Down Fill Power

Down is measured by “fill power,” which is the amount of volume one ounce of down occupies. The higher the fill power, the lighter and fluffier the down and better insulating ability of the down — in other words, you stay warmer with less weight. The lower-quality down is 500 fill power, and it goes up to 700 or 750. Higher fill power down is also fluffier in appearance. Hint: Choose a lower fill power if you live in a warmer climate and don’t need too much heat.

So, the higher number fill power means greater loft, which creates more little air pockets within the down to capture and hold the warm air, so you stay warmer with less physical weight on you. You can stay snuggly warm under a cozy down comforter/duvet without having a heavy weight on top of you. When you are looking at down comforters, the information should tell you what the fill power is.

If you are not allergic to down, nothing feels better. The down pillows that have an inner baffle don’t compress as much as plain feather pillows. If you don’t like those, get high quality foam pillows. For a comforter - again provided down doesn’t bother you, get a baffled duvet in a weight appropriate for your climate (here in Florida i use the super light weight, if it gets real cold in your neck of the woods, get a heavier weight one). Then pick out a duvet cover. This is nice because the cover is removable, that makes it really easy to launder and to change styles if you get bored with your current cover.