Which is better - goose or duck down duvet?

[221b]

Hello

I'm looking to treat myself to a new duvet to go with my new bed - I've had cheapy duvets for years and after sleeping in a lovely hotel a few weeks ago with gorgeous bedding, have determined to buy the best there is that I can afford.

I am slightly confused as to the difference betwewen qualities in goose vs duck down (please don't tell me that one comes from a goose and the other from a duck!)

I know that duck down is a lot lighter than goose for the same warmth, but beyond that I don't know...

Anyone got one of either?

What is your expereince if so?

Also plan to get a mattress topper to go with it to complete the Princess And The Pea Effect so all advice gratefully received!

221b

[cruella]

Hi 221b
Me and my hubby have a duck down quilt.
Have had it for quite a few years now. No idea what a goose filled duvet is like, but we love our quilt. It is so light, comfortable and very cosy, especially in the winter. It never seems to get too hot in summer either. We love ours. My grandaughter once described it as "like sleeping in clouds" lol

[heathfield]

True eiderdown from the Eider duck is certainly superior to goose down. It has more resilience, and will puff back up after being compressed far better than goose down does. It also interlocks with itself, and so doesn't shift about within the duvet nearly so much and so create bare places . (Goose down duvets have to have walls built into the duvet to stop this happening).
The only problem is the expense. Goose down is from farmed geese, and usually from China, though Hungarian down is reckoned superior. Eider down is collected from the nests of wild ducks. Supply is limited, seasonal, and processing more costly.
But an Eider down duvet will last forever. I still have one for a child's bed that my grandmother bought before WWII, and it's still perfectly useable. Go for it,

[221b]

Great answers cruella and heathfield, thanks

I shall place my order for a duck duvet and topper...

ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!

[cruella]

Kepp us posted when you do get your eiderdown quilt. I am sure you will love it.

[221b]

I will, cruella!

I know exactly what your g'daughter means - I slept in a lovely new bed in the Marriott Grosvenor Square recently and it really was like floating on a cloud so I determined I was going to get a decent duvet and topper to replicate the experience.

I do love a good night's sleep!

Best wishes

221b

[spudqueen]

We bought a duck down duvet from John Lewis two or three years ago, and it's the best thing we ever did! The bloke who sold us the duvet was really knowledgeable about all the different types of duvets. He told us all there was to know about them and then left us to make up our minds. Unfortunately price comes into it, so we chose the best we could afford. Some of them were REALLY expensive!

[heathfield]

Also - make sure that it's Eider duck down you're buying. Some Chinese 'duck down' is from farmyard ducks, and is totally inferior!!