Feather vs. Down Fills – What’s the Difference? 

Feathers have harder, stiffer quills, whereas down is much softer. Feather filled pillows are a more economical choice than down filled pillows, which are considered more luxurious for its insulation properties and cloud-like airiness.

Down is the layer of insulation which is underneath the feathers of geese and duck that keeps them warm and dry. Goose down provides luxurious warmth, softness, superior resilience, loftiness, and insulating properties, which makes its quality unmatched compared to synthetic fills. Down helps control body temperature, as well as body alignment while sleeping. 

If you are looking for a down pillow, it’s important to make sure it is filled with more than 90% down and not diluted with inferior or synthetic fills, which can compromise the quality of the pillow. 

What is Fill Power?

Fill power, the measurement of loftiness or fluffiness is another important consideration when picking out comforters and pillows. It’s measured by the amount of space 1 oz of down takes up. The higher the fill power, the more space it takes up, and the higher the quality will be. A higher fill power provides a lighter and fluffier comforter or pillow for its given warmth level.

Fill power (FP) that’s measured above 600 is considered luxury quality. 700 FP offers a nice balance between luxurious feel, durability, and cost-effectiveness. 800 FP is regarded as the pinnacle of luxury. 

Firmness is a Personal Preference

Unlike filling type and fill power which both indicate the level of quality, firmness is not an indicator of quality – instead, it’s a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer their pillows to be fluffy and airy, while others prefer more dense and full.

Certain firmness levels are better suited for specific sleeping positions. For instance, stomach sleepers may prefer less density, so a soft/medium pillow would be a perfect choice. For those who sleep on their back or side, more density is needed. Therefore, a medium/firm pillow would be best, to keep their spine aligned.  

What is RDS?

RDS stands for Responsible Down Standard, which ensures that the down used did not come from animals that have been subjected to any unnecessary harm, such as force-feeding or live-plucking, and validates the down’s traceability, from farm to finished product. East Coast Bedding only uses RDS certified down, ensuring that humane animal practices were not compromised in any way, in the manufacturing of our bedding.