What is Eiderdown?
Nature’s rarest down, gathered by tradition, perfected by craft.
Sourced from wild Icelandic eider ducks, eiderdown is prized for its unmatched warmth, lightness, and durability. Hand-harvested with care, this rare material reflects centuries of sustainable tradition and craftsmanship. Explore the origins of this luxurious natural filling.
The eider duck & its nest
Eiderdown comes from the Common Eider duck (Somateria mollissima), a sea duck native to northern coasts, including Iceland.
Each eider nest is lined by the mother duck with soft down from her breast to keep her eggs warm. This down is not plucked from the birds — instead, it is gently collected after the ducks leave their nests, with no harm to the animals.
The benefits
Why eiderdown is exceptional
Unmatched insulation
Eiderdown is far lighter yet warmer than goose or duck down. Its fine filaments trap air efficiently, making it incredibly insulating.
Water-resistant & durable
Because of natural oils and the structure of its fibers, eiderdown resists moisture better than typical down — so it retains performance even in damp conditions.
Rarity & limited supply
Only a very small amount can be harvested each year — for instance, Iceland produces around 85–90% of the world’s eiderdown supply. Also, each nest yields only a few grams at a time, which makes true eiderdown products extremely rare.
Hypoallergenic & natural
Eiderdown is naturally clean and often suitable for people with sensitivities, because it is not mixed with filler materials or synthetic fibers.
The process
How it’s collected & crafted
1
Nesting & molting
In breeding season, female eiders use down to insulate their nests. Once the eggs hatch and the family moves on, leftover down remains.
2
Harvesting
Harvesters visit nests after the birds depart. They carefully collect the down, leaving behind what’s needed for nature and ensuring no harm comes to the ducks.
3
Cleaning & sorting
The raw down is mixed with debris (twigs, small feathers, etc.). It is gently cleaned, often with multiple stages of washing, drying, and hand-sorting, to separate pure down clusters.
4
Certification & testing
To ensure authenticity and purity, samples are sent for laboratory testing. Only certified down is used in luxury bedding.
5
Final craftsmanship
The refined down is sewn into covers (silk or cotton), each piece made to order. Precision stitching, design, and careful finishing complete the product.
Sustainability & Ethical Harvest
Because eiderdown is collected after the nest is abandoned,
there is no harm to the ducks — making it one of the more ethical down options.
The limited, small yield farming encourages sustainable practices, protecting both the species and its habitat.
In places like Iceland, eider duck populations are actively protected by law, and collecting practices are regulated.
Eiderdown compared to goose down
How does Icelandic eiderdown compare to other down fillings? The difference is in the warmth, weight, and care.
Feature
Insulation & Warmth
Moisture Resistance
Rarity & Cost
Ethical Collection
Longevity & Care
Purity & Testing
Eiderdown
Exceptionally warm yet featherlight
Naturally resistant due to fine oils
Extremely limited, only in select regions
Hand-collected from nests after ducks leave
Retains loft and softness for decades
Certified and tested for quality in Iceland
Goose down
Warm, but heavier and bulkier
Absorbs moisture more easily
Widely available, lower cost
Often byproduct of meat industry
Requires more frequent replacement
Varies widely by supplier