Loft is one of the most recognisable characteristics of insulation.
A lofty insulation feels soft, compressible and full of air. In many products, loft is associated with warmth and comfort—but loft alone does not determine insulation performance.
Some applications benefit from maximum loft, while others require the thinnest possible construction.
Understanding the relationship between loft, recovery and thermal performance helps product developers choose the most appropriate insulation for each application.
Loft describes the thickness and volume created by an insulation material after it has expanded to its natural state.
The fibres create a three-dimensional structure that traps still air within the insulation.
Generally, greater loft means more trapped air and the potential for increased thermal insulation.
However, loft is only one part of the overall performance equation.
Insulated products are compressed throughout their lifetime.
Examples include:
After compression, the insulation should recover as much of its original thickness as possible.
Good recovery helps maintain both comfort and thermal performance throughout repeated use.
A common misconception is that more loft automatically provides better insulation.
In reality, thermal efficiency depends on how effectively the insulation traps still air.
Modern microfibre insulation can achieve excellent thermal performance with significantly less loft than traditional insulation materials.
This allows product developers to reduce bulk while maintaining the required level of warmth.
The ideal amount of loft depends on the intended application.
Typically include:
These products often prioritise softness, volume and comfort.
Typically include:
These applications often prioritise freedom of movement, fit and reduced thickness.
Neither approach is better—the right choice depends on the design objective.
Product development is often about balancing competing requirements.
A designer may ask:
“Should we maximise loft—or minimise thickness?”
The answer depends on:
Selecting insulation therefore becomes an optimisation exercise rather than choosing the thickest material available.
The MEIDA insulation platform offers different approaches depending on the required product characteristics.
MEIDA Original focuses on achieving high thermal performance in a thin construction where loft is intentionally kept low.
MEIDA Soft combines polypropylene with hollow polyester microfibres to create additional loft, increased softness and improved recovery after compression.
MEIDA Ceramic builds on the same lofted construction while adding FIR technology.
Rather than offering one universal solution, the MEIDA range allows product developers to choose the insulation concept that best matches their design priorities.
When evaluating insulation, loft should always be considered together with:
The best insulation is not the one with the greatest loft—it is the one that delivers the required performance within the available design constraints.
Loft is the thickness and volume created when an insulation material expands to its natural state.
Loft creates space for trapping still air, which contributes to thermal insulation and comfort.
No. Thermal performance depends on fibre structure, insulation efficiency and product construction as well as loft.
Recovery describes how well an insulation material returns to its original thickness after being compressed.
Good recovery helps maintain comfort, appearance and thermal performance throughout the product’s lifetime.
Recovery depends on fibre type, fibre structure, insulation construction and repeated use.
Most insulation materials gradually lose some loft during use, but high-quality constructions are designed to recover effectively after repeated compression.
Usually less than in bedding or jackets. Gloves often prioritise thermal performance in a thin construction to preserve dexterity.
Footwear generally benefits from lower bulk while maintaining sufficient insulation.
Sleeping bags, bedding and many quilted garments often benefit from increased loft and softness.
Gloves, footwear, workwear and protective clothing often require insulation with minimal thickness.
Not exactly. Thickness is a measurement, while loft describes the expanded volume and structure of the insulation.
Yes. Loft contributes to softness, cushioning and overall product feel.
Yes. Modern microfibre technologies can provide excellent thermal performance despite significantly lower loft.
MEIDA Soft and MEIDA Ceramic are designed to provide increased loft, softness and recovery.
MEIDA Original is designed for applications where thermal performance must be achieved within minimal thickness.
Yes. Hollow polyester microfibres help increase volume, softness and resilience after compression.
Choose MEIDA Original when thickness and weight are the primary design constraints. Choose MEIDA Soft when additional loft and softness are preferred.
Yes. Good recovery helps bedding maintain its comfort and appearance over repeated use.
Because loft alone does not determine insulation performance. CLO, Rct, weight, thickness and product construction all contribute to the overall thermal behaviour of the finished product.
Whether you’re developing apparel, footwear, gloves or bedding, our specialists are ready to help.