If you insist on buying a real down comforter, check the label to see if your prospective item is made of goose or duck down. With modern down sorting technology, 850 fill duck down is becoming possible. Another reason why the supply of goose down is low as compared to that of duck down hence making the goose down to cost more is that, since down is a by-product of the meat industry as it is obtained from birds that are killed to be eaten, geese are not eaten on a larger scale as compared to how ducks are eaten, especially in China. While shopping for a down sleeping bag, jacket, quilt, comforter, or pillow you may have noticed that there are two different types of down available. As new techniques continue to be developed day by day, it would be a major achievement if we would finally be able to make synthetic down with the warmth-to-weight ratio, softness and compressibility of down. By browsing our site, closing this message, or clicking “Accept”, you consent to our use of cookies as described in our Privacy Policy, Keep up to date with the latest sleep research & tips, Read the latest product & sleeping aid reviews, No, thank you. In some cases, it downright stinks like a barnyard. Feathers are the outer covering of ducks or geese, whereas down is more like underlying insulation. Other sources of down include Poland and Hungary. Manufacturers use fill power to indicate the quality of the down. Down that has been treated with a durable water repellent (DWR) coating usually smells less. The best design should be a diamond box design or a baffle box design to ensure that all the down lay smooth without clumping to the corners of that item. We do NOT use duck. It will also be more weather resistant. 800 fill power duck down performs the same as 800 fill goose down. Goose down can have a higher warmth-to-weight ratio because it has a higher maximum fill power than duck down. There are two causes of this explosion in down prices. The benefits of duck down and goose down pillows are that they are moldable, soft and fluffy, durable and sustainable. Both goose and duck down are equally durable and long-lasting. Avoiding Animals, Insects, and Injury. Natural oils and fats from the ducks or geese cause the odor. The size of a down cluster is determined by the size of the bird from which it is obtained and the climate in which the bird has lived. Understanding Fill Power, Fill Weight, and Down-To-Feather Ratio are useful for comparing down products to select the best option for your intended purpose. You may need a larger pack to accommodate the bulkier sleeping bag or you may need to store it in a more tightly compressed state. Copyright 2020 - Where The Road Forks. Some birds naturally have more fat and oil on their down than others. With modern down sorting technology, 850 fill duck down is becoming possible. Companies that sell down comforters recommend having down professionally laundered in commercial washing machines by a dry cleaner. For example, the bedding industry tends to prefer white down because it isn’t as visible when it sheds from a comforter or pillow if you use light-colored sheets. The natural fats and oils found in down give them their natural scent. After all, most casual campers don’t want to pay $500 for a goose down sleeping bag. Difference Between Down & FeathersWhy Is Down A Good MaterialWhat Is Down Fill Power?Differences Between Duck Down & Goose DownDown UsageDrawbacks Of DownFinal Word. The best tested down comforters, from goose down comforters to allergy-safe down alternative comforters for summer and winter from Brooklinen, L.L. For reference, 750-900 fill power down is considered to be high end. The disadvantages of having down pillows are they require constant fluffing, are a challenge to clean, are usually restricted to soft options, and can be quite expensive. If you care about the packed size of your sleeping bag, you may want to consider the warmth-to-volume (or warmth to compressibility) ratio. Is Camping Safe? This is the main difference between the two and the main reason to choose goose over duck down. It is just considered more premium. The compressibility of the sleeping bag depends on the fill power of the down. For your down to remain protected and cleaner, the material used to make the fabric shell should be of a higher thread count. Best Winter Hats for Hiking: Keep Your Head Warm with These Top Rated Headwear, Best Women’s Ski Boots: What a Good Pair Can Do for You, Hiking Boot Laces: Best Laces to Outlast Your Boots, Spider Bites Treatment: What You Need to Know to Stay Healthy, How to Dry Clothes Fast: When You Are in A Hurry, Best Camping Blankets: 8 of the Best for Outdoor Comfort, Best Walkie Talkie: Picking the Right Two-Way Radios for Outdoor Use, Smokeless Fire Tips: Where There’s No Smoke, There’s Fire, Best Survival Lighter: Top Lighters for Your Protection.