apparel Duck Down Range is the brand's full line of duck down outerwear in South Africa, built around four shapes: the Classic Parka, the Ultra Parka, the Midi Parka and the Classic Jacket. Between them they run from hip length jackets to long parkas, in plain shades such as Espresso Ultra Parka, Navy Ultra Parka and Sage Midi Parka and in two tone pairings such as Midnight x Leopard Classic Parka and Tartan x Mist Classic Parka. Duck Apparel has made down outerwear in South Africa since 2017.

What does the Duck Down Range cover?

Every piece in the range is insulated with duck down, the soft clusters that sit under a duck's outer feathers, stitched into baffles so the fill stays spread across the garment. Down holds warm air, and that trapped air is what does the insulating, which is why a down coat weighs so much less than a wool coat of similar warmth. Because the fill approach is shared across the range, the real decision is not warmth technology. It is length, colour and how much of your leg you want covered.

The range is broad enough to cover very different days. A Classic Jacket handles a school run and a cold drive. A long parka suits standing outdoors at a winter sports fixture. Someone in Cape Town buying for a wet, windy July will weigh coverage differently to someone in Durban who only needs a jacket for a few cold evenings, and the range is built to serve both.

Classic Parka, Ultra Parka, Midi Parka or Classic Jacket?

The quickest way to narrow the range is by pattern. The Classic Parka group is where the two tone and patterned pairings live, including Ebony x Ivory Classic Parka, Midnight x Salt Classic Parka, Paisley x Tiger Classic Parka, Sand x Leopard Classic Parka and Midnight x Houndstooth Classic Parka, so it suits anyone who wants a coat with visual interest. The Ultra Parka group is all solid colour, with Espresso, Navy, Latte, Sage and Midnight options, and is the plainest and easiest to style. The Midi Parka group mixes solids like Chai, Vista, Burgundy and Latte with the Game Day Midi Parka. The Classic Jacket, in options such as Midnight x Salt Classic Jacket and Midnight x Panther Classic Jacket, is the shortest shape of the four.

How do you choose a length?

Choose length by how long you stand still outdoors, because that is what warmth loss depends on. A hip length jacket is right for driving, walking between buildings and layering under a seatbelt. A mid length parka covers the hip and upper thigh and is the middle option for daily winter wear. A longer parka protects the legs and is the pick for early morning sport, farm work and cold windy waiting. Anyone who wants the greatest coverage should compare the maxi duck down coats, which run furthest down the leg.

Reversible duck down options

Reversible duck down coats give two colour options in one garment, which is useful if you want a plain side for work and a patterned side for weekends. Duck Apparel groups these separately, so shoppers comparing them should look at reversible duck down puffer coats and jackets and, for womenswear specifically, the reversible duck down range for women. A reversible coat is worth considering if you travel light or want one coat to cover two very different settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is duck down and why is it used in coats?

Duck down is the layer of soft, light clusters that grows beneath a duck's outer feathers, and it is used in coats because it traps a large volume of air for very little weight. Trapped air is what slows heat leaving the body, so down produces a warm coat that is still light to wear. In a garment the down is held inside stitched baffles so it cannot slide to the bottom.

What is the difference between a duck down jacket and a duck down parka?

The difference between a duck down jacket and a duck down parka is length, and length decides the use. A jacket ends around the hip and is easier to move in, so it suits driving, commuting and active days. A parka runs further down the thigh or leg, covers more of the body and holds warmth better when you are standing outdoors for a long time.

Which Duck Down Range coat should I buy first?

Most first time buyers in South Africa are best served by a mid length parka in a plain colour, because it covers the widest set of winter situations. A Midi Parka in Navy, Sage or Midnight goes with almost everything and is long enough for genuinely cold mornings. Choose a shorter Classic Jacket instead if you spend most of your winter driving, and a longer parka if you stand outdoors early in the day.

How warm is a duck down coat in a South African winter?

A duck down coat handles South African winter conditions comfortably, including Highveld frost, cold Karoo nights and windy Cape mornings from June to August. Down keeps working in cold dry air, which describes most of the country's inland winter. Adding a jumper underneath is a better response to extreme cold than buying a larger coat.

Are the patterned Classic Parkas harder to wear than plain colours?

Patterned parkas are not harder to wear, but they do ask more of the rest of the outfit. A two tone or animal print coat such as Midnight x Leopard Classic Parka becomes the main feature, so plain trousers, boots and knitwear underneath keep the look balanced. A solid colour option like Espresso Ultra Parka is the simpler choice for anyone who wants one coat that disappears into every outfit.

How do you store a duck down coat in summer?

Store a duck down coat loosely rather than compressed, because long term compression flattens the down and reduces the warmth it holds. Hang it in a wardrobe or keep it in a breathable bag rather than a sealed vacuum pack for the summer months. Make sure the coat is completely dry and clean before it goes away for the season.

How do you wash a duck down coat?

Follow the care label on the coat, since it is written for that specific garment and shell fabric. Down outerwear is generally washed as rarely as possible, on a gentle setting with a mild detergent, then dried fully and slowly so the down regains its loft rather than sitting in clumps. Between washes, cleaning marks off cuffs and collars is usually enough.