Down and Feather: Do you know the difference?

Did you know that there IS a difference between down and feather? Many people assume it is the same, mostly because retailers will say "down and feather," even if they mean just "down" or "feather." It's an easy misconception and one that might not matter to you. However, if it means spending hundreds of dollars on a pillow versus spending 30-40 dollars, it can be a huge difference.

So, what is the difference? Let's talk about down. Down is the part of the bird that is underneath the exterior feathers. Young birds are covered in down until they grow in their exterior feathers. That really soft stuff that you see and feel on a bird is considered down. Down does not have a stem to it like the feathers do, making it really fluffy, soft and warm. Down insulates really well, which is why a lot of outdoor gear is made from down.

Feathers are springy and have a stem to them. They are what causes your pillow to stay springy instead of flat. Although some people prefer the really soft pillows that are made just with down, feathers add more to a pillow and make them more resistant.

Some feathers have down on them, which is where the term, "down and feather" comes from. However, if there is a stem it is still considered a feather and not down. This is what confuses people the most and why some manufacturers just use the term "down and feather" instead of separating the two. 

If your pillow is all down, that is going to be the expensive pillow. Down is more expensive than feathers, no matter the type of bird. This pillow will be flatter and soft. A feather pillow will have a springy-ness to it. Pillows made with down and feather will be soft but still springy.

Do you prefer a down pillow, feather pillow, or one that includes both? It depends on your sleep style, as every person's desire varies from the next.