Goose Down Sleeping Bags: Comfortable And Warm?

Sleeping bags with goose down fillings are still available and widely used. Down sleeping bags offer the best ratio of warmth-to-packability, making them a favourite among lightweight campers. They are also more capable of retaining warmth and are more compressible and lightweight than synthetic-filled bags. However, they are generally more expensive than synthetic-insulated bags. The quality of down varies and is indicated by displaying the fill power (FP) and down-to-feather ratio. Goose down is generally of better quality and insulates better than duck down, which gives off an ammonia-like smell when wet. Duck down is also less insulating. However, it should be noted that the overall design of the sleeping bag also affects its performance, with a trapezoidal baffle construction, for example, providing a better comfort temperature rating than the boxwall method.

Duck down vs goose down

Down is the term used for the soft undercoating of ducks and geese. These filaments are used to keep the birds warm and act as natural insulation. Down sleeping bags offer the best ratio of warmth-to-packability, making them a favourite of lightweight campers.

There are some key differences between duck down and goose down. Duck down is much more affordable than goose down. If you are looking for affordable down products, duck down is recommended. Duck down is also more accessible than goose down and will be easier to find. It is a by-product of the meat and egg industry, making it more readily available and therefore more cost-effective than goose down.

Goose down, on the other hand, is more luxurious and of higher quality. It is considered more durable, ensuring that your sleeping bag or duvet lasts longer. Goose down has been marketed as a 'premium' product, and most premium down-filled products are made with pure, white goose down. Geese are larger birds than ducks, so they grow their soft filaments in dense clusters. This leads to more loft and a higher fill power yield. Goose down tends to be lighter than duck down.

However, new technologies are being developed to yield higher fill powers from cheaper duck down. Once these equal fill powers are achieved, duck and goose down insulate identically. So, while goose down has long been the standard for insulation in outdoor gear, duck down is making serious inroads. The decision between the two comes down to warmth versus price.

RDS certification

RDS, or the Responsible Down Standard, is a certification that ensures the humane treatment of geese and ducks throughout the entire down and feather supply chain. The RDS is promoted internationally by the Textile Exchange, a non-profit trade organisation. The standard was developed over three years with input from farmers, animal welfare experts, land conservation experts, industry experts, animal rights groups, suppliers, brands, and retailers.

The RDS certification process includes an initial evaluation of the products and the production process, including the evaluation of the composition of the products, the conformity of raw materials and suppliers, and the suitability of the chemicals used. An on-site inspection is then carried out to ensure compliance with RDS criteria, including the correct organisation and management of production processes and internal procedures. The final stage is the issuance of the Certificate of Conformity, which is based on the information and data collected during the evaluation and verification process.

RDS down and feathers must be clearly identifiable and traceable to ensure they are not confused with other non-certified materials. Only products made from 100% certified down and feathers can carry the RDS logo.

Loft rating

The loft rating of a sleeping bag is an important consideration when purchasing one. Loft refers to the amount of air trapped by the down clusters in the bag, which is what provides insulation and warmth. The fluffier the down clusters, the higher the loft, and the more air and heat they can trap. This is why loft is a good indicator of a sleeping bag's warmth-to-weight ratio. A higher loft means better warmth-to-weight ratio, as less fill material is needed to achieve the same warmth as a lower-loft bag.

However, it is important to note that a higher fill power down does not necessarily mean a warmer bag. It simply means that less of it is required to achieve the same warmth as a lower fill power down. For example, a 650+ loft bag can be as warm as an 850+ loft bag, but it will be heavier and less compressible. The loft rating of a sleeping bag can be calculated by compressing a one-ounce sample of down and then allowing it to expand in a special cylinder. The total volume the down expands to, measured in cubic inches, is its fill power.

When comparing sleeping bags, it is useful to consider both the weight of the down and its fill power. A bag with a higher fill power may have less down but can still be advertised at the same temperature rating as a bag with more down of a lower quality. Additionally, the design of the sleeping bag can also impact its warmth. For example, a bag with a Trapezoidal baffle construction will have a better comfort rating than a bag with the same down quality and weight but constructed using the Boxwall method.

It is also worth noting that the amount of loft required for a comfortable sleep depends on the individual. Some people sleep warm, while others sleep cold. Environmental factors, such as humidity, can also affect how warm a person feels in a sleeping bag.

Overall, the loft rating of a sleeping bag is an important factor to consider when purchasing one, as it indicates how well the bag will compress and its warmth-to-weight ratio. However, it is just one of many factors that contribute to the overall warmth and comfort of a sleeping bag.

Fill power

The fill power of a sleeping bag is determined by compressing a one-ounce sample of down and then allowing it to expand in a special cylinder. The total volume the down expands to (measured in cubic inches) is its fill power. So, an ounce of 750+ loft down would fill at least 750 cubic inches.

The higher the fill power, the better the warmth-to-weight ratio of the sleeping bag. A bag filled with high loft down will be more compressible than a similar-temperature bag with a lower loft/fill power. However, a higher fill power down is not necessarily warmer. It simply means that less of it needs to be used to achieve the same warmth as a lower fill power down. For example, a 650+ loft bag can be as warm as an 850+ loft bag, but the latter will be lighter and more compressible.

The fill power of a sleeping bag can be calculated using the following equation: (weight of down in grams) divided by 30, multiplied by the fill power. For instance, 100g of 850FP down would have a greater fill volume than 121g of 700FP down.

Washing and drying

Washing your goose down sleeping bag is important not only for keeping it clean but also to ensure that the down insulation continues to do its job of trapping air and keeping you warm and comfortable. Proper washing and drying will help maintain the sleeping bag's loft by keeping the feathers evenly distributed and preventing clumping. It also prevents mould and mildew caused by down retaining moisture.

To wash your goose down sleeping bag, fill your bath with lukewarm water and mix in either liquid soap flakes or a specialist down cleaner. Make sure there is nothing in the pockets, then place the sleeping bag into the bath and gently press it down until it is submerged. Agitate it a little and then leave it to soak for about an hour. Drain the soapy water and refill the bath with fresh water. Gently massage the bag to remove the soap from the down. You could use a shower head if you have one in your bath. Remove the bag from the bath and squeeze out the excess water, but be gentle as you don't want to compress the down insulation.

Before drying, it is recommended to lay the bag out flat to drip dry for a couple of hours to reduce the water weight. Then, set your tumble dryer to the lowest heat setting and place the sleeping bag inside. Throw in a couple of tennis balls or dryer balls to help puff up the down. The dryer and balls will help to loft the down and make it fluffy again.

It is important to note that some goose down sleeping bags may not be machine washable, so always check the care instructions provided by the manufacturer. If your sleeping bag is not machine washable, hand washing is recommended as it causes less stress to the fabrics and stitching.

Frequently asked questions