Loft

Loft refers to the thickness and fluffiness of insulating materials in outdoor gear, particularly sleeping bags, jackets, and sleeping pads. It measures how well the insulation can trap air and create dead air space, which is crucial for thermal efficiency and warmth retention. Higher loft generally indicates better insulating properties, as the trapped air acts as a barrier against heat loss. In camping gear, loft is often used as a quality indicator for down fill and synthetic insulation materials.