When shopping for a down comforter, one common question that arises is “Do down comforters have feathers in them?” The short answer is yes, most down comforters contain at least some feather content along with the ultra-soft and insulating down. But there are also down comforters made with 100% goose or duck downfill that contains no feathers.
What is a Down Comforter?
A down comforter is a type of bedding filled with down, which is the lightweight, fluffy cluster of fibers found underneath the feathers of ducks and geese. Down comforters are valued for their superior warmth, lightweight feel, and soft, pillowy texture that many sleepers find comforting.
The first modern down comforters emerged in Europe in the early 20th century, though down has been used as insulation in outerwear and bedding since medieval times. Europeans visiting Egypt and the Middle East saw how comfortable down bedding could be in hot, arid climates. When they returned home, they brought the idea back with them and the modern down comforter was born.
Compared to alternatives like wool or synthetic comforters, down comforters provide better:
Warmth
The clustered fibers in down trap air exceptionally well to provide excellent insulation against the cold. Ounce for ounce, down provides more warmth than any other fill material.
Lightweight Feel
Despite their warmth, down comforters feel lightweight and airy, unlike heavier fills like wool. This makes them comfortable to sleep under year-round.
Durability
With proper care, a quality down comforter can last over 10 years. The fill maintains its loft and insulation ability much longer than cheaper synthetic options.
Breathability
The airy fill allows body moisture and heat to pass through easily, preventing overheating. This makes down ideal for every season.
So in short, down comforters provide unbeatable warmth for their weight, with a cloud-like texture that makes them incredibly comfortable for sleep.
The Difference Between Down and Feathers
To understand whether down comforters contain feathers, we first need to understand the difference between down and feathers.
What is Down?
Down refers to the soft, fluffy cluster of fibers found underneath the rougher exterior feathers of ducks and geese. This delicate undercoating keeps birds warm and protected. Down clusters provide incredible insulation for their weight.
Down is what gives comforters and jackets their light, airy feel and warmth. True down consists only of these soft clusters, with no feathers mixed in.
What are Feathers?
Feathers are the exterior coating found on birds. They have a central quill that branches out into soft vanes. Feathers have more structure than down and do not provide the same level of insulation or compression. Most feathers mixed into down comforters come from smaller body feathers.
The key characteristics that set pure down apart from feather mixes include:
Insulation Properties
Down clusters provide superior warmth for their weight compared to feathers. The 3D structure traps more air to reduce heat loss.
Fill Power
This measures the loft or fluffiness of down per ounce. Higher fill power down has better insulating ability. Feathers reduce a comforter’s overall fill power.
In most cases, down comforters do contain at least some feather content, usually no more than 30%. The feathers add structure and prevent the down from shifting too much. While feathers reduce the warmth, comfort, and longevity compared to pure down, adding some feather content allows manufacturers to meet certain price points. Many premium down comforters use 100% down with no feather content for maximum performance.
Types of Fill Power in Down Comforters
What is Fill Power?
As mentioned, fill power measures the fluffiness and insulation ability of down per ounce. It ranges from about 300 to 900. Down with a higher fill power expands more to trap more air and provide better warmth for its weight.
How to Fill Power Affects Quality
Higher fill power down results in lighter, warmer, and puffier comforters than lower fill powers. But it also increases costs. Most down comforters range from 600 to 800 fill power. Here’s an overview:
600 Fill Power
- Budget option
- Denser, heavier feel
- Least amount of insulation
- Comforters start around $100-$150
700-800 Fill Power
- Mid-range option
- Light, airy feel
- Excellent warmth for the weight
- Comforters $200-$300
900+ Fill Power
- Premium option
- Maximum loft and lightweight feel
- Exceptional insulation ability
- Comforters $400+
So in general, higher fill power means better performance, but also higher prices. Around 700-800 fill is the sweet spot for balancing cost, weight, and insulation.
Types of Down in Comforters
The two main types of down used in comforters come from ducks and geese. Let’s compare:
Goose Down
Goose down clusters tend to be larger and more durable than duck down. This gives goose down comforters better insulation and longevity. They are puffier and generally warmer per ounce than other options. However, goose down is also more expensive than duck.
Duck Down
Duck down clusters is smaller than goose down. This means they don’t insulate quite as well ounce for ounce. However, well-made duck down comforters provide excellent warmth at a more affordable price point compared to goose.
Other Types of Down
While goose and duck are most common, you may occasionally see:
Eiderdown
This rare down from eider ducks is exceptionally warm and soft. But eider populations are very limited, making it costly.
Hungarian Down
Goose down from Hungary is reputed to be superior due to large, resilient clusters from birds adapted to extreme cold. But supply is very limited.
For most consumers, goose or duck down offers the best balance of affordability, availability and performance. Avoid down from overseas sources that cannot be certified for ethical harvesting practices.
