Buyers Guide: Choosing a Pillow: First, decide how much support is right for you. Support in a down pillow is determined by the quality of the fill, known as fill power, and the number of ounces of fill weight. A higher fill power rating means better quality down. This means, ounce per ounce, the higher fill power pillow will be longer lasting, fluffier and loftier than one with a lower fill pillow rating. The easiest way to decide what firmness is best for you is to determine your normal sleep position. Stomach sleepers generally prefer softer pillows. Back sleepers generally prefer medium firm pillows, and side sleepers usually prefer a firm pillow. Remember, these guidelines are generalizations, and your individual preference may vary.   Next, decide if you would prefer a feather, down or down and feather blend pillow. Feathers are two dimensional, so are flatter than down. Also, you may feel the spine of the feather in most. Down is three dimensional, and provides a fluffier and loftier pillow. An all down pillow will be softer and fluffier, but may be very expensive to get the fill needed, also the down alone may not hold it's shape as well as a feather and down pillow. The feather and down blend may be the best option, especially if it has an inner core of feathers, with the down outer layers. This type of pillow, if constructed properly, will keep the feather spine from coming through the cover, have a lofty, comfortable feel, and maintain it's shape.   Make sure that the pillow cover is down proof. Down proof means that there will be no leakage of the fill. Always be sure to have a thread count of at least 210+ or above to ensure that it is down proof. Thread Count is the number of threads per square inch of fabric. The higher the thread count, the more durable and softer the cover will be. A higher thread count cover will protect the down from impurities as well as keep the fill inside the comforter. A 100% cotton cover will be breathable, lending to the insulation and fluffiness of the pillow. Choosing a Down Comforter A Comforter’s Fill Power Although there are many things to consider when choosing a down comforter, none is more important the fill power of the down fill. Higher fill power means your down comforter will last longer and have more loft than a lower fill power comforter with the same amount of fill.   "Fill Power" is a term used in the Down Bedding industry that tells the quality of the down filling material. The higher the fill power is, the better the down material is. To test the filling power, one ounce of down is compressed with a pre-determined weight. When the weight is removed, the down expands and the space it occupies is measured in cubic inches. For more information on Fill Power, please refer to my Frequently Asked Questions.   Thread Count The comforters thread count is determined by counting the number of threads contained in one square inch of fabric. The finer the threads, the higher the thread counts possible, as more threads can be woven into the square inch. The finer the threads, the lighter, softer and more breathable the fabric becomes. The tightness of the weave also prevents leakage of the comforters fill. The lightness also helps the fill to " loft"- or "puff up". A Down Comforter must be Downproof so no little feathers poke through the comforter fabric. Higher thread counts are more down proof. Covers with too low of a thread count may leak the down over time.   Make Sure You Choice is Hypoallergenic Comforter cleanliness is a primary variable in determining the hypoallergenic nature of some down comforters. The cleaner the down and feather, the less likely an allergic reaction will occur. To get a clean fill; it must be carefully washed and sterilized enough times to remove virtually all the dirt and dust.   Comforters Construction This is very important because no matter how high the thread count and how good the down is inside, the stitching, piping and construction all contribute heavily to the finished quality of the fabric. Better sewing means more durability, and less tendency for sewing to break. (A) Sewn Through or Baffle Wall Construction Comforters are generally sewn through or baffled. A baffle box is a style allows maximum loft of the down filling material and helps to prevent the down from shifting. The baffle box comforter is separated into three dimensional “boxes” that contain the down fill. This keeps the weight of the down evenly distributed over your entire body and allows you to sleep throughout the night in comfort. Baffled walls also add strength to the comforter. The baffle box comforter is by far the best style on the market today for down filled products. Comforters which are sewn through are generally better for lighter weight comforters only. (B) Comforters Piping A comforter can be made with material sewn around the edges. This piping is the type of material that runs around the entire exterior edge of the down comforter.   Comforters Weight A comforter can be made warmer in two ways: Fill power and Weight. Clearly the aim is to get the maximum warmth at the lightest weight for the best price. The highest fill powers would give you the maximum warmth with the least fill weight, but the expense of these comforters may be too high for some. Conversely, very low fill power or feather fills are a great deal less warm than high grade down, but are much less costly. Comforters with a relatively high fill power over 600 are durable, reasonably priced popular options.   Down (Goose and Duck) vs. Feathers Down (Goose and Duck) Generally down from ducks are a by- product of the food industry. The down is removed from relatively young ducklings. The down is less mature and it has less lofting ability. It is the least expensive, and the life span is also much shorter. It is used in many winter clothing items. It also makes inexpensive filler for pillows and economy priced comforters. Goose Down generally has higher fill power than duck down.   Down vs. Feathers Down is the light fluffy coating that protects birds from the elements. Down is a three dimensional cluster that can trap air in its filaments. Pound for pound, Down is nature's most efficient insulator. Down is warm, yet light. Feathers have quills and are two dimensional. Since they are two dimensional, feathers have very little ability to trap air. In every pound of feather there are only four to five ounces of down. Feathers are best used in featherbeds and pillows to increase the firmness. The more down in the mix, the fluffier and more expensive the comforter, featherbed or pillow is.