There are reasons why feather or down is sought after in bed accessories. Feathers are soft and excellent at trapping heat. Thus, they are favorite fillers for winter clothing, sleeping bags and quilted coats. We know them more as fillers for high end beddings that include pillows, blankets, comforters and duvets. Feathers have a great loft, or the ability to expand from a compressed state and trap large amounts of insulating air. Feathers vary in quality, the most sought after being those taken from Eider ducks from Iceland.

There is a wide range in the quality of down beddings available. There are those made from a combination of feathers and down, those made from down alone and those made from synthetic down alternatives. A synthetic micro fiber thermal insulation material that was developed for the US Army is an alternative goose down insulation which is effective even when wet. Today, a down alternative comforter set is widely used. It provides warmth in cold weather but is reasonably priced.