How Are Down Comforters Made?
The manufacturing process for down comforters includes:
Collecting Down and Feathers
Most comforters use a blend of down and small body feathers collected during poultry production. Ethical sourcing focuses on using leftover materials instead of live plucking.
Cleaning and Processing
The down goes through multiple washings, drying, and sorting stages to remove debris and contamination. Higher quality down receives more careful cleaning.
Filling the Comforter
The crispy-dry down and feathers are thinly layered within fabric sheets or “baffles” that make up the comforter. This prevents shifting or clumping.
Stitching and Construction
Finally, the comforter shell and backing are stitched together to complete the comforter. Better construction and tighter stitches prevent fill from poking through.
Higher-end down comforters typically receive more careful processing and construction using premium materials – factors that improve both durability and comfort but also increase prices.
Caring for Down Comforters
Taking proper care of a down comforter ensures it stays clean, fluffy and insulating for years to come:
Washing and Drying
- Wash at most once every 2 years in a large machine
- Use mild detergent and add tennis balls to restore the loft
- Line dry or tumble dry low with tennis balls
Storage
- Avoid compression, allow loft to recover
- Store loosely rolled up
Repairing
- Fix tears, and holes immediately
- Add more down if it becomes too thin
Replacing
- Lumps, odor, and visible damage are signs to replace
- Well-cared-for comforters can last over 10 years
Taking a little time to properly care for a down comforter extends its usable life significantly.
Common Down Comforter Myths
There are a few common misconceptions about down comforters:
Myth 1: All down comforters are the same
Actually down comforter quality varies considerably depending on fill power, materials, and construction. Budget options won’t last as long or insulate as well as higher quality down comforters.
Myth 2: Down comforters are too warm for summer
Good down comforters are remarkably adaptable year-round. The breathable fill prevents overheating while still providing cozy warmth when needed.
Myth 3: Down isn’t hypoallergenic
In fact, most down is hypoallergenic. Issues usually arise from dust mites or fibers leaking through the shell, not the down itself. Allergy sufferers can choose higher-quality, allergy-free down options.
Understanding common myths allows you to better evaluate different comforters for your needs and budget.
How to Choose the Right Down Comforter
Focus on these key factors when selecting a down comforter:
Size
Choose based on your bed size, allowing about 12 inches longer than the mattress. Overly large comforters can slide around while too small leaves your bed exposed.
Fill Power
As discussed earlier, higher numbers like 700-800 provide the best combination of price, weight and warmth for most people.
Thread Count
This counts the number of threads woven into a square inch of shell fabric. Counts between 300-400 balance softness with durability.
Construction
Baffle boxes stitch the outer shell into compartments to prevent fill from shifting. These maintain warmth better over time compared to sewn-through styles.
Considering these vital factors helps narrow choices to select the ideal down comforter.
Alternatives to Down Comforters
While down comforters have exceptional warmth for their weight, the premium price tag places them out of reach for some budgets. Here are a few alternative fills to consider:
Synthetic Down
Polyester and other synthetic fills mimic down properties. Models with silicone coating help retain fluffiness. These are budget-friendly but less breathable.
Wool
Durable, moisture-wicking wool makes excellent comforters that insulate nearly as well as down. However, wool is heavier and takes more care to clean properly.
Silk
Lightweight mulberry silk fill adds durability and hypoallergenic properties. But the price approaches premium down and lacks the same warmth.
Cotton
Cotton comforters with batting provide breathability at low prices. But they are heavier, take up more room when stored, and don’t insulate nearly as well as down pound for pound.
Depending on your priorities like price, warmth, or storage space, alternative fills present tradeoffs to premium down.
Are Down Comforters Hypoallergenic?
One common concern, especially for allergy sufferers, is whether down comforters will trigger allergies. Let’s separate myth from reality on this key question.
Myth vs. Reality
It’s a myth that all down or feathers automatically cause allergies. In fact, down itself is hypoallergenic – allergens attach themselves to down but don’t originate there. Issues instead come from dust mites or feathers poking through the shell. So higher quality down comforters can absolutely be suitable and non-allergenic for most.
Hypoallergenic Options
That said, many manufacturers now offer high-end, allergy-free down comforters that undergo extra cleaning and quality checks. These typically cost more but allow those sensitive to down to enjoy its comfort.
Cleaning/Maintenance
Finally, properly caring for any down comforter through infrequent washing, air drying, and storage keeps potential triggers like dust mites at bay. So while cheap down could pose problems for some, quality hypoallergenic down comforters present low allergy risk with proper maintenance.
Environmental Considerations With Down
Evaluating the environmental impact means considering both sourcing and manufacturing:
Sustainable Sourcing
Reputable brands focus on sourcing down as a byproduct from poultry producers rather than live plucking. Traceable down tied to ethical sourcing makes the most environmental sense.
