What is the difference between feather and down?Updated 23 days ago

Feathers come from the outer covering of the bird, and make up 90% of their feathery coat. They are larger, have quills, and are heavier. Goose feathers are naturally softer than duck feathers, but still have quills. They have a more defined curl, for a loftier result, and therefore feel more luxurious. If you like your duvet to have some weight to it, then go for feather & down. The down content (usually 15%) keeps the duvet soft, whilst the feathers give you the typical feathery feel.

The down feathers are the super soft clusters, found underneath the feathers. Without any quills, they are made up of lots of tiny soft filaments that help to trap air, keeping warm air in, and cold air out. They are loftier than feathers, providing higher insulating properties. The ultimate in comfort, pure down produces a lighter softer duvet, whilst helping to regulate your temperature. The higher the down content, the lighter and softer the duvet. If you want the very best, one of our 100% Hungarian Goose Down Duvet would be perfect for you.

We go into a little more detail about all things feathery here in our Bedding Buying Guide.