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Is there a difference in quality between duck and goose down jackets?

There’s nothing quite like the insulating power of down jackets to keep you warm and cosy in cold weather. Their soft, fluffy down content makes them superb winter warmers and an essential item at this time of year. Down jackets come in a variety of lengths, styles and levels of warmth, making them a great versatile item. If you’re considering buying a natural down jacket, you may wonder which is better, duck vs goose down jackets. After all, both use down feathers to trap warm air and body heat to keep you incredibly warm. But how does down work to keep you warm? And what are the differences between these two types of natural insulation? Read on to find out.

How does down keep you warm?

Down is the soft and fluffy material found underneath the stiff outer feathers of ducks and geese. It’s commonly used as insulation for coats, duvets and pillows. Some new and recycled down jackets use duck, goose down, or a mixture of the two. Down keeps the birds insulated from cold air while preventing heat from their body escaping. It is a great thermal insulator thanks to the loose structure of the feathers trapping warm air. Once trapped, this warm air creates an effective thermal barrier. As down clusters are mostly made up of trapped air, natural down jackets are incredibly light and compressible.

Each feather down jacket has a fill power, a number that reflects the quality of the down, ranging from around 300 to over 900. The amount is determined by laboratory testing that measures the number of cubic inches of loft (fluffiness) one ounce the down produces. A higher fill power means greater loft and insulating capabilities but with less weight. You can enjoy the jacket's warmth, then easily pack it away in your bag when it's no longer needed.

Duck vs goose down: what are the differences?

While duck and goose down are excellent insulators, they differ in price, quality and effectiveness. Goose down, which we use in our light down jackets at Columbia Sportswear®, is considered premium down filling. So why is goose down considered high quality?

  • Warmth: goose down is warmer than duck down because of its larger clusters. This gives it a higher fill power than duck down. With a better warmth-to-weight ratio, it provides more warmth when you compare warmth against weight

  • Quality: depending on the species of bird and the conditions in which the down is collected, goose down is typically a higher quality than duck. With the right care, a goose down jacket can last for many years

  • Durability: both types of down are exceptionally durable. However, goose down has the edge over duck thanks to its bigger down clusters. It is also generally more resilient and less likely to break down. This makes goose down jackets more durable and longer-lasting

  • Cost: depending on the quality of the down and its fill power, warm parkas filled with goose down are typically more expensive than duck. Goose down comes from mature birds that have taken time to grow specifically for their feathers. Meanwhile, duck down is a by-product of the food industry

  • Odour: goose down tends not to smell unlike duck down, making it a better option for anyone sensitive to smells

What is RDS-certified down?

At Columbia Sportswear®, we only use Responsible Down Standard (RDS) goose down in our jackets. This ensures the down comes from responsible farms that prioritise the health and welfare of the geese. To achieve RDS certification, down cannot be removed from live geese. The birds must also be given access to indoor and outdoor spaces and not force-fed.

Natural down vs synthetic down insulation

Synthetic down jackets are made from engineered polyester fibres designed to mimic natural down. Although heavier than natural down and doesn’t compress down as small, synthetic down is increasingly becoming a popular alternative. It provides great warmth and insulation and is much more effective than natural down when wet. Unless treated with a water-repellent process, both duck and goose down will clump and lose their insulating power when wet. However, synthetic down will continue providing warmth even in wet conditions.

If you’re in the market for a new winter jacket, this guide will help you understand what differentiates goose from duck down. Before you purchase, browse our full range of down jackets, including sleeveless, hooded and recycled options.