Why do down-and-feather-filled duvets provide such a favourable micro climate?

Bedding products filled with down and feathers are capable of providing a high degree of thermal insulation with a low filling weight. The comparatively low filling weight is a significant factor for sleeping comfort – the duvet is supposed to keep the body warm with very little weight.

Humidity is another important criterion for the climate in bed. Bedding products filled with down and feathers are capable of absorbing and transmitting the body's humidity so that it is not perceived by the sleeper as being uncomfortable. A scientific study confirmed the favourable micro climate created under down-and-feather-filled duvets and clearly showed that there is no heat accumulation under featherbeds.

 

In the scope of a scientific study conducted by the University of Kiel in 1992, the issue of what impact the duvet has on the micro climate of the bed was investigated in particular.

As part of a major study with test subjects, 14 duvets were investigated, which reflect the supply of bedding products currently available on the market, both with regard to the materials used and to the filling quantity (e.g. fillings made of animal hair, silk, synthetics, down and feathers).

 

For these studies three groups of candidates, namely persons with mild, medium and strong perspiration, were selected so that the whole spectrum of the requirements of a person for a duvet were able to be covered.

 

During a test with comparable bedding products, the focus of the study was on whether or not the assertion is true that there is heat accumulation under featherbeds.

 

Heat accumulation is characterised by an increase in the core temperature of a person, so that the sleeper starts to perspire exorbitantly. The duvet was unable to compensate for the temperature in a suitable manner

 

The tests conducted with different duvets were able to clearly show, however, that inappropriately high temperatures in the bed hollow do not occur under normal bedroom conditions for any filling material, and therefore, also not for featherbeds.