Down 101
A simple guide to fill power, loft, warmth, care, and the difference between traditional down and Ogallala’s naturally hypoallergenic Hypodown®.
Understanding Down, Loft & Long-Term Comfort
Down bedding can feel technical at first, but the basics are simple. The quality, size, cleanliness, and resilience of the down cluster all affect how your pillow or comforter feels, performs, and lasts over time.
What Is Fill Power?
Fill power measures the loft and quality of down. In simple terms, it tells you how much space one ounce of down can occupy. The higher the fill power, the larger and more resilient the down cluster tends to be.
Higher fill power down creates more loft with less weight, which means your bedding can feel fluffy, warm, breathable, and beautifully light.
600 Fill Power
Soft, cozy, and approachable. Often used in lighter or entry-level luxury bedding where comfort and value are both important.
700 Fill Power
A beautiful balance of loft, comfort, and durability. This is one of our most loved options for everyday luxury.
800 Fill Power
Our most elevated level of loft and resilience. It feels especially full, light, luxurious, and long-lasting.
Fill Power vs. Fill Weight
Fill power and fill weight are not the same thing. Fill power describes the quality and loft of the down cluster. Fill weight describes how many ounces of fill are inside the product.
A simple way to think about it:
Fill power affects loft, warmth, and resilience. Fill weight affects how much fill is inside the pillow or comforter. Two products can contain the same number of ounces, but the higher fill power product will usually look fuller and feel more voluminous.
For example, a standard soft pillow in different collections may contain the same amount of fill, but an 800-fill pillow will generally appear loftier and hold its shape longer than a 600-fill pillow.
Why Does Down Feel So Light Yet Warm?
Down clusters create tiny pockets of air that help insulate without adding unnecessary weight. This is why high-quality down can feel warm, airy, and cloud-like at the same time.
Unlike heavy synthetic fills, quality down naturally lofts around the body, allowing warmth and breathability to work together for a more comfortable sleep environment.
What Makes Hypodown® Different?
Hypodown® is Ogallala Comfort’s signature blend of white goose down and natural milkweed fiber. The milkweed fiber helps trap and suppress allergens commonly found in down, creating a naturally hypoallergenic bedding experience without sacrificing the softness, loft, and breathability people love about down.
Naturally Hypoallergenic
Milkweed fiber helps reduce the allergens commonly associated with traditional down products.
Breathable Comfort
Hypodown® is designed to help regulate comfort instead of trapping heat and moisture.
Luxury With Purpose
Milkweed supports monarch habitat through a thoughtful, conservation-minded supply chain.
Cleaning & Purity
Down is a natural protein, much like human hair. It must be cleaned gently and thoroughly to preserve performance without stripping away the qualities that keep it resilient and lofty.
Our down supplier uses a very mild, safe detergent to wash the down. The down is then tested to ensure it is properly cleaned. If residual detergent remained on the down, it would fail testing and could affect performance over time.
Why this matters:
Clean down is essential for freshness, loft, and longevity. Proper cleaning helps preserve the natural structure of the down cluster so your bedding can perform beautifully for years.
Dust Mites & Down-Proof Fabric
All down products need to be encased in a down-proof fabric. This means the fabric is tightly woven to help keep the down inside the product.
Because the weave is so tight, it is also difficult for dust mites to pass through the fabric. Dust mites are not attracted to down and feathers themselves; they are attracted to warm, humid environments and the shedding skin of humans and pets.
We do not generally recommend dust mite protective covers for our bedding because many of them limit breathability, which can defeat the purpose of luxurious, moisture-wicking bedding.
How to Protect Your Down Bedding
Proper care helps extend the life of your pillow or comforter. Down’s biggest enemies are moisture, oils, lotions, conditioners, and improper laundering.
- Use pillow protectors on sleeping pillows.
- Use a breathable duvet cover on comforters.
- Choose 100% cotton or linen covers when possible.
- Avoid storing down in plastic for long periods of time.
- Professionally launder when your bedding feels flat, heavy, clumpy, or less lofty.
Common Down Questions
Does higher fill power always mean warmer?
Why does my pillow or comforter lose loft over time?
Can I wash my Ogallala bedding at home?
Is Hypodown® synthetic?
Not Sure Which Fill Power Is Right For You?
Our Sleep Concierge can help you choose the right pillow, comforter, or complete bedding setup based on how you sleep, how warm you like to be, and the level of luxury you are looking for.