Questions
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Down consists of clusters of filaments growing from a central quill point without a quill shaft. It looks much like a dandelion pod. Down is the light, fluffy undercoating that geese, ducks, and other waterfowl have to keep them warm. Land fowl such as chickens do not produce quilt-worthy down.
Feather, the principal covering of birds, has a flat construction. A feather has a hard, quill shaft from one end to the other, with a series of fibers joining together into a flat structure on each side of the shaft.
Feathers are flat and two dimensional, and are grown for flying, while smaller feathers are for protection. Down is three dimensional, a soft puff that is grown for warmth.
Because of its three dimensional structure and ability to "loft", each down cluster traps more air for its weight than any synthetic. Every ounce of quality down has about 2 million fluffy filaments that interlock and overlap to form a protective layer of still air that keeps warmth in and cold out. Because of its resilience, you can scrunch it up or flatten it out. All it takes is a good shake for it to fluff up and bounce back to the form that keeps you cozy and warm.
Down and feathers are carefully washed with special processes, rinsed, dried, and then separated into different grades by blowing. The drafts from a machine send the best down drifting up to the highest bins, to be graded as the finest quality. Down of lesser quality floats into middle bins, and feathers, because they are much heavier, fall into the bottom bins. This entire process must be properly done, in order to permanently eliminate odors, and to ensure permanent lofting of the down.
Generally speaking, the best down comes from larger, more mature birds. When age and maturity are equal, goose down is better than duck down. However, down from an older duck is better than down from a younger goose. For example, a high quality white goose down plumule will look like the large illustration. It has an extraordinarily high warmth-to-weight ratio. A duvet or sleeping bag filled with this down will be very light and incredibly warm. And it will last for decades.
On the other hand, a poor quality White Goose Down will look like the smaller illustration. It will not loft up, and has a rather low warmth-to-weight ratio. Even if there is more of this down by weight, it won't be as warm. Down from younger birds not only tends to have poor filling power, it will also tend to collapse in a relatively short time, because its fibers are too fragile. This is usually the difference between an inexpensive goose down product, and an expensive one.
Eiderdown comes from the Eider Duck, and it is considered by some to be the finest quality of all down. It is also the most expensive. This down is unique in that it clings to itself, resulting in superior insulating power. The Eider Duck is a protected migratory species. Down is collected by hand from nests without disturbing the birds.
None at all. White down is preferred because it can be put into light coloured coverings without showing through. Again, quality is determined mainly by the maturity of the bird. Eider down, as an example, is dark brown.
Climate doesn't affect the quality of down, but it will affect quantity. A bird in cold weather will grow more down to stay warm. But quality itself depends simply on the maturity of the bird.
Most down comes from the Orient; about 50% of the world's supply. A lot of it is white goose down, and it is available in a wide range of qualities; from very poor to very good. Many high qualities come from Europe. White goose down from Canadian Hutterite farms is highly prized. The only way to ensure that you are getting what you are paying for is to look for the Down Association of Canada logo.
Down gives approximately three times the warmth per ounce compared to synthetics. Its ability to loft, or to fill the space it occupies is greater, longer lasting, and more uniform. Synthetics mat and lump together in time, leaving empty cold spots, while down continually relofts, and molds itself to the body. Down also has the marvelous ability to breathe and wick away perspiration, so the user doesn't experience the clamminess which often occurs with synthetics.
You may find a white goose down duvet costing twice as much as another white goose down duvet, or even more. There are many factors which can affect the quality and therefore the price. Just remember, as with everything else in this life, there really are no bargains. A cheap down product will be filled with immature down, which will provide little warmth, and which will probably collapse after relatively little use. Shortcuts in the original cleaning and processing will have been taken, and this will often lead to odour problems. The Down Association of Canada has also found that a substantial number of inexpensive offshore products have contained high percentages of feathers, rather than down as promised on the label. Workmanship and design is generally inferior on cheap products as well. Overall, a "bargain" is usually a waste of money. A quality product will certainly cost more, but it will be warm and cozy, and last for many years. Something that cost s twice as much and lasts 10 times as long is much better value.
The best guide is to look for the Down Association of Canada hang tag/label. When you see our trademark, you know that the manufacturer has to meet strict guidelines for quality. Not every item displays this tag, as the right to use it must be earned. Once earned, quality standards must be strictly maintained. The Down Association of Canada is in fact more vigilant in detecting mislabeling than any level of government. If you do not see this tag, there is no way for you to determine actual quality.
The Down Association of Canada is a national, non- profit organization headquartered in Toronto, and dedicated to maintaining quality standards for down products. For years the Down Association of Canada has had its own program of surveillance within the industry called "Market Minder", where items are randomly purchased and tested for quality. This program encourages all processors, manufacturers and retailers to comply with Canadian labeling standards, and conducts investigative and remedial procedures through its National office.
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