When it comes to Duvets, most people will likely regard feather-filled and down-filled as the same thing; however, there is a difference, and down-filled isn’t what some would presume to be a fancy marketing term.
One of the world’s most knowledgeable people on this topic is Nils Stene, the CEO of Norvegr, who guides us through how these two fillings differ below and why ratios are vital for the best sleep experience.
What is down?
Down and feathers are not the same. While everyone can recognise a feather, down is more of a mystery.
Feathers make up ducks’ and geese’s rigid plumage. Each feather is flat, unable to trap air effectively, and has little insulation value. The primary purpose of feathers in pillows is to provide bulk and support. In duvets, too many feathers can reduce the quality of the final product.
Down is the soft undercoat beneath the birds’ feathers, found mainly on the belly and breast. It consists of clusters of light, fluffy filaments growing from a central quill point. As there’s no quill shaft, the structure is naturally soft.
Each down cluster provides warmth and insulation by trapping thousands of tiny pockets of air within the filaments. At the same time, the down keeps the birds dry by allowing water and moisture to escape from their bodies. No wonder it makes such a wonderful material for duvets. At Norvegr, even our entry-level Classic Collection duvets are just 10% feather. From the next collection onwards, they are all feather-free.
The more air down is able to trap, the greater the loft (springiness) of the down. With its luxurious feel and excellent insulating properties, down is far more highly prized than feathers. It’s also scarcer, as birds produce a great deal more feathers than down. This scarcity naturally makes down more expensive. However, the quality of products does vary. So, having decided to purchase a lovely down sleeping set, you need to be aware of the factors that influence the end product.
If you’re used to a more voluminous, heavy duvet, your first experience of Norvegr may be surprising. Our duvets are unbelievably light. But after a night or two of perfect sleep, you’ll be addicted. Densely filled duvets cannot provide the harmonious balance between warming and cooling that down does. Thicker, heavier varieties are often of poorer quality, as they’ve been filled to add bulk.
Which down duvet should I buy?
When shopping for a good duvet, the key is to always choose the highest fill power of down you can afford—and then some. Your duvet should be just warm enough, but no more. Norvegr offers each customer a sleep consultation to discuss their sleeping environment and decide on their perfect fill power and weight.
When purchasing a high-quality down duvet, you should look for a fill power rating of at least 600. Down with a fill power of 800+ (EU) is extremely good. 850 is the highest quality that is consistently available. 900 (EU) and above is the top end of the scale, where you only find non-commercially available down types.
Our Premium Plus and Eiderdown are such qualities. Norvegr’s entry-level duvet collection is the Classic Collection, with a fill power of 755.
The Down:Feather Ratio
The ratio of down to feathers affects the quality of a duvet. Confusingly, many duvet and pillow makers on the high street will refer to their products as down-filled even if there’s only a tiny percentage of down. The down-to-feather ratio needs to be high if you want a high fill power and a lofty, fluffy, temperature-regulating, cloud-like product.
Down-to-feather ratios are generally 70/30, 80/20 or 90/10, with the first number representing the percentage of down and the second indicating the feathers. A higher first number generally means a better-quality product. Down with 700 fill power in a 90/10 mix is going to loft exactly the same amount as down with 700 fill power in a 95/5 mix.
The ratio is irrelevant as far as lofting ability is concerned. However, the higher the fill power, the more down and less feather there is. When approaching 800 fill power (EU), the mixes are as close to feather-free as they can be.
About Norvegr
Norvegr has been a pioneer in comfort for more than 70 years, creating the world’s most indulgent down duvets and pillows. Building on an ancient tradition of Norwegian craft excellence, we follow three generations of the Stene family legacy with an unwavering commitment to quality.
Each duvet combines unique channel construction techniques with the best ethically sourced natural down to balance insulation with breathability. Our restoration service offers lifelong luxury.
Norvegr products are for all places, all seasons, and all ages, taking you on a transportive journey to a place of true tranquillity.
The imagery used in this feature is courtesy of norvegr.com.
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