It can be difficult to decipher all the lingo when it comes to shopping for a duvet. There's a lot to take in and some of it can be a bit confusing. Here are the four things you need to know to separate the good from the bad:
1. Make sure it’s pure white goose down. In Canada, a down product must contain a minimum of 75% down to be labeled as down. For a down product to be labeled as Goose Down it must be a minimum of 90% Goose. If it doesn't meet these criterias, there could be just about anything in there, most probably a lot of chicken feathers! Our advice, trust the company you’re buying and make sure they can answer all the questions you have. (Look for brands that are certified with Downmark by The Down Association of Canada, for US products look for the American Down and Feather Council).
2. The quality of down is measured in Loft (a.k.a. Fill Power). A lofting power of 500-550 is considered good, 550–750 is considered very good, and 750+ is considered excellent. This doesn’t mean you can only buy 750+ and up, but understanding the difference will help you make an educated decision.
3. Shell thread count should be above 300. The thread-count of the shell does affect how the entire duvet will feel. A silkier, higher thread count shell allows for the down to move around beautifully and does not “crunch” as some lower thread count shells do.
4. We recommend a baffle-box construction so the down remains evenly spread out and does not clump.
