History of Goose Down
Myth has it that when Aphrodite (Venus), the goddess of love, first emerged from the sea, her chariot was drawn by geese. And did you know the Egyptians, who also brought us the bed and the pillow, domesticated geese nearly 5,000 years ago? So, given the goose’s long mythical and historical association with humans, it might be well for us to know a little something more about how geese contribute to the most luxurious of bedding items—down products. Here are a couple of things you ought to know before you purchase goose down products.
What is Goose Down, Exactly?
First, goose down (or down) is simply the soft fuzzy ball (or cluster) of thousands of fibers that grow next to a goose’s body. Second, down is not a feather, but lies underneath the feathers. Down doesn’t have quills like feathers do, so it can ‘fluff out’ or “loft” (the technical term) in every direction. Third, as down lofts it traps air and provides insulation—warmth in this case. The nice thing is that while down keeps us warm, it also breathes and allows body moisture to evaporate—a pretty amazing feat, really.
Quite honestly, down is an outstanding bedding selection regardless of the season. So, when it comes to thermal insulation, shape-ability, and loft characteristics, down is king. When put into pillows or comforters, down conforms easily to your body’s contours and hold small microscopic pockets of air to keep you warm (not hot) and cozy all night long.
What Is 'Fill Power'?
Down’s insulating capability is described as ‘fill power.’ Fill power is measured by how much a certain type of down can fluff up (loft) in a given space. Typically, fill power is measured as the number of cubic inches (in3) one ounce of down can fill—or, more simply, cubic inches per ounce (in3/oz). High fill-power downs (800-900 in3/oz) will insulate far better than low fill-power downs (around 300 in3/oz) of the same weight. A fill power rating of anywhere from 400-600 is plenty for most bedding applications. Generally, the highest fill power ratings are found in specialty outdoor equipment—so unless you’re going to climb Mt. Everest, the selection of down products found here at Precious Bedding will definitely keep you snug and comfortable.
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