Up with Down
There are many great qualities about down. Even though this website is
about down alternatives, we won't give down a short shrift. We'll tell you
all the reasons why you should be picking this great fill. After all, it's up to you
and your tastes in the end which one you'll choose - we're just supplying
some information.
The Good Qualities
Down has many pro qualities going for it. For one thing, it is the warmest
material by weight, compared to any current synthetic on the market. This
is measured by the "warmth-to-weight" ratio, and down is undeniably the
king. You would think waterfowl and other birds are well-protected given that
they have to splash around in cold water and fly at high altitudes for thousands
of miles to migrate! Down is also extremely durable and robust. By durable,
it's meant here that you can keep the product for a lifetime. It won't tear
apart or disintegrate under normal use. Moreover, it keeps its shape and
"loft", which is its fluffy, puffy air-holding quality. Synthetics aren't able
to last as long with as much resilience yet.
Good for Garments
How about the feeling of a down bedding or insulating garment? Well, it has
the curious quality of "wicking" away body moisture. The body is always producing
tiny bits of moisture, which builds up over time and can become uncomfortable.
Well, down sucks it up and emits it back out. Finally, it's a very light material
so it doesn't weigh on you while you're sleeping under a comforter, and it's
easy to wear because it's so light. A sleeping bag made of this material
could be rolled up into a tiny roll. No synthetic is able to duplicate this combination
of its lightweight and compressibility, and in fact, is why this animal
product is the number one choice for campers and hikers.
Disadvantages
Ok, there are a few cons. When down gets completely soaked, as things might happen
during a rainstorm on a hike or a camp-out, down will lose its ability to insulate
much like cotton. And heavy moisture that gets in will take time to dry
out. Even letting a soaked comforter hang out all day may be insufficient for it
to be useable by nightfall. Related to its interaction with water, this material
is also difficult to clean. Using regular detergents can damage the fluffy fibers
and cause it to lose its superior loft.
Allergens
A great con for many people is that down can harbor dust mites and other kinds of
debris which act as allergens causing allergic responses and more seriously, asthma.
This is partly alleviated by superior processing of the down, such as industrial strength
cleaning, that can rid the interior fill of allergenic substances.
On top of the cost of special cleaning, the retail price of the product is also
very high compared to synthetics. This is another reason that drive people to
synthetics which are only slightly, perhaps negligibly, inferior in all aspects.
