What is Fill Power and why it matters

If you’ve ever shopped for a doona/duvet and been hit with the term “fill power”, you’re not alone. It’s one of those bedding buzzwords that sounds important (and it is!) but often gets misunderstood. So, let’s clear the fluff on what fill power actually means and why it matters.

Fill Power: The Measure of Quality, Not Quantity

Here’s the common misconception: people think fill power is about the amount of down stuffed into your doona..  Spoiler alert... it’s not.

Fill power is actually a measurement of the quality of down. To put it simply, it tells you how much space one ounce (or 28g) of down occupies when it’s fully fluffed up. The more volume it fills, the better the down.

Imagine a doona filled with tiny, fluffy clouds, that’s what high fill power feels like. It’s all about the loftiness, which translates to better insulation and a lighter, airier feel.

Higher is Better (But Why?)

The higher the fill power, the higher the quality of the down. Here’s why:

• Better Insulation: High fill power down traps more air, which means it keeps you warmer without needing to be heavy or bulky.

• Light as a Feather (Literally): With higher-quality down, you get the same (or better) warmth with less weight. Who doesn’t love a doona that feels like sleeping under a cloud?

• Longer Lasting: High fill power down is more resilient and maintains its loft over time, so your doona stays fluffy and fabulous for years.

To give you an idea of the scale:

• 400 - 500: Good quality, often used in everyday bedding.

• 600 - 700: Great quality, offering better warmth and loft.

• 800 and above: Premium quality. Incredibly light, lofty, and warm. The pinnacle of down comfort.

As a side note (because we can’t resist): Puff’s fill power is 800.  Translation? That’s premium territory. You’re welcome.

What Determines Fill Power?

So, what makes one down cluster fluffier than another? It comes down to a few key factors:

• Maturity of the Bird: Older birds (typically geese or ducks) produce larger, more developed down clusters. These mature clusters have longer filaments and a more complex structure, which helps them trap more air essential for that lofty, cloud-like feeling.

• Species of Bird: Goose down tends to have larger clusters than duck down, which is why you’ll often see higher fill powers in goose-filled doonas.

• Harvesting Method: Hand collected or carefully sourced down often results in higher quality clusters that haven’t been damaged during processing.

• Processing & Cleaning: Clean, intact down clusters perform better. High quality down is gently cleaned to remove dust, oils, and broken pieces without damaging the structure, so the cluster can expand to its full volume when fluffed.

In short: it’s not just the bird, it’s also the care, the process, and the final integrity of the down itself. All of these work together to determine how lofty (and luxurious) your doona will be.

Why Should You Care?

If you’re after a doona that’s warm, lightweight and luxurious; fill power should be on your radar. It’s a simple yet powerful way to gauge quality and make an informed choice. Plus, knowing the science behind your bedding just feels satisfying; like cracking the code to ultimate comfort.

So next time someone throws around the term fill power, you’ll know it’s not just fluff it’s physics, craftsmanship and a little bit of magic.  And at Puff, we don’t settle for less than dreamy. We float at 800.

Sleep light, sleep lofty 

Beck ☁️