Responsible Manufacturing
The highest quality down comforters come from manufacturers that concentrate cleaning byproducts and convert feathers/quills into other products. These minimize the overall carbon footprint.
Eco-Friendly Options
Some brands now offer down coupled with eco-friendly outer shells made from recycled plastics. These innovative products provide environmental benefits on top of down’s natural benefits.
So while down itself is remarkably sustainable when sourced and produced responsibly, there are comforters taking this further through manufacturing and materials used.
Using Down Comforters in Different Climates
The lightweight warmth and breathability of down comforters makes them uniquely adaptable to just about any climate:
Winter
The unmatched insulation capacity of quality down traps body heat to keep you cozy on bitterly cold winter nights. Lofty comforters prevent cold spots.
Summer
Despite the common misperception, down comforters allow excellent airflow during summer’s heat and humidity thanks to their breathable structure. The fill adjusts as needed to the conditions and sleeper.
All-Season
Down’s ability to both retain heat yet still remain airy and adaptable makes it comfortable year-round. Switching between lighter summer down comforters and puffier winter options works well too.
So no matter where you live, down comforters can enhance comfort and sleep quality across seasons. The right fill power and construction options exist for just about every regional climate need.
Choosing Down for Different Sleep Positions
People sleep in different positions, but down comforters have something to offer back, side, and stomach sleepers:
Back Sleepers
Puffy, thick down comforters envelop back sleepers with just the right amount of weight and warmth cocooning the body all night.
Side Sleepers
Side sleepers need loft under the shoulders to support spinal alignment and prevent pain at pressure points like the hips and knees. Fluffier down comforters provide cushy support in key areas for these sleepers.
Stomach Sleepers
The lightweight feel of down avoids overwhelming stomach sleepers who already sink into a mattress more deeply than other positions. Breathability also helps prevent overheating.
What Size Down Comforter Do You Need?
Make sure to choose a down comforter based on your actual mattress size:
Twin Comforters
At about 66” wide, twin down comforters fit most standard twin and college dorm beds. Kids and guest rooms suit twin sizes.
Full/Double Comforters
Full comforters span around 84” wide for most affordable double mattresses. Kids and guest bedrooms often use full-size bedding.
Queen Comforters
With an ample 90” width, queen down comforters drape sufficiently over both sides of standard queen-size beds that many couples prefer.
King Comforters
Spacious king-size down comforters measuring 102-108” give both partners plenty of warmth for roomy king beds. Widths vary between Cal king vs. Eastern king.
Allow for some overhang on all sides when choosing size – too large is fine while too small leaves your bed exposed allowing heat loss.
Conclusion – Why Choose Down Comforters
To wrap up, the main benefits that make down comforters a luxurious, yet affordable upgrade for your bed include:
Superior Warmth & Breathability – Down’s unbeatable insulation paired with breathability keeps you cozy in winter yet cool during summer for year-round comfort.
Lightweight & Adaptable Feel – Fluffy down comforters feel remarkably light on your body while still enveloping you in softness. They conform to your shape as you shift overnight.
Long-Lasting Investment – With ethical sourcing and proper care, a quality down comforter brings years of better sleep for not much more than a synthetic alternative.
While down comforters do contain some small feathers, these help add just enough structure and durability to balance the ultra-soft down. When shopping, focus on filling power around 700-800 with a tight weave cover to get the best mix of value, longevity, and performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are down comforters always warmer than alternative comforters?
While down comforters provide superior warmth for their weight compared to any other fill, some alternatives like wool can come close in terms of insulation. Much depends on the fill power, thread count, and construction quality when comparing high-end down versus the best wool or synthetic comforters. But in general, ounce for ounce, good down insulation outperforms everything else.
How often should I wash my down comforter?
Only wash down comforters once every year or two at most. Any more frequently risks damaging the delicate down clusters. When it is time to clean it, use a large capacity machine, mild detergent and add tennis balls to restore loft during drying. Always line dry if possible or dry with tennis balls on low.
Why does my down comforter make crinkling noises?
The crinkly sound of your comforter is just the outer shell material rustling together around pockets of fill. As long as no major lumps or bare spots appear, occasional light noises are perfectly normal for down comforters after some use from the fill shifting slightly within its chambers.
Are down and feather comforters the same thing?
No, feather and down comforters differ significantly. Feathers provide structure but lack down’s superior warmth per ounce. Most down comforters do contain some small feathers, usually less than 30% of the total fill. But pure down comforters with 700+ fill power will insulate far better overall, which does come at a higher price.
Can I use a down comforter if I’m allergic to feathers?
Yes, most allergy sufferers can use quality down bedding without issues, despite the common misperception. True allergies come more from dust mites or stray feathers poking through the cover. So with hypoallergenic comforters made from highly cleaned down within a tight weave outer shell, even those with sensitivities can enjoy down’s comfort and warmth.
