When you're shopping for a new pillow or duvet in store with us, one of the first questions our sales associates will ask you is: do you prefer down or down alternative?
If you're not sure of the answer, don't worry - we're here to help. At Au Lit Fine Linens, we've spent the past 45 years crafting exceptionally comfortable pillows and duvets that change the way our customers sleep, so we've seen every type of sleeper out there.
Think of the last time you slept in a really great hotel bed - the soft and fluffy duvet that floated around you like a cloud while you slept. Chances are, that duvet was filled with down, either goose down or duck down.
For years, goose down has been the gold standard in the bedding industry, loved for its softness, lightweight warmth, and ability to regulate body temperature. Basically, it's insulating enough to keep you warm on cold nights, but breathable enough to prevent you from waking up in a pile of sweat.
However, a new wave of alternatives to traditional goose down have entered the marketplace over the past few years - everything from advanced microfibres designed to mimic the feel of goose down, to plant-based fibres, to natural alternatives like silk.
So which option is better - down or down alternative? In this blog post, we'll help you understand which option is best for you: taking into consideration how you sleep, how you like your bedding to feel, and which qualities matter most to you.
What is goose down?
Down or goose down is the soft, fluffy layer found beneath the feathers of geese. Unlike feathers, goose down fibres do not have sharp quills and are incredibly fluffy and light as air. These clusters trap air between them, creating excellent insulation and warmth without getting heavy and weighed down.
This is why many people feel like sleeping under a goose down duvet is like sleeping under a cloud: puffy and warm, but weightless on top of your body.
Goose down is also naturally lofty and resilient. A goose down pillow will sink beneath your head while you sleep, then can be fluffed and reshaped to it's supportive state the next morning.
What is down alternative?
When you hear the phrase "down alternative", it doesn't mean one particular material. It describes a range of fills that don't contain animal down but offer the same qualities.
At Au Lit Fine Linens, we're proud to offer a range of down alternative options to suit every sleeper. Our Jasper micro-fibre fill has been a customer favourite for decades, many customers swear by our silk duvet. Recently, we've expanded into new plant-based fibres that have changed the game.
Microfibre: the closest feeling to down
If you love the feeling of plump, fluffy goose down, a high-quality microfibre fill is the closest alternative you'll find on the market.
Our Jasper collection of pillows & duvets are made right here in Canada and filled with Suprelle micro-fibre, an advanced synthetic fill made in France. Unlike most synthetic fibres, these are exceptionally fine and are blown into the pillow strand by strand, and finished with a 400 thread count cotton sateen shell. This results in pillows and duvets that are soft and lofty with a down-like feel.
Jasper Microfibre Duvet
We recommend microfibre for anyone with severe allergies, for guest rooms, kids' rooms, cottages, or anyone who is looking for a more accessible price point.
Maize: a plant-based alternative
One of our newest down alternative options here at Au Lit comes from an unexpected source: corn.
Our Pure Maize Duvet is made from 100% natural maize fibre, using Ingeo™ maize fibre - a plant-based material sourced from an annually renewable resource, field corn (aka maize).
This revolutionary new fibre is designed to help regulate temperature throughout the night, while retaining its fluffy loft and comfort, even through years of use and washing.
Down Alternative Pure Maize Duvet
This duvet is made with a 100% cotton sateen shell, making it a great option for anyone looking for a premium, high-quality plant-based duvet, with the same comfort and moisture-wicking properties typically only available with goose down.
Silk: naturally cool and moisture-wicking
Calling all hot sleepers! If sleeping hot is of concern to you, a silk duvet may be exactly what you've been searching for.
Silk is another natural alternative to down, but it's appeal is quite different. Unlike our microfibre or maize options, silk has a much thinner, flatter profile. It doesn't puff up, but instead drapes over the curves of your body while you sleep. It has a subtle weight that a lot of our customers find comforting, without feeling too heavy.
Silk is a completely natural fibre and has exceptional moisture-wicking properties, and our Premium Silk Duvet is one of our coolest duvet options. Each layer of Tussah silk fill is hand-layered and carefully stitched into place to prevent the fill from shifting over time.
Premium Silk Duvet
If you prefer a smoother, thinner feel for your duvet or find traditional duvets too warm, a silk duvet may be the best option for you.
What about down-alternative pillows?
Duvets aren't the only product category where down alternatives have evolved. Our Klima Control Pillow by HEFEL, made in Austria, is designed specifically for sleepers who want a cooler, drier sleep.
Klima Control Premium Down Alternative Pillow
Its TENCEL™ Lyocell cover and fabric are highly breathable and designed to draw moisture and sweat away from the body. Inside, 100% PES Softbausch fibre balls create a soft, supportive fill designed to help regulate temperature.
One other feature that makes this pillow truly amazing: the firmness is adjustable! The pillow has a zipper so you can add or remove filling to customize your personal level of support. It starts as a medium firmness, but you can make it softer or firmer depending on your preference.
Klima Control Pillow Fill
Which is the right option for me?
With so many incredible options available on the market now, you've now learned that goose down isn't the only way to get your best night's sleep. There are alternatives for every type of sleeper out there - from advanced microfibres that closely mimic the feel of down to plant-based fibres and even silk.
The right choice comes down to how you sleep and what you want from your bedding.
If you want a plump, lightweight, down-like feeling (and like a lower price point!), we recommend our Jasper Micro Fibre collection for you.
If you're looking for a plant-based, sustainable option that's supremely comfortable, try our Pure Maize Duvet.
If you're a hot sleeper, are prone to night sweats, or like natural fibres for your bedding, look to our Premium Silk Duvet.
The best bedding for you isn't necessarily the best seller, or the highest priced option - it's the one that suits the way you sleep.
Have more questions, or need help choosing? Our dream bed experts here at Au Lit Fine Linens are available in-person or virtually to help you find the perfect fill, warmth level, and support to change the way you sleep.
Give us a call at 1-800-363-6080 or email us at info@aulitfinelinens.com and we'd love to help you! You can find more ways to get in touch with us here.
