If I were to assemble a soccer team, the first place I would look is Brazil. If I were to collect fine bourbon, Scotland and Ireland might be my first place to look. And if I were to produce the finest goose down comforter, the geese would be from Poland or Hungary.

If you are to truly indulge in your own comfort and finally purchase that cozy goose down comforter, know that not all goose down is of equal feather. Goose down of the highest quality comes from the backs and bodies of the European White, and not their Asian counterparts whose down is of inconsistent quality and tends to make its way into cheaper and less comfortable goose down comforters.

There is also the matter of the down’s fill power. It is the fill power that decides how warm the comforter will be. This typically ranges from 650 fill to 900 fill (rare and volcanically warm), with 750 being adequate for most people’s needs. It is not always apparent just how warm you will want or need your goose down comforter to be. Before purchase, see if the seller allows you to add more fill to the comforter down the road, and if they charge for this service.

What about the geese? Don’t they need their down? Concern for the well-being of the creatures that provide the comfort we enjoy is laudable. When comparing goose down comforters, see if the goose down was "live" or "hand harvested". Not only is hand harvested down of higher quality, it sheds no blood and allows you to enjoy your new goose down with both comfort of body and mind.