Thread: Possum fur as insulation

Is Possum fur a viable alternative to the likes of duck/goose down as a filler for a puffer style jacket?
I suspect there is a valid reason we don't see it in the shops apart from turned into fancy gloves and scarves for the tourists.

Build one Pengy but the outer would want to be fairly waterproof as you'd end up with a soggy clump of fur with zero insulation quality if it ever got wet.

Same thing applies to down

Originally Posted by Pengy

Same thing applies to down

Yes but ai reckon possum fur would clump even worse.

Years ago the cook bought me some possum merino fingerless gloves. They are when dry, amazingly warm.

Surprised no one has made some form of jacket out of possum fur yet.



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A quick google search shows that there are possum fur jackets available, but not in the format I have in mind.

I've got some possum socks.skin with the fur on the inside. Very warm and seem to work when they're wet.
wife says I look like a faggot in them though.

Originally Posted by Brian

I've got some possum socks.skin with the fur on the inside. Very warm and seem to work when they're wet.
wife says I look like a faggot in them though.

She is clearly jealous of them

Originally Posted by Brian

I've got some possum socks.skin with the fur on the inside. Very warm and seem to work when they're wet.
wife says I look like a faggot in them though.

Nope!can't picture you as a faggot

Removing the Down from a Jacket and replacing it with live Possums would certainly keep you warm,as you writhed in agony.

I am just curing some possum skins at the moment , and noticed when I pulled them out of the near freezing tanning solution and wring them out , just how surprisingly warm the fur is even when wet. you are on to something there pengy.

I cant help thinking that there just has to be a down side (pun intended) to using Possum fur in this way, otherwise one of the major players would of already done it

Originally Posted by Pengy

I cant help thinking that there just has to be a down side (pun intended) to using Possum fur in this way, otherwise one of the major players would of already done it

puffer jackets/sleepingbags work on using the "loft" ability of down, it can squish down to nothing and puff up again. possum fur does not do that to the same extent like sheeps wool.
merino underwear is bloody good(but far ken expensive!) and not scratchy like the old farm fleck socks

I am going to experiment with the fur I have

Originally Posted by Pengy

I am going to experiment with the fur I have

I have possum fur beanies and possum fur socks,they are nice and warm and nice and soft and good for going to town on a winters night and that is about it.
Wool fibers naturally lock together and naturall oils provide some water proofing.
Duck and goose down can compress and expand up to 900%.
possum fur is nice and soft but must be blended with wool to make a garment as the fibers are too short and smooth to lock together.....been there.