Down Varieties and What Those Numbers Really Mean

From duck down to Eiderdown, and everything in between If you've been shopping for a down comforter, you've probably already discovered there are many factors contributing to the comforter's quality. These aren't just any old blankets. Down comforters come in a variety of materials, constructions, and filling types, which determine their value. From thread count to fill power, there are many things you will benefit from knowing when shopping for your down comforter. The Power of Fill Fill power is one of the most important factors in quality, and is determined by the number of cubic inches a single ounce of down occupies after it lofts and expands to fill the comforter. The higher the fill power, the fluffier your down comforter will be, and the better the down will insulate. Fill ratings can fall anywhere between 300 and 700, but the average down comforter will have a fill rating of about 550 or so. What's Really in There? Mixture is another factor that determines the fluffiness of your down comforter. The ratio of down to feathers plays a large role in the loft of your comforter. Feathers don't loft, and therefore have no fill power. Thus, the more feathers in the mix, the less fluffy your down comforter will be. Comforters can have a ratio anywhere from 50% down and 50% feather all the way up to 95% down and 5% feather. The lower the feather ratio, the higher the loft.

The Low-Down on Duck Down and Goose Down

Now that you've learned a little about fill power and lofting, it's time to consider the type of filling you want. Duck and goose down comforters are the most common and least expensive choices. Goose down is widely considered to be a higher quality down than duck due to its larger clusters, but there's really more to it than that. What really makes one option better than the other is the fill power. The goose's larger clusters generally account for a higher fill rating. However, if a duck down comforter has the same fill power as a goose down comforter, the quality is the same in both. In other words, while goose is generally considered the better choice, you should ultimately consider the fill power and the ratio of down to feather in the mixture. A duck down comforter with a 690 fill power and a 92% down mixture (meaning 8% is feathers) is a better choice than a goose down comforter with only a 550 fill power and a 75% down mixture.

Hungry for Some High Quality Down?

The next step above a duck or goose down comforter is a Hungarian goose down comforter. Hungarian down is harvested through the combination of careful, professional animal keeping in an industry that respects the needs of the animal and applies the latest technology. Hungarian goose down comforters offer the most ideal weight to warmth ratio of any bedding product. These high quality comforters make you feel like you're wrapped in a weightless cloud of warmth, rather than buried under heavy blankets. Hungarian down naturally lofts well and doesn't clump like synthetic fibers do. A Hungarian goose down comforter will have a fill power of about 750, offering you exceptional luxuriousness.

Why Does Eiderdown Cost so Much More?

While Hungarian down is among the best of the best, it still has some catching up to do when it comes to an Eiderdown comforter. Eiderdown is considered the king of all downs, and this luxury doesn't come without a price. One factor of its cost is how it's collected. Eiderdown is hand harvested from the empty nests of eider ducks, which also makes it a favorite among animal lovers since the duck itself is never perturbed. This incredibly soft down has powerful thermal properties, and very little is required to keep you warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

What about Siberian Down?

Intent down comforter shoppers are bound to come across the phrase "Siberian Goose Down." While this down is often marketed as a top-of-the-line, luxury product, it's important for the consumer to know there is no such thing. This is a trade name, and doesn't represent what's really inside these comforters. The Siberian goose bears red and black plumage; not the white fluffiness that fills these expensive comforters. While a Siberian goose down comforter may be a beautiful, high quality product, the fill is almost certainly not of the Siberian goose. So when it comes to making your selection it's best to stay focused on fill, loft, mix, and down variety. These factors are the best guarantee that you'll get what you pay for.