Down Ratio

Definition and Overview

Down ratio is the proportion of down in the feather filling material used in down jackets, coats, bedding, and similar products. It is often shown as the blend ratio of down and feathers, and it is not a value that represents the filling amount itself or warmth on its own.

Down is fluff-like feathers found on the chest of waterfowl and has a nature that makes it easy to trap air. Feathers are quill-bearing feathers, and they are blended to give the filling resilience and loft.

Use and Function

Down ratio is not a specification for interfacing, but a term that mainly indicates the blend of quilt batting filled into the body, sleeves, hood, and other parts of outerwear and cold-weather clothing. Down packs or quilted compartments are set between the outer fabric and lining to prevent the feathers from shifting.

A blend with a higher down ratio generally tends to be softer and puffier. However, the warmth and wearing comfort of the product are also affected by the filling amount, fill power, quilt structure, and the wind resistance of the outer fabric.

Materials and Types

In addition to natural feathers, filling materials include synthetic-fiber quilt batting made from polyester and similar materials. Down ratio is an expression used for the blend of down and feathers in natural feathers, and it does not refer to the blend ratio of synthetic quilt batting or the fiber blend ratio of interfacing.

Down quality varies depending on origin, bird species, washing condition, and other factors, so even with the same down ratio, performance and texture are not necessarily the same. Along with the blend ratio, fill power, which indicates loft, should also be checked.

• Down ratio: the proportion of down in the filling feathers
• Feather ratio: the proportion of feathers in the filling feathers
• Filling amount: the total amount of filling material used in the product
• Fill power: an indicator of down resilience and loft

How to Choose and Sewing Considerations

During planning, in addition to the target lightness, puffiness, and wearing scene, confirm compatibility with the density and weave structure of the outer fabric. To reduce down leakage from the outer fabric and seams, it is important to use an outer fabric and lining with downproof properties and appropriate sewing specifications.

In sewing, needle holes and seams can become escape routes for feathers, so conditions that make fine needle holes less likely should be considered. If quilt compartments are too large, the filling tends to shift, and if they are too small, they may hinder loft, so check the filling condition with prototypes.

Differences from Similar Terms

Down ratio is the blend ratio of down and feathers. Fill power is an indicator related to down resilience and loft, and it has a different meaning. Filling amount is the weight of feathers used in the product, and even if the down ratio is the same, differences in filling amount will change the product's thickness and warmth.

For interfacing, check stiffness, thickness, adhesive resin, and flexibility to choose one suitable for the outer fabric. It is not common to use down ratio as a ratio of interfacing adhesion performance or stiffness, so stating clearly in specifications that it refers to the blend of feather filling material can help prevent misunderstandings.

Frequently Asked Questions