TOUCH AND FEEL THE PRODUCT

To assess the quality, the best thing to do it to touch and feel the item. Pinch the down filling through the fabric and rub it between your fingers. It should feel soft to the touch, with a minimum of spiky feather quills. If you feel a lot of prickly fibers, the item likely will not provide the comfort and insulating benefits you get from higher-quality products.

For sleeping bags, duvets and pillows, simply pick up the unpackaged item and see how it feels. Higher quality down products will feel soft, bouncy and full of life. Poor quality items will feel heavy and limp. 

Another way to assess quality is to look for detailed finishing. Typically, good finishing is a reflection of the overall quality of the product. Careless finishing is a hallmark of a low quality product. Look for good quality fabrics with straight and even stitching, and clear and well-printed packaging and tags that meet Canada’s labelling requirements.

BUYER BEWARE

It can be very difficult to determine if a down product is genuine. With all the different types of frauds that exist today – everything from misleading claims about the down fill and country of origin and counterfeit products – it is essential to take the time to inform yourself before you make your purchase.

To minimize the risks, it’s always best to choose a product from an established, reputable brand. A reputable manufacturer will properly label their product according to Canada’s standards and guidelines, making it easy for you to learn more about the manufacturer so you can better assess the validity of the company’s claims.

Also, be wary of products sold on major online retail sites, such as Amazon, eBay, Groupon, and many others. There are thousands of counterfeit products sold on these sites and unless the item is being sold directly by a well-known, reputable manufacturer, you have to be extremely cautious and do your due diligence.

You should also remember, if the price sounds too good to be true, it most likely is. Often sellers of “bargain” products misrepresent the fill so they can get away with offering an inferior product at a discounted rate.

CHECK THE LABELS

Check the law tag to see the content claim as to what is actually in the article, and make sure the outside labels and packaging match the law tag. We have often found that outside labels can be over enthusiastic. If they differ you really don’t know what you are getting. The law tag will also tell you who made the item, either by name or by CA number.

Learn more about a manufacturer by researching online or by searching CANADA'S COMPETITION BUREAU website for the CA Identification number.

The law tag indicates what the filling is:

• “Goose Down” means Goose Down

• “Duck Down” means Duck Down

• “Waterfowl Down” usually means Duck Down, or a blend of Duck and Goose Down.

• “Down” usually means Duck Down, or a blend of Duck and Goose Down.

• “Down Fiber” means worthless dust left over from the separation of down and feathers.

LOOK FOR DOWNMARK®

In today’s market its very difficult to know exactly which products are genuine, and which ones are fake. This reality puts you at risk of paying more for a lesser quality or possible fake down product.

To buy down products with confidence, always look for the DOWNMARK® label. DOWNMARK® is recognized worldwide as our standard for quality assurance and certifies that the product you are about to purchase is a genuine item. It also ensures that it has been made in Canada according to all manufacturing standards.