CQ Down™

Down is still unequalled when it comes to the best warmth-weight ratio. They are the smallest and finest layer of feathers found under the tougher exterior feathers of geese and ducks, weighing 0,001 to 0,0045 g only. We exclusively use CARINTHIA CQ-DOWN™. It is selected from premium duck or goose down, which is processed in Germany with highest diligence and according to strictest quality standards (no live-plucking). Find out more about CARINTHIA CQ-DOWN™ on the next page.

WHAT MAKES A GOOD DOWN FILLING?
All parameters listed below decide on the quality of the down:

1. The animal itself: either goose (= better, because larger) or duck, and which breed.
2. The feed: concentrated feed is better for growth – e.g. corn feed instead of grass.
3. The climate where the animal lived: the colder the climate, the better the quality.
4. The keeping of animals: free-range and outdoors is better than indoor breeding.
5. The age of the animal: the down of older animals is better, because it is larger and stronger. However: For meat production, which is the main reason for breeding geese and ducks, the tender meat of young animals is preferred.
6. The know-how and the diligence during further processing.
7. The ratio of down and feather in the filling.

IMPORTANT:
The so-called weight percentage does not provide conclusive evidence about the quality. It is easily possible that high quality 70/30 down (from free-range old geese, fed with concentrated feed and living far North) offers better insulation than a 90/10 down of poor quality (duck, indoor breeding, only 8 weeks old when slaughtered). 

FILLPOWER:
The fillpower (also called “loft”) is the most important measure of down quality. It states which volume can be filled by a certain amount of down. Unfortunately, there are two different methods for measuring the fill power.

1. The “new” international method (recommended by the IDFB – International Down and Feather Bureau) uses a device, where 30 g of down are packed into a cylinder for 24 hours and loaded with a defined weight. Then the load is removed and the volume of the uncompressed down is measured in cubic inches (1 cuin = 16,39 cm3).
2. The “old” American method measures with 1 ounce (1 oz = 28.3 g) of down, which is compressed in a slightly narrower cylinder with a slightly higher load.

The IDFB testing method — which CARINTHIA uses — typically results in about 5 % lower values. In addition you generally have to take into consideration a certain measuring tolerance of the down as a natural product. It may vary up to 5 %.
CARINTHIA uses strictly European down, which is only wet-plucked from dead animals.

WHAT IS CQ-DOWN™?
We only use European duck and goose down with a fill power of 600 to over 800 cuin (= cubic inches). This high-quality, certified product is processed into CQ-Down™. CQ-Down™ stands for Carinthia Quality and underlines the promise that we give to our demanding customers.

WHAT MAKES CQ-DOWN™ SO SPECIAL?
Thanks to its three-dimensional structure down is able to trap plenty of air in proportion to its weight. A good singly down has about 2 million fluffy “legs” which interlock with other down. In between, the down traps non-heat-conducting air, which protects against the cold. Additionally, our CQ-Down™ has a very high resilience, even though it can be compressed considerably (though not “forever”). When taking out from the stuff sack, shake the sleeping bag (or jacket well) and give it air to “breathe”. The down expands to the original shape and will keep you as warm as before.

WHERE DOES THE CQ-DOWN™ COME FROM?
We solely purchase high-quality European goose and duck down, processed by renowned German manufacturers. We only use down that is not live-plucked!