So, you’re looking to buy a new doona but feel completely overwhelmed. With so many different fillings to choose from, it’s hard to know where to even start. You’re probably asking yourself:
"Will a wool doona be too warm for winter if I’m a hot sleeper?"
"Feather is so much cheaper than down, but aren’t they basically the same thing?"
"What the heck is a bamboo-filled doona?"
Your doona filling can make or break your sleep, determining whether you wake up feeling refreshed or end up tossing and turning all night. We understand this decision is important, with factors like climate, sleep temperature, allergies, budget, and personal preferences for weight all playing a role. That’s why we’ve put together this article to help you make the right choice.
Understanding Doona Fillings
The filling inside your doona, duvet, or comforter (depending on where you're from) directly impacts the overall feel of the doona, like how warm, breathable, and cosy it feels. The material of the filling will also affect the durability, care requirements, and price of the doona.
The most common doona fillings in Australia are:
Wool
Down
Feather
Synthetic materials (like microfiber and polyester)
Each type offers a very different feel from the other. So, below we will explore how each perform in different climates.
Doona Fillings for Different Climates
Australia’s climate is incredibly diverse. For example, night time winter temperatures in Queensland can hover around 10°C, while in Tasmania, it can drop well below freezing. Choosing the right doona filling depends heavily on where you live and the conditions in which you'll be using your doona.
Hot Climates
If you're living in a warmer part of Australia or just need a lighter doona for the warmer months, you'll want to prioritise a filling that’s lightweight, breathable, and moisture-wicking. This will help regulate your body temperature and prevent you from overheating during the night.
Recommended fillings for hot climates:
Down:
Although renowned for its warmth, down is an excellent option for warmer climates. It’s a natural, lightweight filling that’s highly breathable, allowing air to circulate and keep you cool while still offering light insulation. Down is perfect for those who need warmth without the weight or risk of overheating. It is also exceptionally fluffy. We would usually recommend an all-season or summer-weight down doona for warm climates during the cooler months. Keep in mind, although down is our top choice, it can be more expensive than other fillings.
Cotton:
Cotton-filled doonas are another great lightweight option. Cotton is breathable and hypoallergenic, so it's a solid choice for those with sensitive skin or allergies. Keep in mind, cotton will not have that luxurious fluffy feel.
Bamboo:
Bamboo is gaining popularity as a natural filling because it’s breathable, eco-friendly, and moisture-wicking. It’s a great option if you're looking for something sustainable and cool. Again, this will not be fluffy like down.
Here is a summary of the pros and cons of these fillings for summer:
Filling
Pros
Cons
Down (Top Pick)
Incredibly lightweight, breathable, temperature-regulating and durable with the correct care, gives fluffy look
Hypoallergenic (when purchasing from Bonny)
Can be more expensive.
Cheap (poorly processed) down may cause allergies
Cotton
Soft, breathable, natural.
Reasonably priced
Offers very little warmth.
No fluffiness
Bamboo
Moisture-wicking, hypoallergenic, sustainable, requires gentle care
Can be more expensive;
No fluffiness
Cold Climates
In the colder parts of Australia, particularly during winter months, you'll want a doona with greater warmth and insulation.
Recommended fillings for cold climates:
Down:
Even in cold climates, down is a top choice due to its exceptional insulating properties. There is no material on earth that offers the same weight to warmth ratio as down. It excels at trapping air, providing excellent warmth, without adding unnecessary weight or bulk to the doona. Despite its lightness in weight, it is exceptionally fluffy and gives your bed that 5 star luxury look. This is the absolute winner here, just keep in mind that it can be a little more expensive.
Wool:
Wool is a natural insulator known for its temperature-regulating properties. Wool-filled doonas are great at keeping you warm without overheating. They are extremely heavy and not very fluffy
Feather:
Feather-filled doonas are generally heavier than down but still provide some warmth. They are a more affordable option but will not offer the same warmth, breathability and durability as down.
Filling
Pros
Cons
Down
Outstanding warmth-to-weight ratio, insulating and warm, breathable, long-lasting.
Extremely Fluffy.
Higher price point.
Wool
Natural insulator, hypoallergenic, regulates temperature.
Heavier than down, can require more maintenance.
Not fluffy.
Feather
More affordable, provides some insulation.
Heavier, less breathable, not as soft as down, may require more maintenance.
Less fluffy.
Types of Doona Fillings
Natural Fillings
Down
Description: Down is the soft, fluffy underlayer found under the feathers of ducks and geese.
Benefits: Lightweight, breathable, and offers great insulation without bulk.
Considerations: Can be expensive.
Wool
Description: Wool is a natural fiber that regulates temperature and keeps you warm without overheating.
Benefits: Hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and great for temperature regulation.
Considerations: Heavier and may require more maintenance. Not fluffy.
