Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

This is a wonderfully soft but firm 100% down pillow. (Yes, it is 100% down fill - the tag lists 90% down because the other 10% is the fabric for the pillow!) It is exactly as advertised. So why has it gotten some bad reviews? As a long-time, down pillow user, I have learned from my own mistakes what to look for and what to expect when buying down pillows. So after reading the negative reviews about this (and other down pillows), it seems to me that one big reason some people are unsatisfied with their purchase is that they had false or unrealistic expectations about down pillows. So here's some quick information about this pillow for my fellow down pillow enthusiasts and some additional info for you lucky newbies discovering the wonders of down for the first time. I hope it will helps in your decision to buy this (or any) down pillow. Quick info for Down Pillow Experts: This is a 100% white goose down pillow (no chunky feathers). It has a firm but soft 800 fill power and is perfect for side sleepers like myself. It does not come with an additional outer shell like some more expensive options but the pillow's cotton-sateen fabric is 400 thread count and does a great job (breathes well and very little down comes out). The edges are standard stitched, not piped or gusseted. I detected no odor at all from the pillow when it arrived. I have been unable to find any warranty information about this pillow through Amazon or elsewhere online and there is also no information as to whether or not it has been hypoallergenically treated (I am not allergic to water fowl, it is not an issue for me). But the price is one of the lowest I have found for the fill power and the quality is in par with far more expensive down pillows I have purchased in the past. I am very happy with the pillow and I plan to purchase at least two more now that I see that Amazon sells them in a 2-pack for a great savings! Additional Info for Newbies: If you've never slept on a down pillow before, then you are in for a treat! Down pillows are absolutely the softest pillows out there. They breath better than other materials so your head doesn't get too hot and the soft down contours to your head so you get excellent support that feels like you are sleeping on a cloud. But if you are used to sleeping on pillow filled with some other material (latex, polyester, gel, foam, feather), you may have become accustomed to other types of pillows and down may not be what you expect. Most other pillow fills are more solid and more rigid than down. As down is composed of lots of tiny soft duck or goose feathers, the filling can be adjusted (pushed around) within the case to shape the pillow. Newer down pillows will have more loft and will seem to almost fluff themselves. But as time goes by, the down will get soiled and break down slightly causing it to lose some of its firmness. You can extend the life of your down pillow by fluffing it after use and cleaning it at least once a year (down pillows should be professionally dry cleaned unless the label says otherwise). If you take proper care of your down pillow, it can last you for decades! Things to look for when buying a down pillow: The first thing you should look at is what percent of the filling is down. This particular pillow is a 100% down but some are a mixed down/feather fill. Pillows with feather fill are less expensive but not as soft and can sometimes feel "chunky." Secondly, you should look at the fill power of the pillow. This is an 800-fill power which is considered medium-firm and is great for side sleepers. If you are a back sleeper, you might consider a 700 fill-power for a slightly softer pillow. Stomach sleepers might want an even lower fill power. Thirdly, make sure you are not allergic to down! While many pillows are specially treated to be hypoallergenic, this pillow does not list this in its description. So if you are not sure, you may want to look at a different pillow or a down-alternative pillow. Down alternatives are pretty nice and much less expensive than down, but they are not the same and you can definitely tell the difference. Finally, consider price. Higher fill power increases the price (more down = more money) but other refinements like additional pillow covers, gusseted sides, brand names, and longer manufacturer's warranties can also increase the price. Yes, we all want the security of a long manufacturer's warranty, but be honest, outside of expensive electronics, when was the last time you sent something back to a manufacturer under warranty? And are you really going to send back a pillow in 5 years if you are no longer happy with it!? Again, I have purchased many down pillows over the last few decades and this pillow is a very good quality -- better than some I have paid more for in the past. I hope this information helps. Sleep well!