Pacific Coast Feather Lightweight Down Comforter Review

We purchased Pacific Coast Feather's Lightweight Down Comforter so our writer could put it to the test in her own home. Keep reading for our full product review.

There’s nothing quite like snuggling into your bed when you’ve got a nice warm comforter like the Pacific Coast Feather Lightweight Down Comforter. Down is naturally soft, fluffy, and incredibly warm due to its inherent insulation. Comforters that are made with real down, the right fill power, and high-quality fabrics will keep you warm and cozy for years to come. But being down is not a great equalizer, there are many differences. We put the Feather Lightweight to the test in a moderate climate to see if it held up to its brand promises. 

Material: Mid-quality fill, noisy fabric

Down quality is measured in fill power, which is the loft or fluffiness of the down. The number refers to the volume of down per ounce. A down with a high fill power provides a greater amount of insulation per ounce, but since it takes less down to insulate because it’s fluffier, it weighs less. Thus, high fill power means more warmth with less weight. 

Fill powers below 300 are considered low. Those between 300 to 600 are mid-range. A high fill power (lightest and warmest down) is 700 and up. The Feather Lightweight’s 550 fill power puts it right in the middle. It’s made of good quality natural duck down, but it’s not the top of the line. 

Most down comforters, the Feather Lightweight included, are meant to be used within a duvet cover. Even though they are technically a comforter, you’re not meant to sleep directly under them. A duvet cover protects the down and decreases the frequency with which you have to wash it.  

The cover needs to be thick enough that feather plumes don’t push through. We couldn’t feel any feathers, though we could see them when we held the comforter up to the light. The Feather Lightweight’s 100 percent cotton cover is 300-thread count and is thick—so much so that we could hear the fabric as it moved. 

Texture: Rough texture meant for a cover

The thick fabric of the cover works well for protecting the down, but its thickness makes it noisy when it moves. It was not loud enough to wake us up, but in all our years using comforters, it was the noisiest we’ve ever used. One of our testers is a light sleeper, and she didn’t wake up. We did a little research and found that some users have had a problem with the rustling noise. If you’re a super sensitive, light sleeper, keep that in mind.

The Feather Lightweight has large baffle boxes (the stitched squares that hold in the down) on the top part of the comforter. The baffle box design is supposed to prevent the down from shifting or pooling at the bottom or in the corners. We didn’t notice any pooling or shifting, but larger boxes may allow more room for pooling as the down ages. 

At the border, in the part of the comforters that hangs over the bed, it has much smaller squares with stitching in the middle to keep the down in place. The down doesn’t shift in these smaller squares, but there’s also not as much of it. It gives the comforter a fluffy-on-top appearance. 

As we already stated, the cover isn’t meant to be used against the skin but to contain the down. It’s also not soft. The Feather Lightweight has small straps sewn into each corner so you can tie it to a duvet cover. We opted for a linen cover that, with the warmth of the Feather Lightweight, was an incredibly comfortable night’s rest. 

Washing: Dry clean only

Down comforters are delicate and can only be washed according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The Feather Lightweight is dry clean only. You can’t fluff it in the dryer either. For those that consider a trip to a dry cleaner a hassle; keep the cleaning instructions in mind. 

Performance: Warm and comfortable in a moderate climate

We used the Feather Lightweight every night for a week and a half. Overnight temperatures ranged from 25 to 45 F. The house was between 55 and 65 degrees at night. The Feather Lightweight kept us right on the border of warm and hot. For the most part, it was perfect, but there were a couple of nights where we overheated. 

We tend to sleep warm, so take that into consideration. We also have a memory foam mattress topper that added some warmth. We would use the Feather Lightweight in the fall, winter, and spring, but it’s too warm for the summer months. 

Price: Mid-range price for real down

Comforters with real down, whether it’s goose or duck, come with a high price. The quality of the feathers is factored into that price. The mid-range 550 fill power of the Feather Lightweight still comes with a hefty price tag, but it’s nowhere near the cost of comforters with fill powers over 700. 

If the comforter has any independent certification, it can also add to the price. The Feather Lightweight has a certification from the American Down & Feather Association, which assures the quality of the feathers. 

Competition: High price competitors 

Vienna Polish White Goose Down Comforter: You’re looking at top of the line goose down in this model. It’s nearly five times as expensive as the Feather Lightweight. We think there are less expensive comforters that are just as warm and luxurious. 

Feathered Friends Bavarian 700 Down Comforter: This comforter has a higher loft and more warmth than the Feather Lightweight. If you want a comforter that’s luxurious, pillow-like, and incredibly warm, this is the one for you. However, you’ll have to spend about $500 for extra loft and warmth.