Feather
Description: Feathers are a denser filling that offers good insulation, though they’re heavier than down.
Benefits: More affordable and durable.
Considerations: Heavier, less breathable. Less durable. Prickly bits from the feathers can come through.
Cotton
Description: A natural, breathable fabric.
Benefits: Soft, hypoallergenic, and good for warmer climates.
Considerations: Less warmth compared to other fillings. Not fluffy.
Bamboo
Description: Bamboo is an eco-friendly material that is soft and breathable.
Benefits: Sustainable, moisture-wicking, and hypoallergenic.
Considerations: Not very warm or fluffy.
Synthetic Fillings
Microfiber
Description: A synthetic material that mimics down but is typically more affordable.
Benefits: Cheap and Hypoallergenic.
Considerations: Less breathable, can trap heat and moisture. Bad for the environment as it is essentially a petroleum based plastic.
Polyester
Description: A durable synthetic fill that’s often used in budget-friendly doonas.
Benefits: Durable, affordable, and easy to maintain.
Considerations: Less breathable, can trap heat and moisture. Bad for the environment as it is essentially a petroleum based plastic.
Our Recommendation: Down
After considering all factors, we recommend a down-filled doona for the ultimate winter experience. It offers the best combination of warmth, breathability, and lightness, making it ideal for colder climates. Although it may be pricier, you get what you pay for in terms of performance during the winter months and durability. Typical, high quality down doonas can last 10+ years!
Down vs Feathers – what’s the difference?
Down and feathers are easily and often mistaken for being the same thing, when they’re actually quite different.
While feathers have a spikey ‘quill’, down has a fluffy, 3D snow flake like shape, made of thousands of miniature, soft filaments (fibres) with nodes (points) that interlock with one another. When this happens, little pockets of air are trapped, resulting in the lightweight, warm, and bouncy feel of a doona.
If you were to buy a doona with a high ratio of feathers to down, you’ll likely feel those little prickly bits (the quills) sticking through the outer casing. As you use the doona, the quills will start to break, and the doona will reduce in fluffiness.
Feathers also aren’t a good insulator and do not have the fluffy, soft luxurious feel that down doonas provide.
Down clusters are much more resilient, meaning they’re more likely to retain their shape, even after a long period of time.
Purchasing a doona with a high ratio of down to feathers, while possibly being slightly more expensive, is a more sustainable purchase because it should last you at least 10+ years (less expensive in the long run).
Differences Between Duck Down and Goose Down
Contrary to popular belief, the differences between duck and goose down are as subtle as a feather’s touch. Yes, their fat and oil composition can make them slightly more compressible. However, when it comes to bedding, these benefits are minimal.
Instead, we should look at fill power, it is the quickest way to ascertain the quality of down.
Fill power measures the amount of air trapped in cubic inches per 30 grams of down. It is determined by the strength and size of the down clusters. Smaller down clusters will trap less air and thus, have a lower fill power. And the higher fill powers will contain the largest and strongest down clusters.
So higher fill powers = lighter, more luxurious products. Lower fill powers: heavier, cheaper products.
Why does Bonny us duck down?
The short answer: so that we can give you the best quality at the most affordable price.
A duck down doona with high fill power will provide the same loft and warmth as its goose counterpart. At Bonny, we leverage new supply chains to supply duck down which rivals even the best goose down doona
Generally, the larger the bird, the larger the down cluster. Consumers often (mistakenly) consider goose down products to be a better product simply because geese are a larger bird. The down contained in Bonny doonas is from a larger species of duck, providing a fill power that can rival some of the most premium goose down products.
Exceptional Quality at an Even Better Price.The Value Champion: Duck Down Quilts and the Bonny Advantage
When it comes to cost, duck down is the unsung hero. Offering the same warmth and loft as goose down, but at a more wallet-friendly price, duck down quilts give you more snuggle for your buck.
But it gets even better. At Bonny, we sell directly to you through our website, cutting out the middlemen and passing the savings onto you. So, with Bonny, you’re not just buying a duck down doona, you’re investing in superior quality and value.
Choosing the Right Doona Filling for You
With all of these considerations in mind, when choosing the right doona for you, its important to take account the following factors:
Climate and seasonality:
Do you like in a hot or cold climate and, how much temperature variability is there between the summer and winter seasons?
Personal preferences (weight, feel):
Do you prefer a soft, fluffy luxurious doona or something more simple?
Allergies and sensitivities:
are there certain materials that you’re sensitive or allergic to?
Budget:
Do you have a budget in mind, especially in buying multiple doonas?
Maintenance and care requirements:
how often do you plan on needing to wash your doona- do you prefer easy care or are you happy with one that requires more delicate handling?
Understanding the unique qualities of each doona filling and considering your personal needs, you'll be better equipped to choose the perfect doona that keeps you cosy throughout the brisk Aussie winters!