DOWN FROM HAPPY GEESE

Down is nature's own way of keeping ducks and geese warm. Between the small bird's body and the thick outer feathers you will find a layer of fluffy down. This down hides air molecules in small pockets, thus creating an effective heat barrier. These small air pockets are made of lots of tiny bundles of hair - in fact up to 2 million fibers for each ounce (28 grams) - that lie crosswise. This is a super warm system that has not yet been surpassed or duplicated by synthetic insulation. In short, goose down garments are warmer than synthetic garments. Geese and ducks are the main sources of good down. Goose down is more airy than duck down, has a higher filling density and is often preferred for light garments. In down garments, there will always be a mixing ratio between down and feathers, as the springs are mixed in to keep the down together. The springs also provide good moisture transport and moisture protection for the down. In all of Tufte's down jackets, the mixing ratio is 85% goose down and 15% goose feathers.

Down quality is measured in Fill Power or Cuin. Here is an overview of different filling levels, and what the individual entails:

400 cuin - Ok quality.
500 cuin - Absolutely decent down quality.
600 cuin - Very good down quality.
700 cuin - Tip top quality. Exclusive and expensive.
800 cuin - Extremely good, very expensive. Very exclusive, and often more niche than usual.

In other words, the higher up on the scale you get, the better the insulation ability of the garment. The price of producing the garments also rises steadily in line with the filling capacity.

Down is very easy to compress, there are some things that are so wonderful about down. A down jacket can be packed together and take up very little space, and thus taken in bags and purses on trips. And when the jacket is unpacked, it is just as nice as before. By shaking the product a little, this will also help with the air flow and restore the jacket to its original condition. This is an absolutely fantastic property that no synthetic fabric will be able to copy in the same way. Regular use and good maintenance will restore the lifting capacity, air circulation and warmth of the down, and the jacket will last a lifetime. It is best for the jacket to be stored uncompressed, preferably in a cool place without direct light.

Remember to carefully follow the washing instructions on the garment. We recommend that the jacket is washed together with a couple of tennis balls, as this helps to "fluff" the down. If the jacket is put in the dryer, this will restore the down to its original condition. Considering the outer material, which is usually synthetic, the jacket must be dried on low heat.

Down does not provide insulation when wet. We therefore recommend the use of water-repellent garments on days with a lot of rain, but if it is also cold, the down jacket is excellent as an intermediate layer under the rain jacket. You will then stay dry and warm, while the down will breathe well so that you do not get damp.

All down and feathers in Tufte's jackets come from greylag goose and are certified according to the RDS standard, Responsible Down Standard. This standard ensures animal welfare in all parts of production, and that the animal's "five freedoms" are met. This means, among other things, that the animals must be spared from live picking and forced feeding. In addition, the standard ensures that the animals have good access to food and water, and that they live in a safe environment. Our down is a by-product from food production, so that the whole animal benefits and nothing is wasted. We want everyone who buys a Tufte down jacket to be sure that the production is ethically sound, and that all waterfowl that contribute to our down production are treated humane and live a good life.

We have several different types of down jackets, for different uses.