FabricIQ
Reading the label…
B
Soft underfeathers from ducks or geese. The gold standard for insulation, offering the best warmth-to-weight ratio of any fill material.
Material Score Breakdown
Material-quality rubric (6 axes), not a garment verdict — see disclosure below. Sustainability is a separate Eco score, shown apart.
72/100
DurabilityTypical55
How long the fabric lasts with regular use
ComfortStrong85
Softness, feel against skin, wearability
BreathabilityAbove-average70
Air flow and ventilation
WarmthStrong98
Heat retention and insulation
Moisture WickingPoor35
Ability to pull sweat away from skin
Care EasePoor30
How easy it is to wash, dry, and maintain
Sustainability (separate Eco score)
SustainabilityWeak45
Environmental impact of production and disposal
Brands using down
8 brands have products in our catalog whose composition contains down. Sorted by how many garments they offer with this fiber.
Mackage
4 products
Spyder
3 products
Harlaut Apparel
3 products
Snow Peak
3 products
Battenwear
3 products
Gramicci
2 products
Klättermusen
2 products
Lululemon
1 product
Brand grade = average overall score across all of their products containing down.
Products with down
See all →Top-scored garments in our catalog whose composition contains down. Click through for the full quality + health + eco breakdown.
Snow PeakB
Down System Ofuton & Slim Mat
95% Down, 5% Feather
$365
Snow PeakB
Down System Ofuton & Wide Mat
95% Down, 5% Feather
$375
Harlaut ApparelB
WING 700 PUFFER - GLACIAL
90% Down, 10% Feather
$365
Harlaut ApparelB
STORM 700 PUFFER - STONE
90% Down, 10% Feather
$340
UniqloB
PUFFTECH Jacket | Non Quilted
90% Down, 10% Feather
$8
LululemonB
Navigation Down Vest Evolve
85% Down, 15% Feather
GramicciB
Down Puffer Hooded Jacket
80% Down, 20% Feather
$166
Harlaut ApparelB
STORM 700 PUFFER - BRONZE
90% Down, 10% Feather
$340
Mountain EquipmentB
Earthrise Women's Vest
100% Recycled Down
$143
GramicciB
Down Puffer Vest
80% Down, 20% Feather
$141
Uniqlo JPB
Down Long Coat
90% Down, 10% Feather
$99 · JP
Snow PeakB
Takibi Weather Down Jacket
90% Down, 10% Feather
$438
What this score doesn't measure
This is a material rating, not a verdict on any specific garment made from down. The axes above are research-backed averages for the fiber itself.
- ×Construction. Yarn staple length, weave / knit structure, stitch count, finishing. Identical fiber, very different garments.
- ×Fabric weight (GSM). A 140 GSM tee and a 220 GSM tee made of the same down feel and last very differently.
- ×Dye + finishing chemicals. Beyond the three we flag (PFAS, formaldehyde, antimony), dozens of textile finishes aren't modelled.
Best For
🧥Winter Outerwear
GoodGood warmth (98) for cold weather
😴Sleepwear
GoodGood comfort (85) and breathability (70) for sleeping
🩲Underwear
GoodGood breathability (70) and comfort (85) for undergarments
Detailed Use Case Scores
outerwear95
sleepwear85
Pros
- ✓ Best warmth-to-weight ratio
- ✓ Very compressible
- ✓ Long-lasting if maintained
- ✓ Natural and breathable
Cons
- ✗ Loses insulation when wet
- ✗ Ethical concerns
- ✗ Expensive
- ✗ Requires special washing
Better alternatives
Higher-scored natural materials. Same category — what to consider instead.
VicuñaA
+20 vs Down · 92/100
BiodegradableThe rarest and most expensive animal fiber in the world, from the vicuña of the Andes. Finer than cashmere, incredibly soft, warm, and lightweight. A single coat yields only 250g of usable fiber every 2-3 years.
Merino WoolA
+14 vs Down · 86/100
BiodegradableUltra-fine wool from Merino sheep. Softer and less itchy than regular wool, with excellent temperature regulation and moisture management.
Sea Island CottonB
+10 vs Down · 82/100
BiodegradableExtra-long-staple cotton historically grown in the West Indies (Barbados, Jamaica) and Sea Islands of Georgia/South Carolina. Among the rarest commercial fibers on earth — staple length up to 2.5", silky hand feel, intense color saturation when dyed. Used in heritage luxury shirting and bespoke menswear.
Care Guide
Washcold (30°C)
Cycledelicate
Detergentmild
BleachDo not bleach
Drytumble low
IronDo not iron
Dry Cleanoptional
SoftenerNo
Special Notes
• Use down-specific detergent
• Tumble dry with clean tennis balls to restore loft
• Ensure completely dry before storing to prevent mildew
Additional Care Tips
- • Machine wash cold on gentle cycle with down-specific detergent (never regular detergent — it strips natural oils)
- • Tumble dry on low heat with 2-3 clean tennis balls to break up clumps and restore loft
- • Ensure completely dry before storing — trapped moisture causes mildew and odor
- • Store uncompressed in a large breathable cotton bag; never in a stuff sack long-term
- • Avoid dry cleaning — the solvents can strip the natural oils from down clusters
- • Spot clean minor stains with a damp cloth to extend time between full washes
Cost
$$$$$
Premium
Shrinkage
Won't shrink with normal washing
Eco Rating
Moderate impact — consider eco alternatives