Your Health
Are there any health issues associated with this duvet type? This is mostly to do with allergies.
Down duvets are made from natural materials, making them light and breathable. This means that they keep your body dry throughout the night.
However, some people may have an allergic reaction to the down or feathers - a reaction that does not happen with the synthetic materials.
Additionally, if you know you'll need to wash your duvet frequently for some reason, then a down duvet is not a good option. Washing a down duvet is a complicated task, and is better not performed very often.
Comfort
Different types of duvets feel different to different people. Comfort level mostly has to do with weight and stiffness of materials.
Down duvets are breathable, which means they will keep you warm without making you sweaty - leading to a more comfortable general feeling.
Down duvets are made of the soft underlayer of feathers from the breast of a duck or goose. It provides excellent insulation and has no quills. The higher the percentage of down in the duvet - the softer, warmer, lighter and more comfortable it will feel.
On the other hand, natural duvets are more susceptible to the filling "shifting", which renders the duvet less comfortable.
Price
How expensive is the duvet? There is a large range of price differences between different types of Duvets. Some could be really expensive while others could cost less than a good meal.
The price range for natural, down filled duvets, is quite large, but regardless of which type and down/feathers ratio you choose, a down duvet will almost always be more expensive than a synthetic one.
A down duvets is still one of these products where it is true that the more you pay - the better quality you get. High quality down costs more and has bigger clusters that retain heat better.
A duvet with better down or higher down percentage will be warmer and lighter. However, it will be more expensive than other, low grade, cheap down duvet. The cheap down is flat and you will find that eventually it doesn't fluff any more.
The higher price tag of down duvets is somewhat offset by the fact that they last longer than synthetic ones.
Durability
How resilient is the Duvet? How many years can you expect it to keep you company?
Down duvets are usually very resilient. A higher-range down duvet may last for over 20 years (some put the number as high as 30).
The lifespan of a down duvet depends on proper care, and down duvets are more demanding than synthetics in this respect. Repeated laundering can shorten a down duvet's life, and lying or sitting on it may cause the down to compress so much that it will no longer trap air effectively.
It is also worth noting that natural down duvets are more susceptible to the filling "shifting", which renders the duvet less comfortable. Buying a down duvet and taking care of it properly is like buying a mate for life.
Caring Ease
How easy is day to day caring for the duvet? Will caring for it require a lot of your time and money or will it be easy and cheap?
Down or down/feather duvets do not usually require extensive caring for. They mostly require just regular airing and fluffing up.
A duvet isn't something that gets dirty often, but if it does, you will need to look at the care instructions. Some down duvets can be laundered, but if they are - they usually require professional washing.
It is extremely important to ensure that all the detergent is washed out from the down, or the duvet will lose its fluffiness and effectiveness. It is also very important that all moisture leaves the duvet - for the same reason.
Warmth
How much warmth will the duvet supply? Warmth is not just about weight, it is also about the materials the duvet is made of.
The better the down duvet, the more air is trapped by it. The more trapped air (called 'loft') - the warmer is the duvet.
There are many types of down duvets, and the warmth depends on the quality of the down used. This means that less filling can be used to achieve the same warmth and so the better the down's quality - the lighter the duvet will be.
All in all, when shopping for a down duvet that's soft, light and warm - you need to find one with a high down content.
Down is a breathing material, which means that down duvets not only provide excellent warmth, they also absorb your sweat so that you remain dry.
Lightweight
How heavy is the duvet? The lighter the duvet the easier it is to store, carry and maintain. It also feels different on the body.
Down duvets are usually very light while still providing excellent warmth. As a rule of thumb, the higher the quality - the lower the weight.
Down duvets that contain feathers in addition to down are generally heavier. Some people find it better suits them, as they like to feel the extra weight when lying down.
Such duvets are usually cheaper, as they are considered lower quality.
Goosedown duvets are extremely light and warm. For a duvet that is soft, light and also warm, you really need to buy one with high down content.
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Feel factor: 9
It's ok.
(score 3/5)
Warmer than expected for a lightweight down comforter. It is by far NOT down proof fabric. So expect to have loose down "strays" that come out of the fabric. Even with the duvet I have on it. But it is warm and cosy. I bought it last year and I'm already looking for another one to replace it.
Posted on: 2009-12-19
By CJB
Like sleeping under a cloud!
(score 5/5)
Love this comforter! Received it in record time. No real odor like others have commented on. A few shakes here and there and it was fluffed out and ready to go. So light in weight and it is like sleeping under a cloud. Can lay on my back with my toes up and it doesn't weigh them down. Even though it is light weight, it envelopes my entire body with a nice comforting even warmth. I look forward to hopping in bed at night and sleeping under it. I got the queen size for my queen bed and it stays nicely in place. A VERY quality item for sure for a great bargain price! LOVE IT! LOVE IT! LOVE IT!
Posted on: 2009-11-07
By Up and Over
Very Fine Blanket
(score 5/5)
This is a great quality comforter at an incredible price. Don't let the "lightweight" label fool you. It is plenty warm. I live in Kentucky and enjoy definite four seasons. The weather changes very quickly and it can get (way too) cold in winter. I think this comforter will be just right for three-quarters of the year. I'm sure I will have to visit Amazon again to get something lighter for summer.You warm weather shoppers should look for something else.
Posted on: 2009-11-02
By Caroline K. Reece
Good value
(score 4/5)
This comforter is very lightweight and would only be good for warmer winters or as a summer comforter. However, it has been washed and after it dried properly there was no smell and it looked just like new. No dry cleaning bills.!!! It is good for guests or as an extra comforter. I would not be happy with something so lightweight as my only comforter for cold winter nights. Overall a really good buy at this price. It will certainly be used and enjoyed.
Posted on: 2009-10-02
By Janice Schwartz
So comfy!!!
(score 5/5)
We've been using this comforter for a few months now and it just keeps getting more comfy. It's been too warm for me because I get hot easily (it's been summer as I write this), but my wife uses it every night. When it's cold it's so great. It's like pulling a big puffy cloud stuffed in a blanket on top of me. Aaaahh. I've actually kind of been looking forward to winter just so that I can use the comforter more. We had some UNBELIEVABLY comfortable down comforters when we lived in Austria and honestly this one can't match those. But for the price it is very comfy and pretty warm for the thickness.
Posted on: 2009-09-18
By B