The Low-Down

Down and feathers are nature's great insulators, filling coats and comforters, pillows and pillow-tops. Generally, goose and duck down is collected from dead fowl as a byproduct of the meat-processing industry, and even though many responsible farmers of free-range animals sell their plumage to down suppliers, it's difficult to guarantee that these feathers won't get mixed in with down and feathers coming from factory-farmed poultry along the supply chain. "It's really hard to ensure that you're buying humanely gathered down," says Jen Rapp of outdoor clothier Patagonia. According to the advocacy group United Poultry Concern (UPC), down is more commonly gathered from factory-farmed ducks and geese that lived in filthy buildings with little access to the outdoors. "Living conditions of [factory] ducks are inhumane," says UPC director Karen Davis. "Before they die, they're miserable." Furthermore, she adds, "live plucking of geese and ducks still exists," inflicting terror and pain.

Fortunately, down isn't the only material that keeps you cozy in the bedroom or out on the street. In addition to a growing variety of recycled synthetics, wool is warm, naturally moisture and dust-mite resistant, and can be certified organic. If organic isn't available, opt for Pure Grow Wool, which comes from a co-op of California farmers who conduct humane sheep ranching without pesticides. And kapok fibers, which come from the tropical kapok tree, mimic the loft and feel of down and are moisture resistant as well (see GG #115). Please note that products labeled as EcoDown are either traditional down that has undergone additional cleaning or just polyester, and those labeled Hypodown contain traditional down mixed with plant fibers.

Coats: Layered over Patagonia's Capilene 1 crew-neck shirts made of 100-percent recycled polyester (women's $38, men's $44; www.patagonia.com, 800-638-6464), the 80-percent recycled polyester Eco Fleece jackets from Point Beach Outdoors will keep you warm. The chemically untreated EcoSpun fleece they use, says co-owner Gail Hartlich, "wears much better than virgin polyester fleece. There's less pilling, and the fabric dries quickly" (unisex 1/4-zip adult pullovers $60, jackets, $64; www.pointbeachoutdoors.com, 262-670-5544). If you prefer natural materials, choose Purely Alpaca's ladies' reversible jacket ($206; www.purelyalpaca.com, 877-787-3592) or the trendy organic wool, bamboo-lined Ramona coat from the Delano Collection ($425; www.delanocollection.com, 718-577-1048).

Bedding: Earthsake Pure Grow Wool comforter ($395/full/queen; www.earthsake.com); Janice's organic sheep's wool quilt comforter/duvet ($270/full; www.janices.com, 800-526-4237); H3 Environmental kapok pillows ($63) and Pure Grow Wool pillows ($76.50/regular fill; www.h3environmental.com, 818-766-1787); Kid Bean organic kapok pillows ($54/standard fill; www.kidbean.com, 828-299-3608). Or simply toss another blanket on the bed, like the affordable organic cotton blanket from Kasper Organics ($64/full size; www.kasperorganics.net, 818-988-